Long-term care professionals to be recognized

People who work in the field of long-term care will be recognized this month by the Long-term Care Administrators of the Southern Tier, a regional professional organization.

A total of 65 long-term care professionals from 13 skilled nursing facilities in Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties will be honored at a luncheon ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Binghamton.

The event will begin at noon.

The honorees have been selected by their own skilled nursing facilities as “Employees of Distinction,” representing the highest standards of professional caregiving in the long-term care field.

The keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Gail Murray, RN, a leading nurse and administrator who recently retired after a distinguished career in long-term care service.

Ms. Murray has worked in a wide range of healthcare and community settings, and is highly respected among her colleagues and leaders in the long-term care area, said Michele Gordon, RN, administrator of Ideal Senior Living Center and a coordinator of the recognition event.

“Gail will be thanking staff for the hard work they do, and encouraging them as they continue serving this fragile and deserving population,” Ms. Gordon said.

Facilities recognizing staff at the event will include Absolut Care at Endicott, Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation, Good Shepherd Fairview Home, Good Shepherd Village at Endwell, Ideal Senior Living Center, United Methodist Homes’ Elizabeth Church Manor Nursing Home and James G. Johnston Memorial Nursing Home, Susquehanna Nursing Center, Vestal Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Willow Point Nursing Home (Broome County), Elderwood at Waverly, Riverview Manor Health Care (Tioga County), and Chase Memorial Nursing Home (Chenango County).

This is the Tenth year the recognition luncheon has been held to honor the dedicated, hard-working employees of area nursing homes.

“These individuals provide essential services that contribute to our long-term care residents’ comfort, health and well-being,” Ms. Gordon said. “They are the backbone of the long-term care system, providing hands-on care, managing building maintenance, planning activities and serving delicious, nutritious meals.”

The Long-term Care Administrators of the Southern Tier is a professional organization that provides a forum for administrators to discuss issues facing long-term care, and share survey and best-practice information.