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.

Cathy Krege has dedicated her 40+ year career to improving the lives of older adults at every level of the field. On her way to becoming vice president of clinical solutions and compliance at St. Louis-based Provision Living, Krege has excelled on every rung of the professional ladder since getting her start as a nurse assistant. That diversity of experience, as well as length, have been invaluable assets to her and the communities she has served in and led.

Krege’s can-do attitude has made her a “force to be reckoned with,” according to those around her. Far from content to rest on her laurels, she continues to lead the way, introducing new programs and innovative technological tools to lead to better care outcomes.

From managing an emergency facility evacuation after a burst pipe to moving on from a beloved role as a leader in operations to fill a vital vacancy as director of clinical services, Krege has proven to be as resilient as she is qualified and determined. All those skills served her well in early 2020 when she helped anticipate the drastic incoming effects of COVID-19 and ensured that personal protective equipment supplies were well-stocked ahead of the national shortages.

“There is no one that you would rather have on your team and as your partner than Cathy Krege. Her ability … to pivot is nothing short of remarkable,” said Andrew Kennard, president of Provision Living. “Cathy continues to develop as a person and as a leader. She recognizes her strengths and weaknesses while continuing to guide our clinical teams.” 

More about Krege: 

  • Krege created the Encircle program at Provision Living, a care program dedicated to whole-person care through physical, mental and spiritual health. 
  • She founded Ohio’s first clinical care wing for geriatric patients living with AIDS. 
  • Aside from her regular duties, she is dedicated to making time for regular one-on-one meetings with older adults in her care, and their families. 

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.