Scott Allen Named 2011 Circle of Excellence Award Winner

Tampa Long Term Care Professional Receives Highest Honor for Commitment to Association and Quality Nursing Home Care
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2011
CONTACT: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or (850) 510-4389 cell; kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, FL - Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) awarded Palm Garden of Tampa Administrator Scott Allen with the Association’s highest honor, the Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award. The Circle of Excellence Award was presented to Allen in Orlando during a meeting of over 600 long term care professionals from across the state of Florida. The Award is given annually to a member of FHCA who has made significant contributions in the past year and has worked toward the growth and development of the Association through the years. He was recognized for his leadership in the Association, commitment to providing quality care to his residents and creating a quality workplace for his staff.
 
Allen has served as administrator of Palm Garden of Tampa for nearly 10 years, during which time he has transformed the facility into a caring environment, where residents, their loved ones and the staff function as a family. He is known for inspiring his staff to develop and accomplish goals with an end result of providing the highest quality care to the residents. Under his leadership, Palm Garden has received the American Health Care Association's Bronze Quality Award, was named Florida’s first green facility and was recognized for satisfaction from My InnerView, a national independent research firm.
 
Allen has been active in Florida Health Care Association for a number of years at both the local district level and as a member of FHCA's Executive Committee. He has served as the Association’s Treasurer, Secretary and was installed today as FHCA’s Senior Vice President. He is a past recipient of the Association's Administrator of the Year Award and Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award. He is an active participant in legislative affairs at both the state and federal level, regularly tours legislators in his facility to educate them about the important work of long term care providers and is known for encouraging his staff to become engaged in grassroots activities and the legislative process.
 
The award was presented by 2010 Circle of Excellence recipient and FHCA Nonproprietary Vice President Elaine Boyer, who noted that Allen “is a true reflection of what it means to lead with a servant’s heart, and his facility and the Association have reaped the benefits as a result.”

Florida Health Care Association’s Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award was initiated in 1972 in honor of a man who was one of the significant forces in the establishment of the Association. Walter M. Johnson served as president of FHCA from 1969-71 and, under his leadership, membership in the Association grew rapidly. He was instrumental in establishing an effective committee system for legislative, reimbursement and regulatory issues. The Award is presented annually to a member of FHCA who has made significant contributions in the past year and has worked toward the growth and development of the Association through the years.

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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