Machelle Harris, Chairman’s Award winner
Life Care Centers of America bestowed this year’s awards for excellence in an array of presentations Monday evening, Aug. 24, at its headquarters in Cleveland, Tn.
The Chairman’s Award for outstanding commitment to excellence went to Machelle Harris, executive director at Life Care Center of Reno, Nv. The Carl W. Campbell Wind Beneath My Wings Award for the company-wide volunteer of the year went to Pauline Lajoie, who volunteers her time at Life Care Center of Auburn, Ma.
“The winners of these awards – both for performance and volunteerism – reflect the professional skill and the heart for service demonstrated daily by thousands of people across our company,” said Beecher Hunter, Life Care president.
“They are compelled by a remarkable faith and love.”
Ms. Harris was praised for leading her facility to provide excellent care for residents and patients, as evidenced by positive state survey (health inspection) results and a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. She also emphasizes staff development for her own associates and mentors other executive directors in the region.
Ms. Lajoie volunteers primarily with Life Care Center of Auburn’s dementia training program for new associates. She puts together a simulation experience and has even bought items for the program and declined to be reimbursed for them. She is known for her dependability (she is the first to arrive and the last to leave), compassion and generosity.
The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award went to Ashlee Walker, who volunteers at Life Care Center of Tullahoma, Tn., and the Group Volunteer of the Year Award went to Ken and Aleah Burreson for their service to Payson Care Center in Payson, Az.
Facility of the Year honors went to:
• The Westchester House in Chesterfield, Mo., in the Central Division
• Life Care Center of Athens, Tn., in the Eastern Division
• Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Co., in the Mountain States Division
• Life Care Center of Attleboro, Ma., in the Northeast Division
• Life Care Center of Lewiston, Id., in the Northwest Division
• Life Care Center of Altamonte Springs, Fl., in the Southeast Division
• Heritage Health Care Center in Globe, Az., in the Southwest Division
President’s Awards went to:
• Debbie Biehl, executive director at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Overland Park, Ks., and Michelle Yosick, vice president of Life Care’s Plains Region, for the Central Division
• Lisa White, executive director at Life Care Center of Columbia, Tn., and Kate Swafford, executive director at Life Care Center of Rhea County in Dayton, Tn., for the Eastern Division
• Rachel Unverzagt, senior executive director at Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Houston, Tx., for the Gulf States Region
• Steve DeBelle, senior executive director at Life Care Center of Longmont, Co., and Keith Jackson, executive director at Life Care Center of Pueblo, Co.., for the Mountain States Division
• Dawn Mason, business office manager at The Highlands in Fitchburg, Ma., and Scott Laakso, division director of human resources, for the Northeast Division
• Bryan Lindsay, senior executive director at Life Care Center of Post Falls, Id., and Kathy Walner, licensed practical nurse at Cottesmore of Life Care in Gig Harbor, Wa., for the Northwest Division
• Aaron Preston, executive director at Life Care Center of Melbourne, Fl., and Sal Decaria, executive director at Life Care Center of Jacksonville, Fl., for the Southeast Division
• Darlene Barkau, senior executive director at Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital in Garden Grove, Ca., and Corrie Killingsworth, business office manager at Life Care Center of Sierra Vista, Az., for the Southwest Division
The Division Support Award went to Paul Motyka, rehab director for the Central Division.
Pauline Lajoie, Wind Beneath My Wings winner