Nathaniel "Cole" Smith
About Nathaniel "Cole" Smith
Nathaniel 'Cole' Smith serves as the Corporate Director of Dementia Care Services at Brightview Senior Living, where he has worked since 2020. He has extensive experience in dementia care and behavioral health, having previously held leadership roles at PruittHealth and Discovery Senior Living.
Work at Brightview Senior Living
Nathaniel 'Cole' Smith has served as the Corporate Director of Dementia Care Services at Brightview Senior Living since 2020. In this role, he focuses on enhancing the quality of care for residents living with dementia. His responsibilities include implementing national programs that improve training approaches and care strategies across facilities. His work aims to ensure that residents receive the highest standard of care tailored to their specific needs.
Previous Experience at PruittHealth
Prior to his current role, Smith worked at PruittHealth from 2013 to 2019. He held the position of Corporate Director of Behavioral Health and Dementia Care Services for four years, where he led initiatives that significantly reduced off-label antipsychotic usage by 18%. Earlier, he served as the Corporate Respiratory Therapy Education Consultant for two years, contributing to the education and training of respiratory therapy practices within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Smith holds a Master of Arts in Gerontology from the University of Southern California, which he completed between 2016 and 2018. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte from 2012 to 2014, and an Associate's degree in Respiratory Therapy from Augusta Technical College from 2005 to 2007. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his expertise in dementia care and respiratory therapy.
Leadership in Memory Care Programs
During his tenure as the National Director of Memory Care Programs at Discovery Senior Living from 2019 to 2020, Smith developed a process that utilized a mock-survey approach reflecting the Focused Dementia Survey from CMS. This initiative aimed to enhance the quality of memory care services and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. His leadership in this area demonstrates his commitment to advancing care for individuals with dementia.
Consultation and Collaboration
Smith has extensive experience consulting with c-suite teams to design and implement world-class memory care services. His collaborative approach ensures that organizations develop effective strategies for dementia care, focusing on best practices and innovative solutions. This role highlights his ability to work at a strategic level within healthcare organizations to improve service delivery.