St. Petersburg College Students Awarded Scholarships from Florida Health Care Association

Two physical therapy professionals focused on senior care awarded scholarships during National Physical Therapy Month

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently awarded two St. Petersburg College students, Krista Nolan and Theo Danet, the Career Climb Scholarship. The recipients were named during National Physical Therapy Month.

Both Nolan and Danet work at Menorah Life, a not-for-profit senior living community that provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, assisted living and adult day care in St. Petersburg. Nolan is a Physical Therapist Assistant and Danet is as a Rehab Tech.

“With October being National Physical Therapy Month, we are proud to recognize and invest in two professionals who make a commitment to improve the quality of life of those in their care on a daily basis,” said Emmett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of FHCA. “Both Krista and Theo have bright futures ahead, and FHCA is proud to support them in their careers to help meet the needs of Florida’s senior generation.”

FHCA has awarded $2750 in scholarships to long-term care professionals this fall. Each recipient is considered among the best and brightest working in FHCA member nursing centers and assisted living facilities. Nolan received $750 to help her pursue a degree in Health Services Administration and Danet received $750 as he studies to be a Physical Therapy Assistant.

“Krista and Theo have such a positive impact on our residents and their fellow co-workers, both are well deserving of this award,” said Scott Allen, Administrator of Menorah Life and FHCA Past President. “We are so excited for this growth opportunity and look forward to their continued success in the profession.”

In Florida and across the nation, nursing centers are grappling with workforce shortages, which presents a serious challenge in the profession. A recent study found that while nursing and residential care had the highest wage growth across healthcare settings, employment in those fields is still 5.7% below pre-pandemic levels.

The Career Climb Scholarship was established to provide resources for FHCA member nursing center and assisted living facility staff to further their education and advance their long-term care careers.

Award recipients must currently be enrolled in a program to advance their studies, demonstrate a commitment to the residents entrusted in their care, show leadership potential among their peers, and share a personal story describing why they are choosing to advance their long-term care career.

Scholarships are awarded twice a year and funded through the Florida Health Care Education & Development Foundation, the Association’s charitable foundation. For more information, visit the FHC Foundation website at www.fhcafoundation.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 19, 2023

PRESS CONTACT:
Kristen Knapp, APR
850-510-4389 or kknapp@fhca.org