Awards
The National Adult Day Services Association recognizes excellence in the support and delivery of adult day services through an annual awards competition. Awards recognize program staff, organizations, programs, media representatives, legislators and advocates who support adult day services. NADSA members are invited to submit nominations annually in the Spring. Awards are presented at the annual meeting in the fall.
Administrator/Director Award
This award was created in 2007 to recognize adult day center administrators/directors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within their centers and their communities.
2019 Mark Rosen, Open Circle Adult Day Service Organization, Hopkins, Minnesota
2016 Dana Territo, Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2015 S. Micheal Pope, Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay, Berkeley, California
2014 Barbara Zeis, Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, Minnesota
2013 Shannon Ross, SarahCare Day Care Center, Inc., Ohio
2012 Carol Louise, Family Alliance, Inc., Woodstock, Illinois
2011 Lesley Bess, Active Day Grand Strand, South Carolina
2010 Carla Jones, RossWoods Adult Day Services, Georgia
2009 Nola Evonne Davis, YMCA Bettye J McCormick Adult Day Services, Indiana
2009 Dottie Santagata, Cornerstone Adult Day Services, Rhode Island
2008 Donna Kay, Polk County Board of County Commissioners, Florida
2007 Joanne Corbett, Milddebury, Vermont
ADS Center of Distinction Award
This award was created in 2007 to recognize outstanding and innovative Adult Day Services centers. Criteria can include creative programming, personalized or specialized services, exceptional programs and services and unique or well-established community partnerships. The award-winning center is recognized as a model on which others can learn from as “best practice.” To download a copy of this year’s nomination form, please click here. Note: Beginning in 2022, the ADS Center of Distinction Award is now issued annually. Any previous winner prior to 2022 is eligible to enter their center. Once a center is chosen for the annual award, it is no longer eligible to enter again.
2024 Elizabeth & Tab Williams Adult Day Center, Winston-Salem, NC
2023 Golden Pearl LLC, Richfield, WI
2022 Grace Center for Adult Day Services, Corvallis, OR
2021 Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program, Southfield, MI
Just Friends Adult Day Services, Columbus, IN
2020 Grace Center for Adult Day Services, Corvallis, OR
Active Day Casa Manito, West New York, NJ
2019 Williamsburg Landing, Williamsburg, VA
Al’z Place, Gainesville, FL
Chelsea Place Adult Day Care, Pointe Charlotte, FL
Life Enrichment Center, Kings Mountain, NC
2018 Insight Memory Care Center, Fairfax, VA
River House Adult Day, Cos Cob, CT
Jaime’s Adult Day Centers, Lutz, FL
St. Ann Center, Milwaukee, WI
2017 Wesley Life – Dahl Adult Day Services, Des Moines, Iowa
2016 YMCA Betty J. McCormick Center, Vincennes, Indiana
2015 Joy’s House, Indianapolis, Indiana
2014 CarePartners Adult Day Services, Asheville, North Carolina
2014 My Second Home, An Intergenerational Adult Day Program of Family Services of Westchester, Inc., Port Chest, New York
2013 Adult Enrichment Centers of Fort Mill, Fort Mill, South Carolina
2013 Insight Memory Care Center formerly Alzheimer’s Family Day Center, Fairfax, Virginia
2012 Adult Care of Chester County, Exton, Pennsylvania
2011 Family Alliance, Inc., Woodstock, Illinois
2011 Martin Luther Campus Adult Day Services, Bloomington, Minnesota
2010 The Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
2010 Casa Central Adult Wellness Center, Chicago, Illinois
2009 House of Welcome Adult Day Services of the North Shore Senior Center, Northfield, Illinois
2009 Grace Adult Day Services-Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
2009 Charlie’s Place, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2007 Arbor Rose Adult Day Club, Mesa, Arizona
Adult Day Services Innovator Award
This award was established in 2009 to recognize innovative practices that strengthen the adult day services business and move adult day services forward in the 21st century such as through service expansion, technology, marketing, programming, etc.
