(L-R) Julien Gordon, Director of Nursing, Dr. Alzo Reddick, Chair, Board of Directors, Eloise Abrahams, RN, NHA, Administrator
A model of excellence in providing high-quality long term care, Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, an Orlando based national award-winning nursing home, has been selected as a 2014 recipient of the highly coveted Silver – Achievement in Quality. The competitive award is one of three distinct awards possible through the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) National Quality Award Program. Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was awarded this distinction based on their outstanding performance in the health care profession.
“It is a humbling experience to be honored nationally for our collective tireless efforts in providing quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation care and specializing in caring, compassion and consistency,” said Eloise Abrahams, RN, NHA, Administrator, Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was one of 77 centers nationwide to receive the Silver-level award this year. Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has an over sixty year history built on the founding purpose of meeting the residents expectations by providing quality skilled rehabilitation and skilled nursing care in a manner that recognizes the value of human dignity at all stages of life.
Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, that recently earned superior results during the annual survey by the Agency for Healthcare Administration, is a “Five Star” rated facility, as rated by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The facility, which services predominantly the African American community, is also the recipient of the Bronze Award from the American Healthcare Association.
“I am proud that Guardian Care Nursing Rehabilitation and Nursing Home is standing among the ranks of other centers that are delivering quality care,” said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Our profession is stronger through the work and dedication of these centers.”
Implemented by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, the National Quality Award Program is centered on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program. The program assists providers of long term and post-acute care services in achieving their performance excellence goals.
The program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Centers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level and must receive an award at each level before proceeding to the next.
As a recipient of the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award, Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has demonstrated systematic advancements in quality, plans for continual improvement, and sustainable organizational goals. Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the criteria required for the Gold – Excellence in Quality Award, which requires them to address the Baldrige Health Care Criteria for Performance Excellence in its entirety.
“Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has achieved a significant milestone on its quality journey of excellence. It is an honor to be a part of the team that makes these types of accomplishments,” said Thomas Flewellyn, Vice-President, Synergy Healthcare, the management company of Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Guardian Care is a 120 bed skilled nursing home facility located on ten acres on the corner of John Young Parkway and Church Street, just minutes away from downtown Orlando in the heart of City of Orlando – District 5 and Orange County – District 6. On the property is also a 36 unit apartment facility for fully functioning seniors, who are able to live completely on their own.
Guardian Care was constructed in 1958 by Florida Hospital on land donated by the late Dr. Philips to provide acute care services to African Americans who had no place to go for these services other than the basement of Orlando Regional Medical Center; now known as Orlando Health. In 1964 the South Atlantic Conference of Seventh Day Adventist assumed ownership to provide nursing home services after African Americans were allowed to be treated in a more civilized manner at local acute care facilities. The Nursing Home was formed as a 501 (c) (3) Corporation by Guardian Care, Inc. under the governing of a Board pf Directors, which is made up of leaders from our local communities. Former House Representative, Dr. Alzo Reddick currently provides leadership to the board as the Chairman.
