Assembly Resolution No. 19

BY: M. of A. Thiele

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.