Editor’s Note: The McKnight’s Senior Living Daily Briefing and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Daily Update e-newsletters are profiling each of the McKnight’s 2020 Women of Distinction honorees now through the July 28 online awards celebration. To learn more about the 2020 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards, or the accompanying Forum, which offers three free CE credits the next morning (July 29), visit mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.

Eleanor Alvarez headshot
Eleanor Alvarez

After 20 years of working for several of the nation’s largest senior living and care companies, Eleanor Alvarez left the corporate setting to operate a skilled nursing facility in Lancaster, OH. At the same time, she established a healthcare recruiting and consulting firm for senior living and care providers nationally.

Alvarez is founder and president of The Ganzhorn Suites — a specialized memory care assisted living community — and LeaderStat, a firm specializing in supporting post-acute and senior living facilities with interim and executive leadership solutions designed to stabilize buildings and provide quality care.

The launch of The Ganzhorn Suites is Alvarez’s most impactful accomplishment. Named for her grandmother, The Ganzhorn Suites promotes a resident-centered, evidence-based approach to caring for individuals with dementia. The first center opened in 2016 in Powell, OH — in suburban Columbus — and a second center is under development in Avon, OH — in suburban Cleveland. 

Through her vision and tenacity, Alvarez was able to secure all funding and financial capital to develop her vision of creating a physician-driven center that allows those living with memory loss to lead a meaningful, dignified and fulfilling life. Alvarez’s plan is to develop up to 10 Ganzhorn Suites locations within the next five years.

LeaderStat is dedicated to providing interim and executive leadership solutions designed to stabilize buildings and provide quality care. The firm has offices in Arizona, South Carolina and Ohio.

Alvarez’s charitable, community and professional achievements include a 2019 McKnight’s Excellent in Technology Gold Award for Quality and the 2018 National Association of Women Business Owners Visionary Award. She is a past board member of the National Church Residences and the YWCA Central Ohio Chapter.

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. The Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica, and the Signature sponsor is Acadia Pharmaceuticals.

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