The entire staff at Santa Marta is dedicated not simply to meeting the needs of our Residents, but to anticipating them. All Associates receive detailed training with an emphasis on creating a culture of hospitality for Residents.
Each month, Residents honor an Associate with the P.E.R.F.E.C.T. award. The award is an acronym for:
Professional
Enthusiastic
Respectful
Friendly
Extra Mile
Caring
Trustworthy
And each month, Associates select another Associate to receive the Shooting Star award for excellence.
As a result of our positive and appreciative culture, Santa Marta has one of the lowest turnover rates in our industry. So our Residents, and their family and friends, can truly develop lasting relationships with our Associates.
Staff Bios
Chet Surmaczewicz, executive director
Through leading by example, Chet has earned the respect of Santa Marta employees and residents. He enhances the lives of residents by serving their needs and preferences through memorable dining experiences, engaging wellness programs and a multitude of personal services.
Chet knows each resident by name and has developed relationships with many of their family members. He believes a hands-on approach makes residents’ living experiences more pleasurable.
His highly successful hospitality program applies to senior living the same ideas of customer service from Chet’s work at exclusive restaurants and hotels. He has trained and inspired his employees to provide the same exceptional service, and residents and staff members alike enjoy the results.
Jean Flores Dennis, director of sales and marketing
Jean has worked in senior living since 2009. She has a strong background in sales leadership, which helps her assist families as they move into retirement. For Jean, finding the right fit in a community is the most important part of the job. Before coming to Santa Marta, Jean was at Bank of America and in financial services for 21 years. Born in Iowa, she has lived in Greater Kansas City since 1987. Jean she has a B.S. in sociology from Iowa State University.
Nancy Durant, sales counselor
Nancy has a sales background and has worked in senior living since 2009. Nancy has an appreciation of the challenges of seniors and their children. Having a father with Alzheimer’s, Nancy experiences first hand the peace of mind knowing her father is in a community where he is well taken care of and loved. Nancy was born and raised in Illinois but has lived in Arizona, Florida, Germany and Oklahoma before moving to Kansas in 1987
Kate Davison, sales and marketing coordinator
Kate loves helping others and her work in senior living allows her to help people every day. She also has firsthand experience with senior living. Kate saw the positive effect an active lifestyle had on the body, soul and mind of her grandmother, who lived in a Colorado retirement community for more than 20 years. Kate graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s in human development and family life.
Our Leadership Sets the Standard.
Our sincere thank you to our Board of Directors, which is composed of community volunteers and members of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas.
Dan Beattie
Ronald L. Benjamin
Mary Bibler
Janet Blessing
Robert (Bob) E. Bregant, Jr.
John (Jack) Carson
Dean Chininis
Tom DeBacco
S. Scott Heady
Matt Hartung
Rhonda Janky, RN, BSN
Chuck Jansen
Randy Kancel
Rick Lane
Paul J. Martin
Anne M. Mercer
Nancy M. Mellard
Monsignor Thomas Tank
Archdiocese Support
