Nineteen women will be inducted into the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Honor as part of the program’s third annual class.
The Hall of Honor recognizes executive-level professionals who have made a significant impact in the skilled nursing or senior living industries.
McKnight’s also announced this year’s class of Rising Stars on Wednesday and the inaugural class of Veteran VIPs on Thursday. The 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award winner will be announced in early March.
All of this year’s honorees will be celebrated during a May 18 virtual event.
“Hats off to these amazing leaders. By their thoughts and deeds, they have made notable contributions to this critically important field,” said McKnight’s Editorial Director John O’Connor.
Hall of Honor Class of 2021
Leigh Ann Barney, President and CEO, Trilogy Health Services, Louisville, KY
Robin Bradley, Chief Operating Officer, American Health Partners, Franklin, TN
Teresa Chopoorian, Ed.D, MSN, RN, Vice President and Administrator, Mansion Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Central Falls, RI
Terri Cunliffe, CEO, Covenant Living Communities and Services, Skokie, IL
Nathalie Francois, Chief Nursing Officer, Citadel Care Centers, Brooklyn, NY
Tana Gall, President, Merrill Gardens, Seattle
Lynn Hood, President and CEO, Principle LTC, Kinston, NC
Nancy Hooks, Vice President, State and Affiliate Relations, LeadingAge, Washington, D.C.
Mary Sue Patchett, Executive Vice President, Strategic Operations, Brookdale Senior Living, Brentwood, TN
Melissa Powell, Chief Operating Officer, The Allure Group, Brooklyn, NY
Meera Riner, Chief Operating Officer, Nexion Health, Sykesville, MD
Susan Ryan, Senior Director, The Green House Project, Linthicum, MD
Gail Sheridan, Chief Clinical Officer, Tealwood Senior Living, Bloomington, MN
Melissa Sorensen, Chief Nursing Officer, ProMedica Senior Care (formerly known as HCR ManorCare), Toledo, OH
Nicole Steck-Waitt, Vice President of Clinical Services, Sterling Senior Care, Silver Spring, MD
Robyn Stone, DrPH, Senior Vice President of Research, LeadingAge, Washington, D.C.; Co-director, LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston
Kim Te Brugge, Vice President of Senior Living and Health Care, The Goodman Group, Chaska, MN
Patricia Will, Founder and CEO, Belmont Village Senior Living, Houston
Denise Chadwick Wright, CEO, Birmingham Green, Manassas, VA
Women of Distinction honorees were selected by an independent national panel of two dozen judges evaluating length and breadth of service, as well as various posts and activities displaying a strong sense of leadership.
Click here for coverage of past McKnight’s Women of Distinction events.
PointClickCare is the Diamond sponsor of this year’s event.
