Chicago, IL – Invigorated by their strong commitment to quality, the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) honored outstanding members of the long term care community at the Closing General Session of their 60th Annual Convention & Expo today, recognizing nearly five hundred individuals for their dedication to excellence.
“The tremendous growth in participation over the past several years demonstrates that the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has gained wide acceptance as a useful pathway to achieving performance excellence over time,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “The award recipients we pay tribute to today have enriched the lives of residents and staff through their dedication and hard work.”
The award presentations began with the AHCA/NCAL Young Adult Volunteer of the year, presented to Donna Marseco of Ocala, Florida. The Adult Volunteer of the Year award was given to Joan Suttel of Cheektowaga, New York. Gordon and Beverley Phillips, from Norman, North Dakota, were awarded for their efforts with the Group Volunteer of the Year Award and Sandra Hoff of Wellington, Ohio was presented with the AHCA DD Hero of the Year Award.
“AHCA/NCAL has long maintained a commitment to quality and I am privileged to honor those who excel in their commitment to quality care and services and thereby enhance the quality of life for our nation’s most vulnerable citizens,” stated Rick Miller, Chair of AHCA’s Board of Governors.
AHCA/NCAL also honored Benedictine Health System with the AHCA Friend of Quality award. The Friend of Quality Award is given to individuals and organizations that have made a special contribution to the quality efforts of the association. Benedictine Health System is one of the largest Catholic long term care organizations in the United States, operating about 40 care facilities in seven states. Benedictine Health System has earned six out of the nine AHCA/NCAL Step Three Quality awards, including two this year.
Earlier in the week, at the annual NCAL Day, Karen Vorse was honored with the NCAL Administrator of the Year Award and Darleen Vorrius, LPN was presented with the Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living Award. Northern Hills, in Sioux City, Iowa was honored with the National Assisted Living Week Programming Award.
The AHCA Quality Awards consist of an entry level, Step I Award, a more rigorous Step II Award, and a final Step III Award that mirrors the Baldrige National Quality Award criteria. This year 439 facilities were recognized with the Step I Award, 26 facilities received the Step II Award, and 3 facilities were recognized for reaching the highest level of performance excellence, Step III.
“Recipients of these awards know that the pursuit of excellence is a continuous journey, and that the satisfaction of residents, families and staff makes the journey worthwhile,” Yarwood concluded. “AHCA/NCAL is proud to recognize the extraordinary efforts of these individuals in the long term care community.”
The awards ceremony concluded the 60th Annual Convention & Expo, held October 4-7, where nearly 3,000 long term care professionals from across the nation gathered in Chicago, IL to learn best practices, network with colleagues, and rededicate their commitment to quality care.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represent nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation's frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org or www.ncal.org.