Member Providers One of State's Leading Employers of Community College Graduates

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the unveiling of President Barack Obama's budget, Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM) President Joseph DeMattos, Jr. releases the following statement:

"The President said when unveiling his budget that he has sent to Congress, 'we also need to give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers.' Maryland's skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are one of the top employers of community college graduates with health care related degrees. Our members depend on these outstanding graduates of our community and junior colleges to help deliver the highest quality of care," said Joseph DeMattos, president of the Health Facilities Association of Maryland (HFAM). HFAM is Maryland's largest association of long-term and rehabilitative care providers, employing more 22,000 people in 150 member facilities.

"Dozens of Maryland community and junior colleges and several of our association members offer educational programs for nursing aides, activity aides, and laboratory technicians. There is a growing marketplace and consumer demand for nursing and rehabilitation centers, not just from elders, but from patients of all ages in need of transitional or rehabilitative care," said DeMattos.

"With predictable and sustainable funding, Maryland's nursing and rehabilitation centers stand ready to be a robust job engine linked to our community and junior colleges. In addition, I am blessed to hold a Master's Degree from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Hawai'i, but the foundation of my educational career began at Honolulu and Kapi'olani Community Colleges, which for me was life changing," said DeMattos.

Health Facilities Association of Maryland is a voluntary provider community association, chartered in 1948 as the Maryland Nursing Home Association.  It is the oldest and largest long-term care association representing skilled nursing, sub-acute facilities, and assisted living programs in Maryland.  HFAM has nearly 150 member organizations, including non-profits, serving more than 18,000 Maryland consumers in need of long-term care each year.  HFAM member organizations employ nearly 19,000 people in Maryland.

SOURCE The Health Facilities Association of Maryland