Miami Long Term Care Employee Earns Scholarship from Florida Health Care Association to Further Career

Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) recently granted Leocadia Vargas, Housekeeping Laundry Director at Jackson Gardens Health and Rehabilitation Center in Miami, the Bruce Taylor Scholarship Award.

This award was recently given to six front-line caregivers to help them achieve their goal of becoming nurses, with a total of $3,750 in scholarships. Vargas received $750 to go toward her Registered Nurse degree.

Each scholarship recipient is currently enrolled in a program to advance their clinical studies, has demonstrated a commitment to the residents entrusted to their care, shown leadership potential among their peers, and shared their personal story on why they want to continue their education.

“Leocadia Vargas is well-deserving of this scholarship, and FHCA is proud to support her in furthering her education,” said Emmett Reed, Chief Executive Officer of Florida Health Care Association. “Florida needs more dedicated, skilled caregivers in nursing centers, and scholarship recipients like Leocadia will help address that need.”

Other recipients of FHCA Bruce Taylor Scholarship Awards for the fall cycle are:

  • Sylvia Ware, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Bardmoor Oaks Health & Rehabilitation Center in Largo, receiving $750 to pursue a Registered Nurse (RN) degree;
  • Barbara Hosler, an LPN at Menorah Life in St. Petersburg, received $500 toward a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to RN bridge program;
  • Tracye Miller, Admissions Assistant at Plantation Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Plantation, received $500 to pursue an RN degree;
  • Kelly Kelson, a Home Health Aide at Village on the Green in Longwood, received $500 to pursue an LPN degree; and
  • Cobenis Diaz, an LPN at Palm Garden of Clearwater, received $750 toward the LPN to Assistant Director of Nursing bridge program.

The Bruce Taylor Scholarship was established to provide resources for FHCA member nursing center and assisted living facility staff to further their education and pursue their career goals in nursing. Scholarships are awarded twice a year and funded through the Florida Health Care Education & Development Foundation, the Association’s charitable foundation.