The sector veterans earned recognition for driving change, setting new standards and inspiring others. They were nominated by peers and selected by an independent, national panel of judges.

Honorees include an array of veteran operators, caregivers and affiliated professionals who have enjoyed careers of 20 years or longer, performing at the highest levels in senior living, skilled nursing and home care.

“This is an incredible collection of veterans who have made lasting marks on their fields. Such a group of outstanding professionals may gather only once a year,” McKnight’s Vice President and Publisher Craig Roth said in announcing the winners. “We’re looking forward to seeing them all together in March to honor them in person.”

The McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards are a joint effort of McKnight’s Senior Living and sister media brands McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

Winners will be celebrated March 21 at a gala awards ceremony at the Ivy Room in Chicago. The event is open to all friends, family, colleagues and other supporters. Coverage will appear both online and in print.

McKnight’s Pinnacle Award honorees are recognized in six categories. Winners were chosen by senior living, skilled nursing and home care leaders who assessed nominees across four major criteria groupings.

As part of the program, organizers in January will announce a Career Achievement Award winner, who also will be feted at the March ceremony.

The program website, mcknightspinnacleawards.com, features a gallery of winners and more information about the McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards, including details about the awards ceremony and dinner.

The 2024 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards winners:

Agent of Change Award

• Vassar Byrd, incoming CEO, The Kendal Corp.
• Deke Cateau, CEO, A.G. Rhodes
• Kristen Duell, Executive Vice President of Experience & Innovation, FirstLight Home Care
• Phillip Hill, Administrator, Principle Long Term Care
• Colleen Kamin, Executive Director, Anthem Memory Care
• Marianne Longo, Chief Clinical Officer, Help at Home
• David Totaro, Chief Marketing and Government Affairs Officer, BAYADA Home Health Care

Industry Ally Award

• Andrew Carle, Lead Faculty, Senior Living Administration, Georgetown University
• Clifton Porter II, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living

Inspiration Award

• Mark Baiada, Chairman and Founder, BAYADA Home Health Care
• Esther Kamara-Conteh, Vice President Care Management Operations, VNS Health
• Esmerelda Lee, Chief Operating Officer / EVP, Century Park Associates
• Roberto Muñiz, President & CEO, Parker Health Group
• Cathy Williams, CEO, Winslow Campus of Care

Setting the Standard Award

• Sheila Davis, Senior Executive Vice President, Area Operations, Always Best Care Senior Services
• Jamie Dlatt, Chief Operating Officer, Legacy Healthcare
• Charles “Chuck” Hastings, Chief Financial Officer / Vice President of Finance and Business Development, Juniper Communities
• Kurt Merkelz, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Compassus
• John Swanson, CEO, Willow Valley Development Corp.
• Raeann Voorhies, CEO, Vanda Health

Thought Leader Award

• Joan DiPaola, Director, Dementia Program Development, Harmony Village at CareOne Paramus
• Jessica Fear, Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health, VNS Health
• R. Tamara Konetzka, PhD, Louis Block Professor of Public Health Sciences Professor of Medicine, University of Chicago
• E. Joseph “Joe” Steier III, President / CEO, Signature HealthCARE

Unsung Hero Award

• Wendy Blackman, Director of Reflections, The Bristal at North Woodmere
• Orah Burack, Senior Research Associate, The New Jewish Home

Business Partner Award

• Tim Hadley, CEO, Evive Brands
• Steven Littlehale, Chief Innovation Officer, Zimmet Healthcare Services Group
• Cindy Smith, Director, Professional Services, Omnicare
• Wendy Strain, Director of Consulting Services, Polaris Group

Editor’s note: This article has been modified from its original version to update the overall number of honorees.

The program, now in its second year, recognizes senior living, skilled nursing and home care industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry. The awards are coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience who still are active in the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields are eligible to be nominated by others. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The program offers multiple awards across several tracks.

The tracks:

• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — for-profit 
• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — nonprofit 
• Skilled nursing — for-profit 
• Skilled nursing — nonprofit 
• Home care / home health / hospice — for-profit and nonprofit 

The awards categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award

Awards also will given in these two categories, covering all tracks:

• Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts, influential academics or researchers, other thought leaders, etc.)
• Business Partner (for vendors/sponsors that have helped move the sector forward)

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers. 

The entry fee is $285.

Finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Read about the 2023 winners here. Read about the inaugural Career Achievement Award winner in 2023, Bob Kramer, here.

The program, now in its second year, recognizes senior living, skilled nursing and home care industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry. The awards are coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience who still are active in the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields are eligible to be nominated by others. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The program offers multiple awards across several tracks.

