Staff Profiles

Marlena Quinton
General manager

Marlena Quinton is a Degree Registered Nurse trained in Napier and the Royal Darwin Hospital and has a background including Social Work for Age Concern; and originally nursed in paediatrics and specialised in surgical work and later as a midwife before entering into Rest Home, Hospital and Dementia Care Management. She developed an interest for the aged care and is passionate about the provision of excellent service to the aged care industry. Family members and Dementia clients have revealed a whole world of opportunities to her to inspire her to become involved in this important work.

Marlena is very receptive to clients' individual needs and has a philosophy of Care, Concern and Compassion. She loves a good laugh, and finds the funny side to 'most' situations, she enjoys sailing and fishing and has three lovely grandchildren. Marlena is a Judicial and Ministerial Justice of the Peace, all of which makes her life very full.

Key Functions:

• Supervision to a high standard of: Administrative, Nursing, Medical, Care and Support staff, Clients and Relatives.
• Staff rosters.
• Coordinator of budget.
• Ministry of Health contractual obligations.
• Support and uphold the Policies, Mission Statement and Philosophies of Aranui at all times.
• Privacy officer

Maryann Kerr
Receptionist

Maryann is the friendly face that greets you when you enter Aranui Home and Hospital. She has been Aranui's receptionist since 2002.

Maryann has previous experience in divisional therapy and care giving. This gives her a sympathetic and understanding nature when dealing with residents and families in her current role.

Maryann has a passion for travel to exotic and exciting places. She recently toured Scotland and the United Kingdom. All her life experiences have given Maryann a great outlook on life, which you will see when you meet her.

Key Functions:

• Typist
• Filing
• Answering telephone
• Welcoming visitors

Lynne O'Sullivan
Physiotherapist

Lynne has been Aranui's on-site physiotherapist since 1998. She qualified as a physiotherapist in 1989 and worked in a variety of positions including sports therapy, private practice, working in the public sector with outpatients, and a number of small elder care facilities.

Lynne keeps up to date with the latest techniques. She has completed her diploma in manipulative therapy and is a registered acupuncturist.

Lynne strives to help clients manage their own health by improving or maintaining their integrity of movement and functional abilities to achieve optimal independence.

Key Functions:

• Initial and ongoing assessments of resident's mobility needs
• Acute treatment programme for injuries
• Massage
• Acupuncture

Heather Hart
Accounts & admin manager

Heather joined us in April 2007 with an extensive background in administration and accounts. Her experience ranges from the supermarket retail industry to building and construction.

She also worked for two years as a part-time nurse for Caughey Preston Homes & Hospital. With nine children and ten grandchildren, Heather has a greater depth of experience than most in caring for others!

Overall, she is well suited to working in a care-giving environment.

Heather loves handcrafts such as knitting, sewing, and card making using the parchment-paper craft known as Perganamo. She also describes herself as a learner gardener, having recently moved house.

Samantha Thompson
Receptionist and payroll clerk

That warm "Hello" you hear when you dial Aranui's number will most certainly be Samantha's. She has been our receptionist and payroll clerk since 1999.

Samantha is a master of efficiency and a woman of many talents. Her computer skills are legendary, as is her ability to braid hair. Samantha's hair braids are the topic of many conversations here at Aranui!

Samantha is a key part of the team at Aranui, as you will realise when you meet her.

Key Functions:

• Answering phone
• Welcoming visitors
• Typing
• Filing
• Staff payroll
• Comfort accounts administrator

Daffi Sathiasothy
Dementia supervisor

Daffi has been working at Aranui/Oak Park since 2000. Daffi is originally from Sri Lanka and has travelled extensively with her family before settling in New Zealand in 1995.

Daffi has a very patient, tolerant nature and a calming effect in the rest home. Keeping fit and active is important to Daffi.

Jean Irving
Activity co-ordinator

Jean has been employed by Aranui since 2002. Originally from England, Jean is the friendly person you meet when enquiring about Day Care.

Jean takes pride in what she does and is currently doing the Diversional Therapy course and ACE courses to better herself and have a better understanding for the clients she looks after.

Intra Kumar
Clinical co-ordinator

Intra was re-employed by us in December 2009. She has been nursing for 27 years and has seven years of aged care experience. She is up to date with all changes that occur in care facilities and is familiar with the Health & Disability Standards.

Intra is computer literate and is constantly up-skilling herself. Intra is a key part of the team and is very approachable, as you will see when you meet her.