The nominations period for the 2021 McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards program has opened — and has already produced submissions, organizers said.

While the entry period is a little shorter than in the past, there is still plenty of time to submit before the May 25 deadline.

Fortunately, there is a streamlined entry form for providers interested in receiving recognition for excellent caregiving programs and processes.

Of special note, the annual program has been enriched this year to include the McKnight’s Tech Summit, a string of tech-oriented educational webinars, each carrying CE credit. 

All program elements are free — submissions and CE credits included. The program is a joint production of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and the franchise’s newest brand, McKnight’s Home Care.

Awards honor providers that convey how technology — simple or advanced — has improved care and operations in their organizations. (Vendors are not eligible to enter — submissions shall illustrate how a provider has succeeded.)

Submissions can be made in any of four categories in each of the three tracks: Senior Living, Skilled Nursing and Home Care. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be presented in each category, as warranted. 

The categories are:

  1. Quality – Winning entries will describe the technology involved and how it was applied to improve the quality of care or services.
  2. Innovator of the Year – Winning entries will describe how technological innovation was key to the entry’s success and how it made a difference in the provision of care or services or the bottom line.
  3. KISS (Keep It Super Simple) – Winning entries will describe a simple but effective application of technology that improved the provision of care, services or operations.
  4. Building Bridges – Winning entries will describe the ways in which an operator is using technology to improve connections between staff members and residents and/or their families.

Nominations will be judged by an independent national panel of experts. 

Award winners will be announced at the new McKnight’s Tech Awards + Summit on Aug. 25 and 26. Stay tuned for upcoming details about the agenda and speakers for the summit’s webinars.

For additional information on the awards, or to enter, visit www.mcknightstechawards.com.