FHCA Announces 2024 Class of Executive Nurse Leadership Academy

Training for Rising Nurse Leaders Designed to Enhance Quality Care in Florida's Long Term Care Centers

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today announced the 2024 Class of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy. FHCA’s Executive Nurse Leadership Academy involves a three-day intensive training, informative webinars and programming designed for rising nurse leaders within the profession, including Directors of Nursing (DON), Assistant Directors of Nursing (ADON) and other clinical leaders working in Florida’s long term care centers.

The following individuals have been accepted into the 2024 Class of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy:

• Amy Santapau, Regional MDS at Bedrock Care
• Anita Bryant, DON at Balanced Healthcare, St. Petersburg
• Betty Barron, DON at Aston Health, Lutz
• Carol Rodriguez, ADON at Manatee Springs Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Bradenton
• Christal Verduzco, DON at Aston Health, Deland
• Christian Cooper, DON at Avante Group, Inc, Orlando
• Christie Witty, Regional Nurse Consultant at Lilac Health Group, Maitland
• Dawn Moran, DON at Life Care Center of Sarasota, Sarasota
• Donna Gunther, RN, RACCT, MDS Manager at Brooks Rehabilitation University Crossing, Jacksonville
• Enrique Cateriano, DON at Riviera Health Resort, Coral Gables
• Erin Heathcote, DON at Gandy Post Acute and Rehabilitation Center, Tampa
• Irma Garduno, DON at Vivo Healthcare of Wauchula, Wauchula
• Jacqueline Forshee, Regional Nurse Consultant at Aston Health Consulting Services, Tampa
• Jessica Burnett, DON at Orange Park Rehabilitation and Nursing, Orange Park
• Kelly Ratanasurakan, Vice President of Clinical Services at Aston Health, Tampa
• Kristi Beasley, DON at Isles of Boynton Beach Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boynton Beach
• Lynn Anderson, Director of Risk Management at RB Health Partners, Inc., Crystal Beach
• Lysha Tramel, ADON at Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center, Trenton
• Maria Carmona, Unit Manager at Winter Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation
• Marrissa Antoszyk, Regional Director of Clinical Operations at AbleHearts Consulting Services, LLC, Tampa
• Mary Bottcher, Vice President of Risk and Regulatory at Aston Health, Tampa
• Michele Mazzo, DON at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda, Punta Gorda
• Mildred Smith, DON at Vivo Healthcare of Sebring, Sebring
• Nichole Tipton, ADON at River Valey Rehabilitation Center, Blountstown
• Sarah Smith, RN Unit Manager at Riverwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, Starke
• Sierra Swords, DON at Middleburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Middleburg
• Stephanie Harris-Thomas, RN QA Risk Manager at Ybor City Center for Rehabilitation and Healing, Tampa
• Viola Otero, RN, DON at Winter Haven Post Acute, Winter Haven
• Waylene Close, Director of Clinical Services at Palm Garden of Ocala, Ocala

“Congratulations to the 2024 Class of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy – these highly skilled and compassionate nurses are the backbone of long term care centers,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to offer key tools and resources needed to help these professionals take the next step in their career and continue providing quality care and skilled nursing to our state's frail elders.”

FHCA's Executive Nurse Leadership Academy is a program designed to support and enhance the knowledge of the registered nurse executive. The Academy includes a three-day kick-off event at the FHCA Training and Education Center in Tallahassee. Participants include Directors of Nursing (DON), Assistant Directors of Nursing (ADON), supervisor nurses on the career path of a DON or ADON, and RN licensed nurses holding senior leadership positions.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 24, 2023

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