Miami, FL. (December 2024) – Independent Living Systems (ILS), a leader in delivering innovative health and social services to vulnerable populations, is proud to announce that its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Nestor Plana, and its Chief Advocacy Officer, Josefina Carbonell, have been honored with Healthcare Award from the Florida Association of Nonprofits. The award was recently presented during the Association’s 35th anniversary gala, themed “People Helping People: Making Waves Through Nonprofit Partnerships,” held in Miami.

The Florida Association of Nonprofits, a statewide resource center and professional network for the staff and boards of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, recognized Plana and Carbonell for “for the public/private development and management of innovative healthcare services for at-risk populations focused on transitioning long-term care away from institutions and back into the community.”

Their leadership at Independent Living Systems has been instrumental in advancing health equity, enhancing access to care, and fostering innovative partnerships that improve the quality of life for thousands of Floridians.

Among those partnerships is the work being done at Ward Tower, where Independent Living Systems’ foundation, Independent Living Community Services, has partnered with Miami-Dade Housing Agency, Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Department (PHCD), Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency (MDHA) Development Corporation and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a “home away from home” for hundreds of residents at that Miami-Dade County community.

Ward Tower focuses on low-income elderly residents who want to live in a safe and comfortable place to enjoy their golden years. Services there include computer classes, English and Spanish classes, healthy lifestyle training, nutrition education and meals.

“Receiving this award from the Florida Association of Nonprofits, an organization that has dedicated over three decades to empowering the nonprofit sector, is both an honor and a validation of our mission at Independent Living Systems,” said Nestor Plana. “We remain committed to working collaboratively with nonprofit partners, public agencies, and community-based organizations to ensure that people across Florida receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.”

“Our success is rooted in the strength of our partnerships and the power of collective action,” said Carbonell. “This recognition from the Florida Association of Nonprofits reaffirms the importance of working hand-in-hand with nonprofits across the state.

The Florida Association of Nonprofits was founded by nonprofit leaders to enhance the well-being of all communities in Florida. Today, it serves more than 50,500 public charities, assisting them in strengthening their leadership, management, financial, and public-policy capacities. By honoring Plana and Carbonell, the Association highlights the critical role of public-private-nonprofit collaborations in driving systemic change and advancing the common good.

About Independent Living Systems:

Independent Living Systems (ILS) is a Florida-based company providing a comprehensive range of turnkey payer services to managed care organizations and health care providers that provide care and social services to vulnerable populations in the Medicare, Medicaid, and Dual-Eligible markets. The company also owns and operates Florida Community Care, Florida’s only statewide Medicaid long-term care provider service network, as well as Florida Complete Care, a Medicare Advantage special needs plan for people who live in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or live at home and have complex health issues that require more coordinated and comprehensive care. 

Media Contacts
Lucio Guerrero
(786) 761-3255
[email protected]