Dan Gauger
Life Care Centers of America bestowed this year’s awards for excellence in an array of presentations at its headquarters in Cleveland.
The Chairman’s Award for outstanding commitment to excellence went to Dan Gauger, vice president of Life Care’s Longs Peak Region. The Carl W. Campbell Wind Beneath My Wings Award for the company-wide volunteer of the year went to James Weiss, who volunteers his time at Life Care Center of Reno, Nevada.
“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.”
Mr. Gauger has served Life Care for more than 20 years, including as an executive director as well as regional vice president. He was commended for his guidance of his region and buildings and for serving as a mentor, as well as for his open and gracious communication style.
Mr. Weiss has been a volunteer at Life Care Center of Reno for the past 11 years. He was originally a short-term rehab patient in 2006 but returned to the facility as a volunteer shortly after completing therapy. He visits six days a week, usually arriving around 4:30 or 5 a.m. to serve coffee to residents, bring them to the dining room and help serve breakfast. He also helps deliver mail and newspapers, visits with residents, assists with activities and takes residents outside to watch the horses in the pasture behind the skilled nursing and rehab center.
The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award went to Emma Cummings, who volunteers at Life Care Center of Cleveland, and the Group Volunteer of the Year Award went to Meade and Velda Siever for their service to Life Care Center of New Market, Virginia.
Facility of the Year honors went to:
Green Valley Care Center in New Albany, Indiana, in the Central Division
Ridgeview Terrace of Life Care in Rutledge, Tennessee, in the Eastern Division
Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan, Colorado, in the Mountain States Division
Life Care Center of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in the Northeast Division
Life Care Center of South Hill in Puyallup, Washington, in the Northwest Division
Life Care Center of Ocala, Florida, in the Southeast Division
Orangegrove Rehabilitation Hospital in Garden Grove, California, in the Southwest Division
President’s Awards went to:
Julie Collins, executive director at Life Care Center of Bridgeton, Missouri, and Carl Wright, executive director at Life Care Center of Brookfield, Missouri, for the Central Division
Cathy Howe, executive director at Life Care Center of Crossville, Tennessee, and Robert Breeden, senior executive director at The Heritage Center in Morristown, Tennessee, for the Eastern Division
Angel Elkins, senior regional director of clinical services, for the Gulf States Region
Michelle Fraternali, executive director at Life Care Center of Littleton, Colorado, and Jason Odenthal, executive director at Life Care Center of Farmington, New Mexico, for the Mountain States Division
John Bonfardeci, executive director at Life Care Center of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Lauren Cardin, regional director of clinical services, for the Northeast Division
Jeremy Tolman, executive director at Life Care Center of Post Falls, Idaho, and Melissa Nelson, executive director at Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, for the Northwest Division
Jon Hennemyre, senior executive director at The Gardens Court in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Tony Rimmer, executive director at Life Care Center of Hilliard, Florida, for the Southeast Division
Rob Lorenzo, executive director at Lake Forest Nursing Center in Lake Forest, California, and Dori Vanden Dries, business office manager at North Walk Villa Convalescent Hospital in Norwalk, California, for the Southwest Division
The Division Support Award went to Jennifer Coffelt, division controller for the Northwest Division.
James Weiss