Celebrations

Mandy LeDoux, a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at DeBary Health & Rehabilitation Center, brings over 20 years of experience in long term care. Mandy started her career in various settings, including schools, outpatient clinics, and hospitals, but long term care is where she truly found her passion. She is inspired by the residents she works with every day, who motivate her to give her best.

For Mandy, each resident is like family, and she has learned invaluable lessons from their lives, stories, and experiences. She loves seeing her residents go from having limited mobility to walking with a walker and regaining independence in their daily tasks.

In her role, Mandy embraces the uniqueness of each resident, often learning fascinating insights from them, such as marriage secrets from couples who have been together for decades or reflections on the most important inventions of their time. Mandy’s dedication to her residents goes beyond therapy; it’s about empowering them to regain independence and reconnect with their families and communities.

For those considering a career in long term care, Mandy advises to talk to the residents, not at them. She emphasizes treating every resident with respect, dignity, and honesty, reminding others that life is unpredictable, and we should always be compassionate toward those who may one day find themselves in care.

Donald Piper comes from a background in technology, but in 2020 he changed careers and entered the field of healthcare. Today he is the Plant Operations Assistant at Palm Garden of Jacksonville, where he works to ensure a safe environment for residents and staff.

Donald and his team work daily to give residents a home-like experience and top-notch customer service. He enjoys listening and learning from his peers so he can build his knowledge and provide the best care to residents as possible.

Donald wants others to know that long term care is a career where empathy is important. Residents need compassionate, comforting caregivers. “I try to remind myself what it would be like in their shoes,” says Donald, “and that helps me make the best impact on our residents, my team members and myself.”

Michael Azza’s journey into long term care began with a bold career change when he made the transition from business, retail, and restaurant management to the health care field. Originally from Rhode Island, he earned his degree from Southwestern Community College in 2019, driven by a passion for occupational therapy and a desire to lead and inspire others.

He loves working with the geriatric population and finds that it provides a deep fulfillment in helping older adults navigate different stages of life, from outpatient rehab to skilled nursing. As the Director of Rehabilitation at Eagleridge Health & Rehabilitation Center, Michael plays a crucial role in guiding families through the transition from independent to assisted living, ensuring that residents receive the care they need while maintaining dignity and independence.

Beyond his professional life, Michael is a dedicated father to his 7-year-old daughter and an avid runner, covering 20 to 40 miles per week. This passion for health and wellness extends to his work, where he encourages residents to stay active and engaged in their rehabilitation. One of his most rewarding experiences was witnessing a full stroke recovery, from the early stages of healing to seeing the patient drive again after 11 months. He believes long term care is an incredibly fulfilling field and encourages those considering it to embrace the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of older adults.

Meet Kate Woods, Recreation Director of The Luxe at Jupiter Rehabilitation Center

Kate Woods worked as an activities assistant in a nursing center while she was in college, enjoying the experience and the impact she made on residents. When her grandmother was placed in a care center, Kate visited her regularly and came to understand how Alzheimer’s disease affected not only the individual, but family members as well.

Upon earning her degree in Recreation Therapy and becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Kate held several positions in a hospital setting. But her love for working with aging adults drew her back to long term care. “I love building relationships with residents and their families,” said Kate. “It’s so special to bring them exciting and therapeutic events and activities to help brighten their day and live a more purposeful life.”

As Recreation Director of The Luxe at Jupiter Rehabilitation Center, Kate has taken education even further, recently becoming a Certified Dementia Practitioner. This has strengthened her understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and will help her teach others how to enhance the care provided to these individuals. Always with a positive attitude, Kate works hard to ensure residents are engaging in activities in the most fulfilling way they can.

When considering a career in long term care, Kate wants others to know that recreation is more than games, arts and crafts with residents. “It helps give them purpose and something to look forward to, engages them in past interests and skills, and helps them connect with others in a meaningful way,” she said.

Meet Rebecca Carmona, Director of Rehabilitation at Crescent Health & Rehabilitation Center

Rebecca Carmona’s passion for physical therapy began in high school when she volunteered at Instride Hippotherapy. While she primarily worked with children and young adults, it was a 101-year-old resident who left a lasting impression, showing her the power of therapy at any age. This experience set her on a path that led to earning a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida State University and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of North Florida. During her clinical rotation at Crescent Health & Rehabilitation Center, she was mentored by an incredible therapy team, inspiring her to apply for a position there. She worked as a physical therapist for four years before stepping into her current role as Director of Rehabilitation, leading the very team that helped shape her career.

Rebecca is deeply inspired by the resilience and determination of her residents, learning from them every day. She believes in spreading positivity and empowering residents to regain independence and control over their lives, even in the face of challenges. As both a therapist and a leader, she collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to enhance residents’ well-being and quality of life. She encourages anyone with a passion for caring for others to consider long term care, a field she never expected to affect her life so profoundly but one that she now ranks among the best decisions she ever made.