| Get Ready for the 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Get-Ready-for-the-2026-AHCANCAL-National-Quality-Awards.aspx | Get Ready for the 2026 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards | | | | | 7/15/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 National Quality Award Program application cycle!<br><br>Through engaging with the Quality Award Program, organizations benefit from valuable external insights and constructive feedback, build a strong team, become more resilient, boost performance, and earn recognition – all with the ultimate result of improving the quality of care and quality of life of residents. <br><br>And this is a special year, as 2026 marks the Program’s 30th anniversary! Don’t miss your chance to join your peers on this quality journey as we celebrate three decades of excellence. Be sure to take advantage of the new and updated educational materials and resources that will help set you on the path to success. These are now available on the <a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a11f658d839c70242ffbb65683a86efa7bfc7e313aed8bcefe20bee897f3f27505880667c653c337172e7da48e2dac7d0" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a11f658d839c70242ffbb65683a86efa7bfc7e313aed8bcefe20bee897f3f27505880667c653c337172e7da48e2dac7d0" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Quality Award website</span></a> and include all award levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. <br><br>Discover the incredible journeys of past recipients on the <a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a9bc9a3c34a962503ac0805107a19e98da3e44bd1816a0dbb8307a225d8bbe49fb0a98bc411d4ecf1da1dc46a310603bb" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a9bc9a3c34a962503ac0805107a19e98da3e44bd1816a0dbb8307a225d8bbe49fb0a98bc411d4ecf1da1dc46a310603bb" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Quality Award Stories website</span></a>. Imagine sharing your story next year!</span><br><br>AHCA/NCAL is Committed to Your Success<br><br>To support your journey, the Quality Award Program team invites you to the 2026 Quality Award Program <a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a951e3b1475a237034b3567c686c97acf0781102cc7ea5cff2e591e9d9488b25b286203e5ba194d9eaa6c6bd0df23e2c1" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a951e3b1475a237034b3567c686c97acf0781102cc7ea5cff2e591e9d9488b25b286203e5ba194d9eaa6c6bd0df23e2c1" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Kick-Off Webinar</span></a> on Thursday, July 31 at 3 PM Eastern.<br><br>This webinar will help you:<br><br><ul><li>Understand key deadlines and requirements;</li><li>Explore essential resources; and</li><li>Get your questions answered live.</li></ul><a title="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a8d2361ee119fe8fd6db492cd91bbaa56e97679cb2f0b9d43ed3d665676d1bb3a7055afd443358fa4eb21b1dab0ba329a" data-auth="NotApplicable" href="https://click.email.ahca.org/?qs=7a0514700035e13a8d2361ee119fe8fd6db492cd91bbaa56e97679cb2f0b9d43ed3d665676d1bb3a7055afd443358fa4eb21b1dab0ba329a" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Register</span></a> today to jumpstart your 2026 application and set your organization on the path to excellence!<br><br>More information will also be available soon on the 2026 National Quality Award Intent to Apply (ITA). This offers an opportunity for those applicants who plan to apply for a National Quality Award in 2026 to access exclusive resources and receive a discounted application fee.<br><br>Questions? Contact the <a title="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" href="mailto:qualityaward@ahca.org?subject=" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-ogsc="rgb(4, 100, 152)">Quality Award Program staff</span></a>. <br><br>And a special thank you goes to our sponsors! The National Quality Award Program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: HealthCap, McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Rosie, and Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare.<br> | | |
| AHCA/NCAL Announces 2025 Silver National Quality Award Recipients | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Announces-2025-Silver-National-Quality-Award-Recipients.aspx | AHCA/NCAL Announces 2025 Silver National Quality Award Recipients | | | | | 6/26/2025 4:00:00 AM | | WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today announced the recipients of the <em>2025 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award</em>. The program recognizes long term and post-acute care facilities that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to further improve the lives of their residents and staff. Among the 209 total recipients in 40 states are:<br><br><ul><li>142 skilled nursing care centers,</li><li>31 assisted living communities,<br></li><li>35 dual skilled nursing/assisted living organizations, and </li><li>1 intermediate care facility for individuals with disabilities. </li></ul>“I am so proud of our Silver recipients today," <strong>said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL.</strong> “Achieving this award level reflects the pursuit of a <em>better way</em> to quality improvement—turning process into purpose. The strong dedication of these providers sets a powerful example for others in our profession to follow."<br><br>“The Silver Award level is no easy feat," <strong>said LaShuan Bethea, executive director of NCAL.</strong> “It is challenging to get to this level, and these recipients are not just meeting standards, they are going above and beyond to improve lives."<br> <br>Applicants must first achieve the <em>Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award</em> before applying and advancing to the Silver level. At the Silver stage, recipients demonstrate their dedication to continuous improvement by utilizing their organization's performance improvement system to evaluate and improve processes. This structured approach helps them enhance their processes, ultimately driving measurable and sustainable results.<br><br> "The Silver recognition reflects unwavering dedication to performance improvement,"<strong> said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair</strong>. “You are not only building better systems—you are building a better future for your teams, your residents, and your communities."<br> <br>A full list of the 2025 Silver recipients is available on the <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/QualityAwardRecipients.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website</a>.<br> <br>Last month, AHCA/NCAL announced 653 organizations earned the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The Association will announce the recipients of the extremely prestigious Gold Award level in August.<br> <br>The 2025 National Quality Award recipients will be recognized during the Elevating Excellence Awards Ceremony at AHCA/NCAL's Convention & Expo: <a href="https://ds25.eventscribe.net/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">Delivering Solutions 25</a>, in Las Vegas, Nev. on Tuesday, October 21. Registration to attend is open. <br><br>The 2025 National Quality Award Program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: HealthCap, McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Rosie, and Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare. <br> | Today, we're excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. This year, 209 total recipients in 40 states earned the Silver Award. | 209 long term and post-acute care providers earn national recognition for demonstrating achievement in quality |
