National Quality Award Image

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) recently announced the names of the 180 recipients of the 2022 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. Three South Dakota homes received the honor.

Avantara Arlington, Avantara Huron and Avantara North (Rapid City) were among the recipients.

The Bronze award is the first of three distinctions possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, a rigorous three-level process that evaluates an organization’s capabilities against nationally recognized standards for excellence, based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The three-level program is the most comprehensive and cost-effective performance assessment available to long-term and post-acute care providers.

Each progressive award levels— Bronze – Commitment to Quality, Silver – Achievement in Quality, and Gold – Excellence in Quality, requires a more detailed demonstration of superior performance. Providers are nationally recognized for achieving each award level and eventually join the ranks of the best in long-term care.

“Avantara North is honored to have been awarded the Bronze Quality Award from the American Health Care Association. It takes an entire team and their commitment to quality that has enabled us to receive this prestigious recognition. I see the hard work they put in every day, their hearts are here for the residents and their team. It takes special individuals to do this line of work, and Avantara North has amazing people serving those in need,” stated Celina Lohre, Avantara North Administrator.

A complete list of the 2022 Bronze recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website.

Lori Hintz“The leadership and team of these three organizations should be proud of this award and distinction. As the Quality Improvement Organization for the Dakotas, our mission is to make healthcare in the Dakota’s the nation’s best. We thank you for your efforts to align and further our mission and applaud your commitment and success,” stated Lori Hintz, RN, CDP, CADDCT; Great Plains QIN Quality Improvement Advisor.

Silver award applicants will be notified on June 23, and Gold award applicants will be notified on August 5. The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 73rd Convention & Expo in Nashville, TN in October.