FHCA Honors Individuals for Improving the Quality of Lives of Florida’s Long Term Care Residents

Florida Health Care Association Recognizes 2024 Long Term Care Achievement Award Winners During Annual Conference & Trade Show

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently honored the 2024 Long Term Care Achievement award winners during its Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida. FHCA's annual Long Term Care Achievement Awards recognize the exemplary contributions of long-term care leaders and volunteers who daily demonstrate commitment to quality care through their dedication to residents, staff, and the long-term care profession.
 
Recipients of the 2024 FHCA Long Term Care Achievement Awards include:  

• Adult Volunteer of the Year – Al Cole, The Oaks of Clearwater
• Youth Volunteer of the Year – Annierya Randall, Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello
• Group Volunteer of the Year – Elks Lodge 1892, Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine
• Joe Negron Resident of the Year – Ron Chavis, Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello
• ALF Administrator of the Year – Lisa Brooks, The Residence at Timber Pines in Spring Hill
• Nursing Home Administrator of the Year – Kevin McDonnell, Seaside Health and Rehabilitation Center in Daytona Beach

Additional recognitions during the FHCA Annual Conference & Trade Show included a presentation of the following awards, which are selected by past recipients.

• Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award - Emmett Reed, CEO of Florida Health Care Association
• Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award recipient – Andrew Weisman, President of NuVision Management
• Willis J. Gregson Associate Member of the Year – Stephen Lomonico, Thrive Behavioral Sciences

“We are pleased to honor this year’s Long Term Care Achievement Award winners,” said Emmett Reed, CEO of FHCA. “These individuals have gone above and beyond for our long-term care community, enriching the lives of our residents and ensuring Florida’s most vulnerable population receives only the highest quality of care."
 
The annual FHCA Volunteer of the Year Awards recognize exceptional individuals who make significant contributions to the well-being of residents and the long term care centers they call home.  
 
Al Cole, volunteer for The Oaks of Clearwater, was named this year’s Adult Volunteer of the Year for his commitment to enriching the lives of his fellow residents and advocating for high-quality care. Annierya Randall, volunteer for Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello, was named this year’s Youth Volunteer of the Year for dedicating the past four years to bringing joy and support to both residents and staff. Elks Lodge #1892 in Green Cove Springs, volunteers for the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans’ Nursing Home in St. Augustine, were honored with this year’s Group Volunteer of the Year Award for supporting and honoring veteran residents for more than 14 years by hosting monthly bingo events, annual fishing trips, ice cream socials and other activities.
 
The annual Joe Negron Resident of the Year Award is named after Florida Senator Joe Negron who was a long-time champion for Florida nursing home residents. Ron Chavis, a former resident at Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello, was named Joe Negron Resident of the Year. Within months of arriving at Brynwood Health, Chavis became the Resident Council President, regularly volunteered with resident activities, and always embraced the events, programming, and activities that promote the quality of life for himself and his fellow residents. After living at Brynwood for more than five years, Chavis recently became strong enough to be discharged from the center and return to his Monticello home. 
 
FHCA's annual Administrator of the Year Awards recognize both a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year. Kevin McDonnell of Seaside Health and Rehabilitation in Daytona Beach was honored with this year’s Nursing Home Administrator of the Year Award. Under his leadership, McDonnell has led the facility through the COVID-19 pandemic, safe evacuation during Hurricane Ian and achieved both Joint Commission recertification and a five-star rating from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Care Compare. Lisa Brooks of The Residence of Timber Pines in Spring Hill was named this year’s Assisted Living Facility (ALF) Administrator of the Year. With more than 20 years’ experience in the long-term care profession, Brooks is seen as a mentor to others and an expert as it relates to ensuring each resident receives the highest quality of care. 

These additional awards represent the highest honors bestowed to an FHCA member or staff in select categories, with award recipients chosen by past winners of each award.
 
The Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award was initiated in 1972 in honor of a man who was one of the significant forces in the establishment of the Association. FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed was named the 2024 Circle of Excellence Award recipient. Reed has served as CEO for more than 15 years and has made significant contributions toward the growth and development of the Association. Under his leadership, FHCA has expanded its grassroots advocacy initiatives and accomplished legislative priorities to strengthen long term care providers' reimbursement and workforce initiatives. Reed has overseen the expansion of the FHCA's Education and Training Center, increased membership growth, strengthened Florida's leadership in quality initiatives and awards, increased fundraising for and distribution of caregiver scholarships and enhanced partnerships and collaborations with key long term care stakeholders.
 
The Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award honors an FHCA member for his or her dedication to the Association’s legislative efforts which result in positive outcomes for long term care residents and caregivers. Andrew Weisman of NuVision Management earned this year’s Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award. Weisman played a pivotal role in FHCA’s advocacy to secure a historic funding increase for nursing centers during Florida’s 2024 legislative session to support the long-term care workforce in Florida. He is the Chair of Our Florida Promise, FHCA’s advocacy partner, and has spent many years contributing to the profession’s ability to successfully navigate Medicaid Managed Care and the Prospective Payment System, new regulatory requirements, and the staffing challenges that resulted from the pandemic.  
  
The Willis J. Gregson Award recognizes an FHCA associate member/business partner who demonstrates a level of service which goes “above and beyond” to support the Association's nursing center and assisted living facility member centers. Stephen Lomonico of Thrive Behavioral Sciences was honored with this year’s Willis J. Gregson Associate Member of the Year Award. Lomonico is a member of the FHCA Board of Directors and serves on numerous FHCA committees. His support has helped to enhance opportunities and facilitate connections among FHCA members and business partners, giving long-term care facilities across the state the tools and resources to provide residents with quality care.
 
"These individuals have made significant contributions to the association and the profession that are resulting in impactful outcomes," said Anita Faulmann, FHCA Immediate Past President. "Their commitment to constantly driving positive change and ensuring the well-being of those we serve makes each of them well deserving of their respective award."
 
FHCA's Long Term Care Achievement Awards are sponsored by Elite Medical Staffing and presented each year during FHCA's Annual Conference & Trade Show. Learn more about these awards at www.fhca.org/membership/ltcawards.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2024

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