Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.

Robin Mitchell’s 40-year career in nursing, post-acute care and long-term care is rich with achievements, both important “firsts” and moments of clarity in emergency situations. That mixture of vision and steady leadership, as well as her dedication and intelligence, helped her quickly advance up the ladder from her beginnings as a registered nurse to her current position as senior vice president and chief nursing officer. 

Over the course of her career, Mitchell was instrumental in creating the first comprehensive center for geriatric care in the Southeast region. She consistently has demonstrated a mastery of regulatory and record-keeping processes, helping multiple organizations create or adapt their approaches. More recently, as chief nursing officer at Diversicare, she steadily guided the organization through the shifting regulatory landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, and she continues to oversee clinical teams as they provide high-quality care.

Mitchell’s leadership was put to the test when a winter storm flooded a 100-bed nursing home and forced her to oversee the evacuation. Not only was the emergency evacuation successful, 100% occupancy and a deficiency-free survey were achieved within a year of the flood. 

“Robin is a proven leader, and this is characterized by her communication, collaboration, clinical and industry expertise and commitment to team development,” her nominator said. “Robin will tell you regardless of what role she may be filling, she is first and foremost a nurse, and her highest priority is to ensure that the patient always comes first.”

More about Mitchell: 

  • Mitchell has been a leader in skilled nursing across the US Southeast, including three years spent as regional vice president for a Texas-based skilled nursing organization. 
  • She is active in her community, working with local charities and singing in her church choir.
  • Her skills extend far beyond nursing and singing. She also is an excellent cook, known to grow and can vegetables from her own garden. 

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.

Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.