About Us
DISCUSSION and COLLABORATIVE CARE
Rizzi Mental Health Associates are trained in the use of the collaborative care model and practice it daily. It is this collaborative model in which every patient is discussed as to their diagnosis, treatment, and follow up that makes this practice unique and helps create The Rizzi Difference. It enables each patient to be seen as often as they require to assure that the desired effects of psychotropic medications have been achieved and that unwanted side effects are minimized.
Benefits of a Collaborative Care Model
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Comprehensive mental health assessments
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Improved patient functioning and quality of life
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Reduction of behavioral symptoms
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Individualized care plans that involve input from entire care team including clinicians, caregivers and families
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Family support with emphasis on disease process education and coping skills
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Ongoing monitoring of mental health needs, cognitive and behavioral functioning
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Ongoing medication review with gradual dose reduction of psychotropic medications when appropriate
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Ongoing consultation and coordination with facility leadership
Meet The Mental Health Team
Jill Layman, APRN, AP
Jill was born in New York City and raised in Massachusetts. She relocated with her family to Boca Raton, Florida, where she attended Nova Southeastern University earning a bachelor of science in nursing. Jill later went on to earn her Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at Chamberlain University. She worked in the ICU and vascular surgery for 14 years before joining Rizzi Mental Health Associates. Jill loves the work she does and cares deeply for her patients. She believes in taking her time to really get to know her patients so she can fully understand their needs. Jill also feels that communicating with the communities she serves is an important part of creating the best care plans for her patients. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Jill’s interests include reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Contact Jill
Email: Jill@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 269-4656
Angie Darboys, APRN, AP
Angie was born in Havana, Cuba. She moved to New York in 2002 with her mother. She attended Queens College in New York and then moved to Miami, FL. Angie earned her master’s degree in nursing from Florida National University. Her diverse experience includes Home Health Care, where she served as an Executive Director, primary care, and geriatric psychiatry. Angie found her passion for geriatric psychiatry in nursing school. She feels truly blessed every day to be in this profession where she can help others. She loves being a part of such a special team with Rizzi Mental Health Associates.
Angie is married and has a beautiful teenage daughter. In her spare time Angie loves to cook traditional Cuban food for her family and friends, and when her family is together there is always a lot of music and dancing!
Contact Angie
Email: Angie@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (786) 897-9699
Gina Mitas, APRN, AP
Gina was born and raised in Ft. Myers, Florida. She began her career as a critical care nurse in the very hospital where she was born, Lee Memorial. Gina worked with Lee Health for over 20 years. During her time with Lee Health, she worked in the open heart and neurosurgical ICU, the post anesthesia care unit, the renal transplant care unit, and the surgical progressive care unit. Gina’s passion has always been working directly with her patients and much of her training was focused on Geriatric care. She feels the senior population is very special and they deserve providers who will be patient, compassionate, and respectful. She’s always had the ability to easily connect with her patients and families and understands the importance of including her patients’ loved ones in their care plan.
Gina loves spending time with her teenage son, Caleb. They are active in Pit Bull rescue and have four fur babies. Together they enjoy the Florida beaches and Universal Studios.
Contact Gina
Email: Gina@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 326-4705
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Laura Hewett, PMHNP-BC, AP
Laura was born and raised is southeastern Pennsylvania but has spent most of her life in southwest Florida. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida Southwestern University. She then went on to work as a psychiatric nurse for 16 years before receiving her master’s degree as a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner from Walden University. Laura chose psychiatry because it gives her the unique opportunity to improve the mental health of her patients and improve their quality of life. Laura prioritizes a therapeutic relationship built on open communication and compassion, partnering with people to support and motivate them in their journey toward healing and wellness. She enjoys working with the Rizzi Mental Health Associates because she feels there is a sense of belonging and a sense that each practitioner is contributing to a larger purpose.
Laura enjoys traveling and loves spending time with her children and grandson.
Contact Laura
Email: Laura@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 895-6455
Jada Anastasia, PMHNP-BC, AP
Jada was born and raised in Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University. Jada began her career working at David Lawrence Center in the acute care crisis unit as a psychiatric nurse. She decided to return to school to further her career and earned her master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. Jada is a board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Her passion for psych and mental health stemmed from realizing the enormous need, seeing the negative stigma associated with mental illness and the limited resources available to those in need. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing team at Rizzi Mental Health Associates where she can provide much needed services and care to the geriatric population. She is passionate about helping the aging population with their mental well-being. Jada enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, boating, traveling and running.