The tracks:

• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — for-profit 
• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — nonprofit 
• Skilled nursing — for-profit 
• Skilled nursing — nonprofit 
• Home care / home health / hospice — for-profit and nonprofit 

The awards categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award

Awards also will given in these two categories, covering all tracks:

• Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts, influential academics or researchers, other thought leaders, etc.)
• Business Partner (for vendors/sponsors that have helped move the sector forward)

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers. 

The entry fee is $285.

Finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Read about the 2023 winners here. Read about the inaugural Career Achievement Award winner in 2023, Bob Kramer, here.

The awards program closed its standard nomination period on Friday.

The Pinnacle Awards program, now in its second year, honors senior living, skilled nursing and home care industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry. The awards program is coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience are eligible to be nominated. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The award categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award
• Industry Ally
• Business Partner

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers.

Read about the 2023 winners here and the 2023 Career Achievement Award winner, Robert Kramer, here.

The 2024 finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Nominations submitted through Nov. 5 will have a $285 entry fee.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Entries received by the end of the day Friday will have an entry fee of $225. Nominations will continue to be accepted until an extended deadline of Sunday, Nov. 5, for an entry fee of $285.

The program, now in its second year, recognizes senior living, skilled nursing and home care industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry. The awards are coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience who still are active in the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields are eligible to be nominated by others. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The program offers multiple awards across several tracks.

The tracks:

• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — for-profit 
• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — nonprofit 
• Skilled nursing — for-profit 
• Skilled nursing — nonprofit 
• Home care / home health / hospice — for-profit and nonprofit 

The awards categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award

Awards also will given in these two categories, covering all tracks:

• Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts, influential academics or researchers, other thought leaders, etc.)
• Business Partner (for vendors/sponsors that have helped move the sector forward)

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers. 

Finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Read about the 2023 winners here. Read about the inaugural Career Achievement Award winner in 2023, Bob Kramer, here.

The program, now in its second year, recognizes senior living, skilled nursing and home care industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry. The awards are coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

“The awards are a great opportunity for industry professionals to nominate colleagues for much-deserved recognition,” McKnight’s Editorial Director John O’Connor said.

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience who still are active in the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields are eligible to be nominated by others. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The program offers multiple awards across several tracks.

The tracks:

• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — for-profit 
• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — nonprofit 
• Skilled nursing — for-profit 
• Skilled nursing — nonprofit 
• Home care / home health / hospice — for-profit and nonprofit 

The awards categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award

Awards also will given in these two categories, covering all tracks:

• Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts, influential academics or researchers, other thought leaders, etc.)
• Business Partner (for vendors/sponsors that have helped move the sector forward)

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers. 

Entries received by the standard deadline, Oct. 20, will have an entry fee of $225. Nominations also will be accepted until an extended deadline of Nov. 5, for an entry fee of $285.

Finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Read about the 2023 winners here. Read about the 2023 Career Achievement Award winner here.

Nominations are now open for the second annual McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program, recognizing industry veterans who are setting new standards, driving change, providing guidance and inspiring others in the industry.

The awards are coordinated by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care.

“We’re excited to once again honor deserving individuals who not only have reached the top of the profession but have managed to remain there for years,” McKnight’s Publisher Craig Roth said. “Last year’s program was a phenomenal success, and we look forward to building on such a well-received program to recognize individuals who inspire everyone in the industry.”

Professionals with at least 20 years of experience who still are active in the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields are eligible to be nominated by others. Self-nominations will not be accepted.

The program offers multiple awards across several tracks.

The tracks:

• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — for-profit 
• Senior living (independent living, assisted living, memory care and/or continuing care retirement/life plan community) — nonprofit 
• Skilled nursing — for-profit 
• Skilled nursing — nonprofit 
• Home care / home health / hospice — for-profit and nonprofit 

The awards categories:

• Setting the Standard Award
• Agent of Change Award
• Inspiration Award
• Thought Leader Award
• Unsung Hero Award

Awards also will given in these two categories, covering all tracks:

• Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts, influential academics or researchers, other thought leaders, etc.)
• Business Partner (for vendors/sponsors that have helped move the sector forward)

In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers. 

The standard deadline for nominations is Oct. 20, with an entry fee of $225. Nominations also will be accepted until an extended deadline of Nov. 5, for an entry fee of $285.

Finalists will be announced Dec. 11. Winners will be recognized at an in-person event March 21 in Chicago.

