FHCA Announces Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center as Winner of  2025 Long Term Care Photo Contest

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In conjunction with National Skilled Nursing Care Week, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has announced that Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center is the first-place winner of FHCA’s 2025 Long Term Care Photo Contest. The annual contest, which drew over 200 entries from across the state, celebrated the theme “Inspiring Moments” to highlight everyday acts of compassion and connection within Florida’s long term care centers.
 
The winning photo, titled “Seeing Without Vision,” was captured by Dorothy Conner, a Certified Nursing Assistant and Activity Assistant at Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center. Her winning photograph features a resident who delights in pet therapy sessions, holding Conner’s dog, Barney. “I wanted to capture the joy of Ms. W. holding my dog Barney; she always enjoys their visits. I think her face says it all,” said Conner.
As the first-place winner, Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center received a $500 contribution from FHCA to sponsor a social event for residents and staff. Conner also received a $50 gift card for her submission. 
 
The second-place photo, “Foam-Filled Fun,” by Cypress Palms Executive Director Melissa Wojewnik, captures a heartwarming moment when a hesitant resident joined an intergenerational foam party after seeing children laughing nearby. “As soon as he saw the kids laughing and playing, everything changed. He smiled, said, ‘Can’t let the kids have all the fun!’ and let his inner child shine,” shared Wojewnik.
Cypress Palms, located in Largo, received a $300 contribution from FHCA for a resident and staff social event, and Wojewnik received a $50 gift card for her submission.
 
The third-place photo, “Cancer Awareness Fashion,” was taken by Lidia Diaz, an activity assistant at Unity Health and Rehabilitation Center, and highlights the center’s vibrant annual fashion show, which is held each October to promote cancer awareness and inspire positivity. “It symbolizes hope, and we promote awareness and sensitization in the community for the many people affected by cancer,” said Marly Prudot, Unity’s Activity Director.
 
Unity Health and Rehab, located in Miami, received a $200 contribution from FHCA for a resident and staff social event, and Diaz received a $50 gift card for her submission.
 
FHCA’s Long Term care Photo Contest is sponsored annually by Incite Strategic Partners, Inc. The winning photos will be shared on FHCA’s Facebook page during National Skilled Nursing Care Week, May 11–17, and will be displayed during FHCA’s Nurse Leadership Program and the association’s 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando. To read more about this year’s Long Term Care Photo Contest, visit FHCA’s website.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2025

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