Press Releases

Three Genesis HealthCare Affiliated Centers Earn 2026 AHCA/NCAL Silver National Quality Award

National award signifies esteemed achievement in quality care

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania – Genesis Healthcare, Inc. announced that three (3) affiliated skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers have been recognized as 2026 recipients of the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. This distinction is the second of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors long term and post-acute care providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to enhancing quality care for the residents they serve. 

Recipients of the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award include:

• Exeter Center - Exeter, NH
• Willow Ridge Center - Maynardville, TN
• Keller Landing - Tuscumbia, AL

“Earning the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award reflects the discipline, dedication, and commitment these affiliated centers demonstrate every day,” said Lauren Murray, Chief Operating Officer for Genesis HealthCare. “We are incredibly proud of these teams for their unwavering focus on delivering high-quality care and continually raising the standard for the patients and residents they serve.”

“Achieving this important milestone demonstrates that quality improvement is embedded in the way these centers operate,” said Kristen Morris, Chief Clinical Officer for Genesis HealthCare. “These teams have embraced evidence-based practices, strengthened clinical and operational processes, and created a culture focused on consistently improving outcomes. Their achievement reflects the collaboration, accountability, and commitment required to deliver exceptional care every day.”

With these latest recipients, Genesis-affiliated centers have earned a total of 57 Bronze, seven Silver, and one Gold AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards since 2023.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process in which organizations are reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework. The framework helps providers strengthen organizational performance, improve outcomes, and enhance the quality of care for residents. At the Silver level, organizations demonstrate how they systematically improve performance and achieve results through effective approaches and processes that are deployed throughout the organization.

“Congratulations to this year's Silver recipients on reaching this level in the Quality Award journey,” said AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Clif Porter. “These providers have built strong systems, embraced continuous improvement, and are making a measurable difference in the lives of those they serve. As we look to a future that will ask more of providers as demand for care increases, this commitment to excellence will serve as a critical foundation.”

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.

“The journey to Silver requires perseverance, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on improvement,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “Congratulations to our Silver recipients on achieving this remarkable milestone. Their dedication to quality is truly inspiring.”

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated during Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 11-14, 2026, in Boston, Mass.

The 2026 National Quality Award Program is supported by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare, and HealthCap.

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ABOUT GENESIS HEALTHCARE, INC.

Genesis Healthcare, Inc. is a holding company with affiliates that operate skilled nursing facilities and assisted/senior living communities. Its subsidiaries also specialize in contract rehabilitation therapy, respiratory therapy, physician services, and accountable care, collectively referred to as Genesis HealthCare. To learn more, visit www.genesishcc.com.

ABOUT AHCA/NCAL
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 15,000 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers, and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org.