Six Ecumen Communities Earn 2024 AHCA/NCAL Bronze National Quality Award
National award signifies a formal commitment to continuous improvement in quality care.
By CorrineMcCallum | June 5, 2024
SHOREVIEW, MN (June 5, 2024) — Ecumen Centennial House, Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood, Ecumen Prairie Lodge, Ecumen Lakeshore and Ecumen North Branch have been recognized as 2024 recipients of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors providers across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for our nation’s older adults and individuals with disabilities.
“We are deeply honored by these recognitions, which showcases the dedication and commitment of our exceptional teams,” said Shelley Kendrick, president and CEO of Ecumen. “All four of these Ecumen communities exemplify our mission and vision in action, and this distinction reaffirms what our residents and team members already know: Ecumen is fantastic place to live and work.”
The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process that is reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence. The standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program help organizations achieve superior performance over time to improve quality of life and care of long-term care residents and staff.
Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, understanding of key customers, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a sustainable performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each application to determine if a center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality award, Ecumen Lakeshore may now move forward to the Silver – Achievement in Quality award criteria.
“This achievement reflects each provider’s dedication to continuous improvement,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “It is an honor to recognize their hard work and commitment to enhancing the quality of care and service as they continue this rewarding journey.”
The awards will be presented during Delivering Solutions 24, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.
About Ecumen
Ecumen is a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of award-winning living spaces and innovative services for older adults. Mission-driven since its founding in 1862, Ecumen’s legacy of service reflects a commitment to honoring those it serves. Ecumen is based in Shoreview, Minn., and operates properties and services in multiple states, and provides new development, management and consulting services. Housing options include independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care communities. Its diverse in-home and community-based services include home care, hospice, physical and occupational therapy, adult day services and an online durable goods medical store. For more information, visit ecumen.org.
About AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represent more than 14,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers, and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, visit ahcancal.org.