Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Kate Gilday’s professional journey has taken many twists and turns.
After starting off as a hairstylist, she worked her way through an internship with the Illinois Department of Public Health and then began working as a receptionist at Warren Barr North Shore, a rehabilitation center in Highland Park, IL. After holding positions of increasing responsibility, she now is an administrator for Legacy Healthcare.
Gilday is described as the first person at the facility in the morning and the last person to leave at night. Colleagues said that her work ethic and professionalism have set an example for them and have ensured quality care for all residents and patients. Her future is bright, and her employer is excited to see what the coming year holds for her and for the company.
“Kate continues to rise in our company and be the model of what we want all administrators in our company to be like. However, we don’t want her to only be a model leader for our company; we want her to be a model leader for this whole industry,” her nominators said. “In an industry that is begging for talented leaders and role models, featuring Kate will show the world just how important and rewarding the work we do truly is. Kate is someone who has shown that if you have a dream, the right attitude and are willing to work hard, you will get far in life.”
More about Gilday:
- In 2021, Gilday was voted the Administrator of the Year for Legacy Healthcare.
- When her facility was struggling with staffing, she earned her CNA certification and picked up night shifts in addition to her full-time work as an administrator.
- Her talents include playing an instrument and cooking for residents and employees.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
