Celebrating 17 Years of Excellence: BrightStar Care of West Portland
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Celebrating 17 Years of Excellence: BrightStar Care of West Portland

Published On
August 21, 2025

This month, BrightStar Care of West Portland is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone – 17 years of providing compassionate, high-quality home care to our community. For nearly two decades, we've been dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in Portland and surrounding areas, offering personalized care that enhances health, happiness, and overall well-being. To date, we’ve had the privilege of serving over 4,500 families and individuals, each with unique needs and circumstances, and we are proud to have made such a meaningful impact in their lives.

A Legacy Built on Compassion and Excellence

When BrightStar Care of West Portland first opened its doors, our mission was clear: to deliver exceptional care with a focus on the individual. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to build a reputation based on trust, integrity, and professionalism, always striving to ensure our clients feel supported and cared for in the comfort of their own homes.

Our team of registered nurses, caregivers, and support staff has remained dedicated to the core values that have defined BrightStar Care from the beginning: providing expert care, promoting independence, and enriching the lives of those we serve. It’s this commitment to excellence that has allowed us to flourish and grow, earning the trust of clients, their families, and the wider community.

A Look Back at 17 Years of Growth and Success

As we celebrate this milestone, we look back at the many accomplishments that have made these 17 years special:

  1. Expanding Our Services: From the start, we aimed to offer a comprehensive range of services that meet the diverse needs of our clients. Today, we offer everything from skilled nursing and post-surgery care to personal assistance and companionship.

  2. Building Lasting Relationships: We believe in forging strong connections with those we serve. Over the years, we have built lasting relationships with clients, their families, and the community, ensuring that every person feels like part of the BrightStar Care family.

  3. Staying Ahead with Training and Technology: As healthcare continues to evolve, we stay at the forefront by continually updating our training programs and incorporating the latest technology to provide the best care possible. This includes utilizing advanced monitoring tools to ensure our clients’ safety and well-being.

  4. Supporting the Community: We’ve always believed that home care goes beyond medical needs. That’s why we’ve been active in supporting local initiatives and events, from health fairs to charity drives, helping to strengthen the Portland community in any way we can.
     

Meet Our Incredible Team: The Heart of BrightStar Care West Portland

At BrightStar Care of West Portland, we are more than just a home care service – we are a family. The team you see here is just a small part of the amazing group of professionals that make up our organization. In addition to the dedicated individuals you’ll meet below, we have a wonderful, caring group of nurses and caregivers who work tirelessly to provide personalized, high-quality care to our clients every day.

  • Lori Calder-Miller, RN, our owner, has been a driving force behind our commitment to quality care, blending years of nursing experience with a passion for helping her community.

  • Alex Zamora, our Director of Operations, brings exceptional leadership and a wealth of healthcare management experience to ensure we run smoothly, always striving for growth and consistency.

  • Mary Ellis, our Senior Customer Care Manager, is the glue that keeps communication flowing between clients, employees, and the organization, always making sure that both clients and staff are supported.

  • Khyla Cuenco, our Customer Care Manager, is the linchpin behind our non-skilled client staffing, always bringing empathy and dedication to every family she supports.

  • Kamie Zamora, our Recruiting Manager, is dedicated to finding the best talent to join our team, ensuring that every person we bring on shares our values of compassion and care.

  • Angel Canazares, our Recruiting Assistant, has been a valued member of our team for nearly three years, and her organizational skills and heartfelt enthusiasm make a real difference in finding the best caregivers.

  • Bob Robuck, Business Development, is our friendly sales and networking pro, building relationships and sharing our mission with the West Portland community.

  • Grace Alexander, our Billing Specialist, keeps everything running behind the scenes, ensuring that our clients’ needs are met, and that everything is as smooth and seamless as possible.

  • Dawn Lokrantz, our RN Nurse Manager, brings a wealth of experience in both hospital and home health settings, working directly with clients and ensuring they receive the best nursing care available.

  • Bill Reyno, one of our Nurse Managers, brings calm, compassion, and expert nursing knowledge to every client and caregiver he works with.

While this is just a glimpse of the leadership team at BrightStar Care of West Portland, our success over the last 17 years would not have been possible without our extraordinary nurses, caregivers, and staff members. Each one is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care with compassion and respect. We are so grateful for their hard work and unwavering commitment to our clients and their families.

Together, we’ve created a supportive, caring, and experienced team, all of whom are here to ensure your loved ones receive the best care possible, right in the comfort of their own homes.

Client Testimonials: A True Impact on Families

Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of supporting many families, and we’re humbled by the trust they’ve placed in us. Below are a few testimonials from families who’ve experienced the difference BrightStar Care of West Portland has made in their lives:

“My aunt is 85 years old and adamant about aging in place. Her health had declined rapidly, and it became time to find her some support services. Our first caregiver was not a good fit, but BrightStar immediately reassigned a new caregiver. I convinced my aunt to give it another shot and am SO grateful we did. Angela/Angie S. showed up with a huge smile, kind energy, and genuine enthusiasm. My aunt loved her immediately and kept whispering to me how wonderful Angie was. My aunt raved about her and says she’s ‘perfect.’”
– Kayla S.

“BrightStar has provided excellent care for our family—for my mom. Our current helper, Karen, is wonderful! She is thoughtful, hard-working, and always willing to help—she’s a gem! We would recommend BrightStar to anyone looking for great in-home care for their family members.”
– Julie W.

“Paige started out with us for one day a week and has now changed to seeing us every day through the week, and my daughter Britney has been getting out of bed more. They have a great relationship, whether that be joking around watching scary movies or just having a conversation. Paige has been so helpful with helping around the house and helping Britney with typing her letters. She is amazing and a hard worker.”
– Lori S.

Looking Forward to the Future

While 17 years is an incredible achievement, we are not stopping here. At BrightStar Care of West Portland, we are more committed than ever to our mission of providing exceptional, compassionate care. We’re excited to continue expanding our services, improving the quality of life for our clients, and evolving with the changing healthcare landscape.

As we look to the future, we will remain focused on delivering the highest standard of care, embracing innovation, and continuing to be a trusted partner to the families and individuals who rely on us.


 

Thank You to Our Clients, Staff, and Community

This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible clients, dedicated staff, and the wonderful community we serve. We are grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us over the years, and we look forward to continuing to serve you for many more years to come.

Here’s to 17 years of making a difference, and to many more!

Contact BrightStar Care of West Portland Today! 

Schedule a free consultation today, or apply if you are a nurse looking to work in a compassionate environment held to a higher standard. We invite you to contact us if you would like to learn more about our wide range of caregiving services! Our office is at 1675 SW Marlow Ave, Suite 405, Portland, OR 97225. You can also reach us by phone at (503) 620-6011

Hopefully, we'll hear from you soon!