If you haven’t had a chance to make your submission before today’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction award nomination deadline, there’s good news. It’s been extended.

The new deadline for the highly successful third-year program hosted by McKnight’s Senior Living and sister brand McKnight’s Long-Term Care News has been extended to Wednesday, Jan. 13. 

Eligible candidates work as direct care providers, managers, executives, corporate executives and owners in skilled nursing facilities, as well as those working in independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement / life plan communities. Women who serve the field indirectly, as association key employees or academicians, also are eligible. Individuals working for vendor companies are not eligible.

Last year’s program recognized 44 women across two categories, Rising Stars and Hall of Honor, plus a Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This year’s program includes an additional awards category — Veteran VIPs. 

The categories for 2021:

  • Hall of Honor: Candidates should be senior-level professionals in the C-suite or at a level equivalent to vice president or higher and should have made a significant impact on their organization or the industry.
  • Veteran VIPs: This is a new category this year to recognize candidates who have more than 15 years of experience, are making an impact on the senior living or skilled nursing fields and are at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent. Whether as a community/facility administrator or executive director; or as a director of nursing, health/wellness or activities; or through some other position, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry through their accomplishments.
  • Rising Stars: Candidates must be age 40 or younger or have fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession. Also, they must have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior living and care industry. These achievements or accomplishments may include, for example, managing a project, developing a campaign or contributing to the field via research or thought leadership.

All honorees, including a lifetime achievement award winner, will be celebrated at a virtual awards event in May that again will be accompanied by continuing education sessions at a special forum. Additional details about the full list of activities will be announced in the coming weeks.

Coverage of previous winners and magnificent magnificent Women of Distinction awards celebrations can be found on the websites of McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.

More information about the program and nomination process can be found here.