ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 6, 2019) — The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, an independent and assisted living and memory care community in South Pasadena, has received national recognition. The community was recently honored by national senior living provider Watermark Retirement Communities with several awards, including Executive Director of the Year and five other national awards.
Watermark Retirement Communities, which owns and operates The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay and more than 50 other communities nationwide, honored the community during its annual awards banquet in Tucson, AZ. The awards recognize associates’ dedication to the community and its residents.
During the banquet, associates of the community were awarded with honors for Executive Director of the Year (Suzanne Burtzlaff), Community Life Director of the Year (Melissa Krysh), Maintenance Director of the Year (John “JB” Baker), and Sales Director of the Year (Suzette Hadermann). The sales team was also named Sales Team of the Year.
“There are only eight Director-level awards given nationwide and to take home half of those is a huge accomplishment for our community,” said Suzanne Burtzlaff, Executive Director of The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay. “We’re so proud of our associates, and the hard work that they put in daily to make our community extraordinary.”
The Fountains’ Baker Pam Waters was also awarded The Seth Machak Champion Award, which recognizes one individual each year for their kindness, selflessness and random acts of kindness within and outside of the community.
“Pam has been a shoulder for many, and a silent angel for most as she makes random acts of kindness part of her everyday life,” said Burtzlaff. “She goes above and beyond for residents, baking them cheesecakes because she knows they love them, as well as associates and complete strangers. You never have to ask her for help; it’s her heartbeat to care for people, and I couldn’t think of someone more deserving of this award.”
Leo Perry was named Resident Faculty of the Year for his harmonica class that stemmed from the community’s evacuation during Hurricane Irma. Perry played harmonica as entertainment during the storm and received so many comments about the instrument that he started a class for residents. The class inspired one resident to come out of his shell and start interacting with associates and his peers.
Associate Lisa Knipe, who serves as the resident relations director, was also named Watermark University Faculty of the Year for her creative writing class. In her class, she found ways to not only adapt writing capabilities to residents’ current abilities, whether thought sight, hearing or physical limitations, but inspired attendees to find joy through writing.
For more information about The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay, visit bocaciegabay.watermarkcommunities.com.
About The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay
The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay is a retirement community in St. Petersburg located at 1255 Pasadena Avenue South on a 14-acre waterfront property. The community offers independent living, assisted living and memory care, with short and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation at The Springs, an on-site health center operated by Summit Care. The Fountains’ vibrant lifestyle includes multiple dining options, an extensive calendar of events, outings, classes, clubs and fitness opportunities. Managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, The Fountains at Boca Ciega Bay is committed to creating an extraordinary and innovative community where people thrive. For more information, visit bocaciegabay.watermarkcommunities.com.