FHCA Announces $328,500 in Health Care Workforce Scholarships

Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) this week announced a significant expansion of its scholarship program, awarding more than $328,000 to support the professional growth of long term caregivers and help meet Florida’s increasing demand for nursing professionals. In a major leap from last year’s awards, FHCA has more than tripled both the number of recipients and awarded funds — from $69,500 to 29 recipients in 2024, to $328,500 to 93 dedicated caregivers in 2025. This milestone was made possible through the generosity of donors who supported FHCA’s statewide fundraising campaign. 
  
“Our 2025 scholarship award recipients are the heart and soul of what makes Florida the gold standard in quality care,” said Emmett Reed, CEO of FHCA. “FHCA’s scholarship programs are an investment in our dedicated caregivers who are looking to advance the career ladder in long term care. I could not be more thrilled for these rising leaders and the future of the profession.” 
  
FHCA scholarships support frontline caregivers working to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs); Administrators in Training (AITs) preparing for a nursing center leadership role; and individuals working in nursing centers and assisted living communities seeking to earn professional certifications in activities and dietary management, social work degrees, and related healthcare educational programs. 
  
“While caring for my grandmother who lived with Alzheimer's disease, I realized the profound impact that compassionate and skilled nursing care can have on someone's quality of life. What initially began as a familial duty evolved into a professional calling that ignited my dream to become a nurse. Thanks to the FHCA scholarship, I am confident in my ability to make a lasting impact in the field of long term care nursing,” Temitope Ojaniyi, LPN at Lanier Rehabilitation Center and 2025 Bruce Taylor Scholarship recipient.
  
“I started my career as a Social Services Assistant almost 15 years ago and, thanks to inspiration from my grandmother and encouragement from a facility leader, I learned the impact I could have on residents, family and staff. The scholarship will help me begin my journey as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and grow in my career,” Tovah Lukken, Administrator in Training and 2025 Rising Long Term Care Leader Scholarship recipient.
  
“For more than 25 years I have loved serving residents in nursing centers and ALFs and the journey of growing in my profession. Working with the elderly population has taught me so much about the unique lives that the residents lead, and when they come to my building, I want them to know they are important to me. The FHCA scholarship will not only help me complete my certification in dietary management, but also give me the opportunity to teach and train aspiring dietary managers to love and support the residents the way I do,” Keisha O’Neal, Director of Dietary at Fouraker Hills Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and 2025 Career Climb Scholarship recipient.
  
Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2005, awards allocated by the Florida Health Care Education and Development Foundation, FHCA’s charitable foundation, now approach $600,000, reflecting FHCA’s enduring commitment to strengthening Florida’s long term care workforce.
  
The 2025 Bruce Taylor, Career Climb, and Rising Long Term Care Leader scholarship recipients were recognized during the Quality Award & Scholarship Ceremony and Celebration on July 15, during FHCA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. 
 
Learn more about FHCA's 2025 scholarship recipients here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2025

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