Women of Distinction logo for 2021

There’s one day left to nominate a deserving woman for the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards. 

The nomination deadline for the highly successful third-year program hosted by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and sister brand McKnight’s Senior Living is Wednesday. 

Last year’s program recognized 44 women across two categories, Rising Stars and Hall of Honor, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This year’s program includes an additional awards category — Veteran VIPs. 

The categories for 2021 are:

  • Hall of Honor: Candidates should be senior-level professionals in the C-suite or at a level equivalent to vice president or higher and should have made a significant impact on their organization or the industry.
  • Veteran VIPs: This is a new category this year to recognize candidates who have more than 15 years of experience, are making an impact on the senior living or skilled nursing fields and are at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent. Whether as a community/facility administrator or executive director; or as a director of nursing, health/wellness or activities; or through some other position, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry through their accomplishments.
  • Rising Stars: Candidates must be age 40 or younger or have fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession. Also, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry. These achievements or accomplishments may include, for example, managing a project, developing a campaign or contributing to the field via research or thought leadership.

Eligible candidates work as direct care providers, managers, executives, corporate executives and owners in skilled nursing facilities, as well as those working in independent living, assisted living, memory care and life plan communities. 

Women who serve the field indirectly, as association key employees or academicians, also are eligible. Individuals working for vendor companies are not eligible.

All honorees, including a lifetime achievement award winner, will be celebrated at a virtual awards event in May that again will be accompanied by continuing education sessions at a special forum. Additional details about the full list of activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Coverage of previous winners and magnificent magnificent Women of Distinction awards celebrations can be found here and here.

More information about the program and nomination process can be found here.