FHCA Honors Individuals Enhancing the Lives of Florida’s Long Term Care Residents

Tallahassee, Fla. - Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently recognized the recipients of its 2026 Long Term Care Achievement Awards during the Annual Conference & Trade Show in Orlando. Presented each year, these awards celebrate long term care leaders and volunteers whose outstanding dedication to residents, staff and the profession helps advance the delivery of quality care. FHCA also honored the profession’s Shining Stars, who make a meaningful difference each day by supporting residents’ life enrichment, social services, therapy, food and nutrition, and overall health and safety.

Mr. Rudy Thomas of The Fountains Residence at Mill Cove in Jacksonville, is FHCA's 2026 Joe Negron Resident of the Year. Thomas is a former Harlem Globetrotter whose lifelong commitment to coaching and mentoring continues to inspire those around him. Since joining The Fountains in 2024, Rudy has created the “Senior Moments” basketball team, helped establish a partnership with the University of North Florida women’s basketball team and become an active member of the Assisted Living Resident Council. Through his energy, encouragement and inclusive spirit, he welcomes new residents, promotes active engagement and enhances quality of life throughout the community. 

Isis Fernandez, administrator at Hialeah Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, is FHCA's 2026 Nursing Home Administrator of the Year. Fernandez began her long term care career as a teenage receptionist and has since devoted 25 years to the same organization, advancing from nurse and Director of Nursing to corporate nurse and licensed administrator. Under her leadership, the center has earned the Governor’s Gold Seal, deficiency-free surveys, Bronze and Silver Quality Awards, and a reputation for exceptional resident care. She has also built a family-centered culture of loyalty, compassion, accountability, and staff longevity while mentoring future caregivers through CNA education, school outreach, and onsite nursing clinicals. A dedicated FHCA member since 2009, she has served in numerous state and national leadership roles, including currently as FHCA's Board Treasurer, reflecting her lasting commitment to advancing the long term care profession.

Melissa Wojewnik, Executive Director of Cypress Palms in Largo, is FHCA’s 2026 Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year. Wojewnik began her career as a frontline caregiver and advanced through life enrichment and administrative roles to become Executive Director of Cypress Palms. Her compassionate, people-centered leadership has strengthened operations, team performance and community reputation, while helping the facility achieve deficiency-free status, its strongest census and budget performance in more than a decade, and the Bronze Quality Award. Wojewnik is also an active community leader through dementia education, Alzheimer’s advocacy, civic engagement and FHCA service on the Florida Center for Assisted Living and Public Relations Committees.

Kim Biegasiewicz, CEO and President of The Avante Group, received FHCA’s 2026 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award for her exceptional advocacy and leadership on behalf of Florida’s long term care profession. Drawing on nearly 15 years of frontline clinical experience, she has become a trusted legislative voice on person-centered staffing, emergency response, technology innovation, specialized care and quality-focused funding. Biegasiewicz regularly welcomes lawmakers into care centers, leads teams to Tallahassee for Lobby Wednesdays and travels to Washington, D.C., to advocate before Congress. She also supports FHCA’s grassroots and PAC efforts and serves on Florida’s Board of Nursing Home Administrators and the Our Florida Promise Executive Committee while leading quality-focused care centers across the state.

Kristen Knapp, FHCA Sr. Director of Strategy & Communications, received the Walter M. Johnson, Jr. Circle of Excellence Award, the Association’s highest honor recognizing longstanding service and significant contributions to FHCA’s success. During her more than 18 years with the Association, Knapp has become a trusted leader and tireless advocate for long term care, helping establish the Florida Leaders program, overseeing FHCA’s awards program, recognition campaigns and scholarship initiatives, supporting the development of the Association’s scholarship endowment, and contributing to the upcoming People Worth Caring About Florida documentary. Knapp provides steady leadership and crisis management during hurricanes, the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergencies, and during legislative sessions develops communication and advocacy strategies that strengthen the profession, support FHCA members and help advance quality long term care throughout Florida.

