PACE Temescal

I am passionate of working with the older adult population as they have a unique perspective on life and are filled with life lessons and wisdom everyone can learn from. I appreciate the coordinated services PACE provides and am grateful to be part of an organization that will help support and address the unmet needs older adults are facing here in the Bay Area.

I earned my Master of Science in Gerontology from California State University, Long Beach. Over the years, I gained professional experience from working at an assisted living facility, advocating for older adult needs by meeting with elected officials, and facilitating projects addressing the challenges and opportunities older adults may face as they age in their communities. In 2020, I had the opportunity to help open a PACE center in Southern California, which led me to where I am today.

As a Center Director for Center for Elders’ Independence, my vision is to create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed and cared for, and where care team becomes extended family members to our participants. My goal is to lead and empower our care team with the skills, tools and resources so they can provide high quality customer service and care to our participants. For our participants, I want to ensure their needs are met by improving their quality of life as they continue to live independently.

Working as a caregiver to an elderly patient showed me just how disconnected resources are and how stressful it is for their families. As a result, I appreciate being part of an organization that reduces the burden for the elderly and their families. The healthcare system is difficult to navigate, even for younger people. The PACE setting provides a central location for seniors to get their needs met without confusion. Growing up, I helped my own parents translate during their medical appointments and called different offices to figure out their care needs. It wasn’t a simple or streamlined process like it is with PACE.

The elderly is one of the most vulnerable populations, yet they have the most to share through their experiences and wisdom. They have lived through so much, it’s only fair they receive the support they need to enjoy their lives.

In 2018, I joined Center for Elders’ Independence as a Nurse Practitioner shortly after earning my Master’s degree in nursing from Columbia University located in New York City. I also earned my Bachelor’s degree in nursing from the same school. During my studies, I worked at various primary care clinics for women, children and other adults throughout the New York metro area. When I returned to Oakland, I became a home care provider for an elderly patient assisting with daily living activities. Then I found CEI and love knowing that I’m making a difference in participants' lives. I speak English, Cantonese and conversational Mandarin.

For fun, I really enjoy putting together jigsaw puzzles. Seeing how all the little pieces come together to form the bigger picture is gratifying. I also love to hike in Lake Chabot and Redwood Park. I was born and raised in Oakland and am proud to call it home.

I have found that by working with PACE, I can collaborate with a multidisciplinary team allowing me to address different aspects of a senior’s life to improve their health, activity and general well-being. Being able to intensely manage our participants care, we have the opportunity to keep them independent at home for as long as possible.

After having received my Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., I then attended Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, where I received my medical degree focused on Public Health. I then completed my post-graduate residency program in internal medicine at UC Davis in Sacramento, California.

I come to CEI with 27 years of experience as a primary care internist in San Francisco. On a more personal level, having cared for my aging parents in San Jose, I am very aware of the challenges families and parents face.

I am fluent in Spanish as well as English. In my free time, I enjoy listening to a wide variety of both recorded and live music, ranging from jazz to world music. And now that I have finished raising my twin sons, I also look forward to travelling and reading more books.