Treemont Retirement Blog

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Administrator Marquita Shoulders

Administrator Marquita M. Shoulders, LNFA, MBA took the helm of Treemont Health Care Center (HCC), which includes our nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living continuum of care levels, in July. We are delighted that Marquita will bring her many talents to Treemont HCC. Marquita has worked in a broad spectrum of Long-Term Care industry positions for more than 15 years. She brings to Treemont a passion for quality senior care.

Marquita started as a Program Manager for Adults and Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. For 11 years, Marquita was a state approved provider for Home and Community Based Services and Texas Home Living Programs, managing 25 group homes in Texas and Mississippi. Marquita because a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator (LNFA) in 2018. Prior to Treemont, Marquita was the Administrator at DeSoto Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in DeSoto, TX (near Dallas) where she received a Zero Deficiency Survey in June 2021.

 “I have a servant’s heart! I love working with seniors because they hold a wealth of knowledge that you can’t buy” says Marquita,” Being an advocate and speaking up for those who cannot has been my life’s work. Honestly I never thought that I would be

Spotlight on Houston Assisted Living Receptionist Deante' Sigears

Residents and families can feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes time to seek information about transitioning to an assisted living and nursing center, or doing short-term rehab. That’s why it’s key to have a warm and enthusiastic person such as Receptionist Deante’ Sigears at the Front Desk, to greet and be the first point of contact.

As Receptionist, Deante greets and checks in visitors, manages family essential care visits, answers phones, keeps our reception area clean and organized, distributes mail, maintains files, orders office supplies, among many tasks for Administrator Cynthia Lamison. “Deante’ is an amazing person. She is extremely organized and able to provide support to both families and visitors. She has the right temperament to successfully manage a busy front desk. She’s a keeper!” says Cynthia.

Like many others, Deante’ moved to Houston from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Deante’ says, “My Mother raised three girls, including me. Since I was the eldest, the taught me responsibility at a young age, so I guess you could say I was her little helper. Looking back, I am happy she did, as it helped to make me into the person I am today, and I thank her so much.”

Spotlight on Houston Assisted Living Manager Antoinette Wiggins

Treemont is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which means our residents move into Independent Living, but have the option of additional care options on campus. This might be Personal Assistance or Medicare Home Health through Senior Allegiance Home Care. Alternatively, residents might have the need for a short or long-term stay in Treemont’s Health Care Center for Assisted Living or Nursing Care. Meet Assisted Living Manager Antoinette Wiggins who oversees Treemont’s Assisted Living Community. Under the leadership of Administrator Cynthia Lamison, Treemont has seen a growth in independent living residents transitioning to assisted living care.

In this role, Antoinette is responsible for the care of all residents in Assisted Living

• providing customer care to everyone
• ensuring all staff is trained according to Treemont guidelines and regulations
• providing medical care as needed
• communicating with her resident’s doctors and nurse practitioners on a weekly basis.

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home CMA Roma Habtestsion

Treemont is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) which means our residents move into Independent Living, but have the option of additional care options on campus, including with Senior Allegiance Home Care. If you visit Treemont’s Health Care Center (HCC) for a short-term Medicare Rehab visit or a long-term assisted or nursing stay, you’ll likely meet Certified Medication Aide Roma T. Habtestsion. Roma is one of our dedicated caregivers at HCC who passes medication to residents, following state rules and according to individual resident schedules.

Roma is from Eritrea, located in East Africa, by the Red Sea Coast. She moved to Houston via the Diversity Visa lottery, with her two boys and two girls, and parents who have since passed away. In Eritrea she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and went to the international Italian school in Eritrea. In the U.S. Roma has worked one year as a Certified Nursing

Treemont Honors Residents' Rehab Achievements, Return to Independence

Seniors main motivation for a move to a retirement community is to seek a more supportive environment, with meals, housekeeping, transportation to doctor’s appointments and shopping, activities, entertainment and an overall maintenance-free lifestyle. Seniors might be living in a home that is hard to maintain, especially after a spouse has passed. Mom might no longer drive and feel isolated — no longer able to get to church or play bridge or mah jongg with friends as she used to. It’s also a plus to have staff and fellow residents around to keep an eye on one another. 

Because Treemont Retirement Community has multiple care levels on campus, there’s more peace of mind, knowing that if you have a health setback, you can get a helping hand through Treemont’s on premise home

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Activity Director Jeanette Mitchell

As Activities Director for Treemont Health Care Center (HCC), Jeannette Mitchell’s job is multi-faceted. Jeannette develops all activities programming for assisted living and skilled nursing residents. Programs are designed to enhance resident’s overall well-being. Jeanette’s monthly calendar of events reflects a balance of activities that are reflective of physical, social, sensory stimulation, parties and special events. Jeannette also manages the HCC volunteer program.

Jeanette is a Certified Activities Director with a specialty in activities for residents at different levels of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Jeannette also serves as a valued member of the Treemont Interdisciplinary Team, representing the activities and social department as a clinician.  She assesses residents in this area.

Jeannette is new to her Activity Director position, but not to Treemont. Jeannette is one of Treemont’s notoriously long-tenured staff, serving our residents as a CNA since 2008!! “I attended Texas Health School and performed my training and clinical at Treemont. I fell in love with the residents and I’ve been here ever since.  On her

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home Business Manager Anny Ortiz

Being admitted to an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home in Houston can be a stressful event. Not only are you or your loved one not well, but there is a morass of rules surrounding what your insurance will cover. That is where Business Manager Anny Ortiz compassionately and knowledgeably steps in to guide your family. Anny’s daily responsibilities include:

~  Billing and Collections for Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance companies and private pay residents.

~  Verifying Benefits. Anny creates and maintains claims for all residents, including financial folders for all admissions.

~  Advice to Residents on Financial Questions. Anny keeps residents informed of benefits or changes and provides options to them when questions arise or their insurance services are ending.  Anny investigates questions directly with the insurance or financial entity, informing the resident or family of necessary steps to achieve a positive final outcome.

~  Support of Residents. Anny is available to respond to resident questions and help them resolve concerns regarding benefits.

~  Explaining Medicare. Anny contacts residents’ insurance

Spotlight on Houston Nursing Home ADON Simone Johnson

The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) Simone Johnson plays a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of Treemont Health Care Center’s nursing, rehabilitation and assisted living community. Simone Johnson’s primary goal is to enhance the efficiency of the nursing staff.

Simone’s responsibilities include the development of optimal resident care plans, evaluation of the different systems followed during the treatment, planning rotations for the staff and making sure that each and every patient is receiving the required amount of attention. Says Administrator Cynthia Lamison, “Simone is a perfect pair for our DON Sheree Wade, she assists in quality monitoring, training and mentoring of our staff and assures our residents our well taken care of.  Simone is hands on, making a minimum two supervisory rounds in a day.

Originally from Dallas, Simone came to Houston to get her nursing degree at Prairie View A&M University. “Nursing school has always been a passion of mine. I knew that I wanted to be a nurse ever since I was in high school,” says Simone. In 2011 my grandfather passed away from cancer and while we