Annual Awards Program

Recognizing Excellence in Long Term Care

Every year the VHCA-VCAL Annual Awards Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of administrators, nurses, corporate staff, volunteers and others who help make Virginia long term care centers places of quality care for Virginia’s frailest citizens. The program also recognizes outstanding activity and event programs at Virginia’s nursing centers and assisted living communities.

We are so excited to announce our 2025 Recognition Award Recipients!

Award Categories

Recognition Awards: Honoring Lifetime Achievement, Administrators, Director of Nursing, CNA, and Volunteer of the Year

• James G. Dunton Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement: Mary P. Chiles has been honored with the 2025 James G. Dunton Distinguished Service Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of her more than 50 years of unwavering dedication, leadership, and impact on the long-term care profession. Beginning her career as a registered nurse and serving as a long-term care surveyor, Mary gained a unique perspective on care and compliance that she has applied ever since, including founding her own consulting firm to support facilities in improving operations, compliance, and resident care. She has been a visionary leader, creating tools like VHCA-VCAL’s SMART, mentoring countless colleagues, and quietly giving her time and support to those in need. Mary’s blend of expertise, generosity, and commitment has transformed lives, strengthened the profession, and set a standard of excellence that will endure.
• Nursing Facility Administrator of the Year: Bryant Hudgins of Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been named the 2025 VHCA-VCAL Nursing Facility Administrator of the Year for his exceptional leadership, dedication, and people-centered approach. With more than 30 years in long-term care, rising from CNA to LPN to administrator, Bryant has guided his facility to national recognition, including a Bronze National Quality Award. He is focused on positive outcomes for residents and quality improvement, which has been rewarded as part of the Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing program. He leads by example: mentoring staff, championing workforce development, and fostering a culture where residents feel at home and staff feel supported. Beyond the facility, his commitment extends to community service, youth coaching, and advocacy, making him a leader whose impact resonates far and wide.
• Assisted Living Administrator of the Year: Amanda Waggy, Executive Director at Aarondale Retirement Community, has been named the 2025 VHCA-VCAL Assisted Living Administrator of the Year for her exceptional leadership, compassion, and dedication to residents, staff, and the long-term care profession. She has transformed her community, earning a Bronze National Quality Award, strengthening resident satisfaction and census, and fostering a culture of excellence while balancing operational and financial responsibilities. Amanda’s influence extends beyond her community—mentoring rising leaders, advocating for policy improvements, and leading outreach initiatives that support residents, families, and the broader community. Through her vision, heart, and tireless commitment, she inspires everyone around her and sets a new standard for what assisted living leadership can achieve.

• Director of Nursing of the Year: Wanda Scott of Clarksville Health and Rehab has been named the 2025 Director of Nursing of the Year for her extraordinary leadership, resilience, and lifelong dedication to long term care. Rising through every role in her nearly 40-year career from CNA to LPN to RN to DON, she leads with compassion, action, and example, creating a culture of trust and excellence that has strengthened care and outcomes for residents. Her commitment extends beyond her facility into her community, where she is a consistent supporter and advocate. Most notably, during a fire at a sister facility, Wanda calmly coordinated the safe arrival and care of 55 residents, a moment that showcased her courage, composure, and unwavering devotion to those she serves.
• Certified Nursing Assistants of the Year: Mary Riddick of Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehabilitation Smithfield has been named the 2025 Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year for her 22 years of extraordinary service marked by compassion, professionalism, and heart. Known for her calm presence and keen attention to detail, she anticipates residents’ needs, offers comfort and dignity, and mentors new CNAs with creativity and care. Her impact reaches beyond the center through community drives and volunteer efforts that reflect her lifelong commitment to service. Admired, trusted, and loved, Mary embodies the very best of the CNA profession. Jennifer Rawlings-Pulliam of Chase City Health and Rehab Center was also named the 2025 Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year for her compassion, leadership, and unwavering dedication to residents and colleagues. She goes beyond tasks to anticipate needs, bring joy, and ensure every resident feels seen and cared for. A mentor and role model, Jennifer inspires new CNAs with her example of loving the work as much as doing it well. Residents and families alike describe her as kind, attentive, and deeply devoted—qualities that make her truly deserving of this honor.
• Volunteer of the Year: Eugene Clark has been named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year for his extraordinary compassion, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to the residents and staff of Lee Health & Rehab Center. A double amputee himself, Clark is hailed for meeting new residents facing similar challenges with empathy, encouragement, and living proof that life after amputation is still full of purpose and joy. His service goes beyond traditional volunteering, whether completing training to feed a resident who had no family, leading bingo games and fishing trips, or recruiting new volunteer groups to expand the community of support. Eugene’s presence brings dignity, laughter, and hope to those he serves, making him not just a volunteer but an irreplaceable part of the Lee Health & Rehab family.

 

D.A. “Woody” Brown Community Involvement Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Activity and Event Programs

For over 30 years, VHCA-VCAL has acknowledged the outstanding efforts of members, who use their activity programs to involve, entertain, educate and enrich not only their residents and families but the greater community. The D. A. “Woody” Brown Community Involvement Awards program was named in honor of Woody Brown, the first Director of Operations of Autumn Corporation, a Vietnam Veteran, and a dedicated, enthusiastic leader in long term care.

• National Skilled Nursing Care Week or National Assisted Living Week Program: This category celebrates special events centers host during these annually themed weeks, which occur in May and September, respectively.
  • 1st Place – Richfield Health Center
  • 2nd Place – Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
  • 3rd Place – Roman Eagle Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, Inc.
• Facility Newsletter: This award recognizes excellence in facility newsletters. Newsletters are a special form of communication that is essential both inside and outside of your centers. Staff, residents, family members and the greater community all rely upon them. Judging is based on content, readability, creativity, special features, relevance, timeliness, and resident/employee involvement.
  • 1st Place – Snyder Nursing Home, Inc.
  • 2nd Place – Carriage Hill Health & Rehab Center
  • 3rd Place – The Hoy Center & Stone Rehab at Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay
• Special Event Program: The Special Event award is designed to recognize a one-time activity such as a holiday-specific open house or a fundraiser. The award is granted based on program design and its ability to unite residents and the community.
  • 1st Place – Bedford County Nursing Home – Summer Olympics
  • 2nd Place – The Joseph C. Thomas Center at Friendship Richfield Living – Gotcha Day
  • 3rd Place – Falls Run Nursing and Rehabilitation – Coffee with a Cop