We are thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Robert L. Russell, MD, MBA, to our team as our new Chief Medical Officer! Dr. Russell brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in internal medicine and geriatric care, with a specific focus on post-acute care.

Prior to joining our team, Dr. Russell served as the former Regional Medical Director for the Midwest at CommuniCare Healthcare, where he honed his skills in long-term care. Currently, Dr. Russell holds pivotal roles in shaping geriatric healthcare in Indiana. He serves as Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee for CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, the state’s largest Area Agency on Aging, where he leads strategic planning efforts and oversees the Medical Nutrition Therapy Program. 

Dr. Russell is a committed advocate for healthcare excellence, having held leadership positions in various organizations, including two terms as President of the Indiana Medical Directors Association and membership on the executive board of the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Indiana. His collaborative efforts were recognized with the Collaborator of the Year award by CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions in 2023. Dr. Russell is also a respected keynote speaker and panelist on topics ranging from Alzheimer’s Disease to caregiver burden and value-based care.

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Russell is a devoted husband and father of three. He finds joy in family time, basketball games, travel, and community service.

With his heart for healthcare and passion for making a difference, Dr. Russell’s addition will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact in the field of geriatric medicine. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Robert L. Russell as our Chief Medical Officer! We look forward to the invaluable contributions he will make to our organization and the community we serve.

Elliott Nursing and Rehabilitation is excited to highlight our outstanding Social Work team! Introducing Courtney Lewis!

Name: Courtney Lewis

Years of Experience: 12 Years

What has ‘empowered’ you to become a social worker?: I am passionate about the elderly and their wellbeing. There is nothing more rewarding than a smile on a resident’s face after successfully advocating for their rights, needs and wants.  I have always wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

As we celebrate Social Work Month, what message or advice would you like to share with the community about the importance of social work in long-term care?: Social work in long-term care is especially important because the voice of our elderly can sometimes fall through the cracks. As a social worker, I am proud to take on the responsibility of ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met. I love being a Social Worker!!

Elliott Nursing and Rehabilitation is excited to highlight our outstanding Social Work team! Wendy Wright!

Name: Wendy Wright

Years of Experience: 8

What has ‘empowered’ you to become a social worker?: My family, my faith, my coworkers, and my love of the geriatric population.

As we celebrate Social Work Month, what message or advice would you like to share with the community about the importance of social work in long-term care?: Social work is more than a job for me. It’s a life’s purpose.

• Name and role: Abby Tackett RN, BSN, WCC

• How long have you been in healthcare? I graduated from the MSU BSN program in May of 2019. I began my career on a Postoperative/Women’s Care Unit in June of 2019, then transferred to my current role in August of 2021.

• Why did you choose to become a nurse? Just like most nurses, I want to help people and make a difference in their lives. Finding a way to improve the quality of life for my residents is my goal and where I find my happiness. I chose ENR because when I first stepped into the facility for my interview, I felt like this is exactly where I was meant to be- like God was calling me to serve here and serve these residents. Since I started working at Elliott, the staff and residents have become like family to me.

• What has been your healthcare journey? I started out as a nurse on a postoperative/women’s care unit and now I am here at Elliott.

• During a challenging time in healthcare, what keeps you motivated? The love that I have for my residents is what keeps me motivated- to become a better nurse and to learn everything that I can to improve my practice, even on really hard days.

• What do you find most rewarding in being a nurse? Wound care! I like healing people, as all nurses do. I cannot fix high blood pressure or heart disease, but I can fix wounds. I can watch them start out as something that is impairing to the resident, and watch it heal and improve the comfort and quality of life for the residents I care for. Wound care is a true opportunity to provide healing. Wound care is extremely rewarding because I get to make a direct impact on the lives of the people I care for.