Jana Davis, a team member of Palm Garden of Clearwater, is Florida Health Care Association’s newest Career Climb Scholarship Award recipient. Jana has worked with Palm Garden of Clearwater for four years, starting off as a business office assistant before being promoted to business office manager.
“When I first started working in long term care, it was an opportunity for a new start. Little did I know just how much this industry would impact me and my life,” said Jana.
Jana was a natural in the business office, and while she enjoyed working in a position that has allowed her to take the lead in team engagement and recognition activities, Jana wanted more opportunities to interact with residents and families. “I realized that to really make an impact with residents, I needed to further my education to become a Health Care Administrator,” said Jana, who wanted to make a deeper impact on resident quality care.
Sandy Hill, Jana’s supervisor and administrator of Palm Garden of Clearwater, fully supported Jana’s desire to further her education. “Jana strives for continual improvement. She has embraced our vision and is creative and passionate about her job responsibilities,” said Sandy. “I fully support her journey to make a difference in the lives of our seniors.”
Jana’s short-term goal is to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration that will allow her to manage a skilled nursing center. Long-term, she hopes to mentor and guide other professionals who also seek to enrich the lives of seniors; FHCA’s Career Climb Scholarship will assist her in reaching her goals.
Established through an initial grant from the Life Care Centers of America with ongoing support from the annual FHCA Scholarship Golf Tournament, FHCA’s Career Climb Scholarship is funded through the Education and Development Foundation, the 501c3 arm of the Association. Career Climb Scholarships are awarded three times per year and promote advancement in non-nursing long term care careers for selected member nursing home and assisted living facility employees.
The next deadline to apply for the Career Climb Scholarship is April 30, 2019. Click here to learn more about educational scholarship opportunities.
FHCA recently presented a check for $41,400 to members whose centers were impacted by Hurricane Michael. The funds were spread among 138 caregivers in the Panhandle who applied for financial assistance to aid in their recovery efforts. Nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance and laundry staff, along with employees working in administration in 10 member centers were among those applying for aid.
FHCA wants to thank all those who donated to our Hurricane Michael Relief Fund to assist us in these efforts. Special thanks to the Alabama Nursing Home Association, which made a significant cash contribution, along with Andrew Weisman of NuVision Management. Associate members Drive Medical and TENA also directly helped caregivers and their families by donating 100 mattresses and hundreds of personal hygiene products that are often taken for granted until a crisis occurs.
I worked at a car dealership for 13 years, and when I turned fifty I found myself unfulfilled. I wanted to be a caregiver, so I quit my job, and with the help of my always-supportive parents, I went to the local VoTech for CNA training. School was difficult. I was the oldest in class, but I worked hard and got my license. I filled out lots of applications and took a job at an ALF. Then one day I was thrilled to get a voice mail from the local Veterans’ Nursing Home. It’s named for Douglas T. Jacobson (DTJ) in honor of his extraordinary service to our country in WWII.