CRESTVIEW — Debbie Montenaro says there's a reason that Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center is among Governor’s Gold Seal Award recipients.

It all comes down to the staff, according to Montenaro, the long-term care and rehabilitation facility's executive director.  

“It’s really you guys, working day in and day out with the residents," she said during the award's Oct. 21 presentation.

Programs such as Adopt a Resident and the Clipboard Program ensure Shoal Creek residents receive necessary attention and care, according to staffers.  In the Adopt a Resident program, a staffer is assigned to a specific resident to meet his or her needs. The Clipboard Program uses daily updated information to guarantee care is consistent with wishes of residents’ physicians. 

Montenaro, along with Tonya Zapetal, clinical services director, and Holly Adams, clinical services regional director, traveled to Tampa to give a presentation to the Agency for Health Care Administration when seeking recognition for this award.

Governor’s Gold Seal award winners must prove their long-term care facilities are in the top 15 percent of their region, or show they are in the top 10 percent of the state. 

After being reviewed on everything from financial soundness to community and family outreach programs over the past 30 months, Shoal Creek was found a to be a “golden” facility. 

The state's endorsement is significant, according to Liz Dudek, secretary of Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration.

“When a family makes the tough decision to place a loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility, they need to know that they will receive quality care and be treated with dignity and respect they deserve,” she said.

Other Gold Seal recipients include Bridgeview Center, Ormond Beach; Brooksville Healthcare Center, Brooksville; The Chateau at Moorings Park, Naples; Concordia Manor, Saint Petersburg; Conway Lakes Health & Rehabilitation Center, Orlando; Highlands Lakes Center, Lakeland; Melbourne Terrace Rehabilitation Center, Melbourne; and Riverwood Center, Jacksonville.

Samuel Verghese, secretary of Florida's Department of Elder Affairs, said each received recognition due to its level of care.

“These Florida nursing homes have some of the best nurses and staff in the country that provide superb health care services to our seniors," said.

"Providing exceptional health care takes dedication and long hours, and I congratulate them all on this achievement.”

“These Florida nursing homes have some of the best nurses and staff in the country that provide superb health care services to our seniors." — Samuel Verghese, secretary of Florida's Department of Elder Affairs

'SOME OF THE BEST NURSES'

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview long-term care facility celebrates state award

PENSACOLA — Covenant Care's new senior vice president and chief growth officer is Ron Fried, formerly of VITAS Healthcare in Miami, where he served as executive vice president of development and public affairs.

Fried — with more than 20 years' experience in policy development and hospice services delivery — was a technical expert on a hospice payment reform panel and on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ advisory panel in quality. He also chaired the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's board of directors.

Fried will support the mission of Covenant Care — a group of services including Covenant Hospice, Covenant Alzheimer’s Services, Covenant Palliative Care and Covenant Kids — by focusing on growth initiatives that will allow the not-for-profit organization serve an increased number of patients.   

Covenant Care — which daily serves more than 800 patients throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama — provides comprehensive, compassionate services to patients and loved ones facing a terminal illness.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Care names chief growth officer for Northwest Florida, Lower Alabama

CRESTVIEW — Molly the Cow is more than just a piece of meat or a U.S.D.A. prime selfie opportunity.

Click here to see photos from the event.

The Nutrition Group, a Pittsburgh-based company that now provides food service to Okaloosa County schools, uses the mascot to spread awareness about its meal program.

Breakfasting Crestview High School students met Molly Wednesday morning, when she sashayed into the cafeteria to promote the importance of a nutritious breakfast.

Following the school board's June approval, The Nutrition Group replaced Sodexo as the Okaloosa County School District’s food service operator. “One of the things we like is we’re a small company,” Tom Yocke, the company's general manager, said. “We operate in 200 school districts, but we’re not so structured that we’re not flexible.”

Transitioning to the new company "went really well," Crestview High food service manager Lynn Rogers said. "Their menu is a little different, but in this day and age, you learn to accept change and you go with the flow.”

One innovation is the Creation Line, on which students create and dress their menu selections. Mondays feature a pasta bar; Tuesdays and Fridays, a nachos bar — “We do it twice a week because everybody loves the nachos bar,” Rogers said; Wednesdays, stir fry fixin’s; and Thursdays offer a cheese steak bar.

“The kids like it,” Rogers said. “All the cooking goes on in the kitchen at the schools. Some parents think it’s cooked off-site and shipped in, but it’s not.”

A new coffee shop features fresh, sugar-free baked goods that meet federal “smart snack” guidelines. Accompanying drinks are less than 60 calories each per 12-ounce serving.

“It’s good food!” junior Sarah Jean said, adding she particularly enjoys breakfasts, “especially when they have pancakes on a stick.”

Her classmate, C.J. Geiger, said he has noticed improvements in the food quality. “It’s better than last year,” he said, adding his favorite lunch selection is the sub sandwich line. "I usually get the chicken subs,” C.J. said, though he had one complaint: “The bread is too small.”