| AHCA/NCAL Announces 2025 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Announces-2025-Bronze-National-Quality-Award-Recipients.aspx | AHCA/NCAL Announces 2025 Bronze National Quality Award Recipients | | | | | 5/30/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C.</strong></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong> – </strong>The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 15,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, today announced the 2025 </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Bronze – Commitment to Quality</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> Award recipients. This year, 486 skilled nursing facilities (SNF), 129 assisted living (AL) communities, and 38 combined SNF/AL providers in 46 states earned the Bronze Award, the first of three levels in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The awards program recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of quality to improve the lives of their residents.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“We commend this year’s recipients for taking this important first step on their quality journey,”<strong> said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. </strong>“Their commitment to continuous improvement and resident-centered care reflects the heart of our mission and lays a strong foundation for future excellence.”</span> <br><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">“Embarking on the Quality Award journey is an important and commendable choice,” <strong>said LaShuan Bethea, executive director of NCAL.</strong> “These recipients have demonstrated that they are ready to grow, learn, and lead with purpose—qualities that are essential to improving all aspects of the lives of our residents. We congratulate the 2025 Bronze recipients, and we are excited to see where this path takes them.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they demonstrate a clear understanding of their organization’s mission, vision, and core values—who they are and what matters most to them. They also highlight the use of a performance improvement system that supports ongoing evaluation and helps refine their processes to achieve their goals. An esteemed group of trained examiners review each application to determine if the organization has met the demands of the award criteria. Recipients of the Bronze Award can now begin to work towards earning the Silver Award level. </span> <br><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">"Starting the Quality Award journey is about more than recognition—it’s about building a culture that puts quality first,” <strong>said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair.</strong> “Congratulations to each recipient for embracing that commitment and setting the stage for continued success.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">A full list of the 2025 Bronze recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award </span><a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/QualityAwardRecipients.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">website</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. The association will announce the recipients of this year’s Silver Award at the end of June, and the Gold Award recipients in August. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The 2025 National Quality Award Recipients will be recognized during the Elevating Excellence Awards Ceremony at AHCA/NCAL’s Convention & Expo: </span><a href="https://ds25.eventscribe.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Delivering Solutions 25</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">, in Las Vegas, Nev. on Tuesday, October 21. Registration to attend is now open.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The 2025 National Quality Award Program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: HealthCap, McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Rosie, and Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div> | Today, we're happy to announce the 2025 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award recipients. This year, 486 skilled nursing facilities, 129 assisted living communities, and 38 combined SNF/AL providers in 46 states earned the Bronze Award. | 653 long term care providers in 46 states are recognized for commitment to quality |
| National Volunteer Week: Celebrating the Vital Role of Quality Award Examiners | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/National-Volunteer-Week-Celebrating-the-Vital-Role-of-Quality-Award-Examiners.aspx | National Volunteer Week: Celebrating the Vital Role of Quality Award Examiners | | | | | 4/22/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p>During National Volunteer Week, AHCA/NCAL acknowledges the valuable contributions of over 150 dedicated volunteers who annually dedicate numerous hours to evaluating and writing feedback to applicants for the Silver and Gold National <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Quality Awards</a>. These experienced <a href="/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/Examiners.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Examiners</a>, who average more than five years of service, bring expertise from diverse sectors – including skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, veterans homes, providers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), Quality Improvement Organizations, and state-based and international Baldrige Programs. Their impressive commitment underscores a shared dedication to enhancing quality within the long term care profession and are a vital part of the National Quality Award workforce. </p> | During National Volunteer Week, AHCA/NCAL acknowledges the valuable contributions of over 150 dedicated volunteers who annually dedicate numerous hours to evaluating and writing feedback to applicants for the Silver and Gold National Quality Awards. | |