SACRAMENTO - The Quality Care Health Foundation (QCHF), the education foundation of the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), has announced the 2012 Career Climb Paul Tunnell Scholarship winners.  A total of fifteen scholarships were awarded to assist individuals with professional development and education in careers involving  long-term care.

"Our profession is in need of qualified individuals to care for the health needs of a growing population of elders," said Jim Gomez, CAHF CEO/President. "We are happy to support these young men and women to develop the skills necessary to support short-term rehabilitation and long-term care."

A total of $15,000 was awarded to the winning recipients in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,500. Certificates will be distributed to the winners at the annual QCHF Institute lunch on Monday, July 23 in Carlsbad.

Congratulations to the following recipients.

Jeniffer Arroyo, Brookside Skilled Nursing, San Mateo
Justin Bernard, Villa Siena, Mountain View
Vanessa Brito, Edgewood Center, Azusa
Ma. Angeline Cedillo, Danish Care Center, Atascadero
Kelli Chinchilla, Totally Kids Specialty Healthcare, Loma Linda
Noreen Dhami, Mission Skilled Nursing & Subacute Care, Mountain View
Francisco Gonzalez, Blanford House, JonBec Care Inc., Yucaipa
Yolanda Mitchum, Villa Siena, Mountain View            
Evania Patty, Mavis House, JonBec Care Inc., Grand Terrace
Evodie Meta Patty, JonBec Care Inc., San Bernardino
Arcelia Pulido, La Paz Geropsychiatric Ctr, Telecare, Paramount
Amanda Smith, Wagner Heights Nursing, Stockton
Manprit Somal, Elness Convalescent Hospital, Turlock
Laura Wolter, Stonebrook Healthcare Center, Concord
Melissa Janel Wright, Medi-Cal Consulting Services, Inc., Corona

About CAHF
Founded in 1950, the California Association of Health Facilities is a non-profit professional association representing skilled-nursing facilities and intermediate-care facilities for the developmentally disabled.  It is dedicated to providing quality care for the frail, elderly, developmentally disabled and those with chronic mental illness. Each year, CAHF members provide short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, end-of-life assistance and critical habilitative nursing services for 300,000 people. CAHF is the largest provider of continuing education for long-term care providers in California.  For more information, visit www.cahf.org

About QCHF
Quality Care Health Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational foundation. Its goal is to provide affordable, cost-effective, in-depth training on a multitude of subjects to long term care providers in California. Topics include regulatory compliance, the Medicare reimbursement system, professional conferences, certification courses, and tools for hands-on management in long term care facilities.