2011 Award Winners

At its annual Institute each year, Aging Services honors individuals and organizations who personify the mission of the association.

Below are the 2011 award recipients pictured with Shirley Barnes, Aging Services Awards Committee Chair and Bob Dahl, Aging Services of Minnesota Board Chair and their stories.

Caring Heart Award - Caregiver of the Year
Jill Willi, Farmstead of Andover
To view Jill's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6GpfAr-w4g&feature=related

Trustees of the Year
Jerry and Ursula Choromanski, Saint Therese, New Hope
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd_TlgQViuY

Spirit of Aging Award
Richard Fjetland, resident, Annandale Care Center
To view Richard's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLE9iTCoNEc

Excellence in the Workplace
Johnson Memorial Health Services, Dawson
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-frieTccrIg

Caring Heart Award Caregiver of the Year for Support Care
Mary Christianson, Sylvan Court, Canby
To view Mary's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsrktCpD2_o

Kal Michels LTC Administrator Leadership Award
John Richards, PioneerCare, Fergus Falls
To view John's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y7meVJsF2k

Ray Johnson Senior Housing Leadership Award
Lucy Boxrud, Deer Crest (Ebenezer), Rochester
To view Lucy's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0j5TgnWowQ

Leadership in Action Award
Becky Eckstrand, Good Shepherd Lutheran Home, Sauk Rapids
To view Becky's story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdVfSoYM_24

Volunteers of the Year
Vic and Joanne Arnold, Guardian Angels of Elk River
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khpLAlbWjdU

Living Our Mission Award
St. Benedict's Senior Community, St. Cloud
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFedIA_wPIo

Excellence and Innovation Award Winners

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, St. Paul, Transforming the Dementia Journey
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jxVvKsUv4

Augustana Care/Augustana Therapy Services/Access Solutions, Minneapolis, Longfellow Aging in Place Project
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jxVvKsUv4

Ebenezer, Minneapolis, Dancing Hearts - A Collaboration Between Ebenezer and Kairos Dance
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jxVvKsUv4

Elim Care Inc., Eden Prairie and Park View Care Center, Buffalo, Empira Falls Reduction Program
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jxVvKsUv4

Three Links Care Center, Northfield and Rivera Architects, Saint Paul, Reflections Care Suites for Hospice Care
To view their story, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6jxVvKsUv4

District Caregiver of the Year Award Winners
District D - Stephanie Bona, Ecumen Parmly LifePointes, Chisago City
District F - Chaplains Howard and Janet White, Three Links Care Center, Northfield

District Supporting Caregiver of the Year Award Winners
District A - Cliff Balentine, Mahnomen Health Center, Mahnomen
District C - Janice Miller, Alcott Manor, Fergus Falls
District D - Gail Vann, Annandale Care Center, Annandale

District Volunteer of the Year Award Winners
District F - Gene Fahey, Minnesota Veterans Home, Fergus Falls
District G - Jeanine Moreno, Volunteers of America Maplewood Care Center, Maplewood

Retiring Board Members

Pictured L to R: Larry Minnix, CEO and President, LeadingAge; Gayle Kvenvold, President & CEO, Aging Services of Minnesota; Mary Cordts, Ecumen Parmly LifePointes, Chisago City; Sandy Bensen, Neilson Place, Bemidji; Barb Blumer, Barb Blumer Law, P.A., Eagan; Pat Vincent, Three Links Care Center, Northfield; and Shirley Barnes, Crest View Senior Communities, Columbia Heights. Not picture - Tim Tucker, Augustana Care, Minneapolis

Diamond 2011 Annual Sponsor Award

Alliance Purchasing/Aging Services Group - Pictured Ron Patterson, Aging Services Group Board Chair and Bob Dahl, Aging Services of Minnesota Board Chair

Gold 2011 Annual Sponsor Awards

Merwin LTC Pharmacy - Pictured Emily Quicksell with Bob Dahl, Aging Services Board Chair

Piper Jaffray & Company - Pictured Craig Theis with Bob Dahl, Aging Services Board Chair

Professional Portable X-Ray - Pictured Gaute Sandberg, Sue McNamee with Bob Dahl, Aging Services Board Chair