Michelle Cookhorne
Charlotte,NC
Summary
Results-driven healthcare administrator with extensive experience leading long-term care and rehabilitation facilities. Proven ability to optimize operations, manage multidisciplinary teams, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive financial and quality outcomes. Skilled in strategic planning, staff development, and survey readiness, with a strong record of enhancing resident satisfaction and employee engagement. Committed to delivering efficient, safe, and high-quality care in dynamic healthcare environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Administrator
Novant Health PMC
11.2022 - Current
- Led reopening and operational launch of Skilled Nursing Unit, recruiting and onboarding 100% of staff and achieving full census stabilization within 6 months
- Directed facility-wide clinical, operational, and regulatory compliance, maintaining survey readiness and minimizing deficiencies e.g zero IJ / reduced nursing citations to zero
- Drove census growth and admissions strategy, overseeing PBJ reporting, TPE audits, claims management, triple check, and grievance processes
- Provided executive oversight of Nursing, Therapy, MDS, Social Services, and Recreation, ensuring alignment with quality, financial, and compliance goals
- Partnered with interdisciplinary teams to strengthen discharge planning and reduce hospital readmissions by 50%
- Served as Administrator-level leader for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, managing daily operations, census and marketing initiatives, staff performance, and budget productivity [e.g., maintained budget / improved margin by XX%]
Nurse Consultant
NC DHHS
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Led skilled nursing facility recertification, complaint, follow-up, and infection control surveys ensuring federal and state regulatory compliance
- Conducted on-site QIS investigations and authored CMS-2567 citations
- Reviewed and validated Plans of Correction to ensure sustained regulatory compliance
Regional Facility consultant
Principle LTC
10.2020 - 02.2022
- Provided executive oversight for 6–8 long-term care facilities, directing Directors of Nursing and multi-disciplinary teams
- Led quality assurance, risk management, regulatory compliance, and survey readiness initiatives, ensuring consistent adherence to federal and state standards
- Monitored operations and nursing performance, implementing process improvements to enhance patient care, safety, and team outcomes
Administrator
Lake Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center/ Principle LTC
09.2019 - 10.2020
- Led 120-bed skilled nursing facility, increasing census from 72 to 100+ (38% growth) and improving financial performance through strategic operations and marketing
- Directed all departments, managing $600,000 budget, staffing, and care quality, reducing agency reliance by 35% and boosting employee engagement scores by 15%
- Implemented CMS/CDC COVID guidance, leading staff training and screening initiatives, maintaining a COVID-free facility with 100% resident safety Bed skilled nursing facility. Responsible for financial and care oversight for all departments. Manage budget, census and staffing. Assist with all COVID training and screening. Implementation of all new COVID guidance from CMS and CDC. Have maintained a COVID free building.
Administrator
University Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center/ Principal LTC
09.2018 - 09.2019
- Provided executive oversight for a 217-bed nursing facility, leading 250+ staff across Nursing, Maintenance, Social Services, Dining, Business Office, Marketing, Therapy, and MDS
- Increased census by 30% (from ~107 to 140 beds), maintained budget within 20% of target, and achieved 6 consecutive surveys with no Level 3 deficiencies or substantiated complaints
- Directed $3M facility renovation, collaborating with contractors, engineers, and resident councils to ensure compliance and operational efficiency
- Improved employee engagement scores by 33% and resident satisfaction ratings by 40%, while reducing agency staffing by 75%
- Strengthened regulatory compliance and operational performance, ensuring safe, resident-centered care
Campus Administrator
Westminster Towers Health and Rehabilitation Center
03.2017 - 03.2018
- Directed day-to-day operations for 66-bed skilled nursing facility, 36-bed assisted living, home health, and companion services within a CCRC
- Oversaw all departments, managing budget, staffing, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency
- Led skilled nursing and assisted living renovations, collaborating with maintenance, contractors, and marketing to ensure design, specification, and timely completion
- Developed marketing strategy, streamlined intake processes, and implemented staff evaluation metrics to improve productivity and reduce redundancies
- Guided Nursing, MDS, and Activities teams to achieve low-level deficiency survey results
Healthcare Administrator
The Carriage Club Providence
12.2015 - 03.2017
- Provide operational and strategic oversight of a 36-bed long-term care facility within a CCRC
- Drive census growth through targeted marketing and census development initiatives