Download the entry kit here. Learn more about the awards and nominate someone here.

Read about the 2023 winners here. Read about the 2023 Career Achievement Award winner here.

For 22 years, Gloria Lopez led a team of nurses as a clinical manager overseeing some of central California’s most fragile patients.

At Sierra View Medical Center’s Distinct Part Skilled Nursing Facility, the 35-bed subacute facility in Porterville, CA, often is home to those dependent on ventilator care or in need of around-the-clock respiratory care.

It’s where Lopez, a registered nurse, felt rewarded to satisfy the needs of residents each day, finding solace in caring for those who may have not had family comforting them in their last moments. 

There also were the victorious moments when a patient was taken off a ventilator and began breathing on his or her own, able to go home. 

An “Unsung Hero” category winner in the 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards, Lopez began her career with the then-42-year-old Sierra View Medical Center in November 2000. 

The nurse manager announced her retirement in late 2022 from Sierra View, which announced plans to open a new 29,470-square-foot skilled nursing facility with 44 beds.

The McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. Honorees were recognized March 7 at a dinner and awards ceremony in Chicago. The program’s Platinum sponsor was MatrixCare. Omnicare was a Silver sponsor, and additional sponsors included Pinnacle Quality Insight, HealthDirect and Sentrics.

It was 1983 when Yvonne Eaddy joined VNS Health (then known as the Visiting Nurse Service of New York) as a public health nurse visiting the homes of both the elderly and children in need of a lifeline.

Forty years later, she oversees more than 300 clinicians and 35 clinical support team members to coordinate the day-to-day care delivered to patients across Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as the regional budget that governs them. In addition, Eaddy manages VNS Health’s Maternity-Newborn Pediatrics Program in Brooklyn, which provides care and support for children with complex medical conditions. She also is the program leader for home care behavioral health services.

She was elected an “Unsung Hero” category winner in the 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program.

In her current role as vice president of regional patient care services for VNS Health since 2001, Eaddy arrived with decades of experience. It ranged from field visits to nurse management, Medicare billing and request processing and ensuring that high-quality and cost-effective patient services were delivered to residents of Manhattan. 

For two years, beginning in 1998, she led the agency’s transformation from delivering care with discipline-specific teams to interdisciplinary ones.

Her talent for transformation also was behind a more recent endeavor: launching the company’s nurse residency program in March 2020 to introduce newly graduated nurses to home care and pair them with RN preceptor mentors. The goal has been to give them time to transition from the classroom to home care visits, going from novice to expert, under the tutelage of experienced nurses.

A 1977 graduate of the Hunter College School of Nursing, Eaddy earned a master’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University in 2017. She also won VNS Health’s Leadership 2000 Award and was a finalist in the New York Times’ Tribute to Nurses.

The McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. Honorees were recognized March 7 at a dinner and awards ceremony in Chicago. The program’s Platinum sponsor was MatrixCare. Omnicare was a Silver sponsor, and additional sponsors included Pinnacle Quality Insight, HealthDirect and Sentrics.

Every day, Barry “BC” Carr and his Ignite Medical Resorts are dedicated to “extinguishing the stereotype” by reinventing the short-term rehabilitation industry.

Gone are the stark, semi-private rooms and outsourced therapy. Instead, Carr and his co-founder and business partner, Tim Fields, have created luxury hotel-like experiences for their residents while providing rapid rehabilitation with in-house therapists. 

The pair have adopted the motto, “Vision without execution is hallucination.” Clearly, neither is hallucinating.

In fewer than five years, Ignite Medical Resorts has expanded to 18 locations in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. The company has received broad attention for its creative business model and aggressive growth, especially with it occurring during harrowing pandemic years.

At the same time, Carr launched the nonprofit Ignite the Way Foundation, providing financial resources to employees struggling with problems such as cancer, domestic abuse, house fires, tornadoes and more.

Judges named Carr an “Unsung Hero” category winner in the 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards.

The University of Michigan alum began his healthcare career in 1987 as a nursing home administrator for NuCare Services. Eventually, he became the president of the company.

While with NuCare, he bought Forest VIlla Nursing and Rehab in Niles, IL, in 2001. Later, he rebranded it to Avanti Wellness & Rehabilitation Center. In 2012, he left NuCare to focus on running the Avanti community independently with his son, Jared, before the pair joined Ignite.

The McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. Honorees were recognized March 7 at a dinner and awards ceremony in Chicago. The program’s Platinum sponsor was MatrixCare. Omnicare was a Silver sponsor, and additional sponsors included Pinnacle Quality Insight, HealthDirect and Sentrics.