Kathy Gallin Named 2016 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award Recipient

Signature HealthCARE Executive Honored for Resident/Caregiver Advocacy Efforts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2016
Contact: Kristen Knapp
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, FL – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently honored Kathy Gallin, Director of Legislative Affairs with Signature HealthCARE, with the Association’s 2016 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award. Gallin accepted the prestigious award in front of over 800 long term care professionals gathered during the FHCA 2016 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 levels.

Kathy Gallin has been actively involved in health care for over 25 years. She 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. Gallin has been instrumental in facilitating legislative tours of long term care centers across the state and bringing front-line employees from skilled nursing centers across Florida to the state Capitol for FHCA's Lobby Wednesdays during the legislative session.

Gallin currently serves as the Multifacility Vice President on the FHCA Board of Directors. She is also Vice Chair of the FHCA Legislative Committee, as well as a member of the FHCA Public Relations Committee. Gallin also supports long term care advocacy efforts across the nation, serving on the Kentucky Chamber Health Policy and Legislative Committees, presiding as a representative for Signature on the Georgia Health Care AssociationBoard and Legislative Committee, as an active Board member of Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM) as well as HFAM’s Legislative Committee. She is also an active member of Indiana Health Care Association and North Carolina Heath Facilities Association Legislative Committees.

“Kathy Gallin understands the importance of being fully engaged in the legislative process and policy discussions that help shape the future of how long term care is delivered to our state’s seniors,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA’s Executive Director. “She is a dedicated advocate for long term care and the residents we serve and most deserving of this award.”

Joe Steier, President & CEO of Signature HealthCARE noted, “There is no other leader that embodies the mission and vision of the Signature Revolution than Kathy Gallin, who has grown into a solid policy educator, an influencer and an external voice of the organization.”

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

Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation that serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities providing 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 elders 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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