Health Care Association of Michigan Long-Term Care Awards of Excellence

The 2023 Health Care Association of Michigan Long-Term Care Awards of Excellence will honor individuals and teams in the skilled nursing and assisted living sectors across Michigan. Please submit your nominations below for the Team of Excellence Award, Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Award, and David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship Award.

Please contact Lisa Reibsome at lisareibsome@hcam.org with questions.

Team of Excellence Award

The Team of Excellence Award will recognize and celebrate a long‐term care team for their exemplary contribution and unwavering commitment to delivering quality care to residents and for advancing the positive image of the LTC profession in the community. A winning team is one that works to build a culture of excellence. One team from a skilled nursing facility and one team from an assisted living community will be selected to receive the award.

Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Award

Named for HCAM’s past board president, the Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Award recognizes and celebrates those in the profession whose commitment to residents and co‐workers goes above and beyond the already high standard long‐term care workers set every day. Gerry championed Michigan’s long‐term care industry for several decades, eventually serving nationally on the American Health Care Association board, working his way up to chairman in 1999.

This award will honor up to 10 individuals who perform their jobs in an exceptional manner. Nominees should be dedicated individuals who come to work each day to improve residents’ lives, always making a positive difference. Any LTC position is eligible including CNAs, nurses, dietitians, therapists, housekeepers, support/office/activities/recreation staffers, laundry or maintenance workers, and others.

Important Details:

Both skilled nursing and assisted living members are welcome to submit nominations for the Team of Excellence and Gerry Baker Hero awards.
Nominees must be employed by an HCAM member in good standing.
Winners will be recognized at the HCAM Annual Convention, Sept. 18-20, 2023, in Grand Rapids.

David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship for Nursing Facilities

Established in 2016 in memory of HCAM’s long‐time legal counsel, the David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship provides cash awards to assist employees in meeting education expenses and advancing the long‐term care profession. Contracted as special legal counsel for the association in the 1960s, David Lebenbom helped pioneer the laws governing long‐term care in Michigan over the next 40 years. His firm, Lebenbom and Rothman P.C., continues to serve as HCAM general counsel today.

Scholarship applicants must be employed by an HCAM skilled nursing facility member in good standing for a minimum of one year and be enrolled in an education program related to long‐term care at an accredited college or university. This can include, but is not limited to, nursing, art, music therapy, and other related fields.

Winners will be recognized at the HCAM Annual Convention, Sept. 18‐20, 2023, in Grand Rapids. Please contact Lisa Reibsome at lisareibsome@hcam.org with questions.

Award Type:

Award Category:

Nominator Information:

Name:

Title:

Email:

HCAM Member Organization Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone:

Nominee Information

Nominee's name and title/position at organization:

HCAM member organization with which the team is employed:

HCAM member organization:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone:

How long has applicant worked at organization:

Current college/university:

Date of acceptance:

What is the applicant studying?

Anticipated graduation date:

Anticipated degree:

Please share your story of why you believe this group should be recognized as a “team of excellence.” With a minimum of 300 words:

Please share your story of why you believe this individual should receive the Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Award. With a minimum of 300 words, use examples to describe how this individual performed his or her job in an outstanding manner.

Please explain your career objectives as they relate to the long‐term care profession. Discuss how this scholarship will assist in achieving your short‐ and long‐term goals:

Applicants to the David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship Award should send the following documentation to Lisa Reibsome at lisareibsome@hcam.org:

Letter of recommendation from current administrator regarding applicant’s job performance and length of time employed.
Academic transcript
Documentation verifying applicant’s acceptance into educational program for which scholarship will be applied

Award Descriptions:

+ Evaluation Criteria

Use examples to describe how this team stands out in the care they provide to residents.\r\nExamples could include ways the team demonstrates outstanding compassion, innovation or\r\nclinical excellence providing resident‐centered care.
Use examples to describe how the team contributes to the positive image of the long‐term care\r\nprofession in the community.
Be sure to discuss the significant positive results the team achieved. For instance, did this team’s\r\nactions lead to improved safety, higher quality care, happier residents and families, community\r\nrecognition, etc.?

Nominations must include a letter of recommendation for the team. The letter could come from family members, vendors, physicians, community officials or others who can speak to why the group should be recognized as a team of excellence.

Please email your letter of recomendation to Lisa Reibsome at lisareibsome@hcam.org:

What separates this person from his or her peers? Examples could include ways this individual interacts with residents/families or coworkers/managers, an effective, creative approach this person took to meet a need, or actions that show strong leadership, integrity, and a high standard of ethical behavior.
Be sure to highlight any significant events or contributions above and beyond the normal daily work that you believe puts this employee in a special category worthy of recognition.

In 2023, HCAM will award up to 10 Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Awards.