BAKER SENIOR CENTER NAPLES APPPOINTS NEW PRESIDENT & CEO

Baker Senior Center Naples, a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive programs and social services for older adults and their families, today announced the appointment of Dr. Emily C. Ptaszek as President and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Ptaszek will officially start in her new role effective Monday, June 1, 2026.

Dr. Ptaszek is a transformational nonprofit healthcare executive with over a dozen years of senior leadership experience in Colorado and Florida. Most recently, she served as Managing Director of Elevation Health Partners, a healthcare consulting firm operating in eight states. Before that, she was President and Chief Executive Officer for Peak Vista Community Health Centers, a federally qualified health center delivering medical, dental and behavioral healthcare to 84,000 patients annually with a budget of $120 million.

“Emily stood out among all other candidates after a large national competitive search,” said Karen Heithoff, Board Chair for Baker Senior Center Naples. “She brings the perfect combination of clinical work and experience in leading nonprofit operations to this position as well as professional relationships developed right here in Southwest Florida.”

Prior to joining Peak Vista Community Health Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Dr. Ptaszek served as President and Chief Executive Officer for Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida. Under her leadership, the organization expanded into a new 50,000-square-foot medical complex offering comprehensive and integrated primary care service and increased multiple private foundation and local government grants year-over-year.

“I am very excited to return to Southwest Florida to lead Baker Senior Center Naples,” Dr. Ptaszek said. “This organization serves such a critical need in the community and I look forward to building upon the blueprint that has been so effective in supporting adults over age 60 in our community with wide-ranging comprehensive programs and services.”

Dr. Ptaszek is a licensed psychologist in Colorado and Florida and held various roles in multiple settings from private practice to long-term care, acute rehabilitation and nursing home settings, including four years working with veterans with trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder at Bay Pines VA HealthCare System in Cape Coral, Florida.

Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Ptaszek earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Spanish from James Madison University. She also holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, where she currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the university’s College of Business.

Dr. Jaclynn Faffer

In her new role with Baker Senior Center Naples, Dr. Ptaszek succeeds the organization’s Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, who passed away unexpectedly in December 2025. A visionary leader and innovator, Dr. Faffer was instrumental in building the organization into the leading advocate for seniors in Naples.

“Jackie built a lasting legacy that is Baker Senior Center Naples,” said Jay H. Baker, board member of Baker Senior Center Naples. “We are confident that Emily will step right in to honor what has been established and implement some new ideas to take the organization on to the next level and have an even greater impact in the community.”

Baker Senior Center Naples is the only human services agency of its kind, providing “one-stop shop” services addressing the emotional and social needs of seniors in Collier and southern Lee counties. Since opening its doors in 2014, the organization has seen a surge in the depth and scope of need for comprehensive senior services in this region.

All programs and services are provided by licensed and credentialed professionals. These include the Brookdale Cognitive Health Center, which provides Dementia Respite Groups and Caregiver Support; Geriatric Case Management and Senior Outreach Programs; and Mental Health Counseling as well as a “choice” Food Pantry.

An average of 40 different social, educational and wellness programs also are offered each week thanks to a dedicated corps of more than 300 trained and vetted volunteers. Among these social programs are classes in art, music and film; brain fitness and educational seminars; courses in technology and computer science; physical well-being; and interest groups. The center serves everyone regardless of backgrounds and beliefs.

Baker Senior Center Naples is one of just 111 senior centers all across the United States, including just eight located within the state of Florida, to achieve accreditation from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). Accreditation means that the senior center meets the standards as developed by NISC in developing quality programs and services to meet the needs of seniors in the community.

For additional information on Baker Senior Center Naples and its comprehensive programs and social services for local seniors, visit www.bakerseniorcenternaples.org.