Jen Lawrence Receives 2023 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jen Lawrence, Chief Nursing Officer at Aston Health was honored as the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 2023 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award recipient for her elder care advocacy. The award, presented in front of more than 800 long term care professionals during FHCA’s 2023 Annual Conference in Orlando, is given annually to an FHCA member who shows a strong dedication to the Association’s legislative efforts that results in positive outcomes for Florida’s long term caregivers and the residents entrusted to their care.

“Jennifer’s clinical insight and expertise, along with her willingness to help champion legislation to strengthen the long term care workforce is what makes her a stand-out advocate and truly deserving of this award,” said Emmett Reed, Florida Health Care Association Chief Executive Officer.

Lawrence serves as the FHCA Senior Clinicians Council Vice Chair, and during the 2023 legislative session she spent a significant amount of time in Tallahassee sharing her experience working with Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) in other states. That insight supported FHCA’s ability to offer meaningful recommendations to Senator Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) and Representative Will Robinson (R-Bradenton), who crafted legislation (SB 558) that passed unanimously out of both Chambers and was signed into law by Governor DeSantis in June.

Lawrence began her long term care career as a certified nursing assistant. Today, she is a Registered Nurse and a licensed nursing home administrator with nearly 30 years serving in the profession. Her exceptional skills, dedication, and passion for successful care outcomes for the residents she serves have resulted in many positions of leadership within the organizations for which she’s worked. This includes Aston Health, where she serves as Chief Nursing Officer and oversees clinical services and risk management operations for Aston’s 41 Florida nursing centers.

The 2023 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award is part of Florida Health Care Association’s Long Term Care Excellence Achievement Awards, sponsored by Elite Medical Staffing, which were presented during FHCA’s Annual Conference, Jully 23-27 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. These awards annually honor a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year, a business partner and other individuals for their service and dedication to long term care. For more information about FHCA’s Long Term Care Excellence Achievement Awards, visit the FHCA website at http://www.fhca.org/membership/ltcawards.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 14, 2023

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