Introduction to Provider ACE Awards
The Provider ACE Awards represent a transformative approach to recognizing outstanding professionals in long-term and post-acute care settings. This refreshed program maintains its core mission while introducing a modern vision that celebrates the innovation, dedication, and excellence demonstrated by caregivers across the healthcare continuum. The awards program honors individuals who consistently exceed expectations in delivering exceptional care, demonstrate purposeful leadership, and actively strengthen the long-term care profession through their daily contributions.
While the Provider ACE Awards feature updated branding and presentation, the fundamental values remain unchanged. The program continues to spotlight professionals who make meaningful differences in residents’ lives, advance care quality standards, and serve as role models within their organizations and communities. This recognition platform acknowledges that excellence in long-term care extends far beyond clinical skills to encompass compassion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to resident wellbeing.
Eligibility and Application Process
Who Can Apply
The Provider ACE Awards welcome applications from all care professionals employed at AHCA/NCAL member facilities throughout the United States. Eligible candidates work across diverse care settings, including skilled nursing facilities that provide short-term rehabilitation and long-term care services, assisted living communities offering residential care and support, and intermediate care facilities serving individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICFs/IID).
Beyond traditional clinical roles, the awards recognize professionals working throughout the long-term care ecosystem. Direct care staff, educators shaping the next generation of caregivers, researchers advancing evidence-based practices, and administrative professionals supporting care delivery all qualify for nomination. This inclusive approach ensures that excellence across all departments and functions receives appropriate recognition.
Award Categories and Recognition Levels
Leader of the Year Awards
The AHCA and NCAL Leader of the Year Awards honor exceptional individuals occupying senior leadership positions within long-term care organizations. These prestigious recognitions include separate categories for skilled nursing and assisted living sectors. Eligible candidates include administrators and executive directors who guide organizational strategy, directors of nursing who oversee clinical excellence, and professionals serving in regional leadership capacities who influence multiple care communities.
Leaders selected for this honor demonstrate outstanding strategic vision, inspire their teams to achieve excellence, implement innovative care models, and create workplace cultures that prioritize both resident outcomes and staff development. These awards celebrate individuals whose leadership directly contributes to organizational success and community impact.
Noble Caregiver Awards
The AHCA and NCAL Noble Caregiver Awards recognize frontline professionals who deliver hands-on care and essential support services. With distinct categories for skilled nursing and assisted living environments, these awards honor certified nursing assistants, medication aides, dietary staff, housekeeping personnel, activities coordinators, and office administrators who ensure smooth facility operations.
Noble Caregiver recipients exemplify compassion, reliability, and dedication in their daily interactions with residents and families. They demonstrate exceptional problem-solving abilities, maintain positive attitudes during challenging situations, and contribute significantly to creating homelike environments where residents thrive. These awards validate the critical importance of every team member’s contribution to care excellence.
Special Recognition Awards
Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award
This distinguished recognition honors individuals who champion quality improvement initiatives and drive measurable enhancements in care delivery and resident outcomes. Recipients demonstrate sustained commitment to implementing evidence-based practices and elevating care standards throughout their organizations.
NCAL Jan Thayer Pioneer Award
The Pioneer Award celebrates innovators who introduce groundbreaking approaches to assisted living care. Recipients pioneer new service models, challenge conventional thinking, and create pathways that advance the entire assisted living profession.
Recognition Event and Timeline
Award honorees receive formal recognition at Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention and Expo scheduled for October 11-14, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. This premier industry gathering provides recipients with national visibility, networking opportunities with healthcare leaders, and platforms to share their expertise with peers from across the country.
How to Nominate Excellence
Healthcare organizations should explore the newly redesigned Provider ACE Awards website for comprehensive nomination guidelines. The nomination process, opening soon, offers straightforward submission procedures designed to highlight individual achievements and organizational impact. Detailed timelines, eligibