Business Beat: CareLink names Amy Stratton, new board member, presents staff awards

CareLink, a nonprofit healthcare network of post-acute and community-based providers serving older adults and adults with disabilities, elected Amy Stratton, Esq. to its 2024-25 Board of Directors at the organization’s annual meeting held recently at the Pawtucket Country Club.

Stratton is a partner with Moonan|Stratton, LLP, a woman-owned law firm located in Providence. She is responsible for handling legal matters including corporate formation and governance, employment, elder law, financing and real estate, estate planning, probate administration, and business succession planning. She is an advocate for elder care and for supporting those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. A resident of East Greenwich, she is active as a volunteer in the Rhode Island Bar Association’s Elderly Pro Bono program and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Estate Planning Council of Rhode Island. 

CareLink CEO Dr. Christine Gadbois presented awards to several individuals at the Annual Meeting, as follows: 

The “Spirit of CareLink” award was presented to North Scituate resident Amy Lemieux, quality manager and human resource specialist at Tockwotton on the Waterfront (located in East Providence) for embodying the collaborative network model of CareLink. “Amy has been an integral member of the CareLink Member HR Affinity Group and helped recruit staff for our CNA Training Program to help Tockwotton employees advance their careers in healthcare,” stated Gadbois, who notes that Amy joined Tockwotton in 2018 and went on to earn her Rhode Island Assisted Living Administrator license in 2020. 

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The “Mountain Mover” award was presented to North Providence resident Tai Sodipo-Kuforiji, CareLink CNA training program coordinator, for consistently tackling and conquering challenges and obstacles with hard work, determination, and a positive attitude. A graduate of Rhode Island College, she joined CareLink in 2023 and helped develop and implement the training program to expand the CNA workforce in Rhode Island specifically within the CareLink network. She is a registered nurse with 40 years of clinical experience in the U.S. and abroad. She serves on the Board of the R.I. Chapter of the American Parkinson’s Disease Association and is devoted to teaching her students the necessary skills for a successful healthcare career.

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Two “Rising Star” awards were presented to employees who have shown exceptional talent, potential and dedication, as follows: CareLink Scheduling and Enrollment Lead Brittany Soares (East Providence resident) who provides exceptional customer service, strategic thinking, organizational expertise, and a demonstrated knack for turning inquiries into partnerships.

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Also, Rehabilitation Aid Mel Festin (Attleboro resident) who provides valuable services for the rehab team and staff at Saint Antoine Residence in North Smithfield. He has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Boston University (2003) and brings over 15 years of cardiac, pulmonary and wellness program exercise physiology experience to his position.

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The “Clinical Excellence” award was presented to CareLink Public Health Dental Hygienist Tara Levasseur (Warwick resident) for making exceptional contributions to the CareLink mission and exemplifying the organization’s core values through outstanding clinical work. Tara is a key part of the CareLink Mobile Dentistry team. Her patient advocacy, communication, and sharp clinical decision-making skills have proven fundamental in achieving excellence in patient care and promoting interdisciplinary team approaches to critical patient cases.

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In 2023, CareLink received nearly $1 million in grant funding to service 4,770 clients through its rehabilitation and dental programs. Mobile Dentistry handled over 2,377 visits alone in 2023, while Audiology, Podiatry and Psychiatry services covered almost 3,000 visits. The Brain Health and Cognitive Therapy and Wellness services served 473 clients through 48 programs. “Together with our Board, staff, members and partners, CareLink is moving forward in a progressive way,” commented Gadbois. “We continue to grow and expand our reach in local communities throughout the state, bridging the equity gaps in providing essential healthcare services available to the older aged and disabled populations. The numbers are promising and demonstrate CareLink’s commitment to enhancing the well-being and quality of life for so many Rhode Islanders.”

About CareLink Rhode Island

Established in 1997, CareLink Rhode Island is a nonprofit network of post-acute and community-based providers and direct care staff serving older adults and adults with disabilities. Its membership base includes home care, hospice, adult day health, long-term care, assisted living, short-term and outpatient rehabilitation, and independent living providers throughout Rhode Island. CareLink, Inc. is located at 400 Massasoit Avenue, Suite 300 in East Providence, RI 02914; phone: 401.490.7610; web: carelinkri.org