Twenty-nine senior living, skilled nursing and home care leaders have been selected as the second annual class of McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards winners, organizers announced Monday.
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.
