Dr. David Nesselroade Receives Quality Champion Award for Florida B Y LY N N S C H N E I D E R
When it comes to providing outstanding, compassionate care, Dr. David Nesselroade, staff physician at the Larsen Pavilion, is at the top of the list. On October 24, 2020, Dr. Nesselroade was named the recipient of the second annual Quality Champion Award by FMDA - The Florida Society for Post-Acute and LongTerm Care Medicine. FMDA’s Quality Champion Award is given in recognition of the skills, talents, expertise, commitment and personal attributes that encompass quality patient-centered care and was presented to Dr. Nesselroade by Dr. Mark Beauchamp, chairman of the Quality Champion Award Committee, in a live-streaming ceremony as part of the FMDA’s annual conference for the state of Florida. “This award honors clinicians who work day-in and day-out to serve the frailest population in Florida’s post-acute and long-term care continuum,” said Dr. Beauchamp during his presentation of the award to Dr. Nesselroade. “The recipient of
Dr. Nesselroade has been providing quality healthcare at Shell Point since 1986.
this award embodies the highest standards of dedication, leadership, engagement and innovation and is personified as a cornerstone in his or her respective field, as well as within the facility or roles served.” Dr. Nesselroade has a distinguished medical career at Shell Point, where he has worked for 34 years, including serving as vice president and director of physician services from 1986 to 1996, followed by being a full-time staff physician at the Larsen Pavilion Skilled Nursing Center.
Support of His Peers and Patients During the nomination process, FMDA received many letters from residents and staff extolling Dr. Nesselroade’s attributes. “We feel extremely blessed to have Dr. Nesselroade here at Shell Point,” wrote Dr. Gary Goforth, medical director for the community. “We are thankful for his incredible dedication to his patients and excellence in long-term care medicine.” “Dr. Ness is compassionate, gentle, kind, and well respected by the staff, residents, and family members; and he is a skilled physician,” wrote Rachel Zellers, director of assisted living and healthcare, in her letter supporting his nomination. Junonia resident Kirk Gulledge wrote, “Jan and I have such enormous respect and gratitude for Dr. Nesselroade, for his total commitment to resident lives and health, for his genuine love of people which shows through in his patient care, and for his selfless commitment of time to take care of people whenever he is needed.” Kirk Gulledge
Judy Kinsinger of Royal Bonnet remembered an occasion when her mother received Dr. Nesselroade’s care. “When my mom had very serious heart surgery in 2005 at the age of 81, she came back to the Pavilion. At that point she could not walk more than a few Judy Kinsinger steps and was very weak in her recovery. Dr. Nesselroade would stop by frequently to check on her and help keep her spirits up. With the help of the rehab department she did eventually get home and lived another seven-and-a-half years here at Shell Point. His caring spirit, calm demeanor, and ready smile have come through to everyone he has dealt with all these years.” Not only has Dr. Nesselroade played an essential role in healthcare at Shell Point, he has also been active in The Village Church. “Dr. Nesselroade has been devoted, not just to his practice, but to the community,” wrote Reverend Andy Hawkins, senior pastor of The Village Church. “He and Julianne made The Village Church at Shell Point their church home. Imagine going to church with the same people you would see in the clinic. He never knew who might ask him a medical question, inquire about a new symptom, or ask advice during a church fellowship time. Yet there was never a hesitation about being available for a kind response. And the times Dr. Nesselroade responded to a medical emergency of residents during various church events are too numerous to mention. I can’t imagine a finer example of a caring, compassionate, competent physician.”
Shell Point Life | January/February 2021
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