David P. Jasinski has been named executive director of Cortland Place. Jasinski, who was an original administrator of the assisted living facility, returns after more than 20 years in the corporate sector. Most recently he worked with Harborside Pawtuxet Village. Jasinski serves on the R.I. Senate Commission on Nursing Shortage and is a member of the Nursing Assistant Review Board for the R.I. Department of Health.
PBN: Cortland Place recently underwent renovations and upgrades. What improvements and amenities does the facility offer?
JASINSKI: Having the physical surroundings provide all the programming and safety necessary to care for our residents, while also maintaining a homelike environment, is a major priority for us. We have made enhancements such as raised garden beds for our Alzheimer’s residents to enjoy in the spring; renovated the dining room which now includes café areas, new furniture and art; and there is much, much more. But the renovations are just the tip of the iceberg. I have a big-picture approach to create a new culture of a home environment for people who either have a long or short term stay with us.
PBN: Cortland is family owned. How does that offer an advantage to families seeking placement of a loved one?
JASINSKI: Cortland Place is the mission of two men, a father and son, both of whom experienced how difficult it was to place a loved one in a facility and feel assured that quality services were provided. Both Norman Audino Jr. and Norman Audino Sr. are still here.
PBN: After a career in the corporate sector, why have you returned to lead Cortland Place?
JASINSKI: I began my career right on the front lines of direct care when I worked as a physical therapy aid. Then, when I was in college, my father suffered a stroke. That moved my career path to administration and built a lifelong passion in me of helping others. And I’ve been in the same position of the family members who come to visit their loved ones, too. My perspective, coupled with my ability to change systems and processes, gives me a rather unique ability. My work at the state level will help bring the needs of providers and those we serve to advocate for system-wide change at a time of crisis in our health care system. But here, every day at Cortland Place, we work to continually “peel back the onion”, get to the root cause … and then make changes easily with the support of our owners. •
