FRANKLIN—The Virginia Health Care Association recently named East Pavilion Administrator Esther Francis its administrator of the year.

“I was very surprised, and it’s quite an honor,” Francis said Monday. “I really attribute the success to the people I work with.”

She was presented the award during a banquet in Roanoke on Sept. 22. A panel of her peers for the award selected her.

Steve Morrisette, president of the Virginia Health Care Association, said he considers the administrator of the year “the top award that can be received” by a nursing home administrator in Virginia.

The association represents 268 facilities across the state, Morrisette said.

Francis has served as the administrator at East Pavilion for 21 years.

“Over that period of time, she’s done an excellent job, both for the residents in the facility as well as for the employees that she has,” Morrisette said.

Before coming to East Pavilion, Francis spent 10 years at Nansemond Pointe, a nursing facility in Suffolk.

“I’ve spent my entire nursing career in the long-term care industry,” she said. “I’m very passionate about the elderly.”

Francis lives in Courtland and is married to Southampton County Sheriff Vernie Francis. Together, they have three children and one grandchild.

“We’re so lucky to have East Pavilion here for the city of Franklin and Southampton County so we can take care of our own residents of the area,” she said.