Suwannee Valley Nursing Center stays true to its roots Story by Lee Trawick Staff Writer Photography by Shane Mathews Suwannee Valley Nursing Center (SVNC) would like to take you on a tour through their facility. Join The Front Porch as we sit down with Nursing Home Administrator Danny Williamson, as he talks with us, not only about the history of SVNC, but also the direction they are going. SVNC was established in 1969, with the purpose of serving the community of Hamilton County and those that needed more personable assistance. SVNC is locally funded by the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners, Hamilton County Hospital Board, Hamilton County Development Authority, as well as a fourth local donor who would like to remain anonymous. SVNC is a community-driven organization with no federal funding, therefore all of the money that comes into the center is used to provide better care for 12
The Front Porch
the residents. With no stockholders looming over SVNC, Williamson only answers to a board of directors, which is made up of members of the community. When the doors opened in 1969, Avanell Reckner was the first Nursing Home Administrator. She remained in this position until the young man she groomed was ready to step into her shoes, continuing the legacy of consistency and the level of care she, along with the residents of Hamilton County, envisioned when breaking ground. That young man was Williamson, who attended Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College), where he earned his Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) certificate in 1995. As an LPN, Williamson began working at Hamilton County Memorial Hospital full-time, as well as part-time at SVNC. While working in the hospital, Williamson focused on acute care, something he looks back at and feels helped prepare him for his time at SVNC.
With Reckner’s help, Williamson went back to school, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Saint Leo University in 2002. During his time working at SVNC, Williamson held positions from the ground floor to where he is today, working handson with patients as an LPN along the way, before briefly working as a registered nurse, until he moved up to the position of Director of Nursing and finally reached the position of Nursing Home Administrator. When Williamson reflects on his career, his love for SVNC residents shines through, as he declares his most enjoyable time was when he was able to be hands-on with the residents and on the floor with the other nurses, enjoying the family atmosphere set by, not only the faculty, but the residents as well. Williamson also enjoyed his time as the Director of Nursing. Although he wasn’t able to be as hands-on as he once was, he
