Special to The Messenger

Pike Manor Health Care Center was honored at the Alabama Nursing Home Association’s 50th anniversary convention last week with nominations for state awards at the Administrator and Media levels.

The Messenger, Pike Manor’s nominee for "2001 Best Year Long Coverage" was the winning newspaper among three finalists, including The Luverne Journal and The Democrat Reporter of Linden.

In presenting the award, Pike Manor Administrator and ANHA Region VIII Director Linda Railey noted, "The Messenger plays a major role in creating positive public awareness for our facility, the lives that are lived here and the services performed."

The Messenger’s nomination was prepared by Rochelle Hill, activity director at the facility, who said, "(Staff writers) Jaine (Treadwell) and Beth (Lakey) have been so good to us and we love to have them come to Pike Manor. It means a lot to our residents to see events covered in The Messenger." She wrote, "They captured the tears of joy as Ms. Pike Manor was crowned and have consistently covered special events at Pike Manor Health Care Center. The staff finds a way not only to cover facility news in Troy, but has covered facility events outside of the city. (We at) Pike Manor thank The Messenger for putting pictures to the laughter at the Christmas Celebration in July, capturing the pride displayed during the Easter Bonnet Parade, and lending an ear to the families and community efforts to inform others about their nursing facility."

Linda Railey and Dianne Smith were selected as nominees for Administrator of the Year by the ANHA.

Six Pike Manor representatives attended the meeting, which included seminars on categories encompassing nursing care, nutrition, recreation, leadership, financial management, maintenance, and volunteers. Awards were presented to outstanding individuals in each category. Attending from Pike Manor were Administrator Linda Railey, Administrator Dianne Smith, Assistant Director of Nursing Connie Bryan, Activity Director Rochelle Hill, Social Services Worker Amy Floyd and Social Services Worker Stanley Davis.

ANHA Executive Director recognized nursing facility employees and their dedication to residential care, noting they are "excellent examples of the highest quality of care giving."