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18 Georgia Centers Earn 2026 AHCA/NCAL Silver Quality Award
The Georgia Health Care Association (GHCA) is pleased to announce that 18 Georgia Skilled Nursing Centers have earned the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) 2026 Silver –Achievement in Quality Award.
ATLANTA, Ga. — The Georgia Health Care Association (GHCA) is pleased to announce that 18 Georgia Skilled Nursing Centers have earned the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) 2026 Silver –Achievement in Quality Award. The distinction is the second of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program recognizes long term and post-acute care organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to improve the lives of residents. The 2026 Georgia Silver recipients are:Azalea Health Center by Harborview
Fort Gaines Health & Rehab
Harborview - Jesup
High Shoals Health and Rehabilitation
Meadows Park Health and Rehabilitation
Oakview Health and Rehabilitation
PruittHealth-Grandview
PruittHealth-Holly Hill
PruittHealth-Spring Valley
PruittHealth-Toomsboro
PruittHealth-West Atlanta
Ridgecrest Rehab and Skilled Nursing Ctr
Rockmart Health
Scott Health & Rehab Center
Southland Health and Rehabilitation
Stevens Park Health & Rehab Center
Stone Mountain Run
Vista Park Health & Rehab
With 18 skilled nursing centers earning the 2026 AHCA/NCAL Silver National Quality Award, Georgia ranked 1st in the nation for the number of skilled nursing centers recognized as Silver Award recipients—a testament to our members' unwavering commitment to excellence.
"It is an honor to congratulate the 18 Georgia skilled nursing centers that have earned the prestigious 2026 AHCA/NCAL Silver – Achievement in Quality Award,” said GHCA President & CEO Chris Downing. “This recognition represents far more than an award but reflects the relentless pursuit of excellence demonstrated by their teams every single day. We are proud to celebrate your success and grateful for the example you set for long term care across our state."
Pam Clayton, GHCA VP Quality Advancement & Regulatory Affairs added, “Prioritizing systematic quality improvement demonstrates the highest level of commitment to those you serve and work alongside. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to service excellence and for allowing GHCA to be a part of your journey—we are honored.”
The National Quality Award Program features three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold—guiding providers through a journey of continuous improvement. Earning the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award signifies that an organization has moved beyond developing a foundation for quality and has demonstrated effective approaches, systematic improvements, and measurable progress in key areas of performance. Silver applicants undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by trained examiners who assess how organizations use the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework to drive results and improve outcomes.
“Achieving the Silver Award level demonstrates meaningful progress on the quality journey,” said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “These providers have put in countless hours of work to improve, strengthen their operations, and enhance the care they deliver every day. On behalf of AHCA/NCAL, we congratulate this year's recipients and look forward to celebrating the positive impact they have made on our profession.”
This year, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1996, more than 8,000 providers across the country have participated in the rigorous, Baldrige-based program to strengthen their operations, improve outcomes, and enhance the lives of residents and staff. This milestone anniversary highlights the program's lasting impact on advancing quality care throughout the long term care profession.
“This year's Silver recipients should be so proud of what they've accomplished,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “Organizations that achieve this recognition have demonstrated a willingness to evaluate their performance, produce solid results, and build stronger systems that benefit residents, families, and staff. We congratulate them and applaud their dedication to continually enhancing the quality of care and services they provide.”
A list of all 2026 National Silver Quality Award recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website. Last month, AHCA/NCAL announced 52 Georgia organizations earned the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award.
The National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated during Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 11-14 in Boston, Mass.
The 2026 National Quality Award Program is sponsored by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare, and HealthCap.
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About GHCA
The Georgia Health Care Association is a non-profit association of skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, and elderly and disabled waiver case management agencies. Advocates for Georgia's elderly since 1953, the Association represents the best interests of patients, residents and consumers as well as owners, administrators, and other personnel. GHCA strives to enhance the ability of its members to provide competent and compassionate care to meet the ever-changing health care needs of elderly Georgians. For more information, visit www.ghca.info.
