Cypress Organizations Welcome New Physicians

FORT MYERS, Fla. (May 1, 2023) Cypress Cove has welcomed three new physicians to campus to make available in-person care to residents. Dr. Nalinbhai Patel will provide in-person primary and urgent care to residents and serve as leadership for both Cypress Cove and Cypress at Home. Dr. Santokh Walha will extend in-person primary and urgent care. Dr. Michael Wilkins will render podiatry services.

“These physicians are a welcome addition to our medical team. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in managing complex medical conditions and providing compassionate care,” said Mary Franklin, executive director of Cypress Cove. “Making available in-person care on campus means residents do not have to leave campus to receive high quality health care as well as podiatry services.”

“Dr. Patel’s previous extensive experience at a large continuing care retirement community and Dr. Walha’s established presence in our area make them a great fit,” said Christine Burns, vice president of home and community based services for Cypress at Home. “In fact, several residents are already established with Dr. Walha as their primary care physician.”

Dr. Patel serves as medical director of Cypress at Home, most notably over the medical care clinic on the Cypress Cove campus. He also serves as medical director of Cypress Cove’s healthcare areas (assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care).

Dr. Patel is a board-certified internal medicine physician with clinical interests in diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and geriatrics. He received his medical degree and completed his residency at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has extensive experience at a large life care community in Virginia.

Dr. Walha provides in-person patient care on select days and fills in when Dr. Patel is away. Dr. Walha received his medical degree at Dayanand Medical College in India and completed his residency in neurology at University of Arkanas. He has extensive experience in acute care, skilled nursing, urgent care and family practice, and has been in private practice in Fort Myers since 1998.

Dr. Wilkins sees Cypress Cove residents in the medical care clinic as well as the assisted living and skilled nursing health care neighborhoods. Dr. Wilkins received his podiatric medicine degree from Barry University School of Podiatric Medicine in Miami Shores and completed his residency at Westside Regional Medical Center in Plantation, Florida.

About Cypress at Home

Cypress at Home is a leading provider of home and community-based services for older adults focused on optimizing healthcare and aging. Through deep domain expertise and a spirit of innovation, Cypress at Home allows older adults to thrive through a suite of collaborative services including care management, home care, medical care, and certified home health services.

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.