Agemark Senior Living recently recognized four individuals as Agemark HEROES in a company-wide awards ceremony held on March 7, 2024. The HERO Award is Agemark’s highest individual honor. Heroes are nominated by a community’s families, residents and staff, who provide information about individuals they feel are exceptional in their roles. Each of Agemark’s 29 communities selects 3 Hero nominees. From there, the community selects one to move on to the National level.
Four individuals were named Agemark “HEROES” for 2023. These individuals were:
- Athena Diaz-Dulanto, HR Assistant (CountryHouse in Grand Island, Nebraska)
- Stephanie Perez, Director of Nursing (TreVista in Concord, California)
- Christina Toledo, Caregiver (The Evergreen Inn, Vancouver, Washington)
- Julie Smith, Life Enrichment Coach (Holland Farms in Norwalk, Iowa)
Agemark HEROES traveled to Omaha and were in attendance at the company’s annual meeting, March 6-8 where they were showered with gifts including a $1000 cash bonus, an extra paid day off and a customized prize package valued at $1000. The group enjoyed a spa day which included facials and pedicures, a lunch out and then, were honored guests at the company’s awards ceremony later that evening.
The HEROES enjoyed the experience, with Julie Smith remarking that “the hero day was one of the best days of my life!” Christina Toledo was thankful as well, saying, “Agemark really shows appreciation for their employees and recognizes hard work. I’m thankful to be here!”
The award is one of many ways the company recognizes individuals for their achievements and contributions to changing the lives of residents each day. Agemark Founder and Managing Partner Richard Westin is appreciative of each hero’s commitment to their communities and residents. “These Agemark HEROES provide compassionate care and love to our wonderful residents every day. They take on a multitude of tasks, from providing hands-on care, leading our life enrichment activities, identifying and hiring other exceptional team members, and much more. They are simply exceptional and the perfect embodiment of how we can do what we do – it’s because of incredible people like them that we can change the lives of seniors.”