Contact Jada
Email: Jada@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 494-0040
Karina Muse, APRN, AP
Karina was born in Austin, Texas and raised in Naples, Florida. She obtained her Master’s in Science of Nursing at The University of South Florida. Karina started her career as a Registered Nurse and worked in various settings including skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and medical surgical units in the hospital. She decided to further her career and went back to school to obtain her degree to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Karina chose healthcare as her career because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others. She has always enjoyed working with the geriatric population. Being part of Rizzi Mental Health Associates gives her the opportunity to work alongside some wonderful medical professionals. Karina enjoys spending time with her family, traveling together for competitive dance and taekwondo tournaments for her children. She also likes to spend time in her garden taking care of her orchid collection. Karina is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Contact Karina
Email: Karina@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 398-6573
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Raisa Genao, APRN-C, AP
Raisa was born in Dominican Republic and raised in Miami, Florida. She moved to North Carolina in early adulthood where she finished her bachelors of nursing at University of North Carolina. She took an assignment as a travel nurse for a few years where she gained a variety of skills and experience in different specialties from Med-Surg, progressive step-down, neurology, and orthopedics. She later went on to earn her masters degree at the University of Miami. Once she completed her degree, she relocated to Naples, Florida. Raisa fell in love with Naples and made it her home. She then found her true passion in mental health care with the geriatric community. Raisa is thankful for the opportunity to make a difference helping others improve their mental health and well-being. She loves spending time with her son and doing home improvements projects. Her interests include travel, kayaking, paddle boarding and keeping up with her son’s activities with soccer and tennis. Raisa is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Contact Raisa
Email: Raisa@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (305) 528-8511
Michael Durham, APRN, AP
Michael was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended University of Louisville earning a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, a master's degree in Exercise Physiology, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Michael went on to earn his Master of Science in Nursing at Northern Kentucky. He spent 11 years in academia as an educator and researcher at University of Louisville before moving on to bedside care and wellness coaching. Michael brings a wealth of experience and education to caring for his patients. His personal mantra is “be well help others be well.” Michael strives to combine his experience and education to turn information into knowledge, knowledge into action, and action into transformation. Michael loves to spend time with his wife, who is also an advance practice nurse, playing golf, and enjoying their three corgi boys.
Contact Michael
Email: Michael@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 388-7677
Diane Cartwright, APRN, AP
Diane was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived there most of her life. She relocated to Cape Coral, Florida in 2012. Diane attended Chamberlain University earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing and then went on to Keiser University to earn her master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. During her nursing career, she worked in emergency medicine and long-term geriatric care, where she developed a special enjoyment in working with the geriatric population. Diane believes that getting to know her patients and their families helps her to promote fully integrated care. In her spare time, Diane enjoys spending time with her three children and her horses.
Contact Diane
Email: Diane@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 224-2801
Paula Harter, PMHNP-BC, AP
Paula was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from Cleveland State University. She furthered her education with a nursing degree from Kent State University. Paula worked for many years in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Psychiatric Unit at The Cleveland Clinic. She has experience working in a mobile suicide crisis unit with Berea Childrens Home. Paula then headed for the sunshine and gulf coast breezes and moved to Naples, Florida. She is now a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner having completed her degree with Walden University. She is ecstatic to be a part of the Rizzi team of healthcare professionals. Mental health has always been vital to Paula for all people of all ages and all backgrounds. Besides caring for her patients, Paula enjoys going on shelling adventures, relaxing on the beach, and finding all the best-hidden gem restaurants Southwest Florida has to offer. She is intrigued by the unique historical facts and tours about Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, and its marine animal life.
Contact Paula
Email: Paula@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 662-5900
Leslie Taylor, PMHNP-BC, AP
Leslie was born and raised in Johnson City, Tennessee. Her decision to work in healthcare came after her father and grandfather were hospitalized for separate emergent issues. Both had poor experiences with their care teams. This inspired Leslie to change her career path so she could be part of the solution needed in our healthcare systems. She wanted to find a better a way to serve and care for vulnerable populations and those who may feel forgotten or neglected. Leslie was accepted into an accelerated nursing program at East Tennessee State University, where she graduated cum laude. She spent her years as a registered nurse working on a certified stroke unit, at a psychiatric inpatient facility, and as a nurse covering ICU/PCU. Leslie is now a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, board certified to provide care across the lifespan. She utilizes holistic and evidence-based practices to help guide individuals through difficult feelings and situations related to anxiety, depression, PTSD, personality disorders and neurocognitive disorders. Leslie lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with her daughter, Abbie, and her Doberman, Elsa. Her oldest daughter, Madison, lives in Kentucky, where she is following in her mom’s footsteps, working towards becoming a nurse.
Contact Leslie
Email: Leslie@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (423) 773-9593
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Charissa Carroll, APRN, AP
Charissa was born in Illinois and raised in Naples. She found her passion for helping others while she was in the United States Coast Guard conducting Search and Rescue missions and rendering aid to those in distress. After serving 8 years in the Coast Guard, Charissa knew she wanted to pursue a career in nursing so she could continue helping those in need. She obtained her bachelor’s degree at Florida Southwestern State College as a Registered Nurse. During her career as a nurse, she worked in various settings including the Progressive Care Step-down Unit, neurology, home health care, medical-surgical unit, and hospice. Charissa went on to further her career and obtained her doctoral degree as a nurse practitioner at Florida Gulf Coast University. As a nurse practitioner, she found immense satisfaction in caring for the senior population. She enjoys working with individuals and their families to help them feel their best and adjust to the changes that occur during the late stages of life. When she's not working, Charissa enjoys spending time with her husband, son, three parrots, and four dogs.
Contact Charissa
Email: Charissa@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 404-7204
Krista Caffrey, APRN-BC
Krista was born and raised in South Florida. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the State College of Florida and graduated with honors from Florida State University with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. Krista started her career as a geriatric nursing assistant, eventually becoming a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse and an Urgent Care Nurse Practitioner. Krista wrote her doctoral dissertation on Trauma Informed Care, which cemented her passion for mental health and whole-person care. She is passionate about patient advocacy, promoting dignity and self-determination, and ensuring her patients are thriving to the best of their ability. Krista is grateful for the opportunity to work in Geriatric Mental Health and support our wonderful Southwest Florida population and their families. When she’s not at work, you can find Krista baking, hiking, or at the beach with her twin girls and her husband.
Contact Krista
Email: Krista@TheRizziDifference.com
Cell: (239) 333-5361