Leadership
Mark Bedinger, N.H.A., President
Mark has been a practicing licensed Nursing Home Administrator for over 13 years. Prior to becoming an administrator, Mark was the Western States Director of Food Services for one of the largest nursing home and assisted living companies in the country. Mark currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Health Care Association, the Colorado Culture Change Coalition and is a past appointee of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Informal Dispute Resolution Committee. Mark holds a Bachelors degree in Organizational Management and has formal culinary arts training from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. An avid oenophile, in his spare time he enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his wife and three daughters hiking, fishing, skiing and playing golf.
Megan Whelan, N.H.A, Vice President
Megan is a Denver native who grew up in the long term care business courtesy of her dad, Dick Whelan. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Oberlin College and graduate school in the Government Department at Cornell University as a Mellon Scholar and as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She is co-owner of Colavria Hospitality, a long term care management company.
Ruth Minnema, RN, MA, Quality Assurance Consultant
Ruth is a registered nurse with over 21 years experience in long term care, starting as a nurse aide in Michigan. After serving as a CNA, she has had experience as a Staff Development Coordinator, Director of Nursing and Nurse Consultant. Ruth has served on Colorado's CNA Advisory Board and NHA Regulatory Board. Ruth has a master’s degree in counseling and is a certified Eden associate. She enjoys teaching, especially the interdisciplinary care plan process. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys swimming and walking her dogs.
Valerie Borowiec, R.N., B.S.N., Clinical Liaison
Valerie has over 15 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. She graduated in 1994 from Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Shortly after moving to Colorado, Valerie teamed up with Colavria Hospitality and St. Paul Health Center, serving as a Director of Nursing for 6 years, and has held other roles in clinical supervision and community education. Valerie is excited to tell the world about Colavria's innovative programs, and mentions she will consider international travel offers to do so if needed!
Patti Walkenhorst, B.S., M.A., Director of Human Resources
Patti is a Colorado native with over 9 years of professional experience in the Human Resources field. She brings her background and skills to the health care field for the first time with Colavria, eagerly working to build great teams and to promote professional growth opportunities for employees at all levels. In her spare time, Patti enjoys the Colorado outdoors: bike riding, boating, and walking her three golden retrievers.
SCOTT krise, director of accounting
Scott brings 10+ years of medical accounting and financial management and analysis experience to the team. Scott earned his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from the University of Northern Colorado in 2000. His spare time is spent watching and participating in various sports, and trying to share his talent and love of numbers with his wife and four precious children.
Holly Weihl, M Ed, RD, Area Registered Dietitian
Holly is the Area Registered Dietitian for Colavria Hospitality and has over 12 years experience in long term care. She received two Bachelor's Degrees from Texas A & M University. She also has a Master's Degree in Health Education from Southwest Texas State University. Holly has worked in the long term care industry as a consultant dietitian in facilites in Texas, Missouri, and Colorado. Her hobbies include, running, reading, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
