Eight local nursing homes, one senior living community and three physicians received recognition from Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals at a Community Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the Cleveland Clinic’s west-side hospitals March 22. More than 400 representatives of area nursing homes, assisted living and independent living facilities, hospice organizations and the hospitals attended the event.

“This luncheon enables us to provide our community partners with information on activities and new services that may be important to the people they serve,” said Brian Tilow, vice president of Behavioral and Senior Services for Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals. “In addition, with the naming of the Service Excellence, Community Development and Distinguished Medical Director awards, we now have a unique opportunity to recognize area facilities and physicians for their significant contributions in providing our community with long-term care services.”

Bridget McGraw, long-term outreach coordinator for Fairview, Lakewood and Lutheran Hospitals, presented the 12 awards. Three Distinguished Service Awards went to local internal medicine physicians, including Amelia Llerena, M.D., of Fairview Park, who was recognized as “having the utmost compassion for her residents,” for being “extremely responsive to the staff and residents’ families,” and always going “above and beyond in her role as a medical director.” (Where is she a medical director?)

The second award went to Kishor Patel, M.D., of Westlake, described as a reliable and empathetic medical director with significant nursing home experience who will do whatever he can for residents and their families. (Where is he a medical director?)

The third award was presented to Emile Sabbagh, M.D., of Westlake, who is trained in geriatrics with extensive knowledge in nursing home care. He is known for being responsive, for developing new resident assessment tools, and for working well with nursing home staff. (Where is he a medical director?)

In addition, eight organizations were presented with the Service Award for having achieved the status of zero deficiencies among 150 regulatory standards on their most recent state health survey. Service Award winners were: Berea Center for Specialized Care (Kelly Schlereth, administrator), Berea; Crestmont North (John McNea, administrator), Lakewood; Ennis Court (Patrice Campbell, administrator/owner), Lakewood; Manor Care North Olmsted (Dan Zawadzki, administrator), North Olmsted; Olmsted Manor (Dottie Welch, administrator), North Olmsted; Rae Ann Center (Ken DiPippo, administrator), Cleveland ; Rae Ann Suburban (John Griffiths, administrator), Westlake; and The Welsh Home (Marilyn Davis, administrator), Rocky River.

A Community Development Award also was presented to Towne Center Community Campus (Mary Beth Bouhall, administrator) in Avon Lake for outstanding achievement in the design and construction of a senior living community. Towne Center has developed a distinctive, leading-edge community that includes independent living apartments, assisted living, and a care center with a unique Main Street setting.

The Community Appreciation Luncheon also included updates from Jan Murphy, interim president of Fairview Hospital; Jack Gustin, president of Lakewood Hospital; and Rob Capretto, chief operating officer of Lutheran Hospital; and Tilow. Dr. Karla Kay Potetz, of Baldwin Wallace College, delivered the keynote presentation.