Meet Our Team

Trudy Hendricks

Executive Director – As Executive Director of Desert Hills since 2007, Trudy manages her community with the vision that quality of life and quality of care should be held in balance. By carefully understanding the journey that the resident and their family have been on, the move-in transition becomes much easier. Trudy empowers her team to think outside the box and capture the moment. 

Trudy is committed to providing the best possible care to residents and their families with dignity. She's quick to say that she learns something from every single family who comes through her doors. To Trudy, it's not a job, it's an opportunity to make a difference. 

More about our Executive Director

Jane Farmer

Community Relations Director – Jane first came to Desert Hills as a family member when she moved in her mother. During the two and a half years that her mother was here, Jane was a daily visitor. Early on, she knew that she wanted to help families understand the importance of education about alzheimer's and related dementia. She began to lead our Education and Support group along with her daughter, Shannon Eaton. After Jane's mom passed away in June of 2009, she told us she still wanted to lead the group. When a position became available, we asked if she would be willing to join our team. Seeing the opportunity to connect one on one with families going through a difficult time, she came on board. Jane is a certified Alzheimer's Support Group leader, certified through the Alzheimer's Association.

Carrie Pozdzioch

Business Office Manager – Carrie is in charge of the business functions of Desert Hills, be it billing, payroll, or employee benefits. As a member of our leadership team, she brings a lot to the table. She is the sunshiny smile that usually answers the phone and greets families and visitors. She is pursuing her Masters Degree in Speech Pathology. She's worked at Desert Hills since 2008. 

Chantelle Hudson, LVN

Wellness Director – Chantelle's role is to oversee the care of our residents, to look at the bigger picture as they face health challenges. She meets clients prior to move in and stays involved with their care when they move in. She has been in health care for over a decade and is passionate about the people she cares for. She is in charge of hiring and mentoring our care team members. Chantelle joined our team in 2008. Under Chantelle's leadership Desert Hills received the Alzheimer's Foundation Excellence In Care Program of Distinction award and in 2010 received a deficiency free survey by the California Department of Social Services. Chantelle is also a licensed administrator.

Susan Giamanco

Executive Chef – Susan has an extensive background of entrepreneurial culinary enterprises. As owner of Jacquettet’s Restaurant, Chef for Hire and DivaChef Catering and as a yacht chef, Susan’s goal is to ensure that her dishes surpass the expectations of even the most discriminating diner. Susan was born in San Diego, where she volunteered in senior living communities, and graduated from the Culinary School at Vanderpool’s Academy. She strives to awaken fond memories of cuisine from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s with her nostalgic American cooking with her motto, “Lovin’ from my oven.”

Gary Jones

Maintenance Director – During the twelve years that Gary has been overseeing the physical plant of our community, he has also been learning about the lives of people with dementia. Not only does he paint, clean, patch, fix, replace, and mow, he also enjoys doing projects with the guys. They put together our picnic table, built our planting beds and when a new cart or shelf comes in they put them together. Gary also chairs a monthly luncheon for men who have a loved one with memory loss.

Buster

CEO (Canine Executive Officer) – Responsible for rolling in the grass, sleeping, greeting staff members and guiding visitors through our campus. Buster loves the residents and the families who come to visit, especially kids and babies!

Read Buster's Story

Snoball

CEO (Cat Executive Officer) – Responsible for supervising residents' meals, helping the night shift with cleanup and enriching residents' lives, one purr at a time.

Read Snoball's Story