Heart of Georgia Awards
Introducing the 2026 GHCA Heart of Georgia Awards
Leading with Compassion. Serving with Purpose.
A New Name. Same Heart. Greater Impact.
GHCA is excited to announce a new chapter in recognizing excellence across Georgia's long-term care profession! Formerly known as the Stars of Long-Term Care Awards, our annual recognition program is being reimagined as the GHCA Heart of Georgia Awards! Every single day, extraordinary individuals across Georgia’s long-term care community demonstrate what it truly means to exemplify Heart Forward. Through selfless leadership, deep compassion, and unwavering dedication, these professionals transform care into connection and commitment into culture. Now, it’s our turn to honor the heart behind their work.
The GHCA Heart of Georgia Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals who embody the soul of Georgia’s long-term care profession. They are the frontline champions, quiet heroes, and visionary leaders who elevate our culture and enrich the lives of residents and colleagues every day.
We invite you to nominate the people who lead with empathy and make an unforgettable impact. Whether it’s an inspirational administrator, a steady emergency preparedness champion, a compassionate case management professional, or a dedicated direct care partner—help us shine a light on those who bring our Heart Forward mission to life.
Nominations are now open! We invite all GHCA members to recognize their best and brightest in the following award categories:
Click here to submit your nomination today!
Award Categories
GHCA Leadership Excellence Award
The Leadership Excellence Award is designed to recognize a GHCA member that has demonstrated exceptional leadership and made outstanding contributions in the areas of public relations, communications, administration, quality, reimbursement, workforce development, and policy in long term and post-acute care.- Nominee has made contributions to the quality of long term care in Georgia that are worthy of statewide and national recognition, including the Georgia Quality Initiative and the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program.
- Nominee is a leader in financial stewardship for long term care providers on the State and National level through involvement in the GHCA Reimbursement/Legislative Committees.
Administrator of the Year
- Nominee is not required to be a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators
- Nominee must be a nursing home administrator licensed to practice in Georgia
- Nominee must have been practicing for 5 or more years
- Nominee must be a practicing administrator, and responsible for the day-to-day operation of current Georgia nursing home for award
- Nominee is not required to be a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators
- Nominee must be an Administrator working in a nursing home community in Georgia
- Nominee must have been Administrator of a skilled nursing center for 1-4 years
- Nominee must be a current Administrator, and responsible for the day-to-day operation of a current Georgia assisted living community for award
- Nominee is not required to be a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators
- Nominee must be an Administrator working in an assisted living community in Georgia
- Nominee must have been Administrator of an assisted living community for 2 or more years
- Nominee must be a current Administrator and responsible for the day-to-day operation of a current Georgia assisted living community for award
- Nominee is not required to be a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators
- Nominee must be an Administrator working in an assisted living community in Georgia
- Nominee must have been Administrator of an assisted living community for 1-4 years
- Nominee must be a current Administrator, and responsible for the day-to-day operation of a current Georgia assisted living community for award
Emergency Preparedness Champion of Long Term Care Award
- Active involvement with local emergency management officials. (City/County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), local Department of Public Health office, Regional Healthcare Coalition (HCC), local fire department and law enforcement, etc.)
- Promotes, evaluates, implements, and educates on emergency preparedness efforts in long term care facilities.
- Participates in emergency preparedness training opportunities (GHCA meetings, UGA LTC EP Course, HCC sponsored classes, etc.)
- Active participation and experience in managing real world emergency events in long term care facilities.
- Demonstrates a willingness to go beyond the basic tasks required to provide a clean, comfortable, and inviting environment for all residents, family, and associates.
- Motivated to consistently provide a personal experience to residents that ensures a sense of home relative to the level of cleanliness and comfort of the long term care facility.
- Actively seeks new technology and methodology as well as the mastery of its use relative to Engineering and/or Environmental Services.
- Demonstrates a willingness to teach and mentor other associates about new and innovative ideas involving Engineering and/or Environmental Services.
- Actively supports the culture of safety and routinely adheres to all safety rules and regulations.
Nurse Case Manager of the Year
- Dedicated to meeting the needs of the individuals they serve as well as their families/caregivers
- Efficiently completes and submits assessments and documentation in a timely manner
- Supports the EDWCM case management team in improving overall quality of care provided
- Demonstrates professionalism and is customer service oriented in all internal and external interactions
- Dedicated to meeting the needs of the individuals they serve as well as their families/caregivers
- Efficiently completes and submits assessments and documentation in a timely manner
- Supports the EDWCM case management team in improving overall quality of care provided
- Demonstrates professionalism and is customer service oriented in all internal and external interactions
- Knowledgeable and effective in administrative responsibilities that facilitate the delivery of case management services
- Efficiently provides administrative support and resources to agency staff in a timely manner
- Demonstrates a willingness to teach and mentor other associates to assist the agency in meeting its responsibilities and achieving its goals
- Demonstrates professionalism and is customer service oriented in all internal and external interactions