Cypress Cove Adds Key Personnel to Memory Care Program

Cypress Cove at HealthPark Florida announced the recent appointment of two key staff as preparations for the summertime opening of the community’s visionary and technically advanced memory care facility, The Cottage, moves forward.

Named to the highly qualified team of caregivers are Donna Cook, a RN and certified Assisted Living Facilities administrator who will serve as Assisted Living Manager, and Dementia Program Manager Carleigh Racinski.  “We are extremely pleased to have such highly experienced individuals join our expanding assisted living/memory care team,” said Cypress Cove Executive Director Michele Wasserlauf.

Cook’s transition to Cypress Cove brings to the continuing care retirement community 25 years of administrative and care-giving service from Lee Memorial Health Systems where she last held the position of home health manager. Cook holds a BS in Nursing from Salem State (MA) University and a MBA from Hodges University in Naples.

As Manager of Assisted Living, she is responsible for managing staff hiring and scheduling, programming and personnel training at both The Inn (Cypress Cove’s assisted living neighborhood)  and at the elegant state-of-the-art four-household, 44-private residence, The Cottage.

Racinski, who received her BS in Recreational Therapy at Central Michigan University, joins the assisted living/memory care team following her tenure at Park Royal Hospital in HealthPark Florida.  She brings to Cypress Cove valued experience in geriatric care therapy and individual dementia related care experience.

Staff hiring and training for positions at The Cottage has begun. When open, more than 30 skilled and certified caregivers will be offering person-centered care to residents.