Senate Resolution No. 58 BY: Senator PALUMBO HONORING Jennifer Drofenik upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Thomas Clarke Memorial Award by LeadingAgeNY on December 7, 2022 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Jennifer Drofenik upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Thomas Clarke Memorial Award by LeadingAgeNY, a statewide agency that represents nursing home and retirement communities; and WHEREAS, This auspicious occasion was celebrated at an event on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Peconic Landing Care Retirement Community in Greenport, New York; and WHEREAS, As Director of Health Services for the Peconic Landing Continuing Care Retirement Community, Jennifer Drofenik is receiving this prestigious award for her outstanding leadership and superlative work in long-term care, housing and service administration under the age of 40; and WHEREAS, A graduate of Southold High School, Jennifer Drofenik began her distinguished career with Peconic Landing as a college intern; in 2016, she was named Administrator of Assisted Living; and WHEREAS, In this role, Jennifer Drofenik spearheaded the construction and opening of two new neighborhoods, Harbor South for memory support, and The Bluffs for short-term rehabilitation; and WHEREAS, Under the luminous leadership of Jennifer Drofenik, Harbor South became the first memory support neighborhood in New York to be recognized as a Distinguished Provider by Dementia Care Specialists and the Crisis Prevention Institute; and WHEREAS, In 2022, Jennifer Drofenik was promoted to the position of Director of Health Services; in this capacity, she oversees the skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living, and memory support neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, Always eager to further her education in order to assist the next generation of leaders in the industry, Jennifer Drofenik is a graduate of the LeadingAge IGNITE Leadership Academy, and became a Certified Dementia Practitioner; and WHEREAS, In addition to her work with Peconic Landing, Jennifer Drofenik is actively involved with several local elder-care organizations and is a board member of the Alzheimer's Association of Long Island, participating in their Walk to End Alzheimer's for the past several years; and WHEREAS, Jennifer Drofenik also serves on the LeadingAge cabinet for assisted living, advocating for changes to regulations, funding and policy in order to receive the best quality of service for those in assisted living; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Jennifer Drofenik upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Thomas Clarke Memorial Award by LeadingAgeNY on December 7, 2022; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Jennifer Drofenik.