LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring the recipients of the LeadingAge New
York 2016 Long Term Care Employees of Distinction Awards

WHEREAS, Employees of New York's not-for-profit, mission-driven and
public providers strive to improve the quality of life for New York's
elderly and chronically disabled, thereby meriting the highest commenda-
tion; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
congratulate the activity aides, directors, nursing assistants, plant
operations managers, social workers, environmental services workers,
housekeepers, recreation therapy leaders, program development managers,
registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and support aides, who have
been nominated by their peers, supervisors and management personnel to
receive this recognition; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1961, LeadingAge New York, formerly the New York
Association of Homes & Services for the Aging, under the leadership of
James W. Clyne Jr., is the only statewide organization representing the
entire continuum of not-for-profit, mission-driven and public senior
living and services, including nursing homes, home care agencies, senior
housing, retirement communities, assisted living, adult care facilities,
adult day health care and managed long term care; and
WHEREAS, LeadingAge New York's more than 500 not-for-profit, mission-
driven and public provider members serve an estimated 500,000 New York-
ers of all ages annually; and
WHEREAS, LeadingAge New York's Long Term Care Employee of Distinction
program recognizes those who deal with the staffing crisis in long term
care on a daily basis, while successfully facing the challenge of
providing quality care; and
WHEREAS, Recipients of recognition include: Rebecca Baker, Heritage
Commons; Odessa Mitchell, St. Margaret's Center; Laurie Wetsel, The
Wesley Community; Diane Garcia, St. Luke Health Services; Bertha Nugent,
Presbyterian Home for Central New York, Inc.; Kathy Welch, Presbyterian
Home for Central New York, Inc.; Virginia Kelty, Elizabeth Seton Pedia-
tric Center; Todd Healy, Kendal on Hudson; Althea Burton, Schulman and
Schachne Institute for Nursing and Rehabilitation; Roberta Kosiorowski,
Parker Jewish Institute for Health Care and Rehabilitation; Penny
Newman, St. Mary's Hospital for Children; Veronica Lay, Hill Haven Tran-
sitional Care; Marizela Mehanovic, Edna Tina Wilson Living Center; Mela-
nie Hackett, Chase Rehabilitation and Residential Care; and Austin
Hines, Long Island State Veterans Home; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the men and women of New York State who, day after day, perform
their jobs in an exemplary manner making them worthy of recognition by
LeadingAge New York's 2016 Long Term Care Employee of Distinction
Awards; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the aforementioned honorees.