Nineteen outstanding executives working in skilled nursing, senior living or home care are being announced today as 2022 inductees into the Hall of Honor in the annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program.

The 19 will be celebrated May 12 and 13 in Chicago at the McKnight’s Women of Distinction and Forum. The Hall of Honor category honors women who are at a level equivalent to vice president or higher and who have had a significant effect on their organization or industry.

“These inductees really stand out for the impact they have made on long-term care in general and on colleagues, residents and clients in particular,” said McKnight’s Editorial Director, Vice President and Associate Publisher John O’Connor.

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is a joint effort of McKnight’s Senior Living and sister media brands McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care

This year’s Hall of Honor inductees are:

Mitze Amoroso, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, ArchCare, New York, NY

Lisi Coleman, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Vital Health Care Group, Lake Charles, LA

Brenda Connelly, Chief Operating Officer, The Springs Living, McMinnville, OR

Patti Cullen, CAE, President/CEO, Care Providers of Minnesota, Bloomington, MN

April Diaz, RN, Vice President of Clinical Services, Marquis Companies, Milwaukie, OR

Susan Grigg, CEO, The McGuire Group/RCA/VestraCare, Buffalo, NY

Demetress Harrell, CEO/Administrator, Hospice in the Pines, Lufkin, TX

Jennifer Kennedy, RN, Vice President, System Integration, Gurwin Healthcare System, Commack, NY

Bonnie Laiderman, Founder, Veterans Home Care, St. Louis

Luz Liebeskind, Chief Financial Officer, RiverSpring Living, Bronx, NY

Cassie Mistretta, CEO, Senior Living Properties, Bedford, TX

Joylin Nation, Chief Operating Officer, Principle LTC, Kinston, NC

DeLaine Rice-White, Vice President, Rehabilitation Services, ProMedica Senior Care, Toledo, OH

Barb Rode, President and CEO, Saint Therese, St. Louis Park, MN

Amy Schectman, President and CEO, 2Life Communities, Brighton, MA

Wendy Schrag, Vice President of Clinical Services, Touchmark, Beaverton, OR

Carol Silver Elliott, President/CEO, Jewish Home Family, Rockleigh, NJ

Sara Terry, Senior Vice President, Resident and Family Engagement and Experience, Brookdale Senior Living, Brentwood, TN

Bryanna Wegner, Vice President of Clinical Services, Majestic Care, Westfield, IN

More award announcements coming

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program was judged by a national, independent panel of judges. Overall, 27 states are represented by the honorees across all categories.

Before the Hall of Honor inductees were announced, honorees in the Veteran VIP category were announced yesterday, and Rising Stars were announced Wednesday.

The 2022 program, as in years past, also will include 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 also features the return of in-person festivities after two years of virtual celebrations.

The 2022 Hall of Honor inductees, as well as the other women being recognized this year, will be celebrated May 12 during an in-person cocktail reception and dinner at the W Hotel City Center in Chicago. The presentation of awards will be followed the next day by the third annual McKnight’s Women of Distinction Forum, which will offer educational sessions featuring industry thought leaders discussing important topics. Both events are open to everyone.

For more information and to register for either or both events, 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.