FHCA Recognizes Thomas Groesbeck with 2015 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award

West Palm Long Term Care Executive Honored for Advocacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11 2015
CONTACT: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, FL - Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently awarded Thomas Groesbeck, Director of Government Affairs and Media Relations for Airamid Health Services, with the Association’s 2015 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award. Groesbeck accepted the award in front of over 800 long term care professionals gathered during the FHCA 2015 Annual Conference in Orlando. The Award is given annually to an FHCA member who actively engages in the Association’s legislative initiatives and advocates on behalf of the profession and long term care residents at the state and federal level.

Thomas Groesbeck has over 18 years’ experience in long term care and has continuously served as an effective advocate for residents and caregivers. He is known for leading successful grassroots advocacy campaigns to help legislators understand resident care needs, providers’ commitment to quality initiatives, and the important connection between adequate Medicaid funding and high-quality care. He is instrumental in facilitating legislative tours to long term care centers across the state and bringing front line employees from skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities across Florida to the state Capitol for FHCA's Lobby Wednesdays.

“FHCA and the residents of long term care centers around our state are better served because of Tom’s tremendous dedication,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of Florida Health Care Association. “He understands the importance of engaging in the legislative process and in policy discussions that help shape the future of how long term care is delivered to our state’s seniors.”

An active member of Florida Health Care Association, Groesbeck currently serves as the Member at Large on the both the Executive Committee for FHCA and Our Florida Promise, the Association’s advocacy partner. He is also Chair of the FHCA Legislative Committee, past Chair of  the Image Task Force and a graduate of the Florida Leaders program.

The Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award is given to annually to an FHCA member for his or her dedication to the Association’s legislative efforts which result in positive outcomes for long term care residents and caregivers. The late Arthur H. Harris was FHCA President from 1975-76 and was known his steadfast advocacy for important long term care issues, including resident care, adequate reimbursement and a fair and balanced regulatory system.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit [url=http://www.fhca.org]http://www.fhca.org[/url].

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