Tiffany Zapata’s favorite part of her role as Administrator is witnessing residents create new friendships and embracing life to the fullest.

As a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where she served as an Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Surveillance Technician, in addition to her 17 years of nursing experience, Tiffany’s impressive background contributes to her outstanding leadership skills.

In her role, Tiffany creates person-centered care plans that celebrate resident capabilities, while educating staff and initiating policies that provide high standards of quality care. When she’s not working one-on-one with residents and team members, Tiffany provides positive experiences to potential residents and their families exploring the community.

What Is Your Why: “Enriching the lives of residents by creating meaningful moments”

As Director of Nursing at Sedgebrook, Deborah “Debbie” Rodriguez brings nearly three decades of senior health care experience to the community she has served for over 10 years. Since 1996, she has excelled in multiple roles, including Clinical Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing, and Infection Preventionist.

Debbie’s leadership philosophy centers on delivering excellence in clinical care and customer service through active listening and thoughtful responses. A devoted grandmother to eight, she views both her personal family and work family as essential parts of her life, making her a cornerstone of the Sedgebrook community.

What Is Your Why: “Knowing that everyone at Sedgebrook is here for the same purpose: to provide excellent care and customer service. I am always at home wherever I am.”

With a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and over a decade of experience leading high-performing sales and marketing teams in health care, Laura brings expertise to her role as Director of Admissions at Radford Green. Her background includes serving as Director of Business Development for a nationally recognized acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital, where she honed her skills in patient advocacy and care coordination.

Laura is dedicated to supporting residents and their families as they navigate the important decision of finding the right care. She takes the time to listen to each individual’s unique needs and concerns, ensuring they feel comfortable, informed and confident during their transition into the community. Her goal is to provide compassionate care, foster a sense of belonging, and make every resident’s journey as seamless as possible.

Laura serves on the Board of Directors for the Lake County Center for Independent Living.

What Is Your Why: “My ‘why’ is rooted in building meaningful relationships and helping others feel confident and supported during vulnerable times. Each day, I find fulfillment in offering comfort, peace of mind, and a sense of belonging, knowing I’m making a positive impact.”

As Director of Rehab Services at Sedgebrook, Bhairavi Kirti Thakkar, MS, brings extensive expertise in rehabilitation programming and a passion for transforming patient outcomes. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided numerous rehabilitation programs and professional therapy teams to achieve exceptional standards of care. 

Bhairavi’s approach focuses on fostering collaborative relationships with physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals while developing innovative programs that enhance patient outcomes. With her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Certificate of Clinical Competence from ASHA, she is dedicated to mentoring rehabilitation professionals and ensuring every resident receives comprehensive support.

What Is Your Why: “Empowering individuals to achieve their highest potential through innovative rehabilitation programs and exceptional team collaboration.”

Nakamati has over six years of experience in senior living and serves as the Life Enrichment Manager at Radford Green. With degrees in counseling and accounting, and training from Triton College, she previously worked as a microfinance trainer for Caritas before transitioning to senior living.

At Radford Green, Nakamati leads a team dedicated to creating person-centered programs that support residents’ physical, mental and emotional well-being. She ensures that each activity is tailored to individual needs, fostering a meaningful, enriching experience for every resident.

Her passion for working with older adults stems from the values of love and compassion instilled in her by her grandmother. One of her proudest moments was helping a resident regain their voice after over a year of silence, demonstrating the power of creative, person-centered activities.

Nakamati’s dedication to respect and compassion ensures that residents’ time at Radford Green is fulfilling and joyful.

What Is Your Why: “Working at Radford Green allows me to connect with seniors, listen to their stories, and make a positive impact. The joy I find in these moments, along with the recreational programs we’ve developed for residents’ well-being, makes this work feel like a true calling.”

With over 19 years of experience in social services within skilled nursing facilities, Rebekah is an expert in guiding residents and their families through transitions in care. As the Social Services Manager at Radford Green, she works closely with residents, families, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure smooth transitions to the next phase of care. This includes coordinating services with physicians, nursing staff, therapy teams, home health providers, hospice, and caregivers.

Rebekah’s people-centered approach defines her work. Her genuine passion for helping others is evident as she supports families in navigating their care options and identifying the best next steps for their loved ones. She finds immense fulfillment in building strong relationships and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she serves.

Outside of her professional role, Rebekah is a devoted Star Wars enthusiast and a die-hard Chicago Bears fan.

What Is Your Why: “I love connecting with residents and their families, helping them navigate the next steps and address their needs. Being able to provide support during important times is what motivates me every day.”

Anna brings more than 15 years of healthcare experience to her role as Assisted Living Manager at Radford Green at Sedgebrook, with a background spanning assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing.

Anna holds a Master’s in Clinical Professional Psychology from Roosevelt University, dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Eastern European History from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is both a Licensed Practical Nurse and Certified Dementia Practitioner.

As Assisted Living Manager, Anna oversees all aspects of resident care — from developing care standards and training staff in dementia care to coordinating with families and physicians — ensuring every resident feels respected, supported, and truly at home.

What Is Your Why: “Seeing a well-oiled team of care professionals working together to deliver the highest quality of service to our Assisted Living and Memory Care residents.”

Melissa brings a broad range of senior dining experience, starting as a server and quickly advancing to Dining Room Supervisor, and now to her current role as Dietary Kitchen Manager at Radford Green at Sedgebrook.

As Dietary Kitchen Manager, Melissa leads the dining team in delivering nutritious and flavorful meals each day, with a focus on food safety, consistency, and creating dining experiences that feel comforting and familiar.

Melissa holds multiple food service certifications, including Illinois Food Allergens, Illinois Food Service Sanitation, Food Handling, and Food Manager, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality in every meal served.

What Is Your Why: “Knowing my team plays a role in residents’ health and happiness is what gets me excited to come to work.”