AlignMed Partners

04/03/2026

We’re proud to celebrate a major achievement by our very own Christina DeFrancisco, Director of Clinical Education at AlignMed Partners!

On March 26, 2026, the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) inducted Christina into its inaugural class of Fellows, awarding her the prestigious Fellow of PALTmed (FPALTC) designation. This peer-reviewed honor recognizes her ongoing dedication and contributions to post-acute and long-term care medicine.

At PALTmed’s annual conference, she presented “For the Long Term: Developing an Accredited LTC ACPP Fellowship,” sharing how AlignMed’s year-long fellowship, EMERGE, was created. EMERGE is a twelve-month support APPFA accredited fellowship designed to empower and guide providers through the early stages of their careers. In addition, the poster created by Christina and Falon Blessing, Clinical Education Specialist, was selected as a finalist in the education category!

Please join us in congratulating Christina on this well-deserved recognition and for her continued commitment to excellence in patient-centered care.

04/03/2026

We’re proud to celebrate a major achievement for our very own Christina DeFrancisco, Director of Clinical Education at AlignMed Partners!

On March 26, 2026, the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) inducted Christina into its inaugural class of Fellows, awarding her the prestigious Fellow of PALTmed (FPALTC) designation. This peer-reviewed honor recognizes her ongoing dedication and contributions to post-acute and long-term care medicine.

At PALTmed’s annual conference, she presented “For the Long Term: Developing an Accredited LTC ACPP Fellowship,” sharing how AlignMed’s year-long fellowship, EMERGE, was created. EMERGE is a twelve-month support APPFA accredited fellowship designed to empower and guide providers through the early stages of their career. In addition, the poster created by Christina and Falon Blessing, Clinical Education Specialist, was selected as a finalist in the education category!

Please join us in congratulating Christina on this well-deserved recognition and for her continued commitment to excellence in patient-centered care.

04/01/2026

Celebrating Dr. Ojutalayo for Doctor's Day! We're honored to work alongside such a compassionate and skilled physician. Thank you for everything you do for your patients, providers, and community!

Happy Doctors Day to our one and only Dr. Ojutalayo! 👩‍⚕️💙

Thank you for the exceptional care you provide to your patients and residents, and for the unwavering support you give to our NPs. We truly appreciate all that you do! 🙌

03/30/2026

Today, we celebrate the dedication, compassion, and expertise of physicians everywhere. On National Physician Day, AlignMed Partners proudly recognizes the incredible impact our physicians make in the lives of patients, families, and communities each and every day.

Your commitment to healing, innovation, and excellence does not go unnoticed. Thank you for your tireless efforts, your resilience, and the trust you build with every patient interaction.

We are honored to work alongside you and grateful for all that you do.

03/23/2026

AlignMed Partners is thrilled to introduce Colleen G., CRNP, as our new Area Clinical Practice Manager in the Northeast! Colleen initially started at AlignMed in 2022 at Wolfeboro Bay, a center in rural New Hampshire. From there, she was promoted to the role of Clinical Team Leader, where she helped lead and mentor her local team. Today, we’re excited to see her continue to grow as an ACPM, overseeing a team of providers across Rhode Island and New Hampshire.

Keep reading to learn more about how Colleen’s background influences her work today, her approach to leadership, the support she’s received during her transitions, and more.

What initially drew you to the role at AlignMed Partners?

I honestly had never considered SNF/LTC before, but what I learned through the interview process really drew me in. I have always felt like a valued employee, not a number and that the work I was doing was truly making a difference.

How has your clinical background as an RN shaped the clinician you are today?

My entire nursing background was in the ICU. It has helped me think critically and quickly but also offer support to patients and families during difficult times. Both have helped massively in moving to the LTC setting.

What was the biggest adjustment moving from hospital-based care to post-acute long-term care?

The lack of resources. In the hospital, especially large, teaching hospitals, everything is at your fingertips. Being in rural NH, the transition to post-acute LTC was drastic.

What inspired that move to NH, and have you noticed any difference as a provider from one area to another?

I am originally from central NH. I moved back after starting my family to be closer to my parents and for a slower-pace of life. There are huge differences as a provider—particularly access to care and socioeconomic statuses of patients—but I found that motivated me more to ensure my residents received the best treatment I could give them.

How has your previous experience teaching as clinical faculty influenced your leadership and mentorship style as a CTL and now an ACPM?

I think it's helped me evaluate the backgrounds of the APPs to have a better understanding of why they may be struggling in certain scenarios so that I could really get to know them and identify ways that would work specifically for them to improve workflow rather than approaching everyone as being in the same position. Every APP has a different nursing background, different interpersonal experiences in the clinical setting, and teaching has really helped me foster using that in my leadership roles.

How do you approach supporting and mentoring clinicians across your team?

I consider myself a quiet leader. I don't respond well to being approached abruptly or abrasively and I use that in my practice. I want my team to feel supported without micromanaging and to understand that I am always available to them for help whether it's a clinical concern, productivity issue, or interpersonal concerns in their center.

What qualities do you look for in clinicians joining AlignMed?

I'm very new to the hiring process. In the few interviews I've done, I am very drawn to candidates that show motivation and interest. The ones where the conversation flows and that offer information freely are very appealing to me. It tells me they won't be afraid to ask questions on the job which is incredibly important given the autonomy APPs have within the centers.

What kind of support did AlignMed offer as you transitioned into leadership roles?

All of it! The transition has been amazing. I was also lucky to have another ACPM starting around the same time so I never felt isolated in the process. Those that have been in leadership have been so warm and welcoming with every interaction. I feel very supported on all accounts from education to physician operations. It has been great.

