Author: Dorron Blumberg - Florida Hospital News and Healthcare Report

July 6, 2021 – Heartland Health Care & Rehabilitation Center of Boca Raton, a ProMedica Senior Care facility, has been recognized as a 2021 recipient of the Silver – Achievement to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the second of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program, presented by the leading association in long-term and post-acute care, honors association members across the country that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities.

“I am so proud of all of the work our team put into achieving Silver status in Quality. The criteria is rigorous and our center teams proved their commitment to delivering quality, compassionate care to our patients and residents not only during the pandemic but every day,” said Sue Morey, ProMedica senior vice president for skilled nursing. “The Baldridge Framework of Excellence aligns with the ProMedica core values; organizational resilience, innovation and diversity, equity and inclusion.”

Created by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process that is reviewed and judged by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence. The standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program help organizations achieve superior performance to improve quality of life and care of long term care residents and staff. At the Silver level, members develop and demonstrate effective approaches that help improve organizational performance and health care outcomes.

“Reaching the Silver Award level successfully while also compassionately and heroically protecting and caring for residents during a pandemic is remarkable,” said the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers Chair Tammy Kelly. “I applaud the resiliency and dedication of Heartland Health Care & Rehabilitation Center of Boca Raton for continuing their quality improvement journey and for this outstanding achievement.”

The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 72nd Convention & Expo in National Harbor, Maryland right outside Washington, DC and will be held from October 10-13, 2021.

July 5 2021 – Sonja A. Jorgensen, LNHA, a seasoned long-term care executive director and licensed nursing home administrator, has been named the Administrator for Manor Pines, a Marrinson skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility. Manor Pines offers a wide range of services including in-house dialysis; stroke and cardiac recovery care; orthopedic rehab with physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapy; hospice and palliative care; respite services and wound care management.

Jorgensen will oversee the operations and administration of the 206-bed facility and is responsible for all aspects of care provided to residents. She will direct the hiring and training of employees as well as oversee the activities of the medical, nursing, technical, housekeeping, maintenance, social service, activity, and volunteer staff.

“We are excited to welcome Sonja to our Marrinson family. As the administrator of our flagship facility, we look forward to the wonderful experience she brings and her passion for caring,” said Ralph Marrinson, CEO of Marrinson Senior Care Residences. “Her fresh energy and knowledge are a perfect addition to our stellar team.”

Most recently, Jorgensen was the Executive Director of Hillcrest Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood, Florida. She has extensive experience, nearly two decades, in long-term care management in Florida. She has also held leadership roles in professional agencies; local and statewide.

A graduate of McGill University in Canada, Jorgensen did a fellowship for Leadership in Healthcare with Abbott Laboratories and received her Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Florida International University in Miami. She also completed the Florida Associations of Homes and Services for Aging’s Leadership Academy.

“I am excited to join the Marrinson Senior Care family at Manor Pines where there is a clear focus on caring and sense of family,” said Sonja Jorgenson, LNHA, Administrator of Manor Pines. “I look forward to working with the team at Manor Pines to build on past successes to provide the highest level of care for our residents.”

Established in 1966, the family-owned Marrinson Senior Care Residences is committed to exceeding the expectations of our residents and their families. With eight locations in two states, we offer the full continuum of care including Independent Living, Independent Living Plus, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing/Rehab. South Florida locations include; Manor Pines and Manor Oaks (Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation), Williamsburg Landing and Margate Manor (Assisted Living) and Independence Hall (Independent Plus Assisted Living). In Aiken, South Carolina residences include The Hills of Cumberland Village (Assisted Living) and Cumberland Village Apartments & Patio Homes (Independent Living). To learn more, visit www.marrinson.com .

July 6, 2021 – Through the Florida Pediatric Foundation (FPF), the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP) has named the 2021 recipients of its two prestigious Chapter awards.

“The Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is proud to honor Dr. Judith Schaechter with the Audrey Lincourt Schiebler, RN, FAAP, and Gerold Schiebler, MD, FAAP, Advocacy Award and honor Dr. Mark Bleiweis with the Phillip O. Lichtblau, MD, Award,” said FCAAP President Lisa Gwynn, DO, MBA, MSPH, FAAP. “Dr. Schaechter and Dr.

Bleiweis have led exceptional careers in pediatrics, and it is a privilege to honor their work with the Chapter’s highest recognitions. We thank them both for their dedication to Florida’s children and families.”

The Audrey Lincourt Schiebler, RN, FAAP, and Gerold Schiebler, MD, FAAP, Advocacy Award is given annually to a physician who has worked beyond the profession, educated local and state legislators, and diligently advocated to improve the health and welfare of Florida’s children.

Judith Schaechter, MD, MBA, FAAP has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the FCAAP Audrey Lincourt Schiebler, RN, FAAP, and Gerold Schiebler, MD, FAAP, Advocacy Award. Dr. Schaechter is a former member of FCAAP’s Board of Directors and is currently a Health Policy Fellow with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Washington, DC, where she works with the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. She is a practicing general pediatrician, educator, child health leader, and policy analyst, and will serve as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American Board of Pediatrics, beginning Jan. 1, 2022.