- Lead and manage multidisciplinary departments including Nursing, Dietary, Therapy, RAI, Activities, and Social Services
- Ensure fiscal accountability through budget management and efficient resource utilization
- Support enterprise-wide operations by assisting in leadership of a 300+ bed CCRC under Executive Director direction
Administrator in Training
Trinity Oaks Health and Rehab
10.2014 - 04.2015
- Completed 25-week LTC Administrator training, rotating through all departments for hands-on experience and operational observation
- Assisted with regulatory preparedness, including Plan of Correction (POC) development alongside DON
- Led projects such as rollout of new wellness program for residents and families, and expansion of recreational therapy programming on locked memory care unit
Director of Nursing Services
The Carriage Club Providence
10.2013 - 10.2014
- Assumed administrative authority for a 46-bed nursing facility, ensuring resident care met professional standards and state/federal regulations
- Oversaw infection control, staff development, hiring, evaluations, disciplinary actions, and abuse/neglect reporting
- Managed medical records oversight and staffing operations to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient facility performance
Facility Consultant
Department of Health and Human Services
08.2011 - 10.2013
- Conducted skilled nursing facility recertification, follow-up, complaint, and infection control surveys, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
- Authored and reviewed CMS-2567 citations and evaluated Plans of Correction (POCs) to verify regulatory compliance and corrective action implementation
- Performed on-site resident interviews, chart reviews, and staff assessments to evaluate quality of care, safety, and adherence to professional standards
- Provided guidance and education to facility staff on regulatory requirements, survey readiness, and best practices
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to identify systemic deficiencies, recommend improvements, and ensure timely resolution
- Monitored facilities for compliance with Medicare/Medicaid conditions of participation, abuse/neglect reporting, and infection control standards
MDS Coordinator
Huntersville Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
01.2007 - 07.2011
- Coordinated RAI process, MDS scheduling, and CCP for 126+ residents, optimizing case mix index and Medicare reimbursement
- Managed Medicare compliance, QI/QM processes, and action planning to improve quality outcomes
- Led MDS 3.0 transition planning, form creation, and risk management chart reviews, and supported finance audits for operational accuracy
Director of Nursing
Belaire Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
04.2005 - 12.2006
- Provide strategic leadership and accountability for resident care in compliance with professional nursing standards and state/federal regulations
- Lead implementation of nursing policies and procedures aligned with organizational mission and values
- Direct efficient use of staff and resources to optimize resident physical, mental, and psychosocial outcomes
- Oversee and guide interdisciplinary programs including nutrition, wound care, restraints, and restorative services
Education
Bachelors of Science - Nursing
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA06-1994
J.D. - Healthcare Regulatory Law
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL05-2026
Skills
- Healthcare operations knowledge
- Operational leadership
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Clinical utilization review
- Proficient in acute EPIC applications
- MDS
- SPICE infection prevention training
- Policy document development
- INFO/WFM
- Financial management
- Lean methodology certification
- Marketing
- Quality assurance expertise
Accomplishments
- Documented and resolved [Issue] which led to [Results].
- Collaborated with team of [Number] in the development of [Project name].
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
Certification
- LNHA
- AL Administrator certification
- RN License
Timeline
Administrator
Novant Health PMC
11.2022 - Current
Nurse Consultant
NC DHHS
04.2022 - 11.2022
Regional Facility consultant
Principle LTC
10.2020 - 02.2022
Administrator
Lake Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center/ Principle LTC
09.2019 - 10.2020
Administrator
University Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center/ Principal LTC
09.2018 - 09.2019
Campus Administrator
Westminster Towers Health and Rehabilitation Center
03.2017 - 03.2018
Healthcare Administrator
The Carriage Club Providence
12.2015 - 03.2017
Administrator in Training
Trinity Oaks Health and Rehab
10.2014 - 04.2015
Director of Nursing Services
The Carriage Club Providence
10.2013 - 10.2014
Facility Consultant
Department of Health and Human Services
08.2011 - 10.2013
MDS Coordinator
Huntersville Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
01.2007 - 07.2011
Director of Nursing
Belaire Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
04.2005 - 12.2006
Bachelors of Science - Nursing
University of Virginia
J.D. - Healthcare Regulatory Law
Florida State University