People of Medicine
Erin Cook OTR, CNHA, Administrator for Littleton, CO Life Care Center
Erin Cook has been working in healthcare for nearly thirty years. Mrs. Cook graduated from Colorado State University in 1980 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Practicing as a Registered Occupational Therapist, she specialized in Geriatric Rehabilitation. Mrs. Cook became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in 1998 and is additionally certified through the American College of Healthcare Administrators. She currently operates a 120 bed Skilled Nursing Facility for Life Care Centers of America, providing sub acute care and long term care. Under her leadership, the facility has earned the distinction of Accreditation by the Joint Commission, maintains 98% occupancy and has an excellent reputation in the community. Her facility was one of the first in the Life Care system to hire a Chaplain and give formal attention to the spiritual needs of patients and residents. Mrs. Cook holds a minor in Religion and Christian Education and this foundation in faith has been a source of motivation and strength in her work to add life to years, while caring for the aging population.
Ken Watanabe, M.D., Medical Director, Mountain Crest Psychotherapy Clinic
Dr. Watanabe received his doctorate from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He completed his psychiatric residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. He served as the Division Psychiatrist for the 1st Armored Division in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and the Chief of Inpatient Psychiatry at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Dr. Watanabe completed fellowship training in Forensic Psychiatry at the National Capital Consortium. He is board certified in both Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry. Dr. Watanabe currently serves as Medical Director of Outpatient Services, Mountain Crest Hospital. He is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society and is a member of the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA).
Dr. Cory Carroll Family Practice Physician
Dr Carroll is a board certified family physician who has been practicing in Fort Collins since graduating from the Fort Collins Family Medicine Residency Program in 1991. He is currently in solo practice and cares mainly for adults with over 40% of his patients > 65 years old. Trying to balance the limitations of medicine Dr Carroll compassionately works with his elderly patients at their end of life. With the current health care discussion looking at end of life care and “rationing” it is critical to have a candid discussion on advanced directives and understand the appropriateness of this option vs. futile care. Dr Carroll tries to make sure “Grandma doesn’t get plugged in” in the first place so the difficult task of “unplugging her” doesn’t occur.
Gail Bishop B.S.
Gail Bishop, BS has been affiliated with Colorado State University’s (CSU) Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) since 2002. She is currently the Coordinator of Clinical and Community Outreach services at CSU’s Argus Institute. The Mission of the Argus Institute is to strengthen veterinarian-client-patient communication and support relationships between people and their companion animals. Gail helped develop CSU’s Argus Institute’s first all volunteer Pet Hospice program is currently one of the faculty advisors. Gail facilitates client decision-making about medical treatment and end-of-life issues alongside the veterinary healthcare team. She offers support to students, faculty and staff of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and provides communication skills training for students, residents and interns.
