Florida Health Care Association Elects 2026-2027 Board of Directors

Joshua Wagoner of Aviata Health Group elected president of state's largest long term care association

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), the state’s first and largest advocacy organization representing over 650 Florida nursing centers and assisted living communities and thousands of long term caregivers, has elected Joshua Wagoner of Deland as President of the Association. Wagoner is Divisional Director of Aviata Health Group, which manages 46 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers across Florida.

“I am honored to serve as president and build upon FHCA's strong foundation of advocating for sound policies, supporting the dedicated professionals who care for our residents and embracing the innovation necessary to move long term care forward," said Wagoner. "As my grandfather often reminded me, ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never get there,’ and I look forward to stepping forward with our members to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Wagoner's connection to long term care began at an early age through his grandfather, who served as president of a Florida association representing homes for the aging. Although he did not fully understand the role at the time, Wagoner witnessed firsthand the commitment, responsibility and pride his grandfather brought to the long term care profession. An active member of FHCA for nearly two decades, Wagoner previously served on the FHCA Executive Committee as Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary, has served on the Board of Directors as both a Region Vice President and District President and has also chaired the association’s Workforce and Annual Conference committees. Wagoner is a graduating member of the FHCA Florida Leaders program and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program.

Wagoner will be joined on the FHCA Board of Directors by the following Executive Committee members:

• Senior Vice President Patricia Spears of Topaz Fiscal Services in Jacksonville;
• Treasurer Isis Fernandez of Hialeah Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation in Miami;
• Secretary Mel Beal of Facility Support Company in West Palm Beach;
• Independent Owner Vice President Neil Sutton of NuVision Management in Ft. Lauderdale;
• Not-for-Profit Vice President Mike Ward of Pines of Sarasota; and
• Immediate Past President Anita Faulmann of Excelsior Care Group in Tampa.

Additional officers of the Board include the following:

• Multifacility Vice President Alan Davis of Summit Care in Tallahassee;
• Assisted Living Facility Vice President Kimberly Wise of The Residence Memory Care Community in Pensacola;
• Associate Member Vice President Bradlee Cox of Medline Industries in Orlando;
• Region I Vice President Monica Calonge of Palmetto Subacute Care Center in Miami;
• Region II Vice President Nicole Fulton of Serenity Estates of Merritt Island;
• Region III Vice President Daniel Frenden of Balanced Healthcare in Kenneth City; and
• Region IV Vice President Bret Martin of Aviata Health Group in Ocala.

FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed welcomed the newly installed officers and the leadership they bring to the association. “These volunteer leaders bring a strong depth of experience and a broad range of perspectives that will help guide FHCA’s continued progress and strategic priorities,” said Reed. “We are excited to work alongside them as we continue supporting our members in providing gold standard care to Florida’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.”

FHCA's Board of Directors also includes the presidents of 16 local districts across Florida. For a complete list of FHCA's 2026-2027 Board of Directors, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2026

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