Careers in Aging

Miroslaw Tyoniuk started his career in 2002 and has always enjoyed cooking for others. Throughout his career, he has learned the importance of quality and consistency. 

He was drawn to long term care because he wanted his cooking to make a difference, especially for seniors who appreciate a good meal. So, he completed all of the necessary food safety and sanitation training and started his career.

As the cook at Cypress Palms Senior Living, he has loved building relationships with the residents and seeing their smiles when they enjoy a meal that he has prepared. 

“This work has made me more compassionate and grateful, knowing that I contribute to their comfort and happiness every day.”

Stacie Faberman serves as the Director of Nursing at Aviata at University Hills where she brings extensive clinical experience and strong leadership to support residents and the nursing team.

With a background in long term care, she has developed expertise in clinical oversight, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and staff development. She is deeply committed to ensuring residents receive safe, compassionate, and high-quality care every day.

Stacie is especially passionate about supporting her team. She believes strong nursing leadership comes from being present, approachable, and dedicated to mentoring staff. By working closely with nurses and caregivers, she promotes ongoing education, accountability, and consistency in clinical practice. Her goal is to foster a positive environment where staff feel valued and residents feel respected.

Her dedication to long term care stems from the opportunity to advocate for residents during some of their most vulnerable moments. Knowing she can make a meaningful difference in their quality of life motivates her daily. Stacie remains committed to strengthening nursing services, empowering her team, and ensuring excellence in care.

With over 19 years of long term care leadership experience, Chanel Steptoe is a veteran healthcare professional with a servant’s heart. She has a proven ability to enhance Skilled Nursing Facility operations, through leadership development, employee retention, and strong organizational systems

As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Chanel proudly leads the team at Aviata at Kissimmee Gardens, where she has achieved a remarkable two-plus years with zero complaint surveys.

Chanel specializes in process improvement and bridging communication gaps among staff, management, residents, and their families. She excels in employee training and development, prioritizing resident-centered care, and proactive problem-solving. Her collaborative nature and strong critical thinking skills enable her to lead with confidence.

“I love changing people’s live for the better and offering them a trusted partner in care. I feel a personal responsibility to advocate and collaborate with and for residents, their families, my staff, provider partners and visitors.” says Chanel.

Chanel makes Aviata at Kissimmee Gardens a better place for residents and employees through commitment to excellence.

Activity professionals play a critical role in enriching the lives of long term care residents. They provide recreation, a sense of purpose, connection, and dignity. For Suzanne VanZyl, being the Activity Director at Palm City Nursing & Rehab Center is more than just organizing bingo or movie nights for residents. She’s focusing on programs that create meaningful experiences that stimulate residents’ minds, bodies and spirit.

“Every day, we are bringing joy and purpose to residents and boosting their mental sharpness, physical health, and emotional well-being,” says Suzanne.

Resident engagement is the “heart and spirit” of Palm City Nursing & Rehab Center. The programs Suzanne organizes fosters social connections, create a sense of purpose, reduce loneliness, and slow cognitive decline. These types of activities are enriching residents’ quality of life and contributing to greater independence.

For Suzanne, she enjoys the experiences she’s able to create for residents in her role as Activity Director. “We add color, fun, sparkle, joy, meaning, purpose, and positive energy to daily living for those we serve.”

From a young age, Dan Wolf was called to a career in the ministry. A family who served others, pastors who inspired him and missionaries who gave selflessly all helped shape the person he is today. After more than 20 years serving as a church pastor, Dan’s focus shifted to serve individuals under hospice care in nursing centers and assisted living communities.

More than 20 years later, Dan continues to serve as the Hospice Chaplain for VITAS Healthcare. In that role, he offers spiritual guidance and interventions, along with emotional support to caregivers, residents and their families.

Dan shared that while working in hospice care can be difficult, especially when there is a loss of a special resident, he gains great satisfaction in knowing that he’s made a difference by offering comfort – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

“You can have an exceptionally fulfilling life and career in long term hospice care. The internal, emotional rewards are excellent,” shares Dan. “I have never been as fulfilled as an individual, as a servant of God, and as a fellow human being as I am in this season of my life.”