The top communication official with the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is being honored for her excellence within the organization.

Kristen Knapp, the FHCA Senior Director of Strategy and Communications, was bestowed the Walter M. Johnson Jr. Circle of Excellence Award during the organization’s Annual Conference and Trade Show in Orlando last week.

Knapp has headed up communications for the healthcare organization for 18 years. She’s the lead public relations and public affairs manager and is the FHCA spokesperson for media contacts and also handles coordination for crisis communication during hurricanes and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Kristen has a gift for making sure the world sees what we see every day: people who’ve dedicated their lives to caring for Florida families and continue to raise the gold standard for quality care,” said FHCA CEO Emmett Reed.

“Whether she’s mobilizing our members through hurricane preparation and response or telling the story of a caregiver who went above and beyond, she brings people together and reminds us why this work matters, and she does it without ever asking for credit. On behalf of all of FHCA, we’re thrilled to highlight Kristen’s invaluable contributions.”

Knapp also handles workforce initiatives and oversees the FHCA scholarship program that has already distributed about $900,000 to students and long-term healthcare professionals seeking to advance their careers.

The Johnson Excellence Award was established in 1972 and is named after the President of the FHCA from 1969 to 1971. He was responsible for expanding the FHCA membership and established panels that provided legislative advocacy and other regulatory causes.

Beyond her communications skills, Knapp is the founder of the FHCA Florida Leaders program which trains and develops leaders in the long-term healthcare industry and instills principles in those leaders across Florida. That program also seeks to enhance skilled nursing and assisted living in long-term healthcare facilities while providing a pipeline for caregivers to meet the needs of the state’s senior population.