Staff & Specialty Excellence Awards

In order to celebrate the hard work, commitment and dedication those in long term care, we would like to recognize them and their achievements with an Excellence Awards! These are people you see and work with (or for) each and every day - they are the superheroes in your center that do things that go unnoticed and perhaps unspoken. Help the Illinois Health Care Association recognize the members of your team and within your center who "excel" at their job with fellow staff members and/or residents by by nominating someone who gives more than what is required and does more than what is expected in long term care. Please take a few moments to complete the form below and submit it by the deadline of July 17, 2026.    

 

PLEASE NOTE: If you are interested in completing a nomination for a nurse, please complete the LTCNA Nursing Award form. 

  Excellence Award Requirements

• When submitting nomination forms, each member center/facility should designate one contact person for all nominations submitted. 
• Member center/facilities are encouraged to submitt multiple nominations. 
• Excellence Award Staff & Specialty winners will be recognized during IHCA's Annual Convention & Expo September 21-23, 2026 in East Peoria, IL (you do not have to be present to win or accept an award).
• All Excellence Award winners and nominees will be featured in IHCA's publications, on our social media platforms and website.    
• Press releases announcing the winners will be submitted to the local media.  

 

Award Categories

Excellence award nominations are based on the following long term care categories:

Staff Awards: Administrator, Assistant Administrator, Medical Director, Physical Therapist, Speech-Language Pathologist, Dietitian/Nutritionist, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker, Activity Director, Food Service Worker/Cook/Servers, Security, Grroundskeepers, Housekeeping, Maintenance and Custodial Staff, Event Coordinators, Human Resources, Billing Specialist, Accounting Professionals, Facility Managers, Insurance Coordinators, Support Staff, Risk-Management, Data Entry, Administrative Staff, Support Staff

Administrator's Choice: For nominees who may not fit in a category listed above, please use this category. 

Speciality Awards: Associate Member, Community Partnership, Innovative Program, Media Event/Communications, Photography, Social Media, Marketing, New Idea/Invention

 

Award Nomination Rules

• Each IHCA member center must choose one person to serve as the designated contact so all award information, questions and award notification can be sent to this designated contact. The designated contact must be included on each nomination submitted (multiple nominations are strongly encouraged). 
• Nominees must be a current employee of an IHCA member center and Associate member nominees must be a current member of IHCA who provide goods and services to IHCA member centers.
• You may submit multiple nominations for each category.
• All Excellence Award nominations should include:
  • A complete nomination with answers to that category’s set of questions;
  • Include any supporting materials;
  • Hard copies of the award nomination forms may be submitted, but must be printed legibly or typed (submitting online nomination forms are strong encouraged).
  • No more than 2 letters of recommendation for employee and associate member nominations (optional for most categories) or supporting news clippings and/or documentation for specialty award nominations should be attached (this will not be returned and will become the property of IHCA.
  • Where possible, please avoid using the Nominee’s name or the name of the center/facility when answering the questions as this will make it easier for the Nominating Committee to review each nomination without basis.  
  • Excellence Award Winners will be selected by the Nominating Committee based on the information and answers provided on the form. 
  • Nominations must be submitted by the end of business on Friday, July 17, 2026.  

For questions regarding the 2026 IHCA Execellence Awards, please contact, 

Jackie Webb | | jwebb@iha.com | 217-528-6455