Our Team
The most important people in our team are the caregivers who you let into your home. They are the ones that care for and tend to our clients from day to day. Behind them is a dedicated staff of Care Managers, Nurses, medical professionals and management to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Seira Salemon
Owner / Care Manager
Prior to acquiring Astera Care, Mrs. Salemon had a corporate career in finance and accounting. Providing help for seniors was a long-time ambition, and she wanted to find a way not only to allow more seniors to grow old at home, but also to have safer and more rewarding lives.
The 2011 launching of Astera Care’s membership programs is her solution. From as little as $300 per month, our members receive an around-the-clock access to our help and services. With the help of state-of-the-art technology, Mrs. Salemon ca give more seniors and their families the peace of mind they are looking for.
Her concierge based approach to helping the elderly puts the client in the center. Not as an object in need of help, but as someone who deserves to get the most out of his or her senior years. For Mrs. Salemon, caring for your loved ones is personal. She visits every single Astera Care client, and she makes sure that all our nurses and caregivers do their very best for you. She is always available for your call and wants to hear your opinion on how we can improve.
Before moving to Montecito in 2008, Mrs. Salemon was the CFO for the 120-restaurant franchise company Dynaco. Prior to her position with Dynaco, she worked as controller for a $300 million a year subsidiary of ConAgra. She also has experience from international investing and real estate.
After becoming owner and CEO of Astera Care, Mrs. Salemon has become a Certified Care Manager. She is energized by working with older adults, as it has been her childhood dream. She witnessed firsthand how living with proper care enriched the lives of her grandparents and enabled them to maintain their dignity and independence.
Email: seira@asteracare.com
Marcella Young
Registered Nurse - Director of Patient Care Services
As Director of Patient Care Services, Mrs. Young is responsible for general oversight of the Company’s care program. Mrs. Young works directly with Astera Care’s Nursing Supervisor to ensure that home care services are being administered properly and in the best interest of the family. She further ensures that the company is in compliance with the California Department of Health Services and with Astera Care’s Policies & Procedures.
Since 1989, Mrs. Young has worked as a Registered Nurse in various capacities, with the majority of her experience in Acute Care and Surgical Departments. Prior to Astera Care, Mrs. Young was employed as Director of Quality Improvement and Infection Control at St. Francis Medical Center in Santa Barbara and was Director of Case Manager/Utilization at Goleta Valley Hospital.
She holds certificates in Total Quality Management Program and in Association of Practitioners for Infection Control issued by the University of California at Santa Barbara. Mrs. Young received her Associate Degree in Nursing at Rhode Island Junior College.
Email: marcella@asteracare.com
Robin Dey
Registered Nurse, RCP, AE-C
Mrs. Dey provides in-home skilled nursing services and oversees general in-home care for our clients. Mrs. Dey schedules and makes in-home assessments, provides ongoing skilled nursing services, assists with in-home training of Certified Nursing Assistants and Home Health Aides, and manages medications for clients.
She has been employed as a Respiratory Therapist at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital since 1975 and holds a Board Certification in Asthma Education. As a Santa Barbara resident since 1965, Mrs. Dey attended local schools, including San Marcos High School and UCSB. Mrs. Dey holds an Associate of Science Nursing Degree from Santa Barbara City College.
Daniel Jessee
Co-Owner / Counsel
Private equity investor Dan Jessee is one of Astera Care’s owners and plays an important role in assisting the company. He has an MPA (Health Care Administration) from the City University of New York and holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Mr. Jessee has over 20 years of private equity investment experience in the middle market. He is on Astera Care’s Board and is a valuable counsel.
Mads Larsen
Strategy & Communications Director
Mr. Larsen has a degree in communications and has developed Astera Care’s new senior care program. He functions as Project Manager for the membership program and as liaison between Astera Care and all involved providers and partners.
Kishoree Keislar
Customer Service, Client Relations & Office Admin
Our Board of Directors
Babji Mesipam
M.D. - Medical Director & Chairman of M.A.B.
Dr. Mesipam has had an Internal Medicine Practice in Santa Barbara since 1995. He currently has a flourishing practice located in Montecito, California. Prior to establishing his own practice, he was the Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at Cottage Hospital. Dr. Mesipam completed his Internship at Cottage Hospital in 1993.
Other Members:
· William Koonce, MD
· Denis Baker, MD
· Philip Delio, MD
· Anthony DeFrance, MD
· Margaret Echt, MD
