Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today announced that 93 individuals across Florida have been awarded $328,500 in scholarships to advance their careers in long term care. This includes 48 caregivers who each received a $5,000 Bruce Taylor Scholarship to advance their nursing careers; 21 long term care employees who are each receiving a $2,500 Career Climb Scholarship; and 24 nursing home Administrators in Training (AIT) who have each earned a $1,500 Rising Long Term Care Leader Scholarship to support their goals to become licensed Nursing Home Administrators (NHA). Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the efforts of a robust fundraising campaign, FHCA more than tripled the number of scholarships awarded this year.
The Bruce Taylor Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to individuals working in an FHCA member nursing center or assisted living community who are seeking to further their career in long term care nursing. The following 48 individuals earned a 2025 Bruce Taylor Scholarship to advance their career in long term care nursing:
- Alexandra Hutchison, Southport Square
- Alexis, Mills Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehab
- Ashley Montgomery, Brynwood Health and Rehab
- Bernadette Bentcliff, The Terrace aof Kissimmee
- Brittny Godbolt, Eden Springs Nursing & Rehab Center
- Carlos Lorenzo, Breezy Hills Rehab Center
- Cherivio Dina, Cypress Care Center
- Chileta Massey, Aspire at Lakeside Oaks
- Dawn Collins, Emory L Bennett State Veterans Nursing Home
- Debora Bisignano, Palm Beach Nursing Center
- Denise Shaw, Apopka Health and Rehabilitation
- Dericka Simmons, Savannas Park Health and Rehab
- Elisabeth Sterling, Palm Garden of Clearwater
- Farah Augustin, Prosper Health and Rehab
- Fedia Codia, South Orange Health and Rehab
- Gloria Godwin, The Grove Health and Rehabilitation
- Jenna Smith, Life Center of Punta Gorda
- Jennea Green, Palm Garden of Largo
- Jessica Gilmer, Clifford Chester Sims Veteran Home
- Jetta Ayala, Aspire at The Bay
- Katara Morris, Park Meadows Health and Rehab
- Krishna Gobay, Springtree Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
- Laura Faulkner, Viera Health and Rehab
- Lourdes Marin, The Pointe of North Gables
- Maikol Beltre, Life Care Center of Winter Heaven
- Marquis Wilson, Palm Garden of Gainesville
- Merigin Clarke, River City Rehab Center
- Natasha Mayes, The Springs of Lake Pointe Woods
- Neckeshia Dunkley, Lifecare Center of Estero
- Nekita, Mitchell, Wedgewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
- Nicole Hampton, Riverwood Center
- Nobertha Alies Renodin, Savannas Park Health Rehabilitation Center
- Nordia Wilson, Prosper Health and Rehabilitation
- Parquitta Pinkston, The Lilac at Bayview
- Rodna Honore, Broward Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Sandra Thelisma, Pompano Health and Rehab Center
- Shanika Dunkley, Life Care Center of Estero
- Shardae Judkins, Timberridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Sheneshia Mcswain, De Luna Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Sumiko Wilson, Palm Garden of Jacksonville
- Tashi Beezer, Ambassador Heathcare at College Park
- Temitope Ojaniyi, Lanier Rehabilitation Center
- Vanessa Miller, Savannas Park Health and Rehab
- Victoria Duffy, Aspire San Jose
- Viola Pierre, Boca Circle Rehabilitation Center
- Zakyria Millings, Aventura Rehab and Nursing Center
- Za’riya Cotton, Fairway Oaks Center
- Zuleidy Marte Cruz, Jackson Garden Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
The Career Climb Scholarship is awarded to the best and brightest working in FHCA’s member nursing centers and assisted living facilities who are seeking to further their long term care career in areas such as dietary manager certification, long term care administration, therapy, activities, social work degrees or other, non-nursing educational programs. The following 21 individuals have been awarded the Career Climb Scholarship for 2025:
- Adam Brown, Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans’ Nursing Home
- Alexandre Barbosa, Eagleridge Health & Rehabilitation Center
- Angela Sheasley, Cypress Care Center
- Chimere Smothers, Avante at Ocala
- Chris Davis, Fort Walton Rehabilitation Center
- Christie Johnson, Life Care Center of Citrus County
- Courtney Overton, Chatham Glen Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
- Daphne Francois, Harborview Health Center Melbourne
- Deborah Henton, Biscayne Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Haley Curry, Chautauqua Springs Health Center, LLC
- Hannah Leah, Hill, Palm Garden of Tampa
- Jessica Carroll, HarbourWood Care Center
- Keisha Oneal, Fouraker Hills Rehab & Nursing Center
- Krista Nolan, MenorahLife
- Maria Charles, Hawthorne Health and Rehab of Sarasota
- McKenzie Rasmussen, Southern Pines Nursing Center
- Mildred Smith, Vivo Sebring
- Renae Hernandez, Whispering Oaks
- Robin Bottoms, Lake Placid Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Sharon Thomas, North Lake Care Center
- William Joyner, Sabal Palms Health Care Center
The FHCA Rising Long Term Care Leader Scholarship provides financial assistance to individuals who are enrolled in or have completed an Administrator in Training program in a Florida skilled nursing center in preparation for becoming a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. The following 24individuals have been awarded the Rising Long Term Care Leader Scholarship for 2025:
- Andrew Blomberg
- Ariana Brush
- Bervelynn Prospere
- Breona Lynch
- Charleze Borer
- Caroline Baez
- Daniel Towers
- Darnell Lumpkin II
- Garrath Ponder
- Giovanni Punto
- Hillel Paryzer
- Huguette Jean-Charles
- Jeana Caldwell
- Kaylin Day
- Kierra King
- Kimone Greaves
- Mandra Wallace
- Mia Wong
- Nicole Solley
- Stevens Bythol
- Terretha Smith
- Tiara Jessie
- Tovah Lukken
- Valerie Smith
FHCA scholarships are awarded annually and funded through the Florida Health Care Education & Development Foundation (Foundation), the Association’s charitable foundation. Foundation scholarships are funded in part by proceeds from the FHCA Annual Golf Tournament, as well as individual and corporate donations. The Foundation has awarded almost $600,000 to long term care professionals since the association established its scholarship program in 2005.
The 2025 Bruce Taylor, Career Climb and Rising Long Term Care Leader scholarship recipients will be recognized during the Quality Award & Scholarship Ceremony and Celebration, planned for Tuesday, July 15, during FHCA’s 2025 Annual Conference & Trade Show at the Hyatt Regency Orlando.
Learn more about the Foundation’s scholarship program at https://fhcafoundation.org/scholarships/.
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View Photos from FHCA's 2025 Quality Awards & Scholarship Ceremony
