Service through the Storm

Mr. Richard Hutchinson,

I want to compliment and recognize the exceptional leadership and teamwork demonstrated at Discovery Commons Cypress Point, Fort Myers, FL, before, during, and after Hurricane Ian. I realize by contacting you that I am jumping over several organizational layers, but I think this unfiltered feedback from the “front lines” is worthy of your attention. My mother-in-law has been a resident of this community for seven months. I visit her almost daily, so my observations are firsthand.

The community started their pre-storm planning and preparations early and had their resources in place days before the hurricane struck. All of the directors and many of the team members stayed at the facility throughout the storm. They all pitched in to help when and where it was needed: serving meals, transporting and assisting residents, cleaning, and many other necessary actions. The communications to the residents and their families were outstanding. Everyone was kept informed of what to expect with timely updates throughout the whole storm event. When the main electrical power was lost, the backup power performed as advertised. When the community lost water, they had adequate supplies of water to meet their needs. The building itself proved to be an excellent shelter. Team members were calm, efficient, and competent, reassuring the residents of their safety, security, and medical attention. As electrical power and water were restored, and the storm finally passed, the community smoothly returned to normal operations as soon as possible.

I saw the directors and their team members tirelessly and selflessly performing as a highly effective team to meet the many challenges this storm presented to a senior living community with many residents who had never experienced a hurricane before, a stressful situation for many, including my mother-in-law. The team members reflect the exceptional leadership of their Executive Director, Donna Holden, and the other directors: Michele Howard, Nicole Ippolito, Anita Reinhart, Robert Bruno, and Donnie Smith. During adversity, the best or the worst of people is often revealed. This community’s leaders showed their very best. Team members were well prepared and inspired to serve and perform at a very high level — 5 Stars from top to bottom — a case study of “How to Do It Right.”

With deep appreciation and thanks for the Discovery Senior Living Organization and the entire leadership team and team members of Discovery Commons Cypress Point, Fort Myers, FL,

Mike Navarro

Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Son-in-Law