Education Matters | Pines of Sarasota: Investing in Care Giving

By Christy Pessemier | August 2023

Pines of Sarasota will hit a major milestone this year when it celebrates 75 years of providing care for seniors in need of assisted living, long-term care, and rehabilitation services. And as it honors its important past, it looks to exceptional care-giver training and community support as vital keys to its future success.

As one of the oldest established not-for-profit rehabilitation and senior care communities in the Sarasota-Bradenton region, Pines of Sarasota is known in the community for quality care, its strong emphasis on educational outreach, and for helping the elderly who are in poor health and have limited income.

Though Pines of Sarasota has changed a lot since its early beginnings in 1948, the Pines mission is still the same. They offer individuals a fulfilling life in a rehabilitation and senior care community that satisfies their health and lifestyle needs, all with the confidence of knowing they will always be secure, well-cared for, and welcomed. 

This is something Pines of Sarasota CEO Mike Ward is proud of. He grew up in a family that was involved in long-term care; his mother was a nurse director, and his father was a long-term care administrator. 

“I’ve always had a passion for working with seniors,” Ward said. “It was something we always did in our family.”

Not only did Ward’s parents work in long-term care until they retired, but his brother is also a retired administrator, and his son is a licensed nursing home administrator. “The person who trained me when I got out of college was the same person my dad trained,” Ward added.

“My parents felt that caregiver training was an important part of long-term care. My mother started a CNA (certified Nursing Assistant) education program back in the ‘70s and my father was right there by her side. They helped each other, and together they had a strong work ethic, commitment to quality, and recognized the importance of taking care of seniors.” 

That’s why Ward, along with the Board of Directors and staff at Pines believe their Education Institute for CNAs is so vital. This not only gives them the ability to continually meet the needs of the residents at Pines, but it also provides career opportunities for those in the community who want to get into the field of nursing. 

With an ever-increasing population of seniors moving into assisted living, memory care, and rehabilitation centers, CNAs have become the lifeblood of long-term care facilities.

“I really enjoyed my time in the CNA training program,” Taneisha Mosley, a CNA and Training Mentor at Pines said. “I appreciate that Pines gives us that step-up to help us further our careers. There’s no other skilled nursing program that invests in their colleagues the way that Pines of Sarasota does.”

Zena Hillabrand, a PCA (Personal Care Attendant) agrees.

“I love that the program trains you in the facility you’ll actually be working in. It helps to build your confidence because you become part of the team,” she said. “The teachers and mentors are great resources along the way, helping to guide us and set us up to be great CNAs.”

The PCA position was created during the pandemic in response to nationwide staffing shortages in healthcare. Though it was intended to be temporary, the position has continued even after the pandemic. Ward says it’s been a great opportunity for those in the community to find out what it’s like working in healthcare at Pines, despite having no prior experience. 

“Many have worked in retail or a non-medical environment, and this is a way for them to get their foot in the door,” Ward said. “We’ve been very successful in recruiting people into our PCA program. Right now, we have six students, and we turn that classroom over every three weeks.”

While training to be a PCA, students are also training to be a CNA at the same time, since the PCA position is only meant to be a transitory role. One of the most exciting things about these training sessions is that they’re offered by Pines of Sarasota for free. The prep course, student manual, state exam, as well as background checks are all covered by Pines. PCAs also have a CNA mentor working with them while they’re training to be a CNA. 

In addition to the CNA program, Pines also offers an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) program in conjunction with Suncoast Technical Institute and the clinical aspect is performed at the Pines campus. Participants must already be working as CNAs at Pines to enroll. LPN students take part in rounds with unit managers and wound care social services, floor nurses, and admissions, as well as gaining valuable experience through clinical rotations. 

Clinical Educator Kim Cuavers DNP/RN is the instructor of the PCA, CNA, and LPN programs. 

“I am privileged to work for Pines of Sarasota and have been given an opportunity to spread my knowledge of nursing to the students here,” she said. 

Having just added a state-of-the-art building in February of 2022, Pines is also able to offer many unique benefits to both employees and residents. They are one of the few long-term care facilities that also supplies childcare onsite for PCA and CNA students. Currently, they care for about 50 kids, including children from the community, as well as children of Pines employees. This brings an added benefit for intergenerational activities enjoyed with residents. 

“I think when you do everything you can to take care of your employees, they turn around and take great care of the residents,” Ward said. 

Another unique offering is their memory-care facility, which houses 20 private rooms. The indoor atrium is climate controlled and designed to look and feel like a peaceful, outdoor, park-like setting. Residents are comforted with surroundings that include trees, hanging flower baskets, and a ceiling of glass that reveals a blue sky. A sidewalk path with lamp posts meanders past sensory carts designed specifically for the residents. Though it gives a feeling of being outdoors, the memory care facility is a secured and safe environment. Residents have the freedom to safely explore and enjoy their surroundings. 

This is all part of Pines honoring the dignity of their residents while providing for their needs. 

“When it comes to dignity, I think we do a pretty good job with that,” Ward said. “It’s not just something we should do; we see it as a right for both our residents and our staff. It’s about being treated the way you want to be treated.”

Many may not be aware that more than half of the residents at Pines of Sarasota are on Medicaid assistance, and their long-term care isn’t completely covered. Each year, costs of care come up short. That’s where donors to the Pines of Sarasota Mission Fund come in. Donations go to help seniors in skilled nursing who have outlived their financial resources. 

As far as goals for the future, Ward says he is thankful that their new building provides options to the Sarasota community for a safe and welcoming home for seniors who need rehabilitation, long-term care, assisted living, and memory care. With private suites, including full baths, a unique memory care unit, two floors of therapy gyms, and plenty of outdoor space to enjoy in the courtyard, there is much to offer at Pines of Sarasota. 

And although having such a wonderful new space for residents is exciting, Pines leadership recognizes the important role their caregivers play in quality resident care. That’s why the education program is so vital to continuing Pines’ legacy of exceptional care for seniors in our community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION about Pines of Sarasota and to learn about supporting Pines of Sarasota Foundation, please visit pinesofsarasota.org or call the Foundation at 941.955.6293.