FHCA 2016 LTC excellence nursing award

During FHCA’s annual Nurse Leadership Program in June, the Association recognized the best and the brightest working in the long term care profession. Five outstanding nurse leaders were honored among their peers during the 2016 Long Term Care Excellence in Nursing Awards luncheon. Each of our award recipients share the unique characteristics, professionalism and expanded skill sets of the long term care nurse. There was a constant theme weaved throughout each of their nominations – passion, strength and purpose.

Nurse Administrator of the Year

Kristin Rutherford, Director of Nursing for Bayside Health and Rehab
Kristin began her nursing career in 2003 and also worked her way up the career ladder from LPN to Director of Nursing at her current center for over two years. Within two months, her leadership to motivate and empower the staff led the center to achieve a Zero deficiency survey. Under her leadership the center boasts numerous improvement outcomes, including an increase from two to five stars in Quality Measures, a sixty percent reduction of bed alarms, a reduced re-hospitalization rate and an increase in associate satisfaction. 

RN of the Year

Carman Dockham, Assistant Director of Nursing Services at Lady Lake Specialty Care Center
Carman began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, furthering her education to become a Registered Nurse and working her way up the career ladder to hold the position of Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the center she works with today. She’s described as having a personality of gold and leads her team by example with her exceptional assessment skills and dedication to quality care. She continues to expand her knowledge in the regulatory environment and is focused on helping the center achieve quality initiative goals, including a reduction of antipsychotic medications. She is a champion for the center’s restorative nursing program, developing innovative ideas and leading the way for all members of the team to help the residents achieve positive outcomes.

LPN of the Year

Amy Welty, LPN with PruittHealth – Santa Rosa
Amy is described as the nurse we all hope will take care of us in our time of need – bright, compassionate, kind, detailed and committed to quality care. She began her journey in long term care in high school, obtaining her CNA certification and honing her skills to match the natural caregiving abilities in her heart and soul. Amy was dealt a tragic health diagnosis, but her determination gave her the strength to fight back. As a result, she made the life-changing decision to become a nurse, using her personal and professional experiences to help shape her into a nurse like no other.  After obtaining her LPN in 2008, she came to join the center where she still works today. Her love for the elderly is particularly noted for the care she shows to Veterans, encouraging these special residents to share stories about their past. She is a true leader, an advocate for the residents, an educator for the families and a mentor to her peers. Amy is repeatedly praised on customer satisfaction surveys. In her nomination, her administrator writes, “Every resident occupies a special place in her heart, and a little piece of her heart goes with them when they leave.”

CNA of the Year

Mary Stevenson, CNA at the Rehabilitation Center of Winter Park
Mary has dedicated 46 years to enriching the lives of residents.  She began her career in 1970 as a nursing assistant in a Central Florida center which has transitioned over the years to operate under a new name and management. She is an outstanding role model for the many CNAs she has trained and mentored over the years, lending her expertise to support the center’s quality initiatives and resident life enrichment programs. Having recently experienced and overcome her own health battle, this individual’s compassionate spirit now shines even brighter. Even after residents leave the center, she continues to volunteer her time to accompany them on outings. The list of accolades for this individual are numerous, from good attitude and outstanding service awards to a special city-wide day named after her by the Mayor of Maitland.

Rising Star in Nursing Award

Amina Dubuisson, Executive Director of North Beach Rehabilitation Center
This special recognition of FHCA’s newest award which recognizes an emerging nurse leader who has demonstrated excellence in nursing and person-centered care practices. Nurses who have worked in an FHCA member center or at the corporate level for five-to-ten years were eligible for nomination. Amina has demonstrated a positive impact in clinical practice and a demonstrated commitment to person-centered care, in areas such as dementia care, end-of-life care, reduction of antipsychotics, or sustaining culture change, for example. She has held several high-level volunteer positions with professional nurse associations, has contributed greatly to the development of her organization and the health care field in general. She has maintained excellent outcomes, enhanced resident recovery, reduced return to hospital rates and maintains a positive clinical reputation throughout her various positions within her organization. Today she stands atop the career ladder – now serving as her center’s Executive Director -a true rising star.