IHCA Excellence Awards

Annual IHCA Excellence Awards Program

The Annual IHCA Excellence Awards Program (formerly the Annual IHCA Awards) recognizes the outstanding work going on in long term care centers around Illinois every day. IHCA made a number of changes to our awards program last year in order to better serve our members and give them the opportunity to be recognized not only for the accomplishments of their staff, but of their centers as a whole as well. There are two seperate pieces to the IHCA Excellence Awards--the IHCA Excellence Awards-Staff & Specialty and the IHCA Excellence Awards-Long Term Care Centers. See below for more information.

Long Term Care Center Award

The IHCA Excellence Award for Long Term Care Centers is based entirely on the care provided in our long term care centers every day. In addition to key data about the center, questions focus on qualifiable information about the care provided—census trends, antipsychotic usage, rehospitalization stats and more. *Please note: while the nomination form is lengthy, answers may be brief.

This year's winner will be announced during Opening General Session during the 69th Annual IHCA Convention & Expo in Springfield. Winners receive a framed award and a banner to hang in their facility. Additionally, a press release will be sent out announcing the award recipient(s) and winners will be featured on the IHCA website, in association publications and on our social media pages.

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Caldwell, acaldwell@ihca.com or 800-252-8988.

Staff & Specialty Awards

Recognizing your staff members and volunteers who have proven to be an invaluable resource to your center’s team is an excellent way to show your appreciation. The IHCA Excellence Awards - Staff & Specialty gives members the chance to do that. Additionally, you can submit nominations for your center’s innovative programs, communications and community outreach projects.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2019 IHCA Excellence Awards - Staff & Specialty! Click here to view a list of all of our fantastic nominees for 2019.

2019 Award Winners

Environmental Services Professional of the Year | Buster Rosa | Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Housekeeping Professional of the Year | John York | Sharon Healthcare Elms
Food Service Professional of the Year | Wendy Johnson | Sharon Healthcare Pines
Business Office Professional of the Year | Denise Blackledge | St. Vincent's Home
Activity Professional of the Year | Crystal Risner | Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Social Service Professional of the Year | Martha Handley | St. Vincent's Home
Administrator's Choice Award | Dr. Timothy Horner | Hawthorne Inn of Danville
Administrator of the Year | Shilpi Chona | The Grove of Evanston
Volunteer of the Year | Patricia Cash | Hawthorne Inn of Danville
Communications Award | Lakeland Through the Decades Video | Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Photograph of the Year | Companionship Photo | Lakeland Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
Media Event of the Year | Veteran's Day Luncheon | Manor Court of Princeton
Community Partnership of the Year | Alpine Fireside & the Rockford Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association | Alpine Fireside Health Center
Innovative Program of the Year | Forget-Me-Not Café | Willowbrook Memory Support Residences

If you have any questions, please contact Ashley Caldwell.