Saint Lucie Volunteer Receives State and National Recognition

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program proudly recognizes Saint Lucie resident Cheri Heitz as the recipient of both the Treasure Coast Council Ombudsman of the Year Award and the Bronze President’s Volunteer Service Award. Cheri volunteered over 100 hours of service to long-term care residents during the last reporting year.

Volunteers with the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, called ombudsmen, advocate for the health, safety, welfare, and rights of people living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes. They work with residents, family members, administrators, and others to resolve complaints and improve the quality of life in long-term care facilities.

Cheri began volunteering for the program after a long career in social services. Her experience working with older adults living with developmental disabilities, as an assessor with the CARES program (a long-term care screening program), and as a case manager for Medicaid are of great value to long-term care residents and other volunteers in the Treasure Coast Council.

“She is a pleasure to work with and is always on the lookout for new recruits. We thank Cheri for her caring attitude and all her efforts to improve long-term care residents’ quality of life,” says Palm Beach District Ombudsman Manager Sheila Mitchell.

Florida’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program congratulates Cheri on receiving this well-deserved recognition for her contributions to long-term care residents.

"On behalf of the Department of Elder Affairs, I want to congratulate Ms. Heitz for this recognition and thank her for her service to the community," said DOEA Secretary Richard Prudom. "Volunteers are integral to our efforts to meet the needs across our Aging Network, and Cheri is truly an asset to our team."

###

The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, administratively housed at the Department of Elder Affairs, seeks to improve the quality of life and care for all Florida long-term care residents. Learn more at ombudsman.myflorida.com or by calling 1-888-831-0404. Like us on Facebook.

The Department of Elder Affairs fully supports the authority of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to independently advocate for the health, safety, welfare, and rights of long-term care residents. Consequently, the views and opinions expressed by the Office may not represent the official policy or position of the Department of Elder Affairs or its employees.