K. McKenzie Cardwell
Milledgeville,Georgia
Summary
Self-motivated, dedicated, and goal-driven Licensed Assisted Living Administrator with 14+ years of healthcare experience and nearly 10 years of leadership/management experience. Proven track record of driving sales and census growth while prioritizing building and leading high-performing teams. Skilled in state survey and regulatory management, family/community relationship development, process development, budget management, vendor contract negotiation, legal risk analysis, and HR expertise. Committed to promoting successful day-to-day operations and delivering exceptional care to residents.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Director
Fellowship Home at Meriwether - The Fellowship Family
07.2023 - Current
- Returned census to 91% in less than 6 weeks of opening 23-unit expansion
- Maintained net positive census growth and
- Reduced Dietary PRD by 18% in 4 weeks and returned PRD to budget in 8 weeks by improving menu planning and implementing order guide processes
- Established monthly QA/PI meetings to identify area of opportunity and improvement
- Developed monthly routine maintenance schedule to reduce costly, unexpected expenditures
- Added new staff members to front line team in first 6 weeks to reduce OT hours by 40%
- Created staffing pattern based on annualized budget
- Created a daily reporting system to be utilized for real-time labor, overtime, and allocation management to ensure staffing pattern is followed and labor costs are reduced.
Executive Director
Dublin Place - Enlivant Senior Living
05.2021 - 07.2023
- Eliminated contract labor use from 85% to 0% in less than 12 weeks
- Improved GPTW survey score from 67% to 91% in one year
- Achieved +10% of monthly NOI goals for 15 consecutive months
- Maintained zero deficiency surveys throughout my service
- Strengthened offline/unpaid partnerships resulting in an increase of referrals from approximately 25% to over 75%
- Increased lead to tour and lead to move-in ratios to over 50%
- Ensured a COVID positive rate of less than 1% within the community per year.
Director of Resident Care
Harbor at Harmony Crossing - Royal Senior Care
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Reduced annualized staff turnover from 110% in 2019 to 32% in 2020
- Ensured a COVID positive rate of less than 5% within the community from 03/2020-05/2021
- Created Care Plan Assessment tools and processes to return the community to regulatory compliance
- Hired and trained 12 certified medication aides per state regulations
- Improved resident/family satisfaction through open, truthful, and compassionate communication
- Developed nursing admission assessment to ensure regulatory compliance with new admissions.
Resident Care Coordinator/Nurse Manager
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation
02.2018 - 08.2019
LPN
Navient Health Baldwin Med/Surg Unit, Emergency Department
03.2017 - 02.2018
LPN
Amedisys Home Health
06.2015 - 03.2017
Resident Care Coordinator/Nurse Manager
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center
07.2013 - 05.2015
Charge Nurse
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center
08.2010 - 07.2013
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH08.2025
Associate of Applied Science - Practical Nursing
Central Georgia Technical College
Macon, GA05.2010
Skills
Strategic Planning & Development
Budget & Financial Management
Culture Development
State Survey & Regulatory Management
Process Development
Sales Strategy Development
Operations Management
Staff Management
Marketing
Human Resources
Certification
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- BLS Instructor Certification (Exp. 05/2026)
- BLS & First Aide Certification (Exp. 10/2024)
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Exp. 03/2026)
- GA License of Practical Nursing, LPN, 03/2025
- GA License for Assisted Living Community Administrator, LALCA, 12/2025
- GA License for Personal Care Home Administrator, LPCHA, 12/2025
Personal Information
Title: LPN, LALCA, LPCHA, CDP
Timeline
Executive Director
Fellowship Home at Meriwether - The Fellowship Family
07.2023 - Current
Executive Director
Dublin Place - Enlivant Senior Living
05.2021 - 07.2023
Director of Resident Care
Harbor at Harmony Crossing - Royal Senior Care
08.2019 - 05.2021
Resident Care Coordinator/Nurse Manager
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation
02.2018 - 08.2019
LPN
Navient Health Baldwin Med/Surg Unit, Emergency Department
03.2017 - 02.2018
LPN
Amedisys Home Health
06.2015 - 03.2017
Resident Care Coordinator/Nurse Manager
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center
07.2013 - 05.2015
Charge Nurse
Eatonton Health & Rehabilitation Center
08.2010 - 07.2013
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate of Applied Science - Practical Nursing
Central Georgia Technical College
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- BLS Instructor Certification (Exp. 05/2026)
- BLS & First Aide Certification (Exp. 10/2024)
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification (Exp. 03/2026)
- GA License of Practical Nursing, LPN, 03/2025
- GA License for Assisted Living Community Administrator, LALCA, 12/2025
- GA License for Personal Care Home Administrator, LPCHA, 12/2025
Similar Profiles
Aubrey TiptonAubrey Tipton
Daycare Worker at Family Fellowship Church Of GodDaycare Worker at Family Fellowship Church Of God
Ixia FletcherIxia Fletcher
Tech at Fellowship Home At The FairwayTech at Fellowship Home At The Fairway
Roy GallegosRoy Gallegos
Church Volunteer at Grace Family FellowshipChurch Volunteer at Grace Family Fellowship