Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2022 Women of Distinction honorees daily July 5 through Aug. 10. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
For 25 years, April Diaz has tirelessly served residents, staff and the long-term care profession. Right out of nursing school, she worked in a skilled nursing facility, where she discovered her passion for caregiving for older adults. Her professional journey encompassed experience as a charge nurse, resident care manager, director of nursing, consultant and expert legal consultant.
Now, as vice president of clinical services, her responsibilities include clinical system development and implementation, regulatory oversight and the training of nursing and clinical leaders.
At Marquis Companies, she has been integral in the company’s successes, and nationally, she is deeply respected by her peers, esteemed for her experience and knowledge. She is co-chair of the American Health Care Association’s Survey Regulatory Committee and is a member of the AHCA/National Center for Assisted Living Quality Cabinet.
Additionally, Diaz serves on the Oregon Health Care Association’s Legal Committee and its Compliance and Quality Council. She is a trusted adviser to the Oregon Health Authority and Department of Health Services.
Over her Marquis tenure, she has helped lead the organization to achievements such as receiving one of the highest Five-Star quality ratings for a multifacility company in the nation, as well as industry-leading low rehospitalization rates. She also pioneered new models of care around post-acute episodic management and invests in technology and innovation for the company.
During COVID-19, Diaz has helped Marquis maintain industry-leading vaccination rates, with 80% of staff members and 90% of residents receiving the vaccine.
An active supporter of the Vital Life Foundation, Diaz has traveled to Nicaragua with Marquis colleagues to help train caregivers, improve clinical systems and develop a model of care to better serve the country’s older adults.
She also is a recipient of the Oregon Health Care Association’s Special Services Award.
But despite her impressive record, colleges describe Diaz as “extremely humble.”
“Such recognition is not her motivation,” CEO Phil Fogg said. “ She’s driven by her passion for seniors and has dedicated her life to this profession because they deserve our best and it’s simply the right thing to do.”
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors include OnShift and PharMerica, and the Bronze sponsor is Reliant Rehabilitation. Table sponsors included Dreamscape, Gojo/Purell and Sound Physicians.
