Personal Stories

I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the care your staff gave my mother. [The staff] always called me and proved to be very loving and caring. Your CNAs showed my mother love and care that I will never forget. My mom always remembered Tamesha; she would check on my mom even when she was not her resident. She always went the extra mile.

Your nurses were all loving and caring and showed my mom so much love. [They] went the extra mile, not just for my mom but for me and my family also.

The first impression for Parkridge are the receptionists. I really appreciate their professional yet loving attitudes. The building was always immaculate. The entire staff treated me like family; I really needed that.

You all made a very painful experience so much better than it would have been if you didn’t show love and empathy for the family and my mom. I’ve worked at nursing homes as a CNA, and I came to know that the staff will reflect the values of the administrator. I want to thank you also from the bottom of my heart. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Joan H. and family to Jeff Tomack, administrator, and the team at Park Ridge Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville.

I’d like to offer my sincere thanks to you for the care your gave to my dearest Aunt during the short time she spent at Gulf Shore Care Center.  My aunt was one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met – and she was a shell of herself at the facility in Gainesville.  The change I saw in her – almost immediately after we got her to St. Pete – was remarkable and it was due entirely to the care and attention she received at Gulf Shore.

I’m especially grateful to the staff for listening – and really hearing me – when I made requests for her care.  I noticed within the first two months that her whole demeanor – including the tremors she had when she arrived – turned around completely.  She was kept comfortable right until the very end.

I’m so grateful to the staff who cared for her and who took the time to talk to her – and notice how her face just brightened up completely when she smiled.  I’m so heartened by the fact that she was in a good place and surrounded by people who truly cared for her. It made being so far away from her so much easier.

I’ll share with you that this past weekend at mass, the music minister happened to end services with the same hymn that I was singing to her at her bedside before she passed – and the lights in the church flickered after the hymn was finished.  I know it was my aunt blowing kisses goodbye on her way to heaven to join her beloved sister (my mom), her brother Jack and life partner Diana.

I hope you will share this with the appropriate staff who cared for her.

– To Louise Merrick, administrator, and the staff of Gulf Shore Care Center in Pinellas Park

“After leaving the intensive care unit at Largo Medical Center, I went to Oak Manor for physical therapy. My therapist, Stephany, had a goal to get me out of bed and moving again. Were it not for Oak Manor, I would still be in bend and not able to continue my active lifestyle. Today I can walk on the beach and go boating. I will always be thankful for the staff, case manager and [Oak Manor] management for encouraging me.”

– Sheryn R., former patient at Oak Manor Healthcare Center

“…Upon arrival [at Palm Garden of Ocala], we started to meet some of the staff members that would be tending to my Dad’s needs and health…nurses, CNAs and therapists. From the very beginning our anxieties began to melt away; everyone was very professional and most importantly…nice, caring, understanding, personable, attentive, genuine and always treated my Dad with much respect, dignity and love.

As the days went by…as much as my Dad wanted to go home, your staff made it easy for him to feel good and comfortable while away from ‘Home Sweet Home.’ He made a personal connection with each and every one that cared for him one way or another; they all have become extended family to all of us, to my Dad, my Mom and me. To say the least, these are the very special and beautiful human beings that we will always treasure in our hearts and will keep in our prayers.”

-Ronald, Nilda and Maria S. to Jennifer Mikula, executive director, and the staff of Palm Garden Health and Rehabilitation Center of Ocala

“As a family, we are so proud and humbled to be part of this great community. It has never been more real and meaningful than these last few months since Mama arrived at Marianna Health and Rehabilitation [Center]. After successful cancer treatments left her in a weakened state, we were so fortunate to be admitted to a facility with such great nurses, assistants, therapists and particularly leadership which creates this type of loving care and concern. We are so happy and blessed that all these great folks…invested their talents, time and emotional connection with Mama.

Mama once said, ‘I have never seen people so dedicated to their work before.’ …They all went above and beyond duty – we are thankful to hear professionals say, ‘We consider it an honor to care for Mrs. J.’

…Some things we experienced are just too deep and too personal to attempt to convey, but to all of you who demonstrated such care and concern, and you know who you are, again we say, thank you.

Our hope and her hope was alive through this journey…”

Darwin G. Letter to the Editor of the Jackson County Floridan newspaper