The Philip O. Lichtblau, MD, Award is given annually to a pediatric surgeon or pediatric surgical specialist who has contributed significantly either regionally or statewide to the Children’s Medical Services Program.

Mark Steven Bleiweis, MD has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the FCAAP Philip O. Lichtblau, MD, Award. Dr. Bleiweis currently serves in multiple leadership roles at University of Florida, including Director of the Congenital Heart Center, The William G. Lassiter Jr. and Aneice R. Lassiter Professorship, and Professor in the Departments of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Florida College of Medicine; Chief of Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital; and Surgical Director at the Adult Heart Transplantation Program.

"It’s an honor to accept this award in the name of a physician whose legacy is a reflection of not only his medical acumen, but the kindness and respect he showed to his patients, families, and fellow health care providers,” said Dr. Bleiweis. I could not have done it without the help of our incredible team, which US News and World Reports

named Florida’s No. 1 pediatric hospital this year. On this 15th anniversary of the UF Health Congenital Heart Center, our children’s hospital’s pediatric cardiology and heart surgery program reached an allâtime high ranking at No. 7, and I look forward to the milestones to come."

Both awards will be presented to the winners as part of the Chapter’s award ceremony during FCAAP’s annual conference, The Future of Pediatric Practice 2021, set for September 3â5 at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts. The full agenda and event details can be found at bit.ly/FPP2021-Home.

About FCAAP

Through its more than 2,500 members, the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics promotes the health & welfare of Florida’s children and supports pediatricians & pediatric specialists as the best qualified providers of their healthcare. Learn more by visiting www.fcaap.org.

About FPF

The Florida Pediatric Foundation, Inc. is the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FCAAP). Through the Florida Pediatric Foundation (FPF), FCAAP supports state-wide and community health care programs that benefit children, adolescents, and young adults. FPF supports quality improvement projects designed to improve pediatric healthcare in the state. Learn more by visiting www.fcaap.org/foundation.

July 5 2021 – Eric Francese has been named the Administrator for Independence Hall, a Marrinson Independent and Assisted Living community for seniors. Francese’s reputation as a compassionate and competent leader made him the natural choice for Independence Hall.

Francese will oversee the operations and administration of Independence Hall and is responsible for all aspects of care provided to residents. Independence Hall is licensed for assisted living but caters to independent living options for residents. Francese will direct the hiring and training of employees as well as oversee the activities of the nursing, technical, housekeeping, maintenance, hospitality, activity, and volunteer staff in order to provide the highest quality independent lifestyle with assisted services when needed to all residents.

“Eric is a welcome addition to our Marrinson Family,” said Ralph Marrinson, CEO of Marrinson Senior Care Residences. “He has worked in nearly every area of administration in senior living facilities. We look forward to the fresh ideas and attention to detail that he brings to Independence Hall.”

Prior to joining Marrinson, Francese was with Executive Director of Stratford of Boca Pointe located in Boca Raton, Florida. During his tenure at Stratford Court, he also served as Associate Executive Director, Controller and was the Director of Accounting at Classic Residence by Hyatt. He attended Palm Beach Atlantic University and studied Accounting and owned his own business prior to his start in the senior residential care in 2008.

“I am excited to join the Marrinson Senior Care Residences family. I have been impressed by how much support and dedication comes from the owner and corporate office,” said Eric Francese. “They have been instrumental in recent renovations that have been completed inside the community. Also, the staff and residents have been very warm and welcoming, and I look forward to leading them for many years.”

July 6 2021 – Nicklaus Children’s Health System, parent organization of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, has appointed Nan O’Leary to its board of directors. Ms. O’Leary, daughter of Nicklaus Children’s namesakes golf icon Jack Nicklaus and his wife Barbara, has long dedicated herself to community service through leadership roles in entities that benefit the region’s children and families.

“Nan O’Leary is an exemplary community leader who embodies the Nicklaus family’s commitment to helping the children of our region,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “We are delighted that she will be part of our health system board leadership.”

Ms. O’Leary has served on the board of The Benjamin School, a private pre-kindergarten through grade 12 preparatory school located in Palm Beach County, and has twice chaired the school’s annual fundraiser. She has also supported the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, Stop! Children’s Cancer of Palm Beach County, and the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, as well as Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST), an organization devoted to providing assistance for families of children with cancer. In addition, Ms. O’Leary has served since 2004 on the board of the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, founded by her parents, and currently serves as vice chair and grants committee chair.

Ms. O’Leary earned her bachelor of science degree from the University of Georgia. She and her husband, Bill, have five children and reside in northern Palm Beach County.

About Nicklaus Children’s Health System

Nicklaus Children’s Health System is the parent organization of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, South Florida’s only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children. The 309-bed nonprofit hospital, known as Miami Children’s Hospital from 1983 through 2014, was founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International and is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine, with many programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. The health system also includes Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation, the organization’s 501c3 fundraising arm; a network of nonprofit outpatient and urgent care centers situated in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties; a nonprofit physician practice subsidiary; and an ambulatory surgery center. NCHS is the region’s only healthcare system exclusively for children.