Blenda started her health care career as a CNA. Her heart has always been in long-term care because she felt she could make a difference. Today she is the Resident Administrator at Middleburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where she is working toward become a licensed nursing home administrator.

Read Blenda's story here.

Lorraine Daher is an Occupational Therapist at Oakpark Health and Rehab Center in Sarasota. She has worked as an OT in a skilled nursing facility for the past 19 years and believes that of the best parts of working in long-term care is the connection with the residents.

Read Lorraine's story here.

Michele Whetstone started as a CNA in the 1990s. Now as a social worker at Palm Garden of Jacksonville, she says that experience helps here better understand what the CNAs do for our residents and appreciate their role. Michele says that her service to long-term care has provided her with more than she expected.

Read her story here.

Shedena Carter started working in long-term care over 30 years ago as a CNA. Today she is the Activities Director at Island Lake Center, and shares that she has found her true calling. She can spend quality time with the residents each day, and the smiles on their faces are her validation that she is exactly where I am supposed to be.

Read Shedena's story here.

Janet McTaggart wanted to become a nurse from a very young age. She started her career in long term care as a CNA almost 31 years ago and has worked at Palm Garden of Jacksonville for 23 years. She finds it rewarding knowing that she is helping to make a difference in the lives of the residents in the center as they deal with complex health issues.

Read Janet's story here.

With aspirations to become a nurse, Meaghan started her long term care career in 2014, first as a staffing coordinator, then admissions and marketing liaison. Today she is the Unit Manager at Aspire at Brooksville and believes that even the smallest interactions make a difference in the residents' lives.

Read Meaghan's story here.

Randy started his food service career working as a bus boy for a restaurant in 1987. He's  now been a Certified Dietary Manager for over 25 years and has worked in every aspect of senior healthcare. As the CDM at Island Lake Center, he feelshonored to use his culinary knowledge to provide quality food and service.

Read Randy's story here.

As the Director of Nursing at Carlton Shores Health and Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach, Lori Hawkes enjoys developing relationships with her team members so she can inspire them to be better and reach their goals, thereby increasing the quality of care provided to our residents.

Read Lori's story here.

Caroline Holley has worked in long-term care for 20 years and has experience working with people of all ages – from less than one to over 100-years-old. As an Occupational Therapist at Indian River Center in West Melbourne, she has the chance to get to know people personally and assist them in the matters that are important to them.

Read Caroline's story here.

Shawntika Evans began working at Highlands Lake Center in Lakeland as a housekeeper in 2001. She was inspired to work in long-term care by her grandmother who raised her. She later challenged the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) test and passed it on the first try. As a Restorative CNA, she contributes to the quality of care and quality of life of the residents because of her consistency of care.

Read Shawntika's story here.

Chasity Benton started at Creekside Health & Rehab Center in 2008 as a CNA. She was inspired to enter the long-term care profession from witnessing her mother care for her grandmother during her time of need.

Read Chasity's story here.

Ginny O'Hare began her long term care career as a housekeeper in 1991, and after given the opportunity to help fill a need in activities, she went on to earn her national certification and turn her dream job into a dream career. She's since spent more than 20 years as the Activities Director at Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home in Panama City and works to ensure her Veteran residents feel loved and appreciated for the sacrifices they made for our freedom.

Read Ginny's story here.