Benjamin Glidden, Director of Nursing at Crestview Rehabilitation Center, was awarded Florida Health Care Association’s 2019 Nurse Administrator of the Year. Glidden who has spent 10 years at Crestview and was recognized for excelling in quality care, customer service, and contributing to a positive workplace environment. The award was presented during FHCA’s 2019 Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing Awards presentation held in St. Pete Beach.
Glidden was also recognized for his contributions during Hurricane Michael, when he led the efforts to safely care for Crestview’s residents, along with those the center received from evacuated facilities. Glidden coordinated the transfer, feeding, and triaging of 30 patients during the crisis. His hands-on, assiduous work ethic inside and outside the center sets him apart.
As the director of nursing, Glidden has also led the center to reduce falls and return-to-hospital rates, while increasing overall consumer satisfaction. All of these positive improvements have contributed to Crestview earning a Five Star rating from the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Crestview administrator Renita Enfinger said, “Ben understands the importance of that improving quality measures is not just about a statistic, it’s about better outcomes for the residents.”
Beyond the residents, Glidden shows great care for his staff and encourages them to further their education, making sure to accommodate their school schedules when scheduling shifts. Enfinger said, “He practices what he expects from staff performance.” A positive work environment and the encouragement to improve makes an impact quality.
“Florida Health Care Association is proud to recognize Mr. Glidden for his dedication and outstanding commitment to quality care. It’s clear the work he’s doing is making an impact, and we’re pleased to honor him with this prestigious award,” said Emmett Reed, executive director of FHCA.
FHCA’s Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing Award honorees reflect the dedication, professionalism, and expanded skill sets of the long term care nursing profession. The annual FHCA awards recognize individuals for their important roles in helping centers achieve continuous quality improvement by improving their national Quality Measures and demonstrating a person-centered care approach to residents and patients.