The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Awards Program is a progressive program that is based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. Participants move from the Bronze level, to Silver, and then ultimately to the Gold. Bronze recipients must demonstrate a groundwork for excellence by completing a self-assessment that outlines their organizational priorities and goals. Silver recipients outline their systematic approaches and demonstrate sustainable organizational and process results linked to their key customer requirements, success factors, and challenges. Gold recipients represent an elite group by meeting all of the demands of the Baldrige Criteria, they demonstrate the achievement of high levels of performance over time in the areas of: leadership, strategic planning, customer service, workforce, operations, and knowledge management.  Moving through the medal levels is not accomplished overnight; It is a multi-year journey.

November 16, 2023 marked the deadline for member nursing facilities and assisted living centers to notify AHCA/NCAL of their intent to apply for a 2024 Quality Award.  WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce that 45 of our members have filed an intent to apply:  32 for a bronze level award, 12 for a silver level award and 3 for a gold level award.  This is a record indication of interest.  WHCA/WiCAL thanks and congratulates those members who have stepped forward.

Very important:  While filing an intent to apply is encouraged, it is not a mandatory step in the selection process.  All member nursing facilities and assisted living centers may still apply and have until January 25, 2024 to do so.  If a facility is new to the program, bronze would be the appropriate level application.  For more information about the AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards, please click here:  https://www.ahcancal.org/Quality/National-Quality-Award-Program/Pages/default.aspx