General News

Marcello Becomes Chair as Robare Passes Gavel – At the Annual Membership Meeting during LeadingAge Florida’s 50th Annual Convention and Exposition, the chair’s gavel was passed from Brian Robare, of the Estates at Carpenters, to Diane Marcello, of Sunnyside Nursing Home. Robare will serve as immediate past chair on the Board of Directors. Marcello moved into the chair’s position officially at the end of the Convention.

Diane I. Marcello, MS, CCC-SLP, M.Ed., is the administrator of Sunnyside Nursing Home, a Gold Seal facility, and Sunnyside Manor Assisted Living. The nursing home was awarded the 2005 Excellence in the Workplace Award by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. Before joining the Sunnyside family, Marcello worked in health care and the school system as a speech-language pathologist. She was an adjunct professor and clinical supervisor for Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of South Florida.

Marcello has conducted many seminars on effective communication with the elderly, memory disorders, enhancing communication with dementia residents, dysphagia and effective leadership. Marcello is a research consultant to the Gerson Lehrman Group serving health care issues. She taught English/French for more than 20 years and has Masters degrees in Education, Leadership/English and Speech Language Pathology. She serves on the LeadingAge Florida Board of Trustees and is chairman of the Public Policy Committee. She is also a LeadingAge delegate. She serves on the Advisory Committee for Sarasota County Technical Institute for its LPN and Nursing Assistant programs and also serves on the FMQAI Advisory Board.

Marcello is a board member for American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) in Clarksburg, Md., that annually funds more than $10 million for research of Alzheimer’s Disease, macular degeneration and glaucoma. As an ESOL instructor, she has made many friends from other cultures who have come to work at her facility.

Marcello feels blessed to work in a not-for profit facility whose values match her own: “Sunnyside is a little piece of heaven on earth, and I feel privileged to work there.”

A great many thanks must go to Brian Robare, who finished his two years of dedicated leadership of LeadingAge Florida. During his term, Robare was credited for many accomplishments including:

• Co-branding with National Association
• Revitalizing FAHA Health & Services
• Dues Structure Analysis and Restructure
• Bylaws Restructuring, Revision and Update.

In all of these efforts many board members have contributed serious work to accomplish the milestones.

Brian L. Robare, CNHA, CALA, has served in several capacities and is currently the chief executive officer and executive director of the Estates at Carpenters, a continuing care retirement community located in Lakeland. Robare graduated summa cum laude from St. Leo College with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Care Administration, has a Bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College, and a Masters in Aging Services Management from the University of Southern California. Robare previously served as the president of the Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA).

Robare has earned designations as a Certified Aging Services Professional from the University of North Texas and as a Certified Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Assisted Living Administrator by the American College of Health Care Administrators. In 2003, he received the American College of Health Care Administrators’ National New Administrator of the Year Award. He is licensed by the state of Florida as a Health Care Risk Manager and also fills that role with the Estates. He has served on numerous state and national workgroups and task forces dealing with the continuum of long-term care and senior living. Robare is married and has a 14-year old daughter. Originally from Manchester, N.H., he has lived in Lakeland since his graduation from Florida Southern College.

Annual Membership Meeting Approves New Trustees and Bylaws Revisions; New Membership Dues Model Introduced – Immediately after Wednesday’s Chairs and Awards Luncheon during the Annual Convention, the Annual Membership Meeting was called to order by Brian Robare, chair of the Board of Trustees.

The meeting this year addressed a number of important items. At the start of the meeting, the proposed slate for the Board of Trustees and officers was presented to the membership for a vote. The complete proposed slate was seconded and approved by acclamation.

The second item discussed and voted on was the restructuring and revisions of the LeadingAge Florida Bylaws. Terri Cunliffe, chair of the Governance Committee, reviewed and explained the proposed changes to the voting members in attendance. The revised and amended bylaws were moved and seconded and were also approved by acclamation.

The third order of business was the announcement and explanation of a new membership dues model for LeadingAge Florida. Treasurer Joshua Ashby, the newly elected chair-elect, introduced and explained the new dues structure based on a millage of member revenue. A cap and floor on dues has also been created. The new dues plan will be phased in over a five-year period and creates a more balanced and equitable dues structure. The new dues structure is also revenue-neutral to LeadingAge Florida.

The millage system is ultimately a fairer system for establishing member dues.

Dana McHugh, the new executive director of the FAHA H&S Corporation Managed Care Program, was introduced to members along with LeadingAge Florida staff at the meeting.

Congratulations to our 2013 Award Winners – These awards were presented during the 50th Annual Convention earlier this week.

• Distinguished Service Award – Diane Marcello, Adminstrator, Sunnyside Nursing Home
• Chairs Award – Kevin Smaage, Director of Health Services, The Alliance Community for Retirement Living
• Executive of the Year Award – Harry E. Hobson, President & CEO, Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay
• Public Servant Award – Elizabeth “Liz” Dudek, Secretary, Agency for Health Care Administration
• Volunteer of the Year Award – Lillian Liston, Westminster Palms Retirement Community
• Quality First Award – Bon Secours St. Petersburg
• Best Practice Award – Sharing and Caring Program, John Knox Village of Florida, Inc.
• Caregiver of the Year Award – Shirley Schultz, Good Samaritan Society – Florida Lutheran
• Trustee of the Year Award – Donna Jacobi, M.D., Azalea Trace
• Employee of the Year Award – Esther McMillan, Manager of Grants Program, Aging True
• Resident Council Award – Partnership Council of Advisors (PCA), Oak Hammock at the University of Florida
• Service Coordinator of the Year Award – Robin Trapane, Westminster Gardens

We want to thank everyone who submitted nominations for this year’s awards and extend a big CONGRATULATIONS to all of LeadingAge Florida’s 2013 award winners!

A Special Shout-Out to our Sponsors – Thank you for your support of LeadingAge Florida and our members. Below is a list of Annual and Convention Sponsors.

PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
CONVENTION & GOLF SPONSORS