Cypress Cove Executive Director Receives National Recognition

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 1, 2023) Mary Franklin, executive director of Cypress Cove luxury life plan community in Fort Myers, has been named a Spirit Award honoree in the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards, a joint program of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.

The program, in its fifth year, recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields. The Spirit Award, now in its second year, recognizes inspiring caregiving and service provision efforts.

“Mary Franklin’s leadership, upbeat spirit, and organizational and communication skills are always exemplary,” said President/CEO Troy Churchill. “But in the trying time before, during and after Hurricane Ian, she showed unwavering bravery, courage, perseverance, dedication and determination that helped keep our team members focused and our residents safe and secure. We knew we had to nominate her for this recognition, and it is no surprise that she won.”

Franklin’s winning nomination application submitted by colleagues included details about the difficult decisions she had to make as the storm approached, the heroic efforts she led as storm surge flooded the campus, and the numerous assistance programs she initiated after the storm to assist residents and team members. Most notably, Franklin initiated an employee disaster fund campaign that raised more than $350,000 within one month of the storm as well as ride shares, a clothing drive, and hot meals to go for team members and their families, while also attending to displaced Cypress Cove residents’ needs! Throughout all this, she caught up on her coursework to maintain an “A” average in her master’s degree program.

McKnight’s Women of Distinction nominations were judged by an external panel of industry experts. All winners will be honored at an in-person celebration on May 22 in Chicago. To see the full list of inductees, and for more information about the program and to register for the events, visit www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

About Cypress Cove
Cypress Cove, a not-for-profit organization opened in 1999, is a well-established, highly respected, life plan community (formerly known as a continuing care retirement community) recognized nationally for innovation in senior living. Located on a beautiful 60-acre campus at HealthPark Florida in South Fort Myers, Cypress Cove is home to more than 650 residents and offers a full complement of quality living options—independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care assisted living, rehabilitative care, and home health.