Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) announced the 2025 Class of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy. The program is designed to assist nurses working in Florida’s skilled nursing centers in advancing their careers and maintaining high-quality care for elderly and disabled residents. A select group of rising nurse leaders from across the state will participate in a three-day intensive training, informative webinars, resource tools, and networking opportunities.
The following individuals have been accepted into the 2025 Class:
Agnes Stanley, RN Director of Nurses at Tierra Pines Center
Amanda Justice, ADON at Crestview Rehabilitation Center
Amber Zock, RN, Director of Nursing at Diamond Ridge Health and Rehab
Angela Williams, Director of Nursing at TimberRidge Center for Rehabilitation & Healing
Anila Xhaho, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing at Tierra Pines Center
Anita Kinser, Regional Nurse Consultant at The Lilac Health Group
Archangele Mauger, Director of Nursing at Ruleme Center
Brittany Harris, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing at Aspire at Big Bend
Brittney Haigler, Director of Nursing at Ormond Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Carmen Melendez, Director of Nursing at Kissimmee Health and Rehabilitation
Carol Manley, Clinical Executive Nurse at Bedrock Care
Hanna Nash, Regional Nurse Consultant at The Lilac Health Group
Heidi Fox, Senior Quality Improvement Consultant at RB Health Partners Inc.
Jeffrey Hand, Regional Nurse Consultant at Aston Health
Jennifer Boyle, Regional Director of Nursing at Aspire at Jacksonville
Karina Spaugh, Director of Nursing at Coral Bay Pensacola
Katherine Williams,
Director of Nursing Highlands Lake Center Katrin Whitlock,
Director Jacksonville Rehabilitation & Healthcare Katrina Smith,
Assistant DON Palatka Rehabilitation & Healing Kellyanne Rodriguez,
Director Anchor Care & Rehab Kimberly Scott,
Director Cypress Cove Park Leah Melvin,
Regional Consultant Aspire Group Leshana Clark,
Director Lake Mariam Rehab Leslie Wolfe,
Director Sunrise Point Rehab Lisa Marin,
Director Laurelwood Post Acute Megan Fulton,
Regional Consultant Aston Monica Sullivan,
RN Big Bend Patty Gutierrez Regents Winter Park Tammy King-Charles Jacksonville Veronica Walker RB Partners.
“Leadership in nursing plays a critical role in a skilled nursing center’s performance and all its people - from staff to residents,” said Emmett Reed. “We’re excited to have another group of compassionate nurses participating in the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy. These caregivers are on the frontline impacting resident outcomes and helping Florida remain the gold standard in quality long-term care.”
Established by FHCA in 2019 with a goal to help rising nurse leaders cultivate strong leadership skills that can be used to manage and motivate their care teams. Participants receive education and resources designed not only to enhance their knowledge but also improve job satisfaction and support workforce retention.
Sponsored by Medline Industries and RB Health Partners Inc., the academy includes a three-day kick-off event held annually in Tallahassee. Participants include Directors of Nursing (DON), Assistant Directors (ADON), supervisor nurses on track for DON or ADON roles as well as senior leadership positions. The program concludes with an Executive Nurse Leadership Academy Class graduation ceremony during FHCA's annual Nurse Leadership Program in June 2025.