WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sarah Silva, President of Arete Living in Oregon, was today named the 2023 recipient of the Jan Thayer Pioneer Award by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). With more than 20 years of experience in the senior living profession, Silva is a champion for quality improvement, professional development, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives.
“Sarah’s lifelong commitment to improving the profession is demonstrated in everything she has accomplished and continues to focus on,” said LaShuan Bethea, NCAL executive director. “She is a mentor for staff, an advocate for residents, and a voice for change that will help move assisted living forward. Her passion for learning and ability to inspire others make her a true leader.”
Silva’s remarkable career began following her involvement in a unique high school program aimed at introducing the senior living profession to students. As a result of this experience, she worked as a caregiver at Avamere Hillsboro in Oregon and continued to advance through numerous positions – including server, medical technician, resident care coordinator, receptionist, business office manager, and more.
Silva served as Regional Director of Operations before assuming her role as President of Arete Living in 2019. Under her leadership, Arete Living transitioned its more than two dozen managed communities from Avamere to this new brand in 2022. She successfully organized this change through close professional partnerships and robust communication with employees and residents. She built a leadership team of industry professionals, all who have dedicated their lives to senior living with a combined 250 years of experience in the field.
She continues to drive change at Arete Living through the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). Silva launched this company initiative in 2020 and has expanded the program over the years. Additionally, she is dedicated to career advancement, offering a mentorship program at Arete Living and has implemented other supports and programs to help each employee discover their passion and reach their career goals.
Silva is a recognized leader at the national level. She currently serves as secretary/treasurer on the NCAL Board of Directors and chair of the NCAL Quality Committee. She is also active on numerous committees both on the state and national levels and was previously NCAL State Leader for Oregon and a 2015 AHCA/NCAL Future Leader.
The Jan Thayer Pioneer Award recognizes individuals who have moved the senior care profession forward, positively affecting the lives of those served and those who serve. Recipients must demonstrate dedication, leadership, and considerable contributions to the profession. Silva will be presented the Pioneer Award during a formal ceremony at
Delivering Solutions 23, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, this October in Denver, CO.