Crystal
CrystalGeneral Manager
Crystal - General Manager
As the General Manager of Gemstone Care Centre, Crystal brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role. With a background in recreation and a decade of loyal service to our organization, Crystal is a testament to caring, connecting and celebrating.
One of Crystal’s greatest strengths is her huge appreciation for the amazing team she works with. She believes that the heart and soul of Gemstone is the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to improve the lives of our Residents. This recognition fosters a positive and collaborative environment for staff, families and Residents.
Furthermore, Crystal places a high value on integrity, kindness, and relationships. These core values serve as a compass, guiding her decision-making and interactions within the organization. The commitment to these principles promotes an environment where residents are treated with respect, compassion and dignity, and where every team member is empowered to thrive.
Karen
Care Manager
Karen - Care Manager
Karen has worked at Gemstone for 10 years and was part of the start-up team in 2013. She has had the privilege of working in long term care for 17 years. Karen enjoys working with the whole team which includes the Residents, their families and team members. She is a people-person and enjoys chatting with everyone. Karen tries to have her door open at all times and she even has chocolates if you stop by for a visit!
Even during the hardest times in the past few years, Karen stays motivated and engaged with a quote she has printed and framed in her office: “To care for those who once cared for us is one of life’s highest honors”.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with family, reading and travelling.
Amy
Clinical Practice and Safety Manager
Amy - Clinical Practice and Safety Manager
As the CPSM, Amy plays an important role in developing care plans, implementing quality improvement initiatives, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within our care team.
Amy’s leadership skills, coupled with her genuine passion for learning, create a positive impact in people’s lives who live and work at Gemstone.
Karen
HR and Scheduler
Karen - HR and Scheduler
Karen always finds time to listen to the staff and loves to engage with everyone who lives at Gemstone. She is the heart and soul of our team, ensuring that both staff and Residents are supported by a fully staffed building.
When Karen is not at work she loves to paddle board, attend music festivals, and has been known to do a little shopping.
Benjamin
Support Services Manager
Benjamin - Support Services Manager
Ben has been in the food service industry globally for over 25 years. Originally trained in Nutritional Health Care Support in Switzerland, he was active in food services spanning several countries in his early years before he came to Canada in 2008.
After making Canada his home, he focused on support services by completing his certification in Food Service and Nutrition Management in Health Care from HealthCareCan and continuing to be an active member of the Canadian Society of Nutritional Management.
“I strive to provide our Residents with the best quality meals and care from Gemstone Support Services in their sunset years.”
Stacey
Recreation Manager
Stacey - Recreation Manager
Besides loving her work at Gemstone, she enjoys spending time outdoors, especially when it includes time with her family and friends, dogs, cats, chickens, goats and horses!
Nicole
Social Worker & Wellness Manager
Nicole - Social Worker & Wellness Manager
The moment Nicole stepped through the front door, she knew she had found her place. She takes immense joy in connecting with the incredible Residents, listening to their captivating life stories, and supporting their families through the transition.
If anyone ever needs assistance or simply a friendly chat, they can find Nicole’s office on the 1st floor.
Intriguingly, Nicole is also a Certified Life Coach. When she’s not at work, she enjoys exploring the picturesque hills around Kamloops in the company of her two furry friends, indulging in paddle boarding adventures, and savoring the peaceful beauty of snowshoeing during the winter months.
Olean
Dietician
Olean - Dietician
“Quality of life through quality of diet” is the core philosophy that guides my everyday job. Paying attention to small details of each Resident’s dining experience and reflecting these details in their nutritional care plans is the key to success of working in long term care.
Mel
Maintenance Manager
Mel - Maintenance Manager
With a wealth of experience under her belt, Melanie’s attention to detail is nothing short of impressive. She has an uncanny ability to spot even the tiniest issues and address them promptly, ensuring our facility remains safe and comfortable for our residents.
Melanie is not just a meticulous worker with a great sense of humor; she is also an exceptional team player. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure everyone’s needs are met, contributing to the overall harmony of our facility.
Alison
Accountant
Alison - Accountant
“All of these are essential to my role. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and my fur babies.”
Dulce
Business Administrator
Dulce - Business Administrator
Dulce has been a part of the Gemstone team for 3 years. She was born and raised in Mexico were she graduated from Business Administration of Touristic Enterprises in 2014. She moved to Canada in 2017 where she started working in Assisted Living and fell in love with seniors – working has had new meaning since then. She feels everyone working at Gemstone regardless of the position is contributing to making a difference in the lives residents and families.
Dulce particularly enjoys her role because it allows her to build connections with the residents and their families. It has helped her develop more confidence and she has learned so much from all the stories they share.
Dulce loves working at Gemstone because it feels like a big family where you feel welcomed, always find support during the challenging times, learn together, laugh together, and celebrate!
During her free time, she enjoys painting and illustrating, loves road trips to connect with nature and more than anything, spending time with her family and friends whenever she has the opportunity.
Jessica
Care Coach Supervisor
Jessica - Care Coach Supervisor
As the Care Coach, my greatest joy lies in supporting and nurturing a team whose care for the Residents is person-centered and brings joy. I’ve spent a decade at Gemstone, and not a single day has passed when I am not inspired by either our wonderful Residents or our amazing team that does such great HEART work.