Twelve women leaders in skilled nursing, senior living or home care have been elected into the second Veteran VIP class in the annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program.

Honorees will be celebrated May 12 and 13 in Chicago at the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards ceremony and Forum, organizers announced Thursday. McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and sister media brands McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care jointly administer the program

The Veteran VIP category honors women who have more than 15 years of experience and have made an impact in skilled nursing, senior living or home care while serving at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent.

“The skilled nursing, senior living and home care industries have benefited greatly from the knowledge and experience of these seasoned professionals,” said McKnight’s Editorial Director, Vice President and Associate Publisher John O’Connor.

The 2022 class of Veteran VIPs are:

Elizabeth Dauch, Corporate Infection Preventionist, Stonerise Healthcare, Charleston, WV

Karen Devaney, National Care Director, Atria Senior Living, Louisville, KY

Joan Devine, Director of Education, Pioneer Network, Rochester, NY

Wanda Hose, Administrator, The Bay at Eastview Health and Rehabilitation Center, Antigo, WI

Susan Levy, M.D., CMD, Medical Director, Harrison House of Georgetown, Georgetown, DE

Lindsay Martin, Executive Director, The Village Senior Residence / The Goodman Group, Missoula, MT

Isha Mathis, Director of Nursing, Greenspring / Erickson Senior Living, Springfield, VA

Mary Jean McKeveny, Director of Clinical Innovation, Gurwin Healthcare System, Commack, NY

Sandra Mundy, Manhattan Administrator, The New Jewish Home, New York, NY

Debra Reed, Regional Director of Operations, Crest Healthcare, Skokie, IL

Tina Reed, Director of clinical services, LCS, Des Moines, IA

Cheryl Welch, Director of Clinical Services, Bridges Health, Oklahoma City, OK

More award announcements coming

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program was adjudicated by a national, independent panel of judges. This year’s honorees represent 27 states.

The 2022 class of Rising Stars was announced Wednesday. On Friday, inductees in the Hall of Honor category will be made public. That category recognizes outstanding women leaders whose positions are the equivalent of vice president or higher.

The 2022 program, as in years past, also will feature a Lifetime Achievement Award; the recipient of that award, as well as the recipients of a new Spirit Award, recognizing inspiring women who provide care and services, will be announced later.

Awards dinner and educational event set

The 2022 McKnight’s Women of Distinction program features the return of in-person festivities after two years of virtual celebrations.

This year’s honorees will be celebrated May 12 during an in-person cocktail reception and awards dinner at the W Hotel City Center in Chicago. The next morning, the third annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction Forum will take place. It will offer free educational sessions featuring industry thought leaders speaking on vital topics of the day. Both events are open to everyone.

For more information or to register for any of the events, please visit https://www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com/. Those with questions about the event should contact Anna Naumoski at [email protected].

PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s event.