What is something we might not know about you?

I'm a mom of two—a 4.5 year old and 16 month old (three if you count the yellow lab who is always at my feet). My husband and I love to travel—we went to 10 countries in one year, so if I'm ever out of the office I'm likely on a plane somewhere!

03/16/2026

This Women’s History Month, we recognize the women who have shaped long-term nursing care.

Today, women make up more than 90% of the long-term care workforce, leading compassionate, person-centered care for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Their leadership continues to transform how care is delivered every day.

Learn more: https://zurl.co/2Ydb6

03/12/2026

We recently spent the day at Cape May Center connecting with center leadership and our market team to officially welcome our new incoming Medical Director, Dr. Priten Patel! Dr. Patel brings a wealth of experience as an internist and hospitalist, and we’re excited for the expertise and leadership he brings to the team.

Later that afternoon, AlignMed and center leaders joined the entire center team for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony as the building became American Heart Association certified. This is an incredible achievement for Cape May Center—the only building in the local region with this certification!

Congratulations to the entire team on this milestone and for your continued commitment to high-quality, heart-focused care.

03/09/2026

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

In nursing and long-term care, we see the strength and resilience of individuals living with brain injuries every day. Our teams are dedicated to providing compassionate care, supporting recovery, and helping residents live with dignity and independence.

This month, we honor survivors, support their families, and continue raising awareness about the importance of specialized care and understanding.

03/05/2026

We are hiring a Cardiac Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant for a full time float opening near Fairmont, WV!

Check out the details below, visit alignmedpartners.com, or contact us at Naomi.Gruber@alignmedpartners.com if you’re interested in applying or referring someone you know.

03/02/2026

For National Nutrition Month, we’re spotlighting how nutrition matters at every age — especially among older adults in nursing homes and long-term care.

A recent study revealed that close to half of nursing home residents face a high risk of malnutrition, with factors such as difficulty eating and cognitive decline playing a major role in poor nutritional status. The findings emphasize the need for individualized nutrition assessments and dedicated mealtime support to enhance overall health and quality of life. (Tang et al., 2025).

https://zurl.co/E2rN5

02/25/2026

We are hiring a Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant for a Part Time (20-30 hours per week) opening located in Bristol, CT! New graduates are welcome to apply.

Check out the details below, visit alignmedpartners.com, or contact us at Naomi.Gruber@alignmedpartners.com if you’re interested in applying or referring someone you know.

02/23/2026

This month, AlignMed Partners is proud to spotlight Jonathan A., our Nurse Practitioner based out of West Virginia. Since starting his career with us as a newly graduated NP, Jonathan has spent the last year and a half growing both clinically and professionally and is now recognized as a leader at his center.

We interviewed Jonathan to learn about his journey from the ICU to the NP role, his experience in AlignMed’s EMERGE fellowship, the vital role he plays in educating and healing his local community, and more.

How did your ICU nursing background prepare you for your role as an NP?

The intensive care setting provided an excellent setting for increasing my clinical knowledge, adapting to complex/emergent situations, and to familiarize myself with a team-oriented environment working with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, and speech therapists.

What has surprised you most about the transition from RN to NP?

Transitioning from an ICU RN to NP involves understanding that you are accepting a new role and responsibilities within the healthcare team. As an ICU RN, I would focus on developing trusting working relationships with my few patients. However, as a NP, I have been surprised at the overall amount of working relationships that must be developed to provide patient-centered care to hundreds of patients. Strengthening my understanding of my coworkers, patients, and family members has allowed me to provide improved overall care.

What has your experience been like in the EMERGE program?

The EMERGE program is one of the main reasons I decided to accept a job with AlignMed Partners at a Genesis center. Having that education team support you as you develop as a new NP was vitally important to my overall growth and comfort level as an NP. The consistent reinforcement of your clinical knowledge, easily available resources, and expert assistance within the EMERGE program gave me the peace of mind to tackle complex clinical issues knowing I had a strong team supporting me.

What habits or skills help you to gain confidence as a new provider?

One of the more difficult skills to develop as a new NP was time management. It took me 2-3 months to develop a good working flow within my center. Once I was able to adapt my work schedule and find a good working rhythm, I became more confident that I could handle anything the day would bring.

You recently stepped into the role of Cardiac NP for West Virginia; what motivated you to raise your hand for this opportunity?

West Virginia tends to have a disproportionate amount of cardiovascular related diseases within our population that cause significant morbidity and mortality. Having the opportunity to care for the long term residents within this region has only highlighted the importance of developing a thorough understanding of the cardiovascular system to provide evidence-based care to these individuals. I am excited to continue broadening my cardiovascular knowledge base so that I may improve the quality of patient's lives who are affected by these comorbidities.

How does caring for patients in your local WV community impact the way you practice?

Understanding a patient's individual belief systems, habits, and cultures is critical in providing effective care. Over the past 2 years working as an NP, I have learned to try and view the patient as more than just a disease, incorporating aspects of the person into their care. In our local area, there is a large focus on religion and family, which I have begun adapting into a patient's plan of care to create a more individualized treatment plan. A good example of this would be to include both immediate and extended family in care plan meetings, since this is the patient's full support system.

What goals are you most excited to work toward in the next year?

My goal is to continue to grow as a nurse practitioner and develop a deeper cardiovascular knowledge base, so that I may assist in multiple centers within this region. I would like to become a valuable resource that centers and patients look toward to help improve their cardiovascular health.

What is something we might not know about you?

My wife and I are expecting our first child to be born in May of this year. We are very excited to become new parents and hopefully raise a beautiful, healthy daughter.