Aviata Health Group’s Wagoner Named Florida Assn. President

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has elected Joshua Wagoner of Deland, Fla., as president of the association. He is the divisional director of Aviata Health Group, which manages 46 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers across Florida.

“I am honored to serve as president and build upon FHCA's strong foundation of advocating for sound policies, supporting the dedicated professionals who care for our residents and embracing the innovation necessary to move long-term care forward," said Wagoner. "As my grandfather often reminded me, ‘If you don’t try, you’ll never get there,’ and I look forward to stepping forward with our members to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

His ties to the sector started at an early age through his aforementioned grandfather, who served as president of a Florida association representing homes for the aging. 

An active member of FHCA for nearly two decades, Wagoner previously served on the FHCA Executive Committee as senior vice president, treasurer, and secretary, has served on the board of directors as both a region vice president and district president and has also chaired the association’s Workforce and Annual Conference committees.

Wagoner is a graduating member of the FHCA Florida Leaders program and the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America program.

Wagoner will be joined on the FHCA Board of Directors by the following Executive Committee members:

• Senior Vice President Patricia Spears of Topaz Fiscal Services in Jacksonville;

• Treasurer Isis Fernandez of Hialeah Shores Nursing & Rehabilitation in Miami;

• Secretary Mel Beal of Facility Support Company in West Palm Beach;

• Independent Owner Vice President Neil Sutton of NuVision Management in Ft. Lauderdale;

• Not-for-Profit Vice President Mike Ward of Pines of Sarasota; and

• Immediate Past President Anita Faulmann of Excelsior Care Group in Tampa.

Additional officers of the Board include the following:

• Multifacility Vice President Alan Davis of Summit Care in Tallahassee;

• Assisted Living Facility Vice President Kimberly Wise of The Residence Memory Care Community in Pensacola;

• Associate Member Vice President Bradlee Cox of Medline Industries in Orlando;

• Region I Vice President Monica Calonge of Palmetto Subacute Care Center in Miami;

• Region II Vice President Nicole Fulton of Serenity Estates of Merritt Island;

• Region III Vice President Daniel Frenden of Balanced Healthcare in Kenneth City; and

• Region IV Vice President Bret Martin of Aviata Health Group in Ocala.

FHCA's Board of Directors also includes the presidents of 16 local districts across Florida. For a complete list of FHCA's 2026-2027 Board of Directors, click here.

Comments or questions on this article? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.