Welcome to our STAR Corner!
- MP
- Jul 31, 2025
- 7 min read
We’re excited to shine a light on the incredible individuals who make up our Skilled Therapy Talent Acquisition Resource (STAR) team. These dedicated therapy recruiters are supported by our phenomenal STAR Admin team—Marlyn, Barb, Katie, and Lauren—who play a vital role in our success. From managing job postings and applicant tracking, to organizing career fair materials and coordinating event logistics, their behind-the-scenes efforts keep everything running smoothly.
In 2024 alone, our STAR team helped hire and onboard over 1,600 therapists and therapy assistants across our affiliated organization. In this inaugural edition of STAR Corner, we’re proud to introduce you to the talented individuals completing this important work.
Andy Cisneros is a standout Keystone (Texas) STAR whose 25 years as a PTA and nine years with the organization have shaped him into a deeply relational, purpose-driven recruiter. (read on) Known for his patience and authenticity, Andy doesn’t just fill positions—he builds meaningful connections. Candidates often describe him as their “first friend at Flagship,” a testament to the time and care he puts into truly understanding each person beyond their credentials. His passion for skilled nursing was born early in his career and continues to fuel his mission to help others find the same sense of purpose. Andy’s strength lies in finding the “magical fit” between a therapist and a DOR, and his collaborative approach with fellow Texas STARs reflects his belief in collective success. A committed advocate for the profession, Andy is also active in leadership within the Texas Physical Therapy Association, helping shape the future of therapy through both recruitment and professional service.
Ashley Keenan is a dynamic and inspiring leader within the Keystone STAR team, bringing a unique blend of clinical excellence and authentic connection to everything she does. Starting as a speech-language pathologist at San Marcos Rehab and Health, Ashley quickly rose to lead SLP and then Director of Rehab, growing her team from 7 to 18 therapists during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience sparked a passion for recruitment, where she now thrives in identifying and connecting exceptional therapists to the right opportunities. Ashley’s superpower lies in her ability to read people and create a safe space for them to share their story—an approach that results in lasting, culture-aligned matches. As a leader, she’s deeply committed to developing others’ “native genius,” supporting both her STAR teammates and the clinicians she mentors. Her heartfelt dedication to the mission, combined with her warmth and drive, make her an anchor and inspiration on a team she proudly calls family.
Carly Peevers is a creative, passionate, and truly inspiring STAR who brings heart, humor, and deep clinical expertise to everything she touches in the Summit Company. With nine years as an SLP at Rosewood Rehab, Carly's journey began as a CFY and quickly grew into leadership—mentoring students, supporting her DOR, and helping to shape the SLP culture across the Pennant Idaho/Nevada Markets. Her love for skilled nursing blossomed into advocacy and outreach as she partnered with universities to present on the realities and rewards of working in SNFs, offering mock interviews and real-world insights to future clinicians. Now, as a STAR for over two years, Carly has become a trusted guide and enthusiastic “SNF cheerleader,” known for her ability to connect authentically with therapists through shared experience, storytelling, and humor. Whether she’s leading CEU events, presenting at career fairs, or mentoring new hires, Carly puts the “skilled” in Skilled Therapy Talent Acquisition Resource—and continues to be a vibrant force for good in the lives of her colleagues, students, and the Summit market as a whole.
Jay Jupillo is a creative, compassionate, and multifaceted STAR whose unconventional journey has shaped him into a uniquely impactful recruiter for one of the Keystone markets. With a background as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and a wide range of life experiences—from Army Reservist to Disney animation student to interim DOR—Jay brings depth, empathy, and authenticity to every conversation. His superpower lies in his ability to truly listen and connect, using the “therapeutic use of self” to understand each candidate’s goals and guide them toward meaningful, fulfilling roles. Jay is driven by a deep sense of purpose, knowing that each placement supports not only a therapist’s career but also their family, future, and sense of belonging. His belief in our non-corporate, values-driven structure, combined with his unwavering support of his fellow Texas STARs, makes him a trusted, inspiring leader and recruiter who brings heart to every corner of his work.
Jessica Smiddy, one of our STARs in our Keystone Company brings a rare blend of heart, instinct, and decades of experience to her role as a Talent Acquisition Resource. With 26 years in therapy recruiting, she possesses a refined intuition for connecting the right people to the right roles—pairing her deep understanding of the therapist mindset for success with a proven ability to navigate a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Her passion is rooted in the belief that strong, aligned teams lead to better patient outcomes, and she thrives on helping the local facility leaders grow more confidence in their own recruitment skills. Jessica’s authenticity, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to connecting the core values make her a valued recruiter on our team.
