Jim Mikula Named 2014 Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 17, 2014                                       
CONTACT: Kristen Knapp, APR                                                                  
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Ocala Administrator Recognized for Outstanding Leadership, Quality Care on Behalf of Assisted Living Facility Residents

Tallahassee, FL - More than 700 long term care professionals from across Florida were on hand to applaud Jim Mikula, administrator of Pacifica Senior Living Ocala, as he was honored as the 2014 Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year by Florida Health Care Association (FHCA). The award, presented to Mikula during FHCA’s Annual Conference in Orlando last week, is the highest honor given to ALF administrators in Florida’s long term care profession.
    
Jim Mikula has worked in long term care facilities for more than 30 years. He is a role model for the culture change movement, a name commonly given to the national movement to transform older adult services so they are based on person-directed values and practices. Under his leadership, Pacifica Senior Living has instituted everything from consistent assignment to open dining schedules to resident choice for medication times.  

“FHCA is pleased to honor Jim Mikula with this prestigious award,” said FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed. “He is a role model, a change agent and a relentless advocate for top quality care at the local and statewide levels. In so many ways, he truly embodies the best of our profession and is tremendously deserving of this award.”

The Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Administrator of the Year Award is given annually by Florida Health Care Association to an ALF administrator of an FHCA-member facility with demonstrated service to the Association, along with significant and measurable achievements in overall facility administration, workforce innovation, survey record and implementation of quality improvement programs.

By creating an atmosphere where residents can live life to the fullest, Mikula has fostered greater success for Pacifica Senior Living Ocala. Occupancy has increased from 55 to 98 percent, staff turnover has been reduced by 75 percent, and for two years in a row the facility has been voted “Readers Choice” by the South Marion Citizen newspaper. His focus on quality care also led the facility to achieve the best ranking possible – a deficiency-free survey reflecting a perfect score – in the latest health care inspection conducted by the state Agency for Health Care Administration.

Mikula is known for being a passionate advocate for assisted living facility residents and staff, representing their voice when legislators need information about ALF issues, and is actively involved in the Florida Health Care Association. He has served as FHCA's District VIII President for the past two years and volunteers on numerous committees, including the Florida Center for Assisted Living and Legislative Committees and is the Chair of FHCA's Culture Change Council.
    
ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2014, 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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