Meet the SeniorBridge Sarasota Team

Dorothy Burns, RN, MSN, MBA, CCM
Director, Florida Operations

Dorothy's diverse background and more than 35 years experience in healthcare and hospital management significantly influence her clinical and operational leadership of SeniorBridge's branches in the coastal communities of central Florida. Prior to joining the SeniorBridge family she served as Vice President of Clinical Operations at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne where she led strategic planning and monitored safety and quality control for surgical, trauma and patient care services. Before her promotion to Vice President, Dorothy was the Director of Patient Care Services and was instrumental in the development of the hospital's Heart Center. She went on to lead an award winning team designing stroke care and organ donation programs. Specializing in critical care, Dorothy's nursing career includes serving as a Nurse Manager in the Intensive Care Unit at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania and more than 12 years as a rehabilitative, home care and long term care nurse. She is an adjunct nursing faculty member at Brevard Community College in Palm Bay and at University of Central Florida in Orlando. Dorothy holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a Clinical Nurse Specialty from Widener University in Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from University of Central Florida. She is licensed by the State of Florida as a Registered Nurse.

Nick Fusella

Executive Director

Nick brings more than a decade of experience in the healthcare field and has placed a great deal of personal focus on creating, campaigning and enhancing many multi-million dollar corporations and their respective divisions by obtaining the needed strategic input necessary for the acquisitions of regional and national competitors. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Nick served as Healthcare Consultant for NFusion Resource Group where he was responsible for healthcare consulting and recruiting, territory start-up and development and marketing campaign management. Other career highlights include the start-up and development of multiple locations as the Regional Sales Manager at Infinity Home Care, as well as serving as the Regional Director of Operations at Medical Services of America, and the National Clinical Coordinator at Lincare Holdings, Inc. Among his accolades, Nick was awarded the Clinical Directors award for excellence in Clinical Achievement while pursuing his degree in Respiratory Technology.

Kathy Knight, RN, CMC
Regional Director of Client Services

Kathy has spent more than 26 years in the healthcare field. She was Director of Nursing for Nursing Resources in Venice for 2 years before assuming her current position. She had previously served as Administrative Supervisor and Director of Nursing of the Surgical/Orthopedic Units at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte. Kathy also worked for 18 years as Administrative Supervisor at Roane Medical Center in Tennessee. She earned her Associate degree in Nursing with honors at Roane State Community College and is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. Kathy is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

Janice Lindmar
Regional Director of Professional Relations

Janice brings more than a decade of healthcare experience to her role as Regional Director of Professional Relations. Her breadth of knowledge includes strategic marketing and planning and budget management. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Janice served as Senior Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for TJM Properties Senior Living where she was responsible for the oversight of 19 senior living communities, developed strategic marketing plans and advertising campaigns and developed a pilot area outreach program. Another career highlight includes being responsible for the development and maintenance of community census and occupancy as Director of Sales and Marketing at Watermark Retirement Communities. Janice also served multiple positions at Sunrise Senior Living, covering the Philadelphia and Florida markets. Throughout her time there, Janice was responsible for census/occupancy drive as Area Director of Community Relations, trained and mentored new positions in the Philadelphia region as Area Programming/Training Leader and was responsible for daily operations within the Alzheimer’s and dementia neighborhood population as Reminiscence Coordinator. Janice earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a concentration in Adult Development and Aging from Holy Family University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Kim Schwatka, LPN
Director of Professional Relations

Kim brings more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare field to her role as Director of Professional Relations and has been a resident of the Sarasota area for 6 years. Her strong skill-set has allowed Kim to develop long-term relationships and provide strategic marketing throughout the Florida area. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Kim served as Director of Business Development at Premier Home Health where she increased new referrals by over 200% in six months and cultivated new relationships with physicians, hospitals, nursing facilities and community businesses. Kim earned her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Eastern Technical High in Baltimore, Maryland. Kim holds certifications in Basic Life Support and ALF Core Training.