Lyda Latagliata, STAR for the Southeast supporting the Monument (South Carolina) and Rocky Top (Tennessee/Alabama) markets, brings heart, creativity, and a deep-rooted passion for the skilled nursing setting to her role as a Talent Acquisition Resource. With 14 years as an Occupational Therapist and 7 years working in Bandera (Arizona), Lyda has a strong clinical foundation and a natural talent for connecting people with purpose. Her strength lies in building meaningful, lasting relationships—whether with students, schools, or future therapists—and leveraging those connections to grow our network nationwide. From leading the Student Think Tank to co-creating our student website and hosting Student Office Hours, Lyda is a driving force behind innovative, student-centered programming. Her thoughtful, relationship-first approach, paired with her commitment to continuous learning, makes her a vital and inspiring member of our STAR team.
Paul Medvene, STAR for Flagstone North, brings a refreshing blend of creativity, intuition, and humility to his role as a Talent Acquisition Resource. With a background rooted in people-first recruiting, Paul approaches his work like a “first responder,” stepping in to fill critical therapy roles with not just qualified clinicians, but with those who feel like the right cultural fit. He’s a master at reading between the lines—listening for energy, passion, and purpose in those first crucial minutes of conversation—and using those insights to match therapists with teams where they can thrive. Paul is most passionate about helping others find their turning point, whether it’s a new grad seeking direction or a seasoned therapist rediscovering their “why.” What sets Paul apart is his authenticity—he leads with honesty, embraces growth through trial and error, and thrives in Ensign’s unique culture that encourages individuality, creativity, and connection. For Paul, this work is more than just recruiting—it’s about being part of someone’s next chapter, and doing it with heart.
Robert Ransom is a newer member to the team and brings a powerful blend of intuition, investigative skill, and heart to his role as a STAR supporting Bandera Healthcare. With a background in law enforcement, interviewing, and healthcare recruiting, Robert has a unique talent for seeing beyond résumés—connecting deeply with candidates to understand what truly motivates them and where they will thrive. His superpower lies in his ability to match therapists not just to jobs, but to cultures where they’ll flourish long-term. Robert’s passion for helping others succeed shines through in every interaction, and his field-based presence allows him to form strong, authentic relationships with students, schools, and leaders. He is driven by the real impact his work has on shaping careers and building resilient, value-aligned teams. Thoughtful, relational, and fiercely committed, Robert is a trusted force behind Bandera’s talent success.
Scott Hollander is a visionary leader, gifted recruiter, and passionate culture-builder who brings a wealth of experience and heart to his role as our TheraTroopers STAR. Since beginning his journey with Pacific Care Center in Hoquiam, WA in 2011, Scott has served as a Director of Rehab (DOR) at multiple facilities, each time building strong, mission-driven therapy teams from the ground up. His natural passion for people development made recruiting a seamless next step, and today, he leads the charge to grow TheraTroopers—an affiliate designed to reduce reliance on contract therapy by deploying culturally aligned, CAPLICO values-driven clinicians. What sets Scott apart is his deep belief in our mission and the contagious way he shares it. His leadership is rooted in the conviction that every therapist should experience the opportunity to live and learn the culture he himself has experienced, and through his work, he’s helping shape not only therapy teams but the future of post-acute care.
We are thrilled to welcome the most recent addition, Razan Malkawi to our STAR team! Razan began her journey with as a new graduate Speech-Language Pathologist five years ago at Victoria Costa Mesa and has since grown into a dynamic leader and connector within our organization. With experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, she went on to mentor Clinical Fellow SLPs and eventually stepped into a Director of Rehab role, where her passion for supporting others took root. During her time in the DORiTO program, Razan completed a standout Capstone Project, partnering with our therapy recruiter to deliver an engaging “Day in the Life” presentation to speech students at Chapman University, her alma mater. This experience ignited her love for mentorship and inspired her transition into therapy recruiting. Now as the STAR for Flagstone South, Razan thrives in her element—building meaningful connections and helping others find their path in therapy. Her recent success organizing a 60-person Trivia Night–Therapy Mixer in San Diego is just one example of the community-building spirit she brings to everything she does. Welcome to the team, Razan!
Watch for our next STAR Corner where we take you into the life of our Social Media and Creative Design Resource, Sophia Gomez. She is helping to share our story with the world and making quite an impact!
To learn more or connect with a STAR, visit FlagshipTherapy.com/careers.