Meet Our Team

Ilitch Diaz-Gutierrez, MD

Founder

612-466-3786

ilitch@SPIRITCareHomes.com

Love language: Acts of service

Dr. Diaz-Gutierrez is an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota, with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare. Dr. Diaz-Gutierrez was born and raised in Mexico City. Growing up in a developing country contributed to Ilitch’s SPIRIT of helping others that are less fortunate. Since his early childhood, he has volunteered in multiple organizations to help underserved communities. He took part in medical missions, first led by his father who was also a doctor, and then during medical school where he organized medical student trips to impoverished areas.In line with Dr Diaz-Gutierrez’s humanitarian goals, he joined the Alzheimer’s Association in 2022, where he serves as a community educator for the Minnesota-North Dakota chapter. He provides education to families and caregivers that struggle with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and collaborates with local organizations and governmental agencies to expand educational programs throughout the Midwest, with particular interest in the Hispanic community.

In Mexican culture, the concept of family is sacred, with tradition and values that provide a strong sense of identity. Due to these deep-rooted ties, as people get older, they continue to be emotionally and socially engaged with their families. Dr. Diaz-Gutierrez brings his life-long altruism, his professional experience and cultural background to SPIRIT Care Homes.

As a RALS™ (Residential Assisted Living Specialist), Ilitch has earned the highest level of professional certification in the industry.

Ria Foslien, RN CNP

Founder

612-466-3786

ria@SPIRITCareHomes.com

Love language: Words of affirmation

Ria Foslien was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She was a registered nurse in the operating room for many years, and recently advanced her career to become a nurse practitioner. She works as an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at North Memorial Hospital. Ria’s ultimate professional goal has been to work with a surgical group that provides exceptional care to adult and older patients, while being involved in quality improvement projects within her community.
Ria worked as a caregiver in various settings including Assisted Living and Memory Care. Earlier in her career when she was a Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide, she worked in a “large box” assisted living facility, and she used to care for 19 residents at any given time. Ria experienced first-hand the challenges of providing appropriate care for residents in such conditions, which led her to find a better option in residential assisted living.
Ria’s humanitarian activities include volunteering in medical missions in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. She is also a board member of the Philippine Nurses Association of Minnesota.
As a RALS™ (Residential Assisted Living Specialist), Ria has earned the highest level of professional certification in the industry.
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Address

3727 Shady Oak Road
Minnetonka, MN 55305

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Assisted Living Facility with Dementia Care License #417810