Blog
Honoring the Workforce
- By: Anna Black
- On: 11/13/2025 14:32:27
- In: Workforce
Today, the Maine Health Care Association and the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program honored 20 long term care workers with the Excellence in Long Term Care award. With more than 80 nominations this year, the panel of judges had the difficult task of narrowing down the field.
The joyful celebration took place this morning with MHCA's own Angela Westhoff MCing, and special guest Betsy Hopkins, Director of Maine's Office of Aging and Disability Services serving as keynote.
The prestigious award recognizes Maine's most dedicated and inspired caregivers who tirelessly serve thousands of older and disabled individuals living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and those too receiving in-home care services.
Caregiving is not for the weak as these 20 individuals can attest. But it is their strength and compassion, the comradery they forge with clients and staff, and their ability to respect and uphold the unique individuality of the clients they serve that makes these honorees so deserving of this award.
Join us in congratulating the recipients of the2025 winners of the Excellence in Long Term Care and thanking our dedicated sponsors.
Winners:
- Wedad Ahmed from Community Home Health Care, LLC
- Tonya Brewster from Montello Commons
- Raeanne Burgess from Barron Center
- Josie Chase from Russell Park Rehabilitation and Living Center
- Richard Clift from MaineGeneral Rehabilitation and Nursing Care
- Angela Friend from Scarborough Terrace Assisted Living and Memory Care
- Joyce Gagnon from Brewer Center for Health and Rehabilitation
- Courtney Gold from Mid Coast Senior Health Center
- Michael Hawley from Maine Veterans' Homes, South Paris
- Katrina Hedgpeth from Hawthorne House
- Kim Horton from Home, Hope and Healing
- Sandra Illingworth from Maine Veterans' Home, Scarborough
- Lacey Kalloch from Maine Veterans' Home, Machias
- Schooner Memory Care
- Dianna Leeman from Elder Care Network of Lincoln County
- Daniel Martel from RiverRidge Center
- Mariko Murray from Hibbard Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation
- Nicole Ramsey from Piper Shores
- Nancy Schvertt-Paige from The Meadows
- Sherry White from Market Square Health Care Center
Sponsors:
Event: Affinity
Awards (partial sponsor): Maine Veteran's Homes
Program Book (partial sponsor): Genesis
Breakfast (partial sponsor): First Atlantic and Preferred Therapy Solutions
Flowers: Scarborough Terrace
Premier Patron (annual sponsor): Sysco
Platinum (annual sponsor): Cross Insurance; Medline; McKesson
Staff contact: Ablack@mehca.org