The early deadline for the 2024 McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program is just two weeks away and counting down. It’s a prime time, in other words, to line up the basic nomination materials needed to get a deserving leader in line for potential nationwide honors.
Since its founding in 2019, the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards program has become the premier recognition program for women long-term care professionals of all experience levels
Eligible for recognition are women working as direct care providers, managers, executives, corporate executives and owners in independent living, assisted living, memory care and life plan communities. That’s in addition to those working in those capacities in skilled nursing facilities and in home care, home health, hospice and palliative care.
Women who serve the fields indirectly — for instance as association staff members, academicians or thought leaders — also are eligible for recognition. Individuals working for vendor companies serving the industry are not eligible.
The early nomination deadline hits Jan. 5, 2024. Entries thereafter will be charged a late fee during a short window.
Since the program began in 2019, some 252 women leaders in the fields of skilled nursing, senior living and home care have been honored across multiple award categories.
The nomination categories 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 VIP: Candidates should have more than 15 years of experience making an impact in long-term care and should be at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent.
- Rising Star: Candidates must be 40 or younger or have fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession.
- Spirit Award: This award recognizes inspiring caregiving and service provision efforts. Nominations in this category are free. Eligibility is open to women who have demonstrated acts of bravery, courage, perseverance, dedication, determination — or have made other noble gestures.
A Lifetime Achievement Award winner also will be named.
Nominations for the Rising Star, Veteran VIP and Hall of Honor categories (described below) that are submitted by Jan. 5 will have an $89 entry fee. Nominations in the week after that will cost $20 more.
The program, now in its sixth year, is coordinated by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.
All honorees, past and present, will be honored at an in-person event Tuesday, May 14, in Chicago. Information about the event, which includes a companion summit with educational sessions, is available now at mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.
For more information about the awards, or to submit a nomination for a deserving leader, visit mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.
Questions should be directed to Amanda Hassler, director of events for Haymarket Media, the parent company of McKnight’s, at [email protected].
Read about previous award winners here. See lists of previous classes of honorees here and here.
Sponsors of the 2024 awards program include Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Healthcare Services Group, PharMerica and Priority Life Care.
