Washington, D.C.—The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is proud to announce the 2010 recipients of the Administrator of the Year, the Assisted Living Nurse of the Year, Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living, and the National Assisted Living Week Programming awards. These winners represent the best in the nation in the assisted living profession. The winners are:
NCAL Administrator of the Year: Sue Brown is the assisted living director/operator of Vintage Park at Baldwin City, a Skilled Healthcare community in Baldwin City, Kan. As director, she has provided strong leadership and great communication skills to staff that result in consistently providing a high level of quality care to the residents.
NCAL Assisted Living Nurse of the Year: Marybeth Sondergaard is the director of nursing at Heritage at Clara Barton, a Genesis HealthCare community, in Edison, N.J. She provides her staff with specific expectations about their performance and interactions with residents. She balances her job intensity with a love for her team often treating the team members like family members.
Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living: Benjamin Sheard, Jr., building services director of The Chelsea at Tinton Falls, a Chelsea Senior Living community in Tinton Falls, N.J. Sheard works tirelessly to maintain the building’s services and appearance to company standards and was highly praised during the latest state survey. Sheard is often found accompanying the recreation staff on resident fieldtrips, organizes Superbowl parties for the male residents, and chats amicably with everyone.
National Assisted Living Week Programming: Park Place Estates, in LeMars, Iowa successfully incorporated the 2009 NALW theme “Traditions of the Heart,” into all its events and activity. Michelle Ten Napel, the activities director, said the goal was to bring the larger community into Park Place Estates and to remind residents that they are also active members of the community. For example, one activity was a Chamber of Commerce coffee attended by 90 people.
The winners will be recognized at a special awards ceremony on Oct. 10, 2010 in Long Beach, Calif., at the NCAL Day luncheon. NCAL Day kicks off the 61st Annual AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention & Expo in Long Beach, Calif.