FHCA Recognizes Julie Ann Kemman and Aida De Salamanca as 2017 Willis J. Gregson Honorees

South Florida Long Term Care Business Partners Honored for Outstanding Service to Florida’s Long Term Care Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2017
Contact: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701–3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, FL - More than 800 long term care professionals from across Florida were on hand to applaud Julie Ann Kemman of Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc. and Aida De Salamanca of Allied Mobile X-ray and Ultrasound as they were honored with the 2017 Willis J. Gregson Award by Florida Health Care Association (FHCA). The award, presented to Kemman and De Salamanca during FHCA’s Annual Conference in Orlando, is the pinnacle of recognition for business partners, often referred to as associate members, who support Florida’s long term care community.

Julie Ann Kemman has been a tremendous supporter of the Association, in particular FHCA’s efforts to support members’ reimbursement activity.  After more than a decade working on the skilled nursing side, Kemman started her own business that assists members with the financial aspects of nursing center care. Since graduating from FHCA's 2016 Florida Leaders program, Kemman has taken an active role on a number committees, putting her financial and operational background to excellent use. When managed care and the Prospective Payment System topped the priorities list for FHCA this past session, Kemman was always ready and willing to participate in PPS public hearings, testify before legislative committees and meet with lawmakers on the issues. Kemman traveled to Tallahassee multiple times and could often be seen side-by-side with members during Lobby Wednesdays. As a sponsor of Lobby Wednesday and other FHCA programs, Kemman understands the need to give back to help make an impact on the long term care profession and the members’ pursuit of high-quality care. 

Aida De Salamanca has been a tremendous supporter at the local level, serving for more than a decade as a district officer, both in the secretary and treasurer positions -  often the most challenging to fill. De Salamanca is always willing to step in and offer support and can often be seen working out front and behind the scenes at local and regional FHCA events. She has been a long-time supporter of the FHC PAC and FHCA’s legislative initiatives, and her enthusiasm for FHCA’s Annual Conference and other educational events is what drives her and the team members from AMX to offer its significant support to the Association.

 “FHCA is pleased to Julie and Aida,” said FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed. “Their leadership and dedication to the long term care community makes them excellent role models for others who serve the profession across the state.”

The Willis J. Gregson Award was created to honor the memory and contributions of an outstanding FHCA associate member, the late Willis J. Gregson.  It is presented each year to a Florida Health Care Association associate member who demonstrates a commitment level of service to FHCA members which goes “above and beyond.”  FHCA associate members are businesses, firms, organizations, corporations and other groups that provide services to the long term care profession. Associate members also include individuals and organizations that support quality long term care and are dedicated to the profession’s success. 

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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