Karen Cawthorne

Karen joined SummitCare in April 2009 when appointed Operations Manager at Nyora Gardens. She completed Registered Nurse training in 1987 under the now redundant hospital based training scheme. In 1997, Karen completed a Bachelor of Nursing. Karen also is a Registered Midwife and has Child and Family Health qualifications; is an Authorised Immuniser and has Lactation Consultant qualifications.

Karen has worked in Aged Care for the past 12 years, initially working on the floor as a Registered Nurse in residential aged care and at the same time studying a Post Graduate Law Degree. In addition, Karen has worked as a Commonwealth Nursing Officer for the Department of Health and Ageing and in that position was required to attend funding reviews of aged care facilities in NSW. Previous management appointments include working as a Deputy Director of Nursing and Director of Nursing within both the Charitable and for profit sector.

On a clinical level in Aged Care, Karen has completed numerous short courses in pain management, palliative care, counselling, mental health and gerontology.

In addition to having a commitment to the notion of continuous improvement in care delivery, Karen believes in working together to provide peace of mind for Residents and their families within a framework that provides a safe, enjoyable and quality workplace for staff.

Karen is particularly enthusiastic about the SummitCare Purpose statement “To provide, all day every day, exceptional and sensitive care and service to people requiring residential aged care.” It is this statement that underpins delivery of Resident centred care at Nyora Gardens.