2024 Senior Living Awards
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IHCA/INCAL’s Senior Living Award program recognizes professionals in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities across the state of Indiana for their exemplary contribution and unwavering commitment to delivering quality care. Congratulations the recipients of the 2024 Senior Living Awards. We are so proud of these long-term care heroes for their relentless drive and sheer passion to enhance resident experiences.
2024 Caregiver of the Year
Kelly Robertson, The Waters of Greencastle
Kelly Robertson is an activity director with The Waters of Greencastle. She joined the team in 2017 and has worked in health care since 1994. She is an integral part of the team and assumes many roles within the facility. The residents adore her spirited attitude and costumes, which include a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and the Morton’s Salt Girl. She also hosts ice cream socials and game nights. A day doesn’t go by when she isn’t doing something special for the residents and their families. In fact, she gets the whole community involved. Robertson is also involved with the local senior center and the fair board, and is president of the local Home Ec Club. She is trained through the Alzheimer’s Association and hosts a monthly support group for families in the community.
“If you knew me, you would always hear me say we are a team, because you can’t be in this business if you don’t have good teammates,” Robertson said.
2024 Caregiver of the Year
Dawn Schulte, Heritage Woods of Newburgh
Dawn Schulte has been a licensed CNA in Indiana since 1989 and an activities professional since 2005. Not only does Dawn coordinate all the activities at Heritage Woods of Newburgh, but she also manages all the transportation needs of residents. She drives the community bus, coordinates large community events, and programs cable boxes and televisions – all with a positive attitude. She leads by example and passes her positivity along to younger generations. Her daughter and granddaughters are some of the best and most stable volunteers at the Heritage Woods of Newburgh. Together, they have donated over $450 to the Alzheimer’s Association. Dawn finds fulfillment in serving others and makes a difference in the lives of seniors.
2024 Caregiver of the Year
Wendy Witherspoon-Rock, University Heights Health and Living Community
Wendy Witherspoon-Rock has inspired residents and staff at University Heights Health and Living Community for over 34 years. As a physical therapist, she provides client-centered care as well as group opportunities. Her weekly exercise group has now grown to more than 30 participants. Wendy incorporates gardening and other outdoor-based activities for residents, and her approach focuses on their passions and interests. She works with her colleagues in all disciplines closely to ensure that everyone is on the same page, providing the highest quality care possible.
2024 Public Servant of the Year
U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN)
U.S. Congressman Greg Pence (R-IN) values Hoosier health-care workers and recognizes the effort they put in every day to provide quality care to others.
As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and its Subcommittee on Health, Pence focused on supporting policies and taking actions to aid the nation’s aging population, and the practitioners who care for elderly and vulnerable Americans in nursing homes, rural hospitals and other medical facilities. Notably, he expressed significant concern with the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ rule to impose untenable staffing requirements and standards on nursing homes, which 97% of nursing homes in Indiana currently cannot meet. Pence helped lead 91 of his colleagues on a bipartisan letter stating these concerns to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
During an April House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled, “Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Health and Human Services Budget,” Pence provided remarks that centered on the impacts of workforce shortages, noting:
“Health care facilities are struggling to maintain existing staff and rising salaries, let alone find enough qualified individuals to fill open positions. The proposed rule does nothing to answer where this new workforce will come from. I am afraid in five years’ time the administration will set up nursing homes for failure and to close. Knowing that nursing homes are still struggling to maintain their current staffing levels, let alone hire new qualified staff, how can the administration move forward with this drastic increase in minimum staffing ratios?”
When the aged need a voice, Congressman Pence boldly stands up for them and works hard to protect their needs. He has been an incredible advocate for older Hoosiers and their caretakers, and we’re grateful for his service to our country.
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