American Senior Communities (ASC) recently hosted a dynamic three-day leadership retreat at the historic French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana, from April 29 to May 1. The Kentucky Derby themed retreat brought together leaders from 102 ASC buildings across the state, creating a unique opportunity for collaboration, professional development, and team building. Set against the backdrop of the resort’s elegant atmosphere, the “Race for the Roses” allowed attendees to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities to focus on growth, strategy, and the future of senior care.
Throughout the 3-day retreat, leaders participated in a variety of seminars and classes designed to strengthen essential leadership qualities such as communication, accountability, innovation, and compassionate care. Each session afforded the opportunity for participants to earn another rose to complete an entire set of various colored roses in their personal ‘trophy’ vase. Industry experts and ASC executives facilitated sessions that inspired fresh thinking and encouraged attendees to share ideas, discuss challenges, and explore new approaches to managing their teams and delivering excellent resident care. The emphasis on comradery was evident as leaders from across the state connected, learned from one another, and built on relationships that will extend beyond the retreat.
A highlight of the retreat was the awards night ceremony; a special evening dedicated to recognizing ‘thoroughbred’ performances from buildings and individuals across several key areas. The Derby theme was evident throughout the evening with awards, presentations, and the decor all following suit. The evening of recognition served not only as a celebration of achievements in the last year, but also as motivation for continued improvement and innovation throughout the ASC family moving into the future.
Full list of awards:
Southeast Building of the Year – Todd-Dickey Nursing & Rehab, Leavenworth
Southwest Building of the Year – Good Samaritan Home & Rehab Center, Oakland City
Northeast Building of the Year – Coventry Meadows, Fort Wayne
Northwest Building of the Year – Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, Lafayette
Central Building of the Year – Fairway Village, Indianapolis
Central East Building of the Year – Community Nursing & Rehab, Indianapolis
Central West Building of the Year – Ben Hur Health & Rehab, Crawfordsville
North Central Building of the Year – Avalon Village, Ligonier
Senior Living Building of the Year – Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living, Fishers
The Rich Strike Award – Cardinal Nursing & Rehab, South Bend
Compassion Award – Hickory Creek at Greensburg, Greensburg
Accountability Award – Lowell Healthcare, Lowell
Relationship Award – Fairway Village, Indianapolis
Excellence Award – Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living, Fishers
Dir. of Nursing of the Year, Senior Living – Emily Penick, Coventry Meadows Asstd. Living, Fort Wayne
Executive Dir. of the Year, Senior Living – Erin Brown, The Commons at Honey Creek, Terre Haute
Dir. of Nursing of the Year, Healthcare – Stephanie Matthias, Danville Regional, Danville
Executive Dir. of the Year, Healthcare – Wendy Broughton, Todd-Dickey Nursing & Rehab, Leavenworth
The Norma Seib Award for Executive Director – Holly Thompson, Salem Crossing, Salem
The Norma Seib Award for Director of Nursing – Maria Newkirk, Meadow Lakes, Mooresville
Building of the Year, Overall – Rosewalk Village of Lafayette, Lafayette
Adding an extra element of fun and creativity to the awards ceremony was the AHT (ASC Has Talent) competition, where six talented individuals from different ASC communities showcased their skills in front of an enthusiastic audience of retreat attendees. All six performers were incredibly talented singers and each of their performances wowed the audience, who had the opportunity to vote for their favorite act following the final singer. The energy and support in the room underscored the deep sense of community and appreciation for the diverse talents within ASC.
As a break after two days of sessions, the second evening of the retreat called for attendees to dress up Derby-style! Everyone took advantage to show off their ‘trackside’ looks and a good time was had by all! The retreat was a resounding success, offering a blend of education, recognition, and rejuvenation. Leaders left French Lick with renewed energy, valuable takeaways, and a shared sense of purpose. Events like this not only invest in the growth of ASC’s leaders, but also strengthen the entire organization by fostering unity, excellence, and a continued commitment to high-quality senior care.
If you’d like to be part of a company that promotes growth, awards recognition to employees, and encourages comradery, visit CareersWithASC.com to learn more.
