"Our awards program is an important opportunity to celebrate people and organizations that demonstrate outstanding leadership as well as excellence and innovation in seniors' care and services," says Catharine Gapp, CEO. "This year's recipients are certainly leading by example, and we are proud to recognize them for their dedication and commitment."

2017 AWARD RECIPIENTS:

AdvantAge Ontario Leadership Award – Tim Siemens
The AdvantAge Ontario Leadership Award, sponsored by Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC), is presented to an individual who demonstrates exemplary leadership and management excellence. Tim Siemens is the Chief Executive Officer of Tabor Manor Long Term Care in St. Catharines and Pleasant Manor Retirement Village in Virgil. Under his leadership, both homes have transformed to meet the needs of residents as well as the community. Tim's notable contributions include redeveloping Tabor Manor, creating much-needed assisted living and convalescent care beds for the community, and developing quality indicators for housing in the Niagara region. In addition, Tim served on the AdvantAge Ontario Board of Directors from 2008 to 2017.

Innovation and Excellence Supporting Seniors Award – Knollcrest Lodge
The Innovation and Excellence Supporting Seniors Award, sponsored by Surge Learning, recognizes an innovative program or technique in the provision of care and services for seniors. This year's recipient is Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton for its Restorative Care Program, which helps residents to improve their physical, psychosocial, and mental health. Each activity is customized, and incentives are tailored to each resident. The program has had a significant impact on residents' physical functioning and, ultimately, their independence.

Community Connections Award – The Grove - Arnprior and District Nursing Home
The Community Connections Award, sponsored by Medical Pharmacies Group Limited, recognizes an initiative that strengthens community relations and enhances an organization's profile and its services. The Grove in Arnprior received this year's award for their Personalized iPod Project. This initiative saw the home partner with the Arnprior Public Library to raise $4,100 to provide each of the home's residents with a personalized iPod and playlist. The devices bring the power of music into the home and are used to enhance resident care. Thanks to its success, the program has now been expanded to the local community to benefit seniors living at home, in seniors' residences and other long term care homes.

Donna Rubin Administrator Leadership Program Award – Carol Halt and Lisa Hirvi
New this year, the Donna Rubin Administrator Leadership Program Award recognizes an AdvantAge Ontario member student who achieves the highest case study mark in each of the fall and winter sessions of the Association's program. The award is named in honour of Donna Rubin, who helped launch the Administrator Leadership Program in 1996 and who was the Association's CEO for over 26 years. This year's winners are Carol Halt, Administrator with Golden Manor in Timmins, and Lisa Hirvi, Administrator with Fairmount Home in Glenburnie.

AdvantAge Ontario is the provincial association representing not-for-profit providers of long term care, services and housing for seniors. Members include not-for-profit long term care homes (municipal, charitable and non-profit nursing homes), seniors' housing, supportive housing, and community service agencies. Member organizations serve over 36,000 long term care residents annually and operate over 8,000 seniors' housing units across the province. 

For further information: Debbie Humphreys, Senior Director, Corporate and Public Affairs, T. 905.851.8821 x 233, C. 416-553-7401