Enhancing your loved one’s daily experience is our team at Heartwood Place, a group of staff who know that each individual is unique and important. We are proud of our team members, some of whom have been committed to caring for our residents for many years. These individuals provide experience, understanding, and a caring touch.
Our team at Heartwood Place prides itself in the service and commitment we provide for seniors in our community. We are proud to call each other family and we look forward to meeting you and welcoming your family member to join us. The city of Woodburn is a fabulous place to call home.
Get to Know Our Team!
Laurie Pomeroy – Executive Director
Laurie Pomeroy began her career in senior living 10 years ago as an activity director in a memory care community. Her father lived in memory care because of Parkinson’s and dementia, and while she was investigating the new residential setting opening in town, she asked if they were hiring. Her children were in middle and high school, so the time seemed right to restart a career. After seven years in memory care, she transferred to assisted living, and positions in the business office followed. However, her passion has always been memory care and caring for the most vulnerable. Because of her experience with her father, she identifies strongly with resident needs and the needs of their families and friends.
Laurie enjoys traveling to the Oregon coast, Bend, Hood River, and various day trips. She is married to her husband of 26 years and has a son and daughter. She is a lifelong Oregon resident and lives in Dundee.
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Sarah has lived in Oregon since childhood and enjoys trips all over the state with her family. Sarah has two sons, one grade school aged and the other is in his early twenty’s. She reads quite a bit and has worked as a freelance writer in the past. She has done a wide variety of things in her life from cub scout den mother to completing the Portland Marathon. Sarah’s education consists of a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration. She worked previously as an accountant at an assisted living facility and really enjoys working with the senior population. We are so happy she is now a part of the Heartwood Place Memory Care community.
Kelly Ong – Resident Care Coordinator (North Side)
Kelly Ong has spent the last 14 years of her life dedicated to caring for the elderly and building up her career in the industry. When she was just out of high school, Kelly’s grandmother developed Alzheimer’s and she noticed a need for kind and dignifying care in the industry. After working hard for 10 years as a caregiver, she moved up the ladder to med tech. Kelly then moved up once again to take on the job of Resident Care Coordinator here at Heartwood Place! Kelly has set herself several goals, including becoming an executive director some day in the future.
Holly grew up in a small, rural town in New Mexico located near the Texas border. At an early age, she knew that she wanted to help people. Volunteering with her grandma at the Community Center was the start of her service work. Her heart of service led her to work in a hospital and long-term care facility as a “candy striper” throughout her teenage years. She has been actively working in the medical field for over 30
years. Fifteen of those years she has been a nurse in Oregon, New Mexico, and Colorado. Holly has made a positive impact on others through every phase of life. She provided nursing care in highly specialized areas like In-Vitro Fertilization and has provided comfort care with Home Hospice Services. She has worked in private practices and rural clinics. Sometimes she and the physician were the only staff members! Other times, she was working in large corporate care settings on busy ICU/Step Down Units. Her husband’s name is David, her partner in crime for 32 years and her high school sweetheart. They have 2 boys, Joshua and Jacob, who have grown into good, honest men. They are so proud of their sons. Holly and her family live in South Salem and enjoy hanging out at home with some good food, good music, and great friends. They are typically outside gardening or chasing their 3 dogs around (Nikko, Indie, and Ozzy). Holly is happy to join the Heartwood family, and looks forward to caring for your family, as if they were her own.
Travis Cooper – Maintenance Director
Travis joined the Heartwood team in February 2017. As a 10-year homeowner, he learned most of his trade skills remodeling his own home for his family of four. From watching and helping his own handyman father as he grew up, to making his shop a place of enjoyment and fascination, this career was meant for him. Becoming the Maintenance Director at Heartwood has been another way for him to continue expanding his skills and interests while enjoying helping the residents in any way he can. Travis has a lovely wife who works as a nurse and two amazing young daughters he spends every moment possible with. At the age of four, his oldest daughter is already wearing safety glasses and helping dad build her a playhouse and all of the other projects he comes up with. Getting to be a part of the Heartwood family and spend time with all of the amazing people on and off of our team couldn’t be more of a blessing.
Abigail Bischoff – Receptionist
Abigail is the newest addition to our team at Heartwood Place. Up until now, she has spent most of her work life in hotel offices and dabbling in retail before landing in our lobby as our new receptionist. She fondly remembers volunteering at an assisted living facility while she was in school, and is excited to start her journey here at Heartwood and join our team.
Her hobbies include horticulture, genealogy, and diving headfirst into any TV show that involves forensic science. Abigail was born and raised in Oregon but cannot wait to see what lies beyond the state borders. When she is not here at Heartwood, you can usually find her nose deep in an Agatha Christie novel or cuddling up with her cat.
Lea Safarov – Activity Director
Lea was born in Nurek, Tajikistan, and moved to the United States in 1998. She was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years until she got her first job as an in-home caregiver. Lea started at Heartwood as a caregiver and a year later was promoted to Activity Director. She loves her job and enjoys being with the residents. In her free time, she loves to bake, spend time with her family in nature and relax at the Oregon coast. Music is Lea’s passion, and she loves to share that with our residents.
Mike Dowell – Food Services Director
Mike joins Heartwood Place Memory Care with over 30 years of culinary experience. He started his career as a dishwasher and prep cook when he was only 14 years old. He gradually working his way up the ranks and became a line cook. Mike attended culinary school at the age of 19, where he specialized in proteins and sauces. Upon completing his education, he has worked in many different types of kitchens, from fine dining and cafes to catering. Mike’s passion for cooking is undeniable. Between the care he has for our residents and his rich culinary background, Mike strives to ensure your loved ones have a well-balanced and enjoyable dining experience at Heartwood Place.