Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.

When Kelly Pero-Petty walks in a room, everyone knows she is there, according to colleagues. And when someone walks into an Ignite Medical Resort in Indiana, everyone knows Pero-Petty was there, because all of the rooms are filled. Thanks to her efforts, in the fourth quarter of 2023, all Ignite facilities in Indiana were at 98% occupancy, with admissions up 30%. 

Pero-Petty is the vice president of business development for Ignite’s Indiana division, a role in which she oversees business development, marketing, admissions, community relations, hospital and health system partnership, and physician relations. Her savvy operating skills, combined with her passion for the community and her vibrant persona, not only have helped build up Ignite’s portfolio; they also have laid the foundation for future growth and success. With Pero-Petty in her role, the sky’s the limit for Ignite. 

“From her energetic personality, to her crazy, curly hair, Kelly exudes confidence and intelligence to all she interacts with,” her nominators said. “She is extremely connected to the community and lives locally… You will see her out and about hosting community events. She is Northwest Indiana, and everyone knows Kelly.” 

More about Pero-Petty:

  • Pero-Petty is known to dress up as the Grinch during the holiday season. 
  • She played college basketball at the University of St. Francis.
  • Pero-Petty joined Ignite when the facilities where she worked were acquired by the organization. 

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.

Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.