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News-Sun photo by CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY Dan Murphy (left), executive director of the Economic Development Commission, enjoys the moment as David and Lori Smith accept the 2009 Business Excellence Award on behalf of the Lake Placid Health Care Center, which David Smith administers.

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published: Sunday, November 01, 2009

Lake Placid Health Care Center honored by EDC

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Hawaiian shirts predominated on a warm night as the county's business and political leaders gathered to eat al fresco at the Quality Inn, surrounded by tiki torches and entertained by the Walker Memorial Academy's Fire 'N Steel Band, for the Economic Development Commission's annual meeting and banquet Thursday night.

While the evening was an informal, relaxed and social event, a copy of the commission's annual report was tucked into every program.

The commission's mission statement states its existence is meant to "enhance the quality of life in Highlands County through job creation, economic diversification and support for the retention and expansion of existing business and industry."

In order to fulfill its mission, the commission was created as a public/private partnership between the county's Board of County Commissioners and the business community. Membership dues and corporate donations help fund its activities.

Only one award was handed out Thursday night, the prestigious Business Excellence Award, which was bestowed on the Lake Placid Health Care Center.

Accepting the award were its administrator, David Smith and his wife, Lori Smith.

In explaining why the Lake Placid Health Care Center was honored, presenter Ronnie Carter said the award was designed to acknowledge companies which had been in business for at least three years, used good business practices, had expanded and was involved in the community.

"This year's recipient excels in every category," Carter said.

The company has more than 200 associates with an annual payroll of nearly $6 million.

Turnover in employees is only 15 percent, in an industry with normal turnover rates of 50 percent.

The center has been in business for 25 years and expanded over the years. It now has 180 residents in short-term rehabilitation or long-term care.

It averages a total occupancy of 90 to 95 percent.

The center is part of the South Florida Community College's Nursing Advisory Committee, and has representatives on the boards of directors for the Florida Professional Association of Care Givers and the Lake Placid Noon Rotary.