Amy Lefco Wins Award From Life Care Centers Of America

Life Care Centers of America honored Amy Lefco, executive director at Lakeside Health Center in West Palm Beach, with its Southeast Division President’s Award on Monday, Sept. 23.

The President’s Award, given during Life Care’s annual management meeting at its headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., recognizes distinguished service in a long-term healthcare management role. The Southeast Division includes 29 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Florida and Texas.

Lefco has been the executive director at Lakeside Health Center for seven years. Under her leadership, the facility has earned top-tier scores in Life Care’s safety and rehab program audits. She also helped develop several programs to meet community needs, including a dementia rehab program and an activity program that involves associates in games with residents monthly.

“It is truly a family there, and you can feel it the moment you walk into the facility,” said Stacy Valdivia, vice president of Life Care’s Sun States Region, which oversees seven facilities. “To obtain and maintain this atmosphere of warmth, compassion, dedication and loyalty takes the right leader. Amy Lefco is that person.”

So far in 2013, Valdivia has received two phone calls from residents’ family members wanting “corporate” to know how much they appreciate Lefco’s availability, listening ear and follow-through.

“Amy has demonstrated professional skill and compassion in dispatching her responsibilities to the associates, residents and families she serves,” said Beecher Hunter, Life Care president. “She has uniquely demonstrated a leadership style for others to emulate. This is a distinguished award to receive because it goes to the heart of our mission.”

Fourteen President’s Awards are presented annually to leaders of overall successful facilities or organizations within Life Care.

Lakeside Health Center is located at 2501 W. Australian Ave.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide healthcare company that operates or manages more than 220 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit www.lcca.com.