CSNHC’s 2024 Conference Season

Creative Solutions Honors Department Award Winners

Throughout the month of June, our departments, company-wide, have been gathering to learn, grow, and share ideas on how to better the care we provide to our Greatest Generation. These conferences serve multiple purposes, one being to collaborate among facilities and another being to give a platform to recognize our exceptional team members.

Throughout these conferences, our Co-Founders Gary and Malisa Blake, along with our department Leadership, have been honoring incredible employees- those who consistently exceed expectations for their department, team, and our organization. With a multitude of awards given out for performance, talent, and more, we’re thrilled to share our Creative Solutions Conference Season winners.

A word from Gary Blake President and CEO, “Malisa and myself are incredibly proud of each award winner’s dedication and innovation in providing exceptional care to our residents, the Greatest Generation. Creative Solutions in Healthcare Conference Season has highlighted our commitment to providing support and growth to our employees. We are especially grateful to the Creative Solutions in Healthcare leadership team for providing our facility teams with the resources, training, and guidance necessary to excel. To all of our award winners, thank you, for your outstanding contributions. We are honored to celebrate your achievements.”

The Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals Conference

This conference for our Dietary Department saw many successes. In an award ceremony led by Vice President of Nutritional Services, Amy Wees, Dietary Managers and their teams were celebrated.

The highest honor, 2024 CDM of the Year, was awarded to Maria Melendez, CDM, CFPP at Amarillo Center for Skilled Care. Tied for Top Dietary White Glove Score of the Year is Cynthia Molina, CDM CFPP at Kenedy Health & Rehab, and Judy Hodges, CDM, CFPP at The Arbors Healthcare and Rehab. The first ever Social Media Award went to Amanda Edmonds, CDM, CFPP at Mineral Wells Nursing & Rehab. This conference for our Dietary Department saw many successes. In an award ceremony led by Vice President of Nutritional Services, Amy Wees, Dietary Managers and their teams were celebrated.

The MDS Conference

The MDS Conference ceremony, led by Kelly Roberts, Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement and Ancillary Services, awarded many individuals for their great outcomes. The highest honor of the conference, the Gary Blake Award, named after our CEO, was awarded to Karen Johnson, our incredible Chief Operations Officer. The 2024 MDS Case Manager of the Year Award was presented to Kerri Vega, MDS Case Manager at the Arboretum of Winnie Nursing and Rehabilitation. Another high honor, the Mary Ann Williams Heart of a Champion Award, was given to Dionne Dennis, for all her incredible work.

Also honored, our winners of the C R E A T I V E Awards:

C- The Courage Award, given to Ashley Aguirre at St Teresa Nursing and Rehabilitation

R- The Resilience Award, given to Kimberly Mazzagate at the Arboretum of Winnie Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation

E- The Excellence Award, given to Judy Warurii at North Park Health and Rehabilitation

A- The Admirable Award, given to Sarah Williams from our Corporate Team

T- The Teachable Award, given to Starla Davis at Sienna Nursing and Rehabilitation

I- The Integrity Award, given to Vickie Cullins at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation

V- The VIP Award, given to Christina Walters at Brownwood and Darlene Aguirre at Concho Health and Rehabilitation

E- The Effective Award, given to Denise Koinm at Lake Lodge Nursing and Rehabilitation

The DON Conference

At this conference, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services, Chuck Moody, along with East and West Divisional Vice Presidents of Clinical Services, Tim Brown and Dawn Watts, gave special recognition to several team members for all their hard work. Taking home the high honor of DON of the Year for the East and West, respectively, was Sherie McDonald at Birchwood Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Maria Cisneros at San Saba Rehabilitation. Another high honor, the Compliance Nurse of the Year awards, went to Christina Pina for the East Division and Luz Shearod for the West Division. The DON Rising Star Awards for the East and West were given to Twolla Marchman at Treemont Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Cristian Murga at Five Points Nursing and Rehabilitation. Our Rising Star Compliance Nurse Awards were given to Lacey Adams for the East and Angel McSpadden for the West.

The Housekeeping Conference

Many team members at this conference were honored by Cort Chambers, Director of Environmental Services, and our corporate White Glove team for their incredible work and positive outcomes. Esther Gamez at The Rio at Mission Trails took home several awards including a CEO Award of Excellence, a DVP Award for the West Division, and the Highest White Glove Score in Area 1. Joyce Watson at The Arbors Healthcare and Rehab also was given a CEO Award of Excellence, the DVP Award for the East Division, and had the Highest White Glove Score in Area 2. Also recognized were the two Environmental Services Teams of the Year, Skilled Care of Mexia and St. Teresa Nursing and Rehab Center.

The Administrators Conference

Co-Founders, Gary and Malisa Blake, along with our Divisional Vice Presidents for the East and West, Auston Clanton and Rocky Ruelas, awarded several of our outstanding team members at this conference.

The Visionary Leadership Award, the evenings highest honor, was given to Karen Johnson, our Chief Operations Officer, for her incredible leadership and immeasurable impact. Taking home another high honor of Administrator of the Year for the East and West was Kayla Kiker at The Arboretum of Winnie Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Raquenet Jimenez at La Hacienda De Paz Rehabilitation and Care Center. Another impressive award, Facility of the Year, went to The Arboretum of Winnie for the East, and Oasis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for the West. The Spirit of Creative Awards for the East were given to Brenda Wright at Marine Creek Nursing and Rehab and Mark Saintignan at Westward Trails Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, while the awards for the West were given to Amy Stasny at Twin Pines North and Lupe Macias at Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation. Our Rising Star Awards were given to Sylvia Anene at Rock Creek Health and Rehabilitation, and Kori Linahan at Five Points Nursing and Rehabilitation. The award for Best Customer Service went to Estates Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for the East and Five Points Nursing and Rehabilitation for the West.

This Conference Season concluded with remarkable success and widespread recognition of outstanding team members across various departments. These conferences not only celebrated individual performance but also fostered a spirit of unity and excellence across the organization, reaffirming our commitment to providing exceptional care. As we reflect on the achievements and growth of this season, we look forward to continuing to innovate and improve the services we offer, inspired by the dedication and hard work of our incredible team.