Meet the SeniorBridge Sarasota Team

Dorothy Burns, RN, MSN, MBA
Regional Executive Director

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.

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.

Annalise Smith
Regional Director of Professional Relations

Annalise has more than a decade experience developing strategic relationships and partnerships in the healthcare field throughout South Florida. Prior to joining SeniorBridge, Annalise served in positions including Director of Marketing at Stanley LTC Pharmacy, an independently owned and operated pharmacy servicing long-term care facilities and Vice President of Business Development at Sunshine Pharmacy, Inc. in Naples, Florida. A resident of Collier County since 2001, she is an active member in her community serving as an Executive Board Member for the Parkinson's Association of South West Florida and President of Naples Interagency Council. She is also an active member of the Florida Assisted Living Association and the Florida Health Care Association and serves her sorority as Treasurer of the South West Florida Alumnae Club. Her life-long career in geriatrics began in kindergarten when she accompanied her podiatrist father on house calls to home bound elderly patients and has also included assisting with Medicare and secondary insurance claim forms as well as working in nursing home and assisted living facilities in her teens. Annalise earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family, Child and Consumer Sciences from Florida State University in Tallahassee where she was an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and was appointed to the Seminole Torchbearers leadership society. She is also a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Collier program.

Gina Townsend Ackerson
Director of Professional Relations

Before joining SeniorBridge, Gina had been Community Sales Liaison at Comprehensive Home Health in Port Charlotte and Sarasota, responsible for developing relationships with other area businesses, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes, training and managing new employees, and educating patients and physicians on Medicare. She had previously worked as a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist at Pfizer, marketing cardiology drugs to physicians, and at AstraZeneca, Inc., marketing other leading pharmaceuticals. Gina also trained and instructed new emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and trained with top hospital physicians in EMT at Will Grundy Emergency Medical Services at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, IL. She earned her BS in Social and Community Studies at Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, and is a certified EMT-Paramedic.

Kathy Warner, LPN

Director of Professional Relations

Kathy brings more than a decade of experience in the healthcare field with an extensive background in sales, marketing and coordination. Her strong leadership qualities have allowed Kathy to enhance company growth through marketing strategies throughout the Florida area. Most recently, Kathy served as Licensed Practical Nurse and Intake Coordinator at Nurse On Call Home Health Services in Sarasota where she coordinated all incoming referrals and verified all referral orders and insurance. Other career highlights include managing existing accounts and developing new business as Account Executive at National Health Infusion/Bioscrip and being held responsible for sales and marketing of the assisted living and memory care unit as Marketing Director for The Inn at Freedom Village. Kathy graduated from the Licensed Vocation Nursing Program at El Centro Community College and is currently enrolled with Excelsior College to pursue her Registered Nurse degree. Kathy holds certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Florida IV.

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 patient 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.