Ashleigh Wilson, Activity Director at Okeechobee Healthcare Facility, was honored as a Shining Star with FHCA's 2026 Life Enrichment Award for activities professionals. Wilson began her career as a CNA before advancing to Activity Director, where her creativity, energy and compassion have transformed resident programming. Through innovative events, individualized activities and strong collaboration with staff and families, she has created a vibrant, inclusive environment that supports residents’ physical, emotional and cognitive well-being. Her person-centered approach has earned praise from regulators and the Ombudsman while strengthening morale and community throughout the center.

Sheila Spisak, Human Services Counselor at the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans' Nursing Home in Port Charlotte, was named a Shining Star by earning FHCA’s 2026 Compassion in Action Award for social services professionals. Spisak is known for extraordinary dedication, empathy and hands-on care to ensure that every Veteran resident feels valued while offering families comfort and guidance. From engaging residents in activities and assisting at mealtimes to launching a staff Zumba class and running a marathon in memory of a Veteran resident, Spisak consistently goes beyond her role to lift spirits and strengthen the community.

Candace Gilbert, Dietary Manager and Nutritionist at Viera Health and Rehabilitation Center, was honored as a Shining Star for earning FHCA’s 2026 Food and Nutrition Services Leader. Gilbert is a hands-on leader who ensures every resident’s dietary needs, preferences and dining experience are met with care. For more than a decade, she has enhanced residents’ health and quality of life by creating nourishing meals that provide comfort and connection, while her weekly culinary classes foster engagement, joy and purpose. As her team says, Candace truly creates “happiness on a plate.”

Scherly Gabriel, Rehab Director at Debary Health and Rehabilitation Center, was honored as a Shining Star for earning FHCA's 2026 Heart of Therapy Award. As Debary's Rehab Director for 16 years, Gabriel leads a hands-on, outcomes-driven therapy team known for successful discharges and meaningful functional improvement. She brings a deeply personal approach to care, knowing each resident’s story and giving families confidence during difficult transitions. Gabriel has also advanced the center’s rehabilitation services through fall-prevention certification, individualized restorative programs and technology-assisted therapy, strengthening its reputation among residents, families and hospital partners.

Kevin Gilbert, Maintenance Director at Lake Bennet Center for Rehabilitation and Healing in Ocoee, was honored as a Shining Star with FHCA’s 2026 Plant Operations Impact Award. Gilbert has provided more than 33 years of dedicated service to Lake Bennet. His expertise in Life Safety regulations, emergency preparedness and preventive maintenance helps ensure a safe, compliant and comfortable environment with minimal disruption to residents. Beyond his technical leadership, Gilbert builds meaningful relationships with residents, participates in activities and brings joy to the community each year as the center’s Santa Claus.   

Jill Daly of Guardian Pharmacy was named FHCA’s 2026 Willis J. Gregson Associate Member of the Year in recognition of more than 25 years of service to the long term care profession and her exceptional commitment to FHCA. An active member of the Associate Member Support Committee and a longtime district leader, she has helped strengthen business partner engagement, organize educational programs and keep members connected. Daly is also a dedicated sponsor and volunteer for the FHCA Golf Tournament, supporting scholarships for future long term care professionals, and a Florida Leaders graduate who gives back by speaking with HOSA students exploring health care and pharmacy careers.

Sharon Morris is FHCA’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year. Morris has transformed the loss of her mother into a meaningful commitment to serving others at Brynwood Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monticello. Four days a week, she shares her gift of music by playing piano for residents, creating moments of comfort, connection and joy while sparking cherished memories for residents, families and staff. Her selfless dedication reflects the true spirit of long term care volunteerism.

The Veterans Support Fund is FHCA's 2026 Group Volunteer of the Year. For more than 30 years, the Veterans Support Fund has supported residents of the Emory L. Bennett State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Daytona Beach through thousands of volunteer hours, special events and fundraising efforts that enhance quality of life. From hosting meals, birthday celebrations and holiday events to funding dental care, a prosthetic leg and rehabilitation equipment, the group ensures local disabled veterans feel valued, supported and never forgotten.

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
August 4, 2026

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