Nadia Luna knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in senior care. When she was 13, her father became seriously ill, and she took on the responsibility of caring for him. Luna was especially close to her dad and attended all his medical appointments, serving as his health advocate.
“I remember rubbing lotion on my dad while he was in the hospital. He would always tell me how much better it made him feel. I’m not sure if it was true, but it was during that time that I knew I wanted to be in healthcare—especially long-term care. That experience ignited my passion for the medical field, and it continues to inspire my career today.”
Luna serves as the admissions and marketing coordinator at the Oak Hammock Health Pavilion and considers herself the patient care advocate for people in Skilled Nursing and short-term rehabilitation. She works closely with staff at local hospitals to ensure that Oak Hammock can best serve Gainesville residents. For those in short-term rehab who are not Oak Hammock residents, Luna helps facilitate rehabilitation so they can return home. For the Oak Hammock residents in short-term rehab, Luna works to support their rehabilitation and reintegration into the Oak Hammock community. Her goal is to ensure that individuals are well cared for when they return home.
“I’m the face of Oak Hammock in the community,” Luna says. “The case managers offices at North Florida Regional and UF Health Shands know I am the person to call when a patient needs rehab care.”
Born in New York City, Luna moved with her family to Ocala, Florida, as a teenager. She and her sister, Cristina, were adopted at the age of one and a half by parents in their 60s, who felt that Ocala offered a safer environment than the busy streets of New York City.
“Adapting to Ocala was difficult at first,” Luna recalls. “The culture shock was real. I struggled with the new environment, the new school and the new way of life. My accent and my clothes didn’t fit in, but over time, I learned to adjust to Florida’s mannerisms. If you listen closely, you might still hear a hint of my New York accent.”
Luna graduated from Central Florida Community College in Ocala with a degree in business administration. While she initially considered nursing, her mentor, the CEO of a multispecialty practice, advised her to stay in administration, where her strengths lay. Luna spent ten years as a practice manager, gaining valuable clinical experience along the way. She also earned a phlebotomy certificate and participated in dual enrollment at Central Florida Community College during high school.
Luna’s career has deep roots in long-term care and skilled nursing. Luna is highly regarded by both Oak Hammock residents and colleagues. Elaine Dotten, infection control nurse at the Health Pavilion, shared, “Nadia is a pleasure to work with and an invaluable asset to our team. Her dedication is evident in the admissions process, and she always goes above and beyond to make residents and families feel welcomed.”
When asked about her role at Oak Hammock, Luna shared her personal approach:
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love advocating for patients and residents. If their journey takes an unexpected turn, I work to find the most suitable path for them. I can relate to families because I’m currently managing the care of a family member in the hospital. The key is constant communication and ensuring that everyone involved feels heard. Being a patient advocate brings me immense satisfaction, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.
One example that stands out is when an Independent Living resident was hospitalized and waiting for antibiotics. After a long day without answers, I personally advocated for the resident. I spoke to the floor nurses and told them we wouldn’t leave until the prescription arrived. The antibiotics came soon after, and the resident was extremely grateful. It may have seemed small, but it was a big deal to her.
How do you apply the WeCare principles in your role?
The WeCare principles—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive, and empathetic—are at the heart of my work. Every phone call, every interaction, is an opportunity to demonstrate these values. I want my patients and residents to know that I am always available for them, that their concerns are important to me, and that I will work to address their needs promptly.
Tell us about your family.
I have two children: Giovanni, 18, and Ariana, 14. People are often surprised to learn that I have an identical twin sister who is also in health care, working as a trauma nurse, currently in Boston.
My sister and I reconnected with our birth family about three years ago, and now we enjoy being part of a large, close-knit family. Growing up with a single, older mom, I never imagined I would have such a big family. Now I have two sisters, a brother and many cousins. It’s been so exciting to build these connections.
I enjoy traveling with my kids. We’ve been to places like New York, Puerto Rico, Colombia and more. I want to introduce them to the world. They’re both bilingual, which I believe is a huge advantage in today’s world. My parents insisted that my sister and I become bilingual as well. From an early age, I could read, write and speak Spanish.
When we aren’t traveling, we love outdoor activities like riding bikes together.
What Oak Hammock residents Say About Luna:
“Nadia Luna is absolutely wonderful! She is extremely knowledgeable about medical care and insurance issues and always generous with her time and advice. She makes sure you understand what Oak Hammock offers and helps guide you through the health care system, which can be challenging for many residents. I’m very grateful for all her help.” – Alison Connor
“Since moving to Oak Hammock almost two years ago, one of my joys has been getting to know Nadia. She helped me navigate two hospitalizations and recoveries at the skilled nursing facility. She was so reassuring, and when she said, ‘Don’t worry, it’s all under control,’ I truly believed her—and it was!” – Nancy Dickson