It’s time for long-term care stakeholders to pull together nominations for the 2025 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards, the premier recognition program for sector veterans.
Top executives, managers and other high-achievers from the ranks of skilled nursing, senior living and home care organizations are eligible for the esteemed honors.
Nominees should have 20 or more years of experience in the field. They will be celebrated for promoting quality outcomes, setting standards and driving change. Providing guidance and inspiring colleagues and clients around them also will be markers of success in this program.
Past winners have included standouts from small and large organizations, as well as from nonprofits, for-profits, associations, academic institutions, top marketplace contributors and other groups.
“Last year’s roster of winners [shown below] was an incredible collection of women and men who have done themselves and their organizations proud for a long time, and continue to do so,” said McKnight’s Publisher Craig Roth. “We look for even more to emerge this year. We encourage all nominations so that others can join this esteemed group.”
Nominations are judged by an independent panel of respected long-term care experts and stakeholders. Multiple winners will be named in each category, as warranted.
The 2025 categories:
- Agent of Change Award
- Industry Ally (for elected officials, high-level government administrators, trade group members, analysts and other thought leaders, among others)
- Inspiration Award
- Marketplace Influencer Award (for vendors/sponsors who have helped move the sector forward)
- Setting the Standard Award
- Thought Leader Award
- Unsung Hero Award
In addition, one Career Achievement Award will be bestowed, as determined by program organizers.
The standard deadline for nominations is Oct. 16, with an entry fee of $259. Nominations also will be accepted until an extended deadline of Nov. 1 at a rate of $325.
Finalists will be announced Dec. 10, and winners will be recognized at an in-person gala March 20 in Chicago.
Learn more and nominate a deserving candidate here. You also can head to the following pages to read about the 2023 and 2024 winning classes.
Last year’s McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards winners:
Agent of Change Award
Vassar Byrd, CEO, The Kendal Corporation
Deke Cateau, CEO, A.G. Rhodes
Kristen Duell, Executive Vice President of Experience & Innovation, FirstLight Home Care
Phillip Hill, Administrator, Principle Long Term Care
Colleen Kamin, Executive Director, Anthem Memory Care
Marianne Longo, Chief Clinical Officer, Help at Home
David Totaro, Chief Marketing and Government Affairs Officer, BAYADA Home Health Care
Industry Ally Award
Andrew Carle, Lead Faculty, Senior Living Administration, Georgetown University
Clifton Porter II, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living
Inspiration Award
Mark Baiada, Chairman and Founder, BAYADA Home Health Care
Esther Kamara-Conteh, Vice President Care Management Operations, VNS Health
Esmerelda Lee, Chief Operating Officer/EVP, Century Park Associates
Roberto Muñiz, President & CEO, Parker Health Group
Cathy Williams, CEO, Winslow Campus of Care
Setting the Standard Award
Sheila Davis, Senior Executive Vice President, Area Operations, Always Best Care Senior Services
Jamie Dlatt, Chief Operating Officer, Legacy Healthcare
Charles “Chuck” Hastings, CFO/Vice President of Finance and Business Development, Juniper Communities
Kurt Merkelz, Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, Compassus
John Swanson, CEO, Willow Valley Development Corp.
Raeann Voorhies, CEO, Vanda Health
Thought Leader Award
Joan DiPaola, Director Dementia Program Development, Harmony Village at CareOne Paramus
Jessica Fear, Senior Vice President, Behavioral Health VNS Health
R. Tamara Konetzka, PhD, Louis Block Professor of Public Health Sciences, University of Chicago
E. Joseph “Joe” Steier III, President/CEO, Signature HealthCARE
Unsung Hero Award
Wendy Blackman, Director of Reflections, The Bristal at North Woodmere
Orah Burack, Senior Research Associate, The New Jewish Home
Business Partner Award
Tim Hadley, Former CEO, Evive Brands
Steven Littlehale, Chief Innovation Officer, Zimmet Healthcare Services Group
Cindy Smith, Director, Professional Services, Omnicare
Wendy Strain, Director of Consulting Services, Polaris Group
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mark Parkinson, President and CEO, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living