About Us
DISCUSSION and COLLABORATIVE CARE
The Rizzi Group's Mental Health Team is 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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 bachelor's 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 master's 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.
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Contact Raisa
Email: Raisa@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (305) 528-8511
Diane Cartwright, APRN, AP
Diane was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived there most of her life before relocating to Southwest Florida. She 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. It was during this time that 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. She also follows a collaborative care model working with the staff in the communities she serves to best understand what her patients need for their mental health and to live their best lives. In her free time, Diane enjoys spending time with her children. She also enjoys caring for her horses and horseback riding.
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​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.
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​​​​​Contact Paula
Email: Paula@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (239) 662-5900
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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.​​​
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Contact Charissa
Email: Charissa@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (239) 404-7204
Jessica Darcy, APRN
Jessica "Jess" is a true native of Southwest Florida. She was even born at Lee Memorial Hospital! Jess earned her nursing degree from Rasmussen University. Her nursing career began at HealthPark Medical Center shortly after graduation. Jess went on to complete her bachelor’s in nursing at Nova Southeastern University and earned her master’s in nursing and nurse practitioner degree from South University. Jess worked in many different specialties as a nurse practitioner before ultimately finding she had a passion for caring for geriatric patients. Jess has always been an advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of active listening, especially with our geriatric population. When she’s not working, Jess enjoys traveling and staying active. She also loves cooking and is always looking for fun, new things to cook.
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​​​​Contact Jess
Email: Jessica@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (941) 451-6714​​
Sierra Sipes, APRN
Sierra’s journey began in the vibrant city of Sarasota, Florida, where she was born and raised. She pursued her education at the State College of Florida, earning both her associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing while gaining invaluable experience at various hospitals in the Manatee area. Her dedication to advancing her career led her to Florida State University, where she achieved a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, all while contributing her expertise to the labor and delivery unit at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
During her clinical practice, Sierra discovered a profound calling for geriatric care, emphasizing patient-centered approaches. She collaborates closely with patients' families and multidisciplinary care teams to optimize outcomes and ensure holistic care. Beyond her professional endeavors, Sierra finds joy in activities such as fitness, reading, and cherishing moments with her husband and daughter.
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Contact Sierra
Email: Sierra@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (941) 914-4299
Josette Paul-Dorestin, PMHNP-BC
Josette was born and raised in Haiti and moved to Florida in 1988. She attended and earned her AA/AS in nursing at Miami Dade Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at FAU. While working as a Registered Nurse as a Case Manager Josette went back to school where she earned her Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner at Spring Arbor University, Michigan. Throughout her career Josette has worked in hospital settings, first at Jackson Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse in a Med-Surg unit, at Broward General in the Trauma Telemetry Unit, and later at HealthPark Hospital in the general unit. Josette’s experience also includes working in Skilled Nursing Facilities and with Hope Hospice Services as a Case Manager. Her path then took her to Park Royal Hospital where she began making rounds at Skilled Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living, and Independent Communities as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Josette fell in love with psychiatry and decided to go back to college to earn her certification as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Wilkes University. Today she is filled with joy that she has the opportunity to work with the elderly population and enjoys the time she spends with her patients. When she’s not working, Josette loves to serve at her local church and spend time with her two wonderful children and her husband.
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Contact Josette
Email: Josette@TheRizziDifference.com
​Cell: (239) 416-9356