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WHCA Excellence in Service Awards

WHCA Excellence in Service Awards

The nominating process for the 2026 Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) Awards Program opens February 10, 2026 and runs through March 3, 2026. Award recipients will receive a complimentary registration to the WHCA Annual Convention in Seattle, May 18-20, and will be honored during the Awards Luncheon on May 20 at the convention. Nominate an outstanding coworker today!

The award categories are:

ASSISTED LIVING

Assisted Living Administrator of the Year
Assisted Living Nurse of the Year
Noble Caregiver in Assisted Living Award
Assisted Living Red Carpet Quality Award

SKILLED NURSING

Skilled Nursing Administrator of the Year
Skilled Nursing Nurse of the Year
Noble Caregiver in Skilled Nursing Award
Skilled Nursing Red Carpet Quality Award

READ THE AWARD GUIDELINES

General Rules and Guidelines:

The nominee must be a current employee of the facility, and be able to attend the WHCA Annual Convention Awards Luncheon on May 20, 2026 in Seattle.

To be eligible for consideration, an individual nominated must be employed at an assisted living community or skilled nursing facility that is a member in good standing with WHCA at the time of the nomination. All nomination forms received will be verified with WHCA to ensure that all nominees are members in good standing.

All materials, essays and photos submitted become the property of WHCA and may be used in its publications and website. Submitted materials will not be returned to applicants.

All incomplete nominations will be disqualified.

WHCA reserves the right not to make an award if fewer than 10 nominations are submitted for each category or if applicants do not meet award eligibility criteria.

Previous winners of any category are not eligible to win the same award more than twice, and are not eligible to win in consecutive years.

Award recipients will be selected by WHCA, and they and their nominators will be notified in April. The awards will be presented at WHCA’s annual Awards Luncheon on May 20, 2026 at the Seattle Airport Marriott as part of the WHCA Annual Convention.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

2026 WHCA Excellence in Service Awards Nominations

Nominee Information
Please select the award you are nominating this person to receive:*
Name of Individual Being Nominated:*
First Last
Title:*
Department Currently Working In:*
Years of Service:*
Facility:*
Facility Phone Number:*
Facility Address:*
Street Address Address Line 2 City ZIP Code
Please provide an essay outlining how the nominee meets and demonstrates the criteria for this award (criteria linked above) into his/her daily routine. Use specific examples. Essays should be no more than 500 words in length*
Nominator Information
Please provide your info so we can contact you with any questions, and notify you if your nominee is selected.
Your Name:*
First Last
Title:*
Facility:*
Phone:*
Email:*

Meet the 2025 Award Winners

Assisted Living Executive Director of the Year: Gidgette Chesley	Assisted Living Noble Caregiver of the Year: Melissa Elson	Assisted Living Nurse of the Year: Monique Murphy	Assisted Living Red Carpet Quality Award: Paolo Bernabe
Skilled Nursing Executive Director of the Year: Ashley Hogue	Skilled Nursing Noble Caregiver of the Year: Bill Giles	Skilled Nursing Nurse of the Year: Aracely Aerrola	Skilled Nursing Red Carpet Quality Award: Jesse Huerta

WHCA Excellence in Service Awards