Ms. Evelyn Pines Presented the First Joe Negron Resident of the Year Award at FHCA Annual Conference (pictured center with FHCA Immediate Past President John Simmons at left, Senate President Joe Negron at right)
After almost two decades of public service dedicated to improving the lives of Florida’s most frail elders, Senate President Joe Negron is being honored as the Florida Health Care Association renames its annual Resident of the Year award for him.
Negron, now in the final months of a legislative career that began in 2000, was a strong advocate for Florida’s nursing homes and the residents they serve throughout his tenure as Senate president. More than any other legislator, he made it possible for nursing homes to receive the funding levels they need to ensure quality care, and he was a key player as the Legislature enacted new, realistic requirements for nursing homes to protect their residents during hurricanes and other emergencies.
FHCA, the state’s oldest and largest association for the long-term care profession, selects on nursing home resident each year for the top honor. From now on, the award will officially be called the Joe Negron Resident of the Year Award.
The inaugural presentation of this award was made at the FHCA Annual Conference in Hollywood on July 17, where more than 800 of Florida’s long term care professionals gathered as Senate President Negron presented the award to Evelyn Pines of Regents Park of Winter Park.
Pines has been a resident at Regents Park of Winter Park for 10 years, and has come to be known as the facility’s unofficial “mayor.” She works hard to understand resident issues, gathers and offers suggestions to enhance operations, and often speaks for those who don’t have a voice.
“Ms. Pines reminds me daily of why I work in long term care,” Administrator Daniel Clever said. “Her passion for her fellow residents and unwavering desire to improve her life and the lives of others drives me to do the same for my residents.”
As Resident Council President, Pines regularly implements fresh ideas to make the center an even more enjoyable place to live. She helped the activities department rejuvenate a previously unused patio space into an outdoor oasis for resident activities and is the leader of the dominos club, which is often the source of uncontrolled laughter emanating from the dining room.
“The impact I make on the lives of my residents pales in comparison to the impact that Ms. Pines makes on the lives that surround her. It is a pleasure having her as a resident and an honor to know her as a person,” said Clever.