Christine Davenport is a highly experienced nurse at Elmwood Adult Day Health Care, recognized for her connections with participants and her leadership in fostering a compassionate, supportive environment.

As the Director of Nursing at Elmwood Adult Day Health Care, Christine attends to participants who are ill or injured, assessing their conditions and implementing the best course of action, whether that means encouraging rest in the nursing office, scheduling a doctor’s appointment, or sending them to the emergency room. She regularly monitors vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, blood sugar, and mental health status, ensuring each participant’s well-being. Christine also manages medication for those who need it, administers injections such as insulin and vitamin B12, and changes FreeStyle Libre sensors. She creates personalized care plans tailored to individual needs, reviewing and adjusting them every three months or as changes occur.

In addition, Christine advocates for participants to ensure they receive the best possible care when visiting other healthcare facilities and manages medical appointments, including arranging transportation through MTM. She also oversees ongoing health education and coordinates care with insurance case managers, home care services, primary care physicians, and specialists. Christine is responsible for setting up yearly flu, COVID, and other vaccination clinics within the adult day setting and assists with obtaining physical and occupational therapy services. To ensure the highest standards of care, she facilitates mandatory staff education sessions during weekly meetings.

Christine has worked as a nurse at Elmwood Adult Day Health Care Center for over ten years, and during that time, she has had the privilege of meeting and caring for many individuals who have immigrated from diverse countries such as Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, as well as those who were born and raised in Providence. Through the Care Plan interview process and her daily interactions with participants, Christine has had the unique opportunity to connect with each person on a deeply personal level. She has listened to their stories, learned about their backgrounds, and truly gotten to know them as individuals.

The bonds Christine has formed with the participants have only grown stronger over the years. Many of the people she cares for have been part of the Elmwood community for several years, and the relationships she’s built with them are rich and meaningful. Through these interactions, she has developed an even deeper appreciation for the diversity this country has to offer and has reaffirmed the belief that, no matter where we come from or what language we speak, we all share more similarities than differences. Christine firmly believes that at our core, human beings are social creatures, and we all have a fundamental need to feel connected, to belong, and to be valued.

The warmth and caring environment at Elmwood Adult Day Health Care Center has been a “second family” for many participants, especially for those who, before joining the program, spent much of their time feeling isolated, often watching TV alone. For Christine, it’s the people—both the staff and the participants—that make Elmwood Adult Day such a fulfilling and rewarding place to work. The center’s culture is built on the values of kindness and respect, which Christine feels are not just slogans, but a way of life that truly defines the center's atmosphere.

Christine is deeply grateful to her director, Joanne O’Day, as well as to the amazing team of staff at Elmwood, who work together to create a therapeutic and supportive environment for all. In reflecting on her role, Christine feels fortunate to have one of the best nursing positions available—one where she can make a real difference in the lives of the participants while being part of such a compassionate and dedicated team. The work she does at Elmwood has not only allowed her to grow as a nurse but has also reinforced her belief in the power of community, care, and connection.