Born and raised in Ocala, Florida, Elaine Dotten has always been driven to make a difference. Fiercely competitive, she is a passionate person who faces life’s challenges head-on and continuously seeks out solutions.

In high school, Dotten was an accomplished athlete, competing on the swimming team, playing softball and weightlifting. She benched 145 pounds and helped lead her team to a state championship in her senior year.

As the infection control and wound care nurse at Oak Hammock, Dotten plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of both residents and team members. She takes this responsibility seriously and strives for excellence, especially during healthcare crises. During such times, she’s exactly the kind of individual you want on your team.

Dotten’s colleague, Nadia Luna, Oak Hammock’s admissions and marketing coordinator, shared her thoughts, “Infection prevention and wound care require dedication, precision and a great deal of compassion, all of which Elaine brings with her every day. Her expertise not only promotes healing but also provides reassurance to those who need it most. Elaine’s commitment makes a significant difference in the lives of our residents and staff.”

Dotten has been with Oak Hammock for five and a half years, and during that time, she’s navigated one of the healthcare industry’s biggest challenges. Reflecting on her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dotten said, “It was a huge challenge for our team, but it was also incredibly rewarding to work hard to protect both our staff and residents.”

While many healthcare facilities restricted family visits, Dotten and the Health Pavilion team at Oak Hammock designed a plexiglass enclosure, allowing residents to safely visit with their families. This initiative was a vital lifeline for residents who had been isolated from their loved ones for long periods.

Currently, Dotten is balancing her full-time role with studying to obtain her registered nurse, or RN, license. When asked why she’s pursuing this certification, she explained, “Becoming an RN will allow me to gain additional certifications, which will help me enhance my ability to serve our residents even better.”

Dotten recently shared her enthusiasm on her role at Oak Hammock:

What do you like most about your job?

I find it incredibly rewarding to know that I can make a positive difference in our residents’ lives. Helping to heal their wounds and prevent the spread of infection is a key part of my work. We’ve set clear guidelines to protect both our residents and our team members, and we strongly encourage vaccination to help reduce the spread of disease. We set organizational goals to maintain a low level of cases during times of a health care crisis. Providing excellent patient care is our utmost motivation.

I love working at Oak Hammock. It’s one of the best places I’ve ever worked, with a supportive environment, great staff and wonderful residents. Everyone here truly supports one another. My goal is to continue to grow with Oak Hammock and always improve in my ability to provide excellent care.

I also appreciate the opportunity to continue my education with a scholarship through Oak Hammock. It is an easy process and a great program, which allows me to not have to worry about finances while going to school.

How do you apply the We Care themes to your work?

The We Care themes—welcoming, exceptional, courteous, attentive, responsive, and empathetic—are embodied by so many team members here at Oak Hammock. I strive to live by those ideals, always greeting others with a smile, being courteous and staying attentive. I also make an effort to escort people to where they need to go instead of simply giving directions.

I dedicate extra time when meeting with residents and offer one-on-one support to my fellow team members whenever possible. Serving as an educator about infectious diseases and offering valuable insight to help prevent illness is my true passion.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Most people would be surprised to learn that I used to race sports cars. I also worked as a bartender and was awarded ‘Bartender of the Year’ in Ocala. I have a 22-year-old daughter, Haley, who is also pursuing a nursing career alongside me.

Haley and I enjoy traveling, especially to beach destinations like St. Augustine and Sanibel Island. We’re happy anywhere there’s water. I’m also passionate about running and fitness and my goal is to run a marathon before I turn 50.

“Elaine has been a needed asset to the Oak Hammock family. She has been very helpful when vaccinations are needed for trips out of the country”. – Ann Carlson Bonus, resident

“Elaine is always ready to provide assistance and guidance to ensure the well-being of both our staff and residents at any time of day. Her dedication and willingness to help is truly appreciated; her role is crucial in maintaining a safe and healthy environment.” – Michelle Parker, team member

“What I admire most about Elaine Dotten is her unwavering attitude of “How can I help?” She is never too busy to greet me with a smile and a warm welcome. During my time as the resident coordinator with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for the COVID-19 Illness and Testing among Retirement Communities in the US study, I had the privilege of working closely with Elaine during the challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the hardships of those times, her response to my frequent requests was always, “How can we most effectively work together for the benefit of others?” Her selflessness and collaborative spirit were truly inspiring. We are incredibly fortunate to have someone as dedicated and compassionate as Elaine at Oak Hammock”. – Henrietta Logan, resident