FHCA 2012 Art Harris Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2012
Contact: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) awarded Marilyn Wood, President of Opis Management Resources, with the Association’s 2012 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award. Wood accepted the award from Andrew McKillop, the 2011 award winner, in Orlando during the FHCA 2012 Annual Conference in front of over 600 long term care professionals gathered from across the state of Florida. 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.

Marilyn Wood is President of Opis Management Resources , which operates 11 skilled nursing facilities in Florida. Wood is a tremendous spokesperson for the long term care profession, with an invaluable understanding of the issues – from adequate Medicaid funding and tort reform to staffing and quality of care. In 2011 when the Florida Legislature was undertaking the move to a Medicaid managed care system, Wood could be seen at the podium during committee meetings time and again advocating for important protections providers needed in the final plan. She has been a valiant spokesperson for tort reform, sharing messages with passion and a deep understanding of how frivolous lawsuits negatively impact high-quality care.  Year after year, she leads by example, bringing nearly 100 members from her company’s facilities to the capital to advocate as part of FHCA’s Lobby Wednesdays.  

Back on the frontlines, she never hesitates to volunteer herself, her staff and her facilities for an opportunity to share their vision of high-quality care. Whether that means opening up her buildings and making her staff available to be part of an effective communications campaign or touring legislators and legislative candidates so they understand the important role facilities play in seniors’ long term health care needs.

“FHCA is pleased to present Marilyn Wood with the Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of Florida Health Care Association. “Her long-standing dedication to the profession and her passion for grassroots advocacy makes her an excellent role model for other long term care providers across the state.”

The Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award is given to an FHCA member for his or her hard work and dedication to the Association and its members during the preceding legislative session. The late Arthur H. Harris was a long-time member of FHCA who was always at the ready to advocate on behalf of the profession and the Association. The winner is chosen by previous years’ Award recipients and his/her identity is kept secret until the award is bestowed during the FHCA Annual Conference.

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 www.fhca.org.

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