2023 Jed Johnson, CARF International
2021 Donna Hale, National Adult Day Services Association
2019 Beth Scovill, ADS Data Systems/WellSky, Overland Park, Kansas
2016 Amber Carey-Navarrete, Easter Seals Bellflower Adult Day Service, California
2016 My Second Home, JEWEL Program, Mt. Kisco and White Plains, New York
2013 Timothy Timmermann, Brevard Alzheimer’s Foundation, Melbourne, Florida
2011 Dave Shull, Kareware, Inc., West Chester, Pennsylvania
2010 Heritage Day Health Center, Columbus, Ohio
2009 Kimberly Santilli, Cornerstone Adult Day Services, Warwick, Rhode Island
2009 Gail Clark, Cascade Park Active Day Healthcare Center, Tacoma, Washington
Direct Care Staff Award
This award was created in 2007 to recognize direct care staff members who demonstrate outstanding person-centered skills, effective communication techniques, dedication, creativity and teamwork attitude. This individual serves as a model for others who choose this profession. Nominees may include nurses, program assistants, bathing assistants, and drivers.
2017 Barbara Willis-Powell, Mercy Ministries of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2015 John Shippen, Susan J Rheem Adult Day Center, Prescott, Arizona
2013 Penny Hatrick, Adult Care Center of Chester County, Exton, Pennsylvania
2012 Brian Charles Owens, Woodside Place Adult Day Center, Oakmont, Pennsylvania
2011 Marolyn Class, SarahCare of Canton, Canton, Ohio
2011 Carol Swilley, Hillsborough County Division of Aging Services, Tampa, Florida
2010 Cindy Norris, Adult Life Programs, Hickory, North Carolina
2010 Mellissa Wotczak, Ebenezer Ridge Adult Day Services, Burnsville, Minnesota
2009 Gayla Adams, LPN, YMCA Bettye J. McCormick Adult Day Services, Vincennes, Indiana
2009 Mona Washington, Cascade Park Active Day Healthcare Center, Tacoma, Washington
2008 Millicent Hicks, Adult Care of Chester County, Kennett Square, PA
2007 Carolyn Dellinger, Lewinsville Adult Day Health Club, McLean, Virginia
Katryna Gould Award
This award is named in honor of Katryna Gould, who served on the NADSA Board of Directors as a consumer advocate. Katryna was the voice of the family caregiver. She put a name and a face to caregiving for national regulators, legislators, funders and the general public by her testimonials and appearances. She was a determined advocate for adult day services and helped NADSA forge partnerships with other providers and family caregivers. This award was created in 2006 to recognize a consumer of adult day services who, through advocacy efforts, has increased the visibility and recognition of adult day services as a viable community-based long-term care option.
2014 Kenneth A. Smaltz, Jr., Kenneth A Smaltz, Sr. Foundation, Freeport, New York
2012 Gwen Ogle, Valley Care Association, Sewickley, Pennsylvania
2010 Johnsie Barringer, Albemarle, North Carolina
2010 Collin Tong, Seattle, Washington
2008 William Lee Pickette, III, Roanoke Valley Adult Day Center, Weldon, North Carolina
National Media Award
From its inception, NADSA has worked to increase the visibility of adult day services and to promote it as a viable community-based option within the long-term care continuum. This award honors an individual or organization responsible for a print or electronic media product of a distinguished nature that advances the goals of NADSA and is deserving of national recognition.
2013 Joy’s House, Indianapolis, Indiana
2011 Amanda H. Justus, Adult Life Programs, Inc., Hickory, North Carolina
2010 Brock Labrenz, an films, LLC
2009 Carolyn Hill and Thomas Tenkely, The Voices of Adult Day Services
2009 Washington Adult Day Services Association, Adult Day Health Times
2008 Jeff Opdyke, Wall Street Journal
2006 Baltimore Sun
2006 Baltimore County Department of Aging
2003 Wiland-Bell Productions
2003 Peter Ostrow, Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program
2002 Jacqueline Marcell
1999 Contemporary Long Term Care Magazine
1993 KUSM, Montana State University Ross Laboratories
Ruth Von Behren Award
This award is named for Ruth Von Behren, a former NADSA Chair, internationally renowned for her pioneering work in California and throughout the country. Ms. Von Behren is an author, a long-time advisor to NADSA, and she played a major role in the development and implementation of the OnLok replication model, PACE, nationwide. Ruth Von Behren was the first recipient. The award was created in 1992 to recognize the personal achievements and commitment of individuals in the field of adult day services who have had a national impact on adult day services. It is given to an outstanding volunteer or employee of an organization that directly supports adult day services nationally.
