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.
Cheryl Wallen’s commitment to staff and residents at Givens Communities has set her apart as an exceptional leader and a caring friend.
She stepped into her directorship in 2006, driven by a passion for helping residents live healthy, fulfilling lives. Her clear vision and passion for elder care have made the community healthier, stronger and happier.
Wallens is highly focused on promoting inclusivity by addressing health disparities among underserved, diverse and vulnerable populations. She’s developed initiatives addressing food insecurity, social isolation, financial instability and spiritual wellness for residents. And Wallen also created a program called Baby Equipment and Resource Closet ministries to help prepare expectant mothers and grandparents.
She also recognizes the power of partnerships; during her time at Givens, she has orchestrated partnerships with local agencies to provide her residents with legal aid, end-of-life planning and specialized health services for chronic diseases or skilled care needs.
“Residents often express gratitude for the positive impact Cheryl has had on their lives, a testament to her ability to create meaningful and lasting change,“ according to one colleague.
And Wallen always is working to better her own skills to provide better care for the people around her. She is a type 2 diabetes educator certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has been known to teach diabetes management classes in affordable senior housing communities.
More about Wallen:
- Wallen teaches in the Stanford University chronic disease self-management program.
- One noteworthy program she oversees is called Medical Equipment Loan Closets, which helps uninsured and underinsured older adults afford medical supplies.
- Her work at Givens Communities affects tens of thousands of people annually across 12 North Carolina counties.
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.
