Tell Us About the Heroes Among You!
On any given day at CALA-member communities across the state, heroes reside among us – those who step up and reach beyond the boundaries of their job description to support the care and wellbeing of residents, help fellow team members, and lead with strength. These unsung heroes inspire and challenge those around them to be and do their best, and their influence is far reaching. CALA is pleased to recognize and shine a light on these outstanding individuals through the Excellence in Service Awards. Members are encouraged to nominate exceptional community associates in each of these categories:
- Outstanding Caregiver (includes medication assistants)
- Outstanding Team Member (defined as non-caregiver, non-manager)
- Outstanding Department Director (non-clinician)
- Outstanding Community Nurse (may include department and care directors; EDs not eligible)
- Outstanding Executive Director
2024 Deadlines
Northern California: January 21, 2024
Southern California: July 14, 2024
Current Honorees
Please click on their names for a video telling their story.
Outstanding Caregiver
Maria Alvarez
Oakmont of Brookside
Outstanding Team Member
Herman Dacong
Atria Willow Glen
Outstanding Community Nurse
Tapinder Kaur
Carlton Senior Living Fremont
Outstanding Dept. Director
Olivia Sterba
Carlton Senior Living Orangevale
Outstanding Executive Director
Eric Hostetter
Bruceville Point
2022 Southern California
Outstanding Caregiver
Glen Cruz
La Marea Senior Living, an Integral Senior Living community
Outstanding Team Member
Victor Bonilla
Atria Newport Plaza
Outstanding Community Nurse
Karina Cortez
Atria Park of Vintage Hills
Outstanding Dept. Director
Ana Castro
Atria Del Sol
Outstanding Executive Director
Launa Moore
La Marea Senior Living, an Integral Senior Living community
Past Honorees
Outstanding Caregiver
2022
2021
Spring:
Angel Gabuni, Prairie City Landing
Milagro Magarin, The Kensington
Hazel Oriente, Merrill Gardens at Campbell
Benito Pamaong, Sunrise of San Mateo
Lauren Strom, Carlton Senior Living, Downtown Pleasant Hill
2020
Spring: Brian Stuart, Eskaton Village Placerville
2019
Spring: Flor Amaya, Carlton Senior Living – Downtown Pleasant Hill
2018
Spring: Nicole Ellis, Veterans Home of Redding
2017
2016
Fall: Stephanie “Nikki” Campbell, Brookdale Bakersfield
2015
Spring: Vicenta Garcia, Regency of Evergreen Valley
2014
Spring: Tonka Darazi, Belmont Village of San Jose
2013
Spring: Betty Gunderson, Aegis of Napa
2012
Spring: Debbie Tarwater, Paramount House
2011
Spring: Aegean Bayongan, Vintage Sonoma
2010
Spring: Roger Gutierrez, Vintage Golden Gate
2009
Spring: Martha Garcia, Palm Gardens
Outstanding Team Member
2022
2021
Spring:
Miguel Morales, The Cottages of Carmel
Craig Owen, Carlton Senior Living, Sacramento
Rosana Sobrevilla, Belmont Village Sunnyvale
2020
Spring: Staci Tye, Atria Grass Valley
2019
Spring: Caridad Katimbang, Atria El Camino Gardens
2018
Spring: Wayne King, Revere Court, Chancellor Health Care
2017
Fall: Baltazar Orain, Atria Del Sol
2016
Fall: Robert Montez, Belmont Village Cardiff-by-the-Sea
2015
Spring: Valerie Etzel, Cardinal Point
2014
Spring: Amyda Astrero, Silverado Belmont Hills
2013
Spring: Kathleen Benton-LeValley, Chancellor Place of Lodi
2012
Spring: Team Member – Ernesto Navas, Drake Terrace
2011
Spring: Nai Luu, The Terraces
2010
Spring: Lisette Dunham, Aegis of San Rafael
2009
Spring: Jeremy Kent, Oakmont Gardens in Santa Rosa
Outstanding Community Nurse
2022
2021
Debra Gonzales, Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
Monique Moreira, Rancho Mirage Terrace
Outstanding Department Director
2022
2021
Spring:
Yuvi Diaz, Carlton Senior Living, Sacramento
Jesenia Hinojosa, Windchime of Chico
Annette Montes, O’Connor Woods
2020
Spring: Emanuel Dirar, Carlton Senior Living Sacramento/Enhanced
2019
Spring: Joseph Ferrer, Lakeside Park, a Watermark Retirement community
2018
Spring: Josie Davis, AlmaVia of San Francisco, Elder Care Alliance
2017
Fall: Laura Cardoza, Merrill Gardens at Santa Maria
2016
Fall: Sarah Perez, Cypress Place
2015
Spring: Lonnie Julius, The Vistas Assisted Living & Memory Care
2014
Spring: Marsha Peoples, Lakeside Park
2013
Spring: Stephanie Howard, Regency at Evergreen Valley
2012
Spring: Chelease Adams, Somerford Place – Stockton
Outstanding Executive Director
2022
2021
Spring:
Brenda Chappell, Revere Court Memory Care
Amanda Smith Wolthuis, Carlton Senior Living, Elk Grove
2020
Spring: Tracey Ingleman, Carlton Senior Living, Downtown Pleasant Hill
2019
Spring: Kelly Frederickson, Atria Paradise
2018
Spring: Radhika Singh, Belmont Village of Sunnyvale
2017
Fall: Steve Spira, Cypress Place
2016
Fall: Sadie Harness, Belmont Village Cardiff-by-the-Sea
2015
Spring: Scott Carlson, Brookdale Paulin Creek
2014
Spring: Debbie Ponte, Foothill Village
2013
Spring: Sondra Roberts, Merrill Gardens of Citrus Heights
2012
Spring: Erik Flatt, Drake Terrace, Kisco Senior Living
2011
Spring: Dinah Bailes, AgeSong at Lakeside Park
2010
Spring: Pari Manouchehri, Quail Ridge Assisted Living
2009
Spring: Susan Edwards, AlmaVia of San Rafael
