 Congratulations to our 2026 Awards and Scholarship Winners!
Scholarship WinnersGeorge & Leah Hollander Memorial Scholarship ACHCA believes that the quality of care and life in a Long-Term Care Facility or Senior Housing begins with the Administrator’s quality of education. The George & Leah Hollander Memorial Scholarship provides the opportunity for students to attend the ACHCA Convention & EXPO. Heston Amble, Oakwood Village, Spring Green, WI W. Philip McConnell Student Scholarship Fund - Ohio Chapter The Ohio Chapter of ACHCA (ACHCA-OH) believes that the quality of care and life in a nursing center begins with the Administrator’s quality of education. Therefore, ACHCA-OH established the W. Philip McConnell Scholarship Fund in memory of Phil McConnell, a past president of the Ohio Chapter who devoted his life to the advancement of long-term care administration and the efforts of ACHCA. Olivia Fleming, Birchaven Village, Findlay, OH District 3 Scholarship Gabrielle Potts, BHI Senior Living, Indianapolis, IN Hall of FameThe ACHCA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the American College of Health Care Administrators over an extended period or have provided a unique and lasting contribution to the College. Marianna Grachek, MPA, NHA, FACHCA Eli Pick Faculty Leadership AwardThe Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award (EPFLA) was introduced in 2008 by one of ACHCA’s most revered leaders, the late Eli Pick and uses data-driven criteria to objectively identify high-performing Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) and the leaders who make them excel. Exceptional Care for Children - Newark, DE - John Lee White, Executive Director Chapter/District AwardsThis award recognizes an ACHCA chapter/district for their work to build and improve the chapter/district, service to its members, and/or impact in its community or the industry at large. Massachusetts Chapter - Group Membership Initiative Maine Chapter - Continuing Education Model Distinguished Nursing Home Administrator AwardThis award aims to recognize a Fellow of ACHCA who has demonstrated the highest professional standards as an administrator in post-acute and aging services, specifically, the nursing home setting. Tara D'Andrea, FACHCA, Oriol Healthcare, Paxton, MA
Distinguished Assisted Living Administrator AwardThis award aims to recognize a Fellow of ACHCA who has demonstrated the highest professional standards as an administrator in post-acute and aging services, specifically, the assisted living setting Kara Owen, FACHCA, Barrington of Carmel, Fishers, IN ACHCA Distinguished Service AwardThe purpose of this award is to recognize an ACHCA Fellow who has demonstrated distinguished service to ACHCA and leadership within the profession of post-acute and aging services administration. Robert W. Lane, CNHA, FACHCA, Forvis Mazars, Edmond OK New Assisted Living Administrator AwardThis award aims to recognize an ACHCA member who has been a practicing administrator in an assisted living facility for five years or less and has demonstrated exceptional commitment and potential as a leader, innovator, and motivator in post-acute and aging services as well as in ACHCA. Annabelle Knox Howat, HSE, C-BFT, American House, Naples, FL James L. Farley New Nursing Home Administrator AwardThis award aims to recognize an ACHCA member who has been a practicing administrator in a nursing home facility for five years or less and has demonstrated exceptional commitment and potential as a leader, innovator, and motivator in post-acute and aging services as well as in ACHCA. Michael D. Schumacher, LNHA ACHCA Outstanding Member AwardThis award aims to recognize members who have made extraordinary commitments to ACHCA’s mission. Lori A. Pomelow, RN, MLA, FACHCA, Russell Park Rehabilitation & Living Center, Lewiston, ME AIT Preceptor AwardThis award recognizes an administrator who has made an exceptional contribution to the success of an administrator-in-training for whom he/she has been a preceptor. Cailin Gallego, Alliance Health at Marina Bay, Quincy, MA Public Service AwardThis award recognizes an individual who has promoted positive public awareness related to the field of post-acute and aging services. Dr. Keya Sen, Ph.D, FACHCA, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX Education AwardThis award recognizes an individual for the educational program(s), seminar(s), or workshop(s) that, because of their content, innovative approach, or other special components, have made an outstanding contribution to education in post-acute and aging services. Barbara Speedling, Queens, NY Mentor AwardThis award recognizes an ACHCA Fellow who has been an asset to the ACHCA mentor program and has developed a successful and committed relationship with their protégé. This relationship has allowed the protégé to enhance their connection to ACHCA and continue to grow within the post-acute and aging services administration profession. Michael A. Hotz, CNHA, FACHCA, Retired, Pine Beach, NJ Business Partner AwardThis award recognizes a product/service provider who has contributed their time and resources to the mission of promoting excellence in post-acute and aging services leadership, has encouraged other vendors and members to participate in ACHCA conferences and partnerships, and has volunteered their resources to ACHCA beyond expectations. Kerry Hart, NOA Diagnostics, Cromwell, CT ACHCA Champion AwardThis award recognizes a state, national, or international organization for their support of, or collaboration with, ACHCA. Senior Living Communities, LLC, Charlotte, NC |
