Plymouth Harbor receives Governor’s Gold Seal Award

Plymouth Harbor’s Smith Care Center added a new honor to its name, receiving the Governor’s Gold Seal Award for Excellence, which is awarded to the top 3 to 4% of skilled nursing facilities in Florida.

“It’s really a tremendous honor for the staff of Plymouth Harbor,” said Vice President of Health Services Joe Devore. “It’s the work of everyone who helps us get this, from great food to clean rooms to great clinical care. It shows we’re doing something right.”

To be eligible for the award, a facility must prove financial soundness, have been licensed and operating for the past 30 months, demonstrate costumer satisfaction and have a stable workforce, among other criteria.

“We’re largely involved with looking at what’s wrong with health care,” said Field Office Manager Joe Seehawer, of the Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration. “It’s a rare opportunity to talk about something good, like this award and Plymouth Harbor.”

Thirty-two nursing home facilities in Florida received the Gold Seal Award, and Sarasota is the only city with three recipients — Plymouth Harbor, Sunnyside Nursing Home and Sarasota Memorial Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

This is the second time Plymouth Harbor has received the Gold Seal Award, an honor it will hold until December 2017.

“We really do have something special here at Plymouth Harbor,” President and CEO Harry Hobson said. “When you’re here and walk around and see all the people, you feel it, and that’s very special.”