The Nutrition Group seeks a new source for larger whole-grain sub sandwich rolls, Rogers said.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Cow mascot promotes nutrition at Crestview High School (PHOTOS)

CRESTVIEW — A yard sale planned by the Duke It Out Relay for Life Team is scheduled in October.

Other Crestview Relay teams are invited to join, with their sales going to their team.

Setup starts at 6:30 a.m. for the sale, which is 7-11 a.m. Oct. 24 at CCB Bank, 1290 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview.

For details, contact Loney Whitley, 537-4654.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Yard sale benefits Crestview Relay for Life

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County celebrates Oct. 15 as Global Handwashing Day, which is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap.

Click here for a tutorial on handwashing.

The United Nations Children's Fund estimates that every year, 1.7 million children do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday because of diarrhea and pneumonia, and handwashing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent them.

“This global initiative is not just for third-world countries,” stated Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director.

“Remembering that maintaining good personal hygiene is important in protecting yourself and your family from a variety of infectious diseases such as the flu.”

 Five facts about handwashing:

●Handwashing with soap, when practiced properly and regularly, prevents infections and saves live.

●Handwashing is a very cost-effective disease prevention solution.

●Everyone can prevent disease and improve health with handwashing.

●Water alone is not enough.

●Critical moments for handwashing are after using the toilet, cleaning a child and before handling food.

 For more information about Global Handwashing Day, visit www.globalhandwashing.org.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 facts about handwashing for Oct. 15, Global Handwashing Day (TUTORIAL)

MIRAMAR BEACH — Covenant Hospice and The Village of Baytowne Wharf will host a free children’s grief support camp.

Camp Monarch is Saturday, Nov. 7 at The Village, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, 9100 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach.

Lunch and snacks will be provided to children ages 6-15 who attend. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Oct. 30. Call 729-1800 or email dianne.bauer@covenanthospice.org.

 Camp Monarch is for children who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one or have a terminally ill loved one. Children get the opportunity to explore their emotions in a safe environment and gain strength from other children in similar situations.

It includes specialized group sessions, ice skating and Adventure Zone activities.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Covenant Hospice offers free children’s grief camp

NICEVILLE — Northwest Florida State College’s associate degree in nursing program will host an information session for fall 2016 admission.

The event is 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 in room 302 of the Student Services Center, 100 College Blvd., Niceville.

Potential students will receive current information about the application process, program requirements and the selection process.

 Applications will be accepted beginning Jan. 8. Program graduates are eligible to take a national exam to become licensed as registered nurses.

Contact the nursing office, 729-6400, or visit www.nwfsc.edu/nursing for more details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Information session set for NWF State College nursing students

FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County has announced water quality test results for local parks.

No Okaloosa County parks have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated Oct. 12.

No parks have failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards, and all water qualities were listed as "good." Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa health department announces water quality results

CRESTVIEW — Free entries are available through Oct. 19 for a beauty pageant benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The third annual 65 Roses Beauty Pageant is 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Crestview Community Center, 1446 Commerce Drive, Crestview. Seating passes for the event are $10 each.

Registration is free through Oct. 19 for females from birth to age 21. After that, registration costs $35 per person, with the last day to sign up being 11 a.m. Oct. 25 at the community center.

Additional categories and their entry costs are Photogenic, Interview, and Super Hero Outfit of Choice, $10 per category; Best Smile, Prettiest Eyes, Most Beautiful, Best Attire, and Best Hair, $25 per category. The interview portion of the pageant starts at 1 p.m. Oct. 25.

Every contestant will receive a participation crown and trophy onstage, and a scholarship will be presented to the person with the highest overall pageant score.

Vendor spaces and sponsorships are also available.

For more information, contact Tanya Rivera, 65rosesevent@gmail.com. You may also visit the 65 Roses Event Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview beauty pageant to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

BAKER — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County and the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society are offering a rabies vaccination clinic.

Cost is $5 per vaccination, and microchips will also be available for $15. The clinic is 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at Baker Community Center, 5503 US Highway 4.  All animals must be on a leash or in a pet carrier.  

For more information on this $5 rabies vaccination event, visit www.HealthyOkaloosa.com or call 689-7859.

 “A special thank you to PAWS and their veterinarians for partnering with us,” stated Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director.

“This is a community effort to bring pet owners into compliance with the law, while providing protection against a deadly disease that continues to cause public health concerns.”

 Rabies is a deadly viral disease that can be prevented but not cured. The virus attacks the brain of warm-blooded animals, including people. Even if you consider your dog, cat, or ferret to be an indoor pet, it is important that your pet receive a rabies vaccination.

In 2014, DOH-Okaloosa investigated 892 domestic animal (dogs or cats) bites or scratches to other domestic animals or humans. Of those investigated, only 50 percent were current on their rabies vaccination. The only acceptable proof of vaccination for an animal bite investigation is documentation of the vaccination from a licensed veterinarian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Low-cost rabies vaccinations planned in Baker