Encanto Palms Assisted Living employees Isabel Chavez and Anthony Felix were selected by the Arizona Healthcare Association (AHCA) as winners of the Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year and Extraordinary Effort in Disaster Preparedness Awards, respectively.

June 20, 2019 – Phoenix, AZ – Encanto Palms Assisted Living announced today that two of their employees were selected by the Arizona Healthcare Association (AHCA) as winners of its 2019 awards. Anthony Felix, Maintenance Director, was selected for the Extraordinary Effort in Disaster Preparedness Award and Isabel Chavez, Certified Caregiver/Med-Tech, was chosen for the Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year Award.

Each year, AHCA honors the exemplary service and devotion of long term care leaders, staff, residents and volunteers who demonstrate their daily commitment to quality. The award categories include:

• Nurse of the Year
• Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year
• Assisted Living Caregiver of the Year
• Above & Beyond Service
• Leadership
• Resident of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Innovative Program & Improvement
• Extraordinary Effort in Disaster Preparedness

Winners were chosen by a panel of judges named by the Arizona Health Care Association based on numerous criteria, such as: demonstrating outstanding person-centered care, helping residents achieve a heightened quality of life, showing initiative, demonstrating a positive, outgoing attitude, and displaying leadership, integrity, and a high standard of ethical behavior.

The Encanto Palms award winners were nominated by the administrator, Charles Villafranca.

“It is an honor and a privilege to work with such exemplary team members as Isabel and Anthony,” says Villafranca. “Their devotion to our residents and our community has helped to improve the quality of care delivered each day.  It is humbling to see them interacting with our residents and enriching their lives in all they do. I am grateful to have the opportunity to know them and to work alongside such an extraordinary group of healthcare professionals.”

The awards were presented at the Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.

Licensed Evangelist James Clay recognized by the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) as a 2019 Adult Volunteer of the Year for his volunteer work at Windsor Gardens Healthcare Center of the Valley.

June 5, 2019 – Los Angeles, CA - Mr. James Clay, a volunteer at Windsor Gardens Healthcare Center of the Valley, was recognized by the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF) as its’ 2019 Adult Volunteer of the Year. Each year, CAHF publicly recognizes special individuals who enrich the lives of others through volunteering at long-term care facilities.

Mr. Clay is a licensed evangelist at the Bible Study Fellowship Church. He has volunteered at Windsor since 2012 and conducts a bible study group to its’ residents every Saturday morning. Mr. Clay is Windsor’s longest-standing volunteer and was nominated for the award by Windsor Garden’s Activity Director, Lulu Yepez.

“In March of 2012 I wanted to start a bible study group for my residents,” says Yepez. “I needed a volunteer who had experience and who would commit to volunteering once a week. Mr. Clay took the position. It’s been 7 years and residents love him and his bible study groups. He is kind, compassionate, always happy and greets everyone with a smile. He is one of the nicest people I know. We are so blessed to have him volunteer at Windsor Gardens Healthcare Center of the Valley.”

“I am extremely proud of this award because I never expected any accolades for doing what I love to do,” says Clay. “The patients I see weekly have changed my world.  I look forward to seeing their smiles and eyes full of joy every week.  If I had the means to do this daily I would.”

Regarding Windsor Gardens of the Valley, Mr. Clay adds, “The staff at Windsor Gardens has been second to none.  They have shown me much respect and appreciation for what I do over the years, and I have much respect and appreciation for them. I have brought guests from time to time and all of them have commented on the professionalism of the Windsor staff.”

Mr. Clay will receive his award at the Awards Luncheon during CAHF’s 2019 Summer Conference on Tuesday, July 16th at the Hyatt Mission Bay in San Diego.