Celebrations

FHCA is proud to recognize Jerry Remedor, administrator at Indian River Center in West Melbourne, in our #BlackHistoryMonth leadership series. Jerry began his career in long term care almost 10 years ago, working as a staffing coordinator at a continuing care retirement community. Jerry’s passion for long term care became instilled in him when he entered the Administrator in Training (AIT) program. He learned the value of having the ability to engage with the residents daily, meeting and building the bonds with the family members, and ensuring that residents receive the highest quality of care that my grandparents did not get a chance to experience. His  preceptor told him that if you can see yourself waking up every morning and doing this for the rest of your life, you will have a great career.  “I haven’t looked back since,” Jerry said. Jerry became a licensed nursing home administrator in 2015 and loves engaging with residents and his team. His advice to anyone thinking about working in long term care is to be passionate and selfless.

Throughout his career, Jerry has had the opportunity to mentor many individuals. He is a certified Preceptor, leading three AITs, and has spoken to numerous college students about careers in long term care. Jerry’s advice to anyone thinking about working in this profession is to be passionate and selfless. He truly cares about his residents, and his rewards are getting to see them being well taken care of, having happy staff members, and achieving positive quality outcomes. Jerry shared that he would not be here today without his impressionable mentors and empowering staff members.

Jerry is the volunteer treasurer for FHCA District XV in Melbourne and a member of FHCA’s Professional Development and Survey and Regulatory Committees and a 2022 graduate of FHCA’s Florida Leaders program. He holds a BS degree in health care administration from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

During #BlackHistoryMonth, FHCA is pleased to recognize Naihomi Cruz, who started her journey in long term care almost 10 years ago as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Her career path led her to become an activity aide and ultimately, a Director of Activities in skilled nursing. When her passion for long term care grew even more, she began her education to become a licensed nursing home administrator. Today, Naihomi leads her team as the executive director at Courtyards of Orlando Care Center, a 120 bed center that provides sub-acute medical care, rehabilitation services and 12-hour skilled nursing care to help individuals maximize their potential and live their lives to the fullest.

Naihomi loves that long term care is a career that matters and that every day you receive the “highest reward by knowing you were able to inspire and change someone’s life.”

Naihomi is a member of FHCA’s Public Relations Committee and the 2024 class of Florida Leaders. She holds a BS degree in long term care administration from the University of South Florida.

A former teacher and volunteer, Margarette Stephens Berrisford, a resident at Haven of Our Lady of Peace in Pensacola, celebrated her 105th birthday on May 22. Margarette celebrated with a big party at the Haven that included some of her former students. She is the Haven’s oldest resident.

When Margarette was born in Wickliffe, Ky., in 1918, World War I was still underway. She recalls traveling with her family to Florida in a Model T Ford in 1924 and she has a vivid memory of World War II. “I remember we came home from church one day and our neighbors were waiting for us,” said Margarette. “They said, ‘war has been declared!’ I was teaching in a small town at the time. There were high school boys 17 and 18 years old who were drafted and others who quit jobs were drafted or chose to enlist. One of the boys got killed and I remember playing the piano at his funeral service.”

On Saturdays during WWII, teachers went to the school to help register people for food stamps and gas vouchers. “I remember we were asked to knit sweaters for soldiers, too. I knew how to crochet, but I didn’t know how to knit. I picked up a kit and mine came out about the size for a 6-year-old child! That was the end of my knitting career!”

Margarette’s 40-year teaching career was much more successful and included a variety of academic positions, from music teacher to working with international college students. Teaching led her to Florida, where she first taught music in River Junction. In Pensacola, the school system begged her to come teach. After three requests, she agreed and taught nine years at Blount Junior High School. Eventually, Margarette earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Florida and began teaching at Pensacola Junior College (PJC) when it first operated in the old Pensacola High School. Margarette proudly sports a Gators license plate on her wheelchair.

At PJC, Margarette taught for 27 years and also was employed as a counselor. During the last 10 years of her career, she worked as the college’s foreign student advisor. “There were widows in North Hill and East Hill who had big homes with lots of rooms and didn’t want to live alone. I kept a list of their names for these students who needed a place to live,” said Margarette.

Getting to know these students led her to visiting some of her new friends in countries including Brazil, Japan and Africa. She also has traveled to Europe and Russia. “One day I said to myself, ‘I’ve earned a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and now I gotta
go back and get a MRS degree!’” In 1956 at age 38, Margarette married Bert Berrisford, whom she met at First Baptist Church in Gainesville. “It was destined to be because his former boss in Illinois was hired as a plant manager at Air Products in Pensacola,” she recalls. Bert immediately got a job with Air Products.

After her husband passed away from cancer, Margarette became a Mother Seton Guild volunteer at the hospital and the Haven. In 2001, after becoming a Haven resident herself, Margarette created ways to continue volunteering there. She noticed that the mail and newspapers were being delivered late in the day, so she offered her services. She would push an antique wheelchair full of newspapers with Katie, the popular resident cat. “That cat would jump up on top of those newspapers and ride around with me all day! People were always telling me, ‘Bring that cat over here!’”

As a busy volunteer, Margarette credits her longevity to walking for 22 years. Margarette shares, “And I regularly saw my doctor, Dr. Amos Prevatt, for check-ups. He kept me healthy!”

Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center in Trenton was awarded Third Place in FHCA’s 2023 Long Term Care Photo Contest. The winning photo, “Beauty Under the Stars,” was taken by Amber Stanley, Ayers’ Life Enrichment Coordinator (far right).

Amber has served as Ayers’ Life Enrichment Coordinator since October 2022, which launched her long term care career. Amber grew up in the area, however, and spent countless hours volunteering at Ayers for many years prior to getting her start in this role.

The photo was taken during the center’s 2023 Prom Under the Stars, which gave residents an opportunity to dress up, dance and enjoy boutonnieres donated by a volunteer to make for a spectacular evening put on by the staff. “Ms. C. had such a contagious smile and made taking this photo easy,” said Amber.

FHCA made a $200 contribution to Ayers Health and Rehab to contribute toward staff and resident activities. Amber will also receive a $50 Visa gift card for capturing this image.

FHCA’s Long Term Care Photo Contest is open annually to those who live, work, or volunteer in an FHCA member care center or those who work with an FHCA business partner. Nearly 100 photos were entered into this year’s contest, which focused on the theme “The Faces of Care” to recognize the residents, families, staff and volunteers for the positive impact they make on quality care and quality of life.

The winning photos will be displayed during FHCA’s 2023 Annual Conference & Trade Show, July 23-27 at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. Read more about this year’s Long Term Care Photo Contest, winners and view all the entries by clicking here.