Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) awarded Vicki McNealley, corporate director of quality assurance for Village Concepts, the WHCA Chair Award at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo. The plaque, presented by Dale Patterson, was inscribed: “In appreciation of your dedication and commitment to Washington Health Care Association education, public policy, and strategic vision. In recognition of the outstanding contribution of time, energy, knowledge, expertise, and support to programs, committees, special projects, and focused work to enrich the assisted living community and profession in Washington.”

Village Concepts, a third-generation family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington state, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has awarded Michelle Strazis, executive director of Village Concepts of Issaquah, Spiritwood at Pine Lake, the Quality Award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year.

The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.

“Michelle is an outstanding Village Concepts staff members and we could not be more proud of her for earning such a notable award from the Washington Health Care Association,” said Stuart Brown, Chief Operating Officer of Village Concepts. “Michelle truly demonstrates our commitment to diligent care and creating invaluable relationships with our residents and we are thrilled about the recognition of her passionate care.”

As an administrator who prefers visiting with residents or talking to staff rather than staying behind a desk, Strazis is known for her availability, approachability and hands-on leadership. Her innovative ideas have created unique services within the assisted living community that keep residents engaged. On a given day, she might be chatting with residents while pouring drinks at “Winey Wednesdays,” organizing regular volunteering trips for Spiritwood or hosting political forums, including a resident women-only debate party during the latest election and an afternoon with U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert.

Strazis has been executive director of Spiritwood within Village Concepts since 2011, where she has led a team of more than 60 employees to maintain outstanding service standards in day-to-day operations, including resident care, dining, resident activities, marketing administration, housekeeping and maintenance. The Washington Health Care Association honored Strazis for her hard work and dedication to The Cottages at Spiritwood and her approachability to support residents.

Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day.

Village Concepts, a family-owned business helping seniors thrive in retirement and assisted living communities throughout Washington State, is proud to announce the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has selected Lori Harvison of Village Concepts of Gig Harbor, Sound Vista Village to be the winner of the WHCA Quality Award for Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year.

The award will be presented at the 2017 WHCA Annual Convention and Expo held from May 22, 2017 to May 27, 2017.

“Lori is incredibly deserving of this outstanding honor and we’re extremely proud to have her as a part of our team” said Susan Pfundt-O’Neill, Executive Director of Sound Vista Village and winner of the 2016 WHCA Assisted Living Executive Director of the Year award. “Lori has an unstoppable and creative approach to caregiving that authentically shows her passion and true devotion to the families and residents that we serve.”

This award is the culmination of over a decade of dedicated caregiving that Harvison has provided since her start at Village Concepts in 2005. She is being recognized for earning high measures in innovation, achievement and capabilities in her role as a caregiver.

Harivson is the sixth Village Concepts team member to be recognized for a WHCA Quality Award. In 2016, Heather Hash was recognized as the Outstanding Health and Wellness Director of the Year and Susan Pfundt received the award for Assisted Living Administrator of the Year. Previously, a caregiver from High Point Village in Enumclaw and a volunteer won volunteer of the year from Harbor Tower Village in Enumclaw.

Village Concepts is committed to improving the senior living environment at all 17 of its communities throughout the Puget Sound, Olympic Peninsula and Central Washington. Earlier this year, the entire staff at Village Concepts’ Channel Point Village in Hoquiam was voted Best Assisted Living of Twin Harbors by the readers of The Daily World. The dedicated company and its communities are at the forefront of the industry with programs and facilities to offer the best care, including on-site physical and occupational therapists, individualized care programs designed for each resident, and certified and licensed staff on-site 24 hours a day.