AlignMed Partners

Happy Father’s Day from AlignMed Partners!

To all the dads on our team and in the communities we serve — thank you for the care, kindness, and support you give both at work and at home.

Wishing you a day filled with love, appreciation, and special moments.

Alignmed Partners is proud to recognize an outstanding example of Physician/Advanced Practice Provider (APP) collaboration in our post-acute and long-term care team: Medical Director and Attending Dr. Mark Wagner and Advanced Practice Provider Wendy Tiburcio-Mateo. Their long-standing 7-year partnership at GHC Mifflin Center in PA exemplifies exceptional teamwork. Wendy joined AlignMed in 2019 as a new grad APP, while Dr. Wagner has been with Alignmed for over 26 years.

This collaboration is fundamentally grounded in mutual respect, open communication, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Wendy Tiburcio-Mateo shared her thoughts on the partnership:

"Dr. Wagner truly embraced me as a new graduate APP. He was always approachable and generously shared his tips and clinical pearls. I still reference my notes from our early days. He is patient and supportive, always encouraging questions and providing constructive feedback when a different approach was needed. We communicate every morning and as needed, and he always made himself available, even on vacation.

I felt fully supported, especially when staff went to him regarding a clinical decision after I had seen a patient; he would always refer them back to me. His comfort with my decisions and his respect for the APP role have allowed me to practice autonomously. We seamlessly discuss patient needs and divide the workload."

Dr. Mark Wagner shared his thoughts on collaboration:

"I have had the pleasure of collaborating with Wendy Tiburcio-Mateo for approximately seven years at Mifflin Center in Shillington, P.A., and our collaboration has been very successful. The basis of any good partnership in health care starts with communication. We start our day with a recap of what needed to be accomplished and who would be seeing which patient, and we discuss any previous patient concerns.

I particularly valued her help with communication with families, and I consistently made myself available for any patient, family, or administrative concerns in a timely manner. Our educational relationship has been immense; both my experience helping her and her knowledge enhanced my own education. Many times, admitting that we needed to know more about a patient made us more diligent in researching answers. We also enjoyed sharing our personal lives. I feel all of these qualities have enabled us to give excellent care to our patients."

This exemplary partnership demonstrates how teamwork drives quality care, ensures patients benefit every step of the way, and establishes a collaborative work environment that is critical to employee satisfaction.

The Northeast AlignMed leadership team had a great time at the New Hampshire Health Care Association's June conference! This event was the state's largest gathering of long-term care professionals. Thank you to everyone who came by to connect!

We also had some fun at the New Hampshire and Vermont Medical Director meeting celebrating Denise Spataro's birthday month! 🎉

Today, AlignMed is proud to welcome Dr. Jacqueline Cai, MD to our team of Medical Directors! Dr. Cai serves at Canyon Transitional Center in New Mexico, initially joining AlignMed in January this year as an Attending Physician and now transitioning to her role of Medical Director as well.

Dr. Cai completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic, where she also served as a Hospitalist and Instructor in Medicine. She brings a strong background in academic medicine, quality improvement, and patient-centered care, with experience in leadership, mentorship, and community engagement. Her work has included contributions to clinical research, medical education, and initiatives supporting underserved populations throughout New Mexico and Arizona.

She shared her inspiration behind taking this next step:

“What inspired me to step into the Medical Director role was the strong sense of support and encouragement I received from both my colleagues and our administration. Working within an environment that values collaboration, compassion, and continuous improvement gave me the confidence to take on this new opportunity. I am most excited for the opportunity to continue working alongside our dedicated team to contribute to the quality of life of our residents and the culture of our facility as a whole.”

Some journeys come full circle, and today we’re happy to share one of those stories as we welcome back Bethany H. to AlignMed Partners!

Bethany first joined our team in 2023 as a new graduate Nurse Practitioner supporting patients at Casa de Oro Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Bethany was an early participant in what is now the EMERGE fellowship—our year-long clinical education, mentorship, and peer support program for new providers.

When asked what originally made her a great fit for the New Mexico team, her manager, Leigh Simpkins, said that “Beth just has a good demeanor. She is calm and confident, and she had a really strong nursing background. I'm not sure if there was just one thing or a combination of multiple attributes that stood out to me. She was definitely one of those individuals that I knew I had to hire after our first conversation.”

After departing in 2025, Bethany made the decision to return to AlignMed in April 2026. Her choice to return is a testament to the culture and mission that continue to set our teams apart.

“I chose to return to AlignMed because of its genuine commitment to quality patient care over quantity and the way it truly supports its advanced practice providers,” Bethany shared. “The culture fosters learning, growth, and a healthy work-life balance, making it a place that truly practices what it preaches.”

Leigh says that her return reflects the culture AlignMed has built for providers.

“I think it says a lot about our culture as a company,” she shared. “We care for a very fragile population, and this role offers providers the opportunity to maintain a primary care practice while also experiencing the complexity of acute issue management. There are continuous opportunities to learn and advance your practice both clinically and professionally.”

Now returning to the New Mexico team, Bethany brings both clinical strength and compassion to the patients and staff she serves.

“Beth is a very intelligent, clinically strong Nurse Practitioner,” Leigh said. “She has a huge heart for her patients and the staff she works with. I am so glad to have her as a part of my team.”

Welcome back, Bethany. We’re excited to continue this journey with you!

Christina DeFrancisco and Falon Blessing (pictured) of AlignMed’s Clinical Education Team recently represented the organization at the ANCC Professional Development & Practice Summit in Orlando, Florida, underscoring AlignMed’s leadership in elevating clinical education and professional growth. AlignMed has developed the nation’s first accredited long‑term care specialty fellowship, EMERGE, for advanced practice providers.

Falon shared that the team “valued the opportunity to learn about cutting‑edge approaches to supporting providers—not only in their clinical practice, but as whole individuals. There was tremendous energy around organizational support for provider well‑being and the resources needed to create sustainable, rewarding roles. We’re proud to be part of a practice that invests in its providers, because ultimately, it’s our patients who benefit.”

Today, we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. This Memorial Day, we reflect with gratitude on their courage and dedication.

From all of us at AlignMed Partners, thank you to those who served and to the families who carry their memory forward.

We are hiring a Nurse Practitioner for our full time opening at our Siler City Center located in Siler City, NC!

New graduates are welcome to apply.

Check out the details below, visit alignmedpartners.com, or contact us at [email protected] if you’re interested in applying or referring someone you know.

AlignMed Partners is proud to celebrate our amazing staff, residents, and families this National Skilled Nursing Care Week!

Learn about our mission to elevate healthcare experiences, browse our current openings, and read about the AlignMed difference at https://www.alignmedpartners.com/

Happy National Nurses Week to all of the incredible nurses we have the privilege of working alongside each and every day! Your compassion, dedication, and commitment to patient care make a difference in so many lives.

A special shoutout to the team at Pleasant View Center in New Hampshire! Our Clinical Team Leader, Stacie, created custom Nurses Week t-shirts for the nursing staff. What a way to boost camaraderie, show appreciation, and bring a team together!

Thank you to all nurses for everything you do!

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