TUCSON, Ariz. — Watermark Retirement Communities has appointed Karen Mlawsky to the newly created post of chief operating officer.
Mlawsky will oversee care and services at all senior living communities Watermark operates nationwide. Previously a hospital executive, she comes aboard as part of Watermark’s strategic growth plan.
Before joining Watermark, Mlawsky was senior vice president and COO of TMC Healthcare in Tucson. The 650-bed community teaching hospital offers geriatric, medical, surgical, hospice and other services. Her 30-year career in acute care also includes senior executive positions with the University of Arizona Health Network and The Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Mlawsky received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.
“We have established the COO position and appointed Karen at a key juncture for our company,” says David Barnes, Watermark’s president and CEO. “She will help ensure that as we grow, we sustain Watermark’s culture of helping seniors thrive. Additionally, with her acute care expertise, she will be invaluable in developing more practices that improve residents’ quality of life by lowering the need to be hospitalized or be readmitted after treatment.”
Tucson-based Watermark currently operates more than 50 senior living communities throughout the United States. The company ranked as the 13thlargest operator in the country in the American Seniors Housing Association’s 2018 rankings.