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.

Rachel Shearer leads the South division of Ignite Medical Resorts with a smile and a can-do attitude. 

As the senior vice president for operations for that division, she runs eight (soon to be nine) skilled nursing facilities with a total of approximately 580 beds. Not only that, but the division runs in excess of 95% occupancy with zero staffing agency labor, and two facilities have had deficiency-free annual surveys in the past year, and most of her portfolio is 4- and 5-star rated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

She has been at Ignite for almost four years, but her accomplishments would lead you to believe she has been there forever.

Shearer is not only a skilled leader but a helpful mentor as well. She personally leads the administrator-in-training program and has advanced three administrators over the past year. Her commitment to both her patients and colleagues has earned her the respect and endearment of her staff.

“Rachel not only works for her entire Ignite team, but she also works for the welfare of the patients we treat at Ignite,” her nominators said. “Her dedication to the skilled nursing industry goes beyond herself and her team and reminds us of why we work in healthcare. We work in healthcare to be an advocate for our fellow citizens so that all may have a most productive and healthy life.” 

More about Shearer: 

  • Shearer began her career as a speech therapist.
  • She personally met with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to provide insight into how legislative changes at the state level could improve the lives of those who require skilled nursing care. 
  • Her nickname at work is “The Queen of the South.” 

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.