Meet Our Team
Providing Exceptional Care and Service with Compassion
Our facility is equipped and prepared to be your perfect solution, allowing you the peace of mind to fully enjoy and celebrate the passage of time without worry of what the next step could mean.
Cory Back
General Manager
Cory Back brings a diverse background involving large project conceptions and construction management experience. Cory’s acute sense for details makes him a champion of balancing budgets and developing workflow systems that maximize productivity.
As the Vice President of Senior Living Cory oversees all facets of our Senior Living Operations with focus on development of new senior living projects, design of the facilities, construction of the communities, and systems integration for smooth operation. He also serves as a vital consultant on future senior living projects for HME Management. Overall, Cory has created a blueprint for success at our Rapid City facility that can be applied anywhere.
Kelli Back
Administrator, LPN
Kelli Back’s education and past employment contains a plethora of healthcare, human resources, project management, and IT experience. Kelli’s skill set is superbly equipped to manage large scale healthcare facilities with 20 years of medical management experience structured with a healthcare-focused business management degree.
As the Senior Living Operations Manager of Peaceful Pines Senior Living Community, Kelli oversees the Administrators at our various senior living communities and the staff that report them with a focus on the care services, staffing, and team-building areas.
Megan Geistfeld
Assistant Administrator
An original employee of Peaceful Pines before the facility’s doors were open, Megan has been an invaluable asset. She has flourished in numerous areas of the facility including dietary, HR, billing, and sales.
Her valuable experience in diversified areas combined with her knowledge of the facility’s origins has made Megan a reliable resource.
Mistie Hansen
Assistant Administrator
Joining the staff in 2017, Mistie’s work ethic and drive allowed her to stand out and quickly advance. Shortly after being hired she was promoted to Assistant Administrator. Currently, Mistie oversees the Housekeeping department in addition to various duties in activities, billing, HR, and sales.
Mistie represents the epitome of the hard work and diverse skill sets that make Peaceful Pines employees outstanding.
Jeremiah Ratzsch
Director of Nursing, RN
Jeremiah Ratzsch has been a benefit to the health care community for nearly two decades. Beginning his career in a management position in surgical services at Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls, he continued his passion of caring as Director of Emergency Services at Rapid City Regional Hospital. As Director of Nursing at Peaceful Pines, Jeremiah extensive experience is put into action while supervising our resident’s needs and training/managing all of our medical staff. The combination of his medical management background and healthcare industry knowledge makes Jeremiah a vital asset to the Peaceful Pines mission of providing exceptional care and service with compassion.
Iris Christensen
Head Chef
Iris Christensen’s creative and fun culinary style has brought an abundance of joy to everyone at Peaceful Pines. From specialty holiday menus to designed cupcakes, she puts immense love and care into every meal.
As Head Chef, she displays her 20 years of experience in a senior living kitchen along with her extensive managing background, through her innate ability to create delectable nutritious cuisine for over 100 Peaceful Pines residents.
Steven Turner
Assistant Chef
Steven Turner has worked in the hospitality and food service industry for nearly 30 years. He brings a diverse background of culinary experience to the Peaceful Pines team.
Steve’s extensive history and knowledge is an invaluable asset to providing our residents with creative culinary options. From manning the grill at our themed events to day to day entrée preparation, Steve’s cooking has become a consistent enjoyment for residents to savor.