Independent Living Staff

Independent LivingMeet Our Team
Community members residing in Acacia Independent Living residences are supported by our dedicated team of staff members. Our residential staff is here to make sure you have everything you need to live comfortably, enjoy the full array of amenities and activities available, connect with your friends and family, and have every opportunity to thrive physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Community Care Administrator Claudia Lusca

Community Care Administrator

Claudia Lusca
Claudia joined Rowntree Gardens as a charge nurse in 1999 and quickly advanced to the position of Health and Wellness Center Clinic Director. Her experience supervising a staff of dedicated nurses and caregivers, along with her genuine compassion and limitless patience, make Claudia exceptionally qualified to be Rowntree Gardens’ Community Care Administrator. In this role, Claudia is responsible for staffing, scheduling, and maintaining the community’s high standards of health and safety compliance. She also oversees care for our community members in independent living, assisting living and memory care, as well as our Faithful Friends in-home caregivers and transportation department. As an LVN and RCFE Administrator, Claudia understands that the key to providing exceptional care is remaining interruptible regardless of how busy her day is because, at the end of the day, it’s the people, not the tasks that matter the most.
Community Development Director Tiffanie Ward

Community Development Director

Tiffanie Ward
Tiffanie began her tenure with Rowntree Gardens as a Life Enrichment Nurse before making her transition to Community Development Director. In this role, Tiffanie leads the sales team, assists families in need of memory care, facilitates cross-departmental communication, and builds relationships with key partners to bring our community members a full range of services. Tiffanie calls on her past experience working in hospice to ensure all community members and their families receive compassionate, personalized care. A Licensed Vocational Nurse, she also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Child and Adolescent Development, holds certifications both as a Residential Care for the Elderly Administrator and Social Services Designee, and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Her personal philosophy includes striving to make everyone feel valued, and living Rowntree Gardens’ mission to be a daily blessing to all she encounters.
Community Transition Liaison Roz George

Community Transition Liaison

Roz George
Roz joined our family in 2007 as the front desk receptionist. Today, she works closely with our new community members and families, introducing them to the wide range of services, amenities and activities available to help them feel at home. During their first few weeks and months at Rowntree Gardens, she makes sure all their questions are answered and their needs are being met. She also helps our community members transition to different levels of care. An avid gardener, she enjoys the beautiful grounds of our community and stopping to chat with the people she encounters.
Registered Dietitian

Registered Dietitian

Megan Settles
Rowntree Gardens Registered Dietitian, Megan, is committed to providing nutritional education and using her expertise across the community. Megan enjoys connecting with others and sharing her knowledge of healthy eating. As the campus Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Megan brings years of experience in nutritional education. She has completed her B.S. in Clinical Nutrition at the University of California, Davis, followed by a Dietetic Internship through California State University, Long Beach. Megan has worked in Northern and Southern California facilities, including hospitals, nursing facilities, and school districts. While nutrition is her passion, having the ability to create connections with Community Members and being a part of a team of people who care deeply about others is the best part of her position at Rowntree Gardens. Megan is an outdoor enthusiast with her happiest place being the ocean where she enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends.
Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Emilio Venegas
Emilio has been a valuable member of the Rowntree Gardens team since June 2004, taking on various roles within the dietary department. He is currently our Executive Chef, leading the culinary team to provide exceptional meals for our community. In his role, Emilio supervises the cooking staff, oversees food preparation and presentation, and ensures that all cooking staff undergo ongoing training. Emilio is passionate about bringing joy to our community members through delicious food every day. In his free time, he enjoys playing sports to stay fit and satisfy his competitive nature. Emilio takes pride in his accomplishments so far and looks forward to achieving more in the future.
Executive Chef

Campus Pastor

Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson serves as the Campus Pastor at Rowntree Gardens. In his role, he offers encouragement, support, and prayers to community members and staff. Additionally, Pastor Robert leads worship services, Bible Study, and Prayer Meetings. He also provides devotional sessions at the Gardens Memory Care and Elmwood Care Center worship times. Pastor Robert joined Rowntree Gardens in August 2023 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Biola University. He has over 35 years of experience in ministry, working on staff at Bellflower Brethren Church in various positions, including children’s ministry, youth ministry, and adult ministries. Pastor Robert feels a strong spiritual presence at Rowntree Gardens and enjoys working with staff and community members who share his love for Jesus. He is always available to listen, pray, and offer support to anyone who needs it. He loves the sense of family at Rowntree Gardens and is free to pray with people and offer support whenever he senses a need. In his free time, Pastor Robert enjoys riding his bike and spending time with his family.
Community Activities Director

Community Activities Director

Gina Climer
Gina Climer is the Community Activities Director at Rowntree Gardens. In this role, she organizes a diverse range of weekly activities and events that enrich community members’ emotional, spiritual, mental, physical, and social well-being. Gina joined Rowntree Gardens in May 2022, initially working as the Mail Clerk. She takes great pleasure in organizing activities and aims to make the community members feel cherished and appreciated. Gina holds the community members in high regard, acknowledging that they contribute to making Rowntree Gardens an exceptional place. While helping community members continue their lifelong learning, she’s learned just as much from them. Outside of work, Gina loves to spend time with her family, crafts, play games, and travel. She is most proud of her three children, who have grown up to be fantastic adults and still come home to spend time with her.

"We are amazed at the care and concern all the employees and staff shower upon us."  — Gene and Mary Mulholland

One of the area’s few licensed, faith-based Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), Rowntree Gardens provides a full range of integrated onsite services to meet the changing needs of active seniors.
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