Our Sense of Service:
We Have To Earn Your Respect Every Day.

Julie Fenske, Executive Director

A Rochester Institute of Technology graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration, Julie has more than 20 years of experience in hospitality and senior living development, management, and marketing. Julie served as the General Manager and Director of Sales for 10 years with the Marriott Corporation. She then served as the Vice President of Senior Housing Services at Unity Health System in Rochester, New York, where she managed, developed and directed a number of Unity's multiple senior housing communities. She was then recruited by Greystone Communities to be the pre-opening Executive Director of Ferris Hills at West Lake. Before joining The Buckingham, Julie held the position of Vice President of Operations for Living Communities, LLC, a Rochester-based senior living developer. Julie is also certified as a Retirement Housing Professional by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.

Barbara Martin, LNFA, Health Care Adminstrator

Barbara has over 30 years of a wide-ranging experience in health care services, including providing direction and supervision to multiple senior living communities across Texas and Arkansas, helping acheive higher census and deficiency free surveys.  She holds a degree from San Jacinto College and a license from Texas Licensure Board for Nursing Facility Administrators. 

Barbara is the perfect choice to fill the role of health care administrator.  Her strong commitment to providing not only exceptional care and an exceptional quality of life for our residents harmonized with our mission at The Buckingham.

 Biju Oommen, MD. CMD

Dr. Oommen, MD practices as an attending physician providing direct patient care and also serves as Medical Director to various facilities in the Houston area.  He is a native of Houston who completed medical training in Internal Medicine at Michigan State University and went on to complete Geriatric Fellowshipat the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

 Dr. Oomen is board certified in Internal Medicine as well as Geriatrics.  He is also a Certified Medical Director (CMD) through the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA).  The American Medical Directors Association is the professional association of over 5000 physicians who specialize in long term care practice.

He was awarded Medical Director of the Year by Lifecare (National long term care corporation) for the Gulf States Region in 2006 and Medical Director of the Year for the Easter Division for 2009.  He was also nominated as the AMDA Medical Director of the Year in 2009.

Dr. Oommen is a member of the Harris County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Association, American Medical Directors Association, American Geriatric Society, and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. 

He is committed to raising the level of care in the Long Term Care continuum and through his dedication strives to improve outcomes for his patients.

Suzanne Mitchell-McNeill, RN, MS, EMBA, Director of Nursing.

Suzanne has more than 10 years experience in long-term care in both a community setting and private care.  In her supervisory roles, she has implemented visionary programs to promote staff education and team building in addition to innovative clinical services to promote organizational efficiency and measurable outcomes.  Prior to joining The Plaza Health Services at The Buckingham, Suzanne served as Vice President of Clinical Services and Director of Nursing at The New York Congressional Nursing Center.  Suzanne holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration and Master’s degree in Management and Business Administration.

Cathy Lightfoot, Director of Sales and Marketing

Cathy joined The Buckingham in May 2003 as a Personalization Specialist and Senior Living Counselor before she was named to her current position as Director of Marketing. With a background as a consultant in home décor, Cathy stepped into her career in Senior Living through her Pastoral Care and Lay Ministry positions in the Episcopal church. A native Houstonian, Cathy has worked with seniors for more than 25 years. Prior to joining The Buckingham, she served as the Director of Marketing for St. James Place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cathy says that "the joy of my profession is watching retirees get younger every day as they live the stress-free lifestyle of a Life Care Retirement Community. The Buckingham provides the residents the 'Life Care' they deserve as they enjoy the 'Lifestyle' they desire!"

Deborah Mahrt, Director of Lifestyles

Deborah brings more than a decade of experience working with seniors to her position. She was recently presented the 2008 award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Gerontology from the University of Texas at Houston School of Nursing Center on Aging.  A graduate of Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, she was on the National Dean’s List, the Dean’s List and was a member of the Gold Key National Honor Society. She previously served as Program Coordinator at the Brighton Gardens senior living community in Bellaire, Texas, and as a Music Therapist for Comprehensive Therapies and Services of Houston. Deborah received clinical training at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Deborah is a Registered Music Therapist, and a member of both the American and Southwestern Music Therapy Associations. She volunteered as a music therapist for Odyssey Hospice and the Center for Hospice Care Kamp Kamama for Kids, and at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She is a former board member of the Bay Area Women’s Center and the Baytown Clean City Commission, and was named 1989 Woman of the Year of the Baytown Junior Forum, Executive Office. “I believe that providing seniors with a variety of creative social, educational, cultural and wellness opportunities is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible for seniors,” Deborah says. “I am thrilled to be a part of The Buckingham team.”

Tony Bejko, Director of Dining Services

Tony spent more than eight years as the Director of Dining Services for Brighton Gardens, a Sunrise Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing community in Bellaire, Texas prior to joining The Buckingham in January 2008. Previously, he worked at fine Italian-style restaurants across Europe. Tony is certified in hotel/restaurant management and holds additional industry certifications, including Certified Dietary Manager and Certified Food Protection and Processing. Tony received his associate’s degree in general mechanical techniques from Harry Fults Junior College in Albania and is fluent in English, German, Italian and Albanian.

Wayne Webb, Executive Chef

Wayne brings a mastery of diverse cuisine and more than 20 years of experience in the food services industry to his position as Executive Chef.  Wayne understands the dynamics of creating world-class meals.  With years of experience as a chef for upscale restaurants and hotels, Wayne's wide knowledge of Asian, French, Italian, Creole, American Bounty and Southern cuisines brings a distinct menu to The Buckingham.

Pam Ortiz, Director of Resident Services

A native Houstonian, Pam graduated from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in restaurant, hotel and institutional management. She previously worked as a hotel manager for seven years on Galveston Island.

John Thomas, Director of Building & Operations

John is a native Houstonian who joined The Buckingham in February 2006. In addition to his associate’s degree in air conditioning and refrigeration, he has 13 years of HVAC and refrigeration experience. John also brings to The Buckingham a wealth of knowledge gained as a boiler technician during his service in the U.S. Navy.

Sharon Mistretta, Business Office Manager

Born and raised in south Louisiana, Sharon has been living in the Houston area since 2000. In December 2005, she joined The Buckingham, bringing with her 15 years of experience in working with seniors. Her position allows her to make full use of her finance and accounting degrees. Previously, she worked as an accountant with a major department store in Baton Rouge.

Gillian Hill, Community Relations Manager

Gillian began her career as a nurse with St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, England, and as a staff nurse at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland before moving to the United States. After taking time off for family and volunteer work, she returned to work in the event planning industry before joining The Plaza at The Buckingham in November 2007. Gillian resides in Houston with her husband and two daughters.

Pam Rakestraw, Senior Living Counselor

Pam interacts with prospective residents and their family members to assist them as they transition to The Plaza. Prior to joining The Buckingham as a Senior Living Counselor for The Plaza, Pam worked in sales and marketing in the senior living field – both as an independent living community lifestyle consultant and as a community relations marketing liaison for home care and home health services.

Adrianne Poyet-Smith, Senior Living Counselor

Adrianne is pleased to share her knowledge of The Buckingham’s active lifestyle and full continuum of care with prospective residents and their families. Prior to becoming a Senior Living Counselor for The Buckingham, she spent two years as the Community Relations Manager for The Plaza at The Buckingham. Originally from El Salvador, Adrianne attended Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart in Houston, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude with a triple major from Trinity University in San Antonio. Adrianne has worked in marketing for more than 10 years and speaks four languages: Spanish, English, French and Italian.