Jefferson’s Ferry Celebrates the Holidays with Staff, Announces Employee and Manager of the Year Honors

S. Setauket, NY…January 2025… When Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community brought its management and staff together to celebrate another year of teamwork and camaraderie, it also recognized the outstanding contributions of individual employees throughout the year.

Two outstanding employees were recognized for their stellar work in service of Jefferson’s Ferry residents. Agustin “Augie” Carrasco was named 2024 Employee of the Year and Kathy Koutouvidis took home 2024 Manager of the Year honors.

Augie has a passion for helping people and making their quality of the life the best it can be. During his close to 12 years of service, Augie has served in roles of increasing responsibility and touched the lives of residents and coworkers with a pleasant demeanor matched only by the highest standard of performance. From his first job in the kitchen through his steady rise to housekeeping to his current position as Maintenance Tech II, his responsiveness, knowledge and overall helpful nature have always put Augie in high demand. “Everyone wants to work with him,” wrote his nominating supervisor, Director of Maintenance Patty Tuscano. “Several other departments have expressed their appreciation for Augie's hard work and dedication to me. He shows great concern for the welfare of others and is actively involved in finding solutions to difficult challenges.”

Kathy Koutouvidis, Assistant Director of Nursing, was recognized as Manager of the Year for her many contributions to both the Jefferson’s Ferry residents who live in the Vincent Bove Health Center and the dedicated team who cares for them. In 2025 Kathy will celebrate her 20th year of service to Jefferson’s Ferry. Over that time, Kathy has never faltered in exceeding expectations and practicing her profession with expertise, compassion and caring attention to residents, their families and staff.

She shone during the challenges of COVID-19 and in the post-pandemic environment, playing a significant role in the award-winning care at the Health Center. For the sixth year running, the Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry Life Plan Community has received the Pinnacle Quality Insight Customer Experience Award for outstanding resident satisfaction and overall achievement in skilled nursing care, placing the health center in the top 15% of skilled nursing facilities nationwide.

“Kathy’s dedication has been instrumental in her training and recertification of our Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA),” noted Anthony Comerford, Vice President of Health Services in writing his nomination. “She has cultivated meaningful relationships among our staff and residents and worked to make sure our residents and staff are educated about the importance of vaccination to protect against illness. Our outstanding results with the Department of Health, ongoing 5-star rating from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and “Best Of” nursing home rating by U.S. News & World Report are reflective of Kathy’s work.”

The last 12 months saw the opening of The Grove, a state-of-the-art 20-bed memory support neighborhood, part of Jefferson’s Ferry Journey Toward Renewal, which in the past few years has added 60 new one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments to the campus, as well as six distinct dining venues, new dining options in Assisted Living; an expansion of its Healthy Living Center and Fitness Center, and its state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Therapy Center.

“It was an exhilarating year in which we’ve seen many or our efforts come to fruition,” enthused Jefferson’s Ferry President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Caulfield. “We can all feel pride in the jobs we’ve performed that have contributed to making Jefferson’s Ferry a singular Life Plan Community that can offer both the latest amenities and modern living within an established, caring community of neighbors and friends.”

Jefferson’s Ferry is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community for active adults aged 62 and above, with Independent Living cottages and apartments, Assisted Living apartments, and a quality health care center all on one site.  A multi-million-dollar expansion and renovation project, “The Journey Toward Renewal,” which is in the final stage of construction, will provide a life-enriching environment for all new and current residents at every stage of their life. Journey Toward Renewal has added 60 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments, six distinct dining venues, expanded the Healthy Living Center and Fitness Center, and created a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Therapy Center. Currently under construction are renovations to common areas in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing and the construction of a bistro to be located in the Health Center Commons. Also new to Jefferson’s Ferry is “The Grove,” a Memory Support Neighborhood which provides a high quality of life and care for 20 residents diagnosed and living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.

Jefferson’s Ferry offers exceptional living and amenities, including indoor pool, computer center, library, recreational areas, gardens, and gazebos.  A mix of cultural excursions, civic activities, and a community of residents who help shape Jefferson’s Ferry’s future ensure a spirited and engaged lifestyle.  

The Vincent Bove Health Center at Jefferson’s Ferry enjoys a 5-star rating from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and was named a “Best Of” nursing home by U.S. News & World Report.  Jefferson’s Ferry has repeatedly earned the industrywide Community Choice Award for resident satisfaction and engagement and has been recognized with the Pinnacle Quality Insight’s Customer Experience Award for five years running. FitchRatings has assigned Jefferson’s Ferry a BBB bond rating.  Jefferson’s Ferry has consistently been voted Best Retirement Community, Best Nursing Home and Best Assisted Living on Long Island by The Long Island Press and has been recognized for Excellence by the Hauppauge Industrial Association’s Business Achievement Awards program.