McKnight's Long-Term Care News, McKnight's Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are thrilled to once again recognize women making their marks in skilled nursing, senior living and home care, inspiring others and having a powerful effect on the lives of the individuals they serve.

Building on the success of the McKnight’s Women of Distinction program’s previous six years, we’re pleased to announce the opening of nominations for the seventh annual awards program, which once again will include related events.

Whether you know a woman who has made a significant contribution in skilled nursing, senior living or home care, or someone who is a rising star, it’s time to make your nominations!

ENTRY DEADLINES + FEES 

STANDARD NOMINATION DEADLINE: 

Friday, January 10, 2025

EXTENDED NOMINATION DEADLINE: 

Friday, January 17, 2025

*all submissions need to be in by 11:59 pm EST

ENTRY FEES

STANDARD NOMINATION FEE: $119

EXTENDED NOMINATION FEE: $139
*The late fee will be implemented on January 11

SAVE THE DATE

DATE: Tuesday, May 13, 2025

PROGRAM:
FORUM
1:00 pm-4:30 pm

AWARDS CEREMONY
6:00 pm-9:00 pm

VENUE: JW Marriott Chicago
151 W Adams St, Chicago, IL

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

- HALL OF HONOR -

Jennifer Bartscht, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, ThriveMore, Winston-Salem, NC

Becky Bodie, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Diversicare Healthcare Services, Brentwood, TN

Lisa Eckley, Co-Founder, The LTM Group, Dayton, OH

Sharon Eyster, VP of Operations/Chief Operating Office (COO), United Church of Christ Homes, Camp Hill, PA

Kathy Gallin, Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Health Policy, Signature Healthcare, Louisville, KY

Gabrielle Genauer, Vice President and General Counsel, The New Jewish Home, New York, NY

Ruth Katz, Incoming President and CEO, Association of Jewish Aging Services, Rockville, MD

Lisa King, Regional Vice President, All Ways Caring HomeCare, Louisville, KY

Nancy Koha, Chief Process Officer, Principle Long Term Care, Kinston, NC

Cathy Krege, Vice President of Clinical Solutions and Compliance, Provision Living, St, Louis, MO

Jane Mack, President and CEO, Friends Services Alliance, Blue Bell, PA

Sharon Roth Maguire, Senior Vice President/Chief Health and Wellness/Resident Experience Officer, LCS, Des Moines, IA

Robin Mitchell, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Diversicare Health Services, Nashville, TN

Lauren Murray, Senior Vice President of Operations and Process Improvement, Genesis Healthcare, Kennett Square, PA

Kristen Palumbo, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, Innovive Health, Medford, MA

Danielle Parker, Chief Operations Officer, GenCare Lifestyle, Seattle

Karen Peck, Vice President, Clinical Services – East Division, Brookdale Senior Living, Brentwood, TN

Annie Pineda-Eiland, Regional Director of Clinical Service, Legacy Healthcare, Skokie, IL

Eileen Rainer, Chief Financial Officer, Ultimate Care Assisted Living Management, LLC – Managers of The Bristal Assisted Living, Ronkonkoma, NY

Rachel Shearer, Senior Vice President of Operations, Ignite Medical Resorts, Park Ridge, IL

Melinda Skirvin, Vice President – Chief Wellness Officer – Clinical, Five Star Senior Living, Newton, MA

Amanda Tilton, Chief Nursing Officer, BAYADA Home Health Care, Pennsauken, NJ

Sharon Wilson, Chief Clinical and Compliance Officer, Cassia, Edina, MN

- VETERAN VIPs -

Teresa Edge, Regional Clinical Executive, Bedrock Care, Royersford, PA

Cathy Farmer, Director of Clinical Services, Goodwin House Alexandria, Alexandria, VA

Diane Johnson, Regional Director of Operations, LiveWell Centers, Lakewood, NJ

Miriam Levi, Assistant Administrator, The New Jewish Home, Mamaroneck, NY

Angel Loyd, Regional Manager, Bridges Health, Oklahoma City

Nancy Maina, Senior Health Services Director, Brightview Senior Living – Brightview Severna Park, Severna Park, MD

Morgan Mulvany, Administrator, Odin Health and Rehab Center, Odin, IL

Myra Punla, Director of Nursing, HumanGood Piedmont Gardens, Oakland, CA

Shellie Rachal, Regional Vice President of Operations for the Southern Region, Elara Caring, Dallas

Maureen Rizzo, Senior Executive Director, Generations Senior Living, Strongsville, OH

Cameo Rogers, Corporate Life Enrichment Manager, Immanuel, Omaha, NE

Heather Turner, Executive Director, Timber Ridge at Talus, LCS, Des Moines, IA

Jacqueline Vance, Senior Director of Innovation and Education, Mission Health Communities, Tampa, FL

Cheryl Wallen, Director of LifeMinistries, Givens Communities, Asheville, NC

Elizabeth Wheatley, RN, Vice President of Resident Care, Benchmark Senior Living, Waltham, MA

- RISING STARS -

Lindsey Beagley, Senior Director, Lifelong University Engagement (Mirabella at ASU), Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Diamond Boone, Corporate Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Athena Health Care Systems, Farmington, CT

Jessie Bosshard, Executive Director, Givens Home First (Givens Estates), Asheville, NC

Erica Dewan, Vice President of Care Transitions, Ignite Medical Resorts, Park Ridge, IL

Lauren DiZio, Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Innovive Health, Medford, MA

Keri Dunlop, Delegating Nurse, Brightview Senior Living – Brightview Bel Air, Bel Air, MD

Kate Gilday, Administrator, Legacy Healthcare, Skokie, IL

Christian Grunder, Vice President of Human Resources, Givens Communities, Asheville, NC

Shelly Koch, Executive Director, Operations – Home-Based Services, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, Sioux Falls, SD

Lesly Martinez, Regional Vice President, Atria Senior Living, Louisville, KY

Melinda Monasterski, Market President, Genesis Healthcare, Exton, PA

Kelly Pero-Petty, Vice President of Business Development, Ignite Medical Resorts, Park Ridge, IL

Mary Cate Spires, Vice President of Marketing and Digital Strategy, The Arbor Company, Atlanta

Stephanie Uhrmacher, Administrator – Senior Living, Good Samaritan Society – Hastings Village, Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, Hastings, NE

Addison Wilczak, Vice President of Human Resources, Ignite Medical Resorts, Park Ridge, IL

- SPIRIT AWARD -

Carol Gordon, Resident Care Associate, The Village at Willow Crossings, Benchmark Senior Living, Waltham, MA

Danuta Jurgowska, Registered Nurse, Preakness Healthcare Center, Wayne, NJ

Janet Simpson, Vice President of Network Operations, WesleyLife, Johnston, IA

Christine Slater, Caregiver, HomeWell Care Services, Worthington, OH