Lois Riney, RN
Care Manager

Lois brings more than 27 years of experience in the healthcare field with particular expertise in case management and geriatric nursing. She has a deep commitment for providing client-centered care and advocating for families. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Lois served as Community Registered Nurse at Show Me Health Care where she provided direct patient care of persons with of intellectual and developmental disabilities, completed monthly assessment for Community RN review and provided ongoing supervision of staff to maintain exceptional patient care. Other career highlights include providing care to elderly persons in a long-term setting and orientating new staff as Charge Nurse for South Hampton Place and administrating medications and performing diagnostic testing as Clinic Nurse for Magnolia Critical Care and Internal Medicine. Among her accomplishments, Lois has completed numerous conferences in areas ranging from prevention of medical errors to malnutrition and chronic disease to understanding personality disorders and creating healthy living for seniors in long-term care. Among her accolades, Lois was appointed by Governor Holden as a public member of the State Regulatory Board for Podiatry and served this position for 7 years until she had to resign when she moved to Florida. Lois earned her Associate degree in Nursing from Southeastern Community College. Lois holds licensure in the state of Florida as a Registered Nurse. She holds certifications as a Trained RTS Counselor and Lay Responder for CPR and First Aid as well as certification in Fire Extinguisher Train-the-Trainer Class and Inpatient Obstetric Nursing and is RNC-OB Certified.

Jeanette Seidof, RN, BSN
Care Manager

Jeanette brings 30 years of professional nursing experience in a variety of settings including hospital, home care and medical office. Her commitment to excellence encompasses all areas of her work as Care Manager including particular expertise in acute client care, staff development and family advocacy. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Jeanette served multiple positions at Heartland Home Health Care, a home-care company serving both Medicare and private insurance clients in Sarasota and Englewood, Florida. Most recently, she served as Administrator with the responsibility of developing and implementing annual budget, managing the marketing team for growth, and facilitating weekly leadership meetings. Jeanette also served as Director where she supervised all field staff  as well as Healthcare Supervisor responsible for the coordination of care with families and physicians. Other career highlights include spending 16 years as a nurse coordinator and staff nurse at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and office nurse at a family medical practice. Jeanette earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Rick Stein, MBA, MSW
Care Manager

Rick brings more than 35 years of business experience and 8 years experience in the healthcare field with particular expertise in case management, counseling and supervision. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Rick served as Case Coordinator as Doctors Hospital of Sarasota where he provided patient-centered care and patient and family advocacy. Other career highlights include serving as Admissions Director for Sunset Lake Health and Rehabilitation and Social Worker for Tidewell Hospice and Palliative Care. Rick has also utilized administration, business and management skills throughout his time as a restaurant owner in East Fishkill, New York and Senior Vice President at Marriott Corporation in Bethesda, Maryland. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Denver, an Associate’s degree as an executive Chef from Culinary Institute of America and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Darden University. Rick holds certification as a Certified Clinical Social Worker in Geriatrics and earned his Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University.

Barbara Wander, BSN, RN
Care Manager

Barbara brings more than 35 years of professional nursing experience in a variety of settings including hospitals, public and home health, and assisted living with particular expertise in case management. Her commitment to excellence encompasses all areas of her work as Care Manager including client-centered care and client patient and family advocacy. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Barbara served as Executive Director for Heron House in Sarasota. She has also served as Director of Resident Care for the Palace Royale, a 150-bed Assisted Living Facility (ALF) in Miami. Her extensive background also includes experience in maternal and infant care and Barbara has served as the MIC (Maternal & Infant Care) Liaison at Shands Teaching Hospital in Gainesville. Barbara has also built, owned, and operated a veterinary hospital in Miami. Among her many accomplishments, Barbara has co-authored and published multiple editions of Being a Nursing Assistant (Prentice-Hall) as well as an accompanying workbook, teacher’s guide, test bank, and pocket guide. Barbara earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Miami School of Nursing in Coral Gables and earned her Florida ALF Core Administrator Certification Training from the Department of Elder Affairs. Barbara holds licensure in the states of Florida and New York as a Registered Nurse.