Our Family

Dawn Rowe

Executive Director

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Dawn comes from a very close-knit family. She feels blessed to have received a Christian Education, which her parents worked very hard to provide for her and her three sisters. Dawn attended Dordt College, located in Northwest Iowa, where she received her Associated of Arts Degree. She started working in Long Term Care when she was 14 years old and has been a licensed Nursing Home Administrator since 1988. Dawn has worked the majority of her career as the Administrator of Skilled Nursing Facilities located in Colorado and Tennessee. In 1999, Dawn moved to Tennessee when she requested a transfer with the company she was with at that time. The reason was that she had fallen in love with the South! Dawn moved south and began working at Poplar Estates Assisted Living in August 2008. She holds a very special interest in Dementia and Hospice Care. Dawn is married and she and her husband, David, enjoy the country living outside of Columbia. She loves to bake in her spare time and shares treats with the residents and staff. Dawn still values the close-knit relationships she has with her family and travels home to Colorado frequently to see her daughter and grandson, as well as her Dad and one of her sisters.

Jennifer Diehl

Administrative Assistant

Jennifer started volunteering at a nursing home helping with activities when she was around 13 years old. At that moment, she realized the enjoyment she got out of working with seniors. Jennifer has been working in Assisted Living as an Activity Director since 2005 here in middle Tennessee. In 2010, she joined the Poplar Estates team and she knew then, she was in the right place!

Michayla Williamson

Clinical Director

Sandy Sykes

Activity Director

I am Sandi Sykes is the Activity Director at Poplar Estates. I have been married to Rick for the last 48 years. We have three sons and seven grandchildren. Rick is the Minister of Music at New Song Baptist church. We enjoy traveling together. I grew to love Poplar Estates when my mother and mother-in-law were residents here. They cared so well for my family I want to do that for others. It is a blessing to be excited to go to work every day. My goal is to make life better for our residents and have fun every day.

Mona Medina

Activity Director Memory Care

Mona Medina has been employed at Poplar Estates for 9 ½ years. I am the Resident Service Director/Activity Director at The Gardens. My husband, Joe and I have four children. We have three sons and one daughter. My grandchildren are the light of my life. I love spending time with. When I am not working, spending time with family is at the top of my list. My favorite saying is, “I love to take care of other families, while God takes care of mine.” My favorite thing about Poplar Estates is building relationships with the residents and their families. I feel blessed to be a part of the Poplar Estate family.

Maggie

Therapy Pup

Maggie is our new House Puppy. She belongs to Jennifer Diehl. Maggie is about 4 months old. She is a Miniature Pomeranian and will only be about 4 pounds when she is full grown. She is the light of all the resident’s lives.