2022 Corinne Jan, Family Bridges
2018 Christi Clark, Insight Memory Care Center
2015 Carol A. Burns
2013 Jane Stansell, MSRN
2012 Lory L. Phillippo, MPH, OTR/L
2011 Beth Meyer-Arnold, RN, MSN
2010 Jentle Harts Consulting (LaDonna Jensen, RN, and Marilyn Hartle, MSW)
2008 Diana Brown
2007 Arlene Kershaw, Easter Seals of New Hampshire
2006 Jed Johnson, MBA, MSW
2003 Suzi Kennedy, RN
2002 Lydia Missaelides, MHA
2001 James P. Firman, EdD
2000 Mary Brugger Murphy
1999 Kay Larmer
1998 Adele K. Corvin
1997 Bonnie Walson
1996 Burton V. Reifler, MD, MPH
1995 Vivian S. Smith, PhD
1994 Virginia Marsh Bell
1993 Linda Jardus Crossman
1992 Ruth Von Behren
Senator John Heinz Award
This award is named in honor of the late Senator John Heinz III in tribute to his efforts on behalf of adult day services. Senator Heinz served in the United States Senate from 1977 until his untimely death in 1991. He was the ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and served on other key committees, exhibiting an outstanding commitment to issues related to aging. The award recognizes a business, private or public organization, or an elected official making an outstanding contribution to the field of adult day services but not directly or indirectly responsible for the operation of an adult day services program.
2022 Senator Roy Afflerbach (Ret.), The Afflerbach Group
2018 Senator Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, RN, State of Maryland
2016 Denise Peach, Chief, Community Based Adult Services Branch
2014 Representative Richard S. Malaby, State of Maine
2013 Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal, State of Missouri
2013 The Honorable Glenn F. McConnell, Lt. Governor, State of South Carolina
2011 Representative Jimmie Lee, Elizabethtown, Kentucky
2011 Coretta Bedsole, SC Adult Day Services Association, Columbia, South Carolina
2010 Representative Sherry Appleton, State of Washington
2009 Mary Brooks Soule’ Allen Rodrigue
2009 Secretary John Michael Hall, Pennsylvania Department on Aging
2007 Gayle Harrell, Florida House of Representatives
2006 Senator Gordan Smith
2004 Nancy J. Cox, MSW
2003 Josefina Carbonell
2002 Howard Bedlin
2001 Steven H. Zarit, PhD
2000 Congresswoman Elinor Zimmerman Taylor
1999 Congressman Pete Stark
1998 Linda Colvin Rhodes
1997 Edith Robins
1995 SAFECO Insurance Companies
1994 Margaret T. Morris Foundation
1993 U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Extended Care
1992 AT&T Family Care Development Fund
Volunteer Award
This award recognizes and celebrates outstanding contributions by a volunteer in your adult day center. The individual demonstrates exceptional commitment and exemplifies the spirit of service for the center. A candidate is an unpaid individual, 21 years of age or above, and has volunteered with the day center for at least two years.
2016 Board of Directors of Caring Congregations, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
2014 Anatole Crane, Family Alliance, Inc., Woodstock, Illinois
2014 Inez Young, Family Alliance, Inc., Woodstock, Illinois
2013 Betsy Sexton, Page Robbins, Collierville, Tennessee
2012 Pati Bryan, Council on Aging of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida
2011 Lisa Waldron, James L. West Adult Day Program, Fort Worth, Texas
2010 Pat Hagen, Homer Adult Day Services, Homer, Alaska
2010 Beverly Pizzano, Rose Arbor Adult Day Services, Mesa, Arizona
Beth Meyer-Arnold Dissertation Fellowships
2012 Christina Garrison-Diehn, Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno
2012 Amanda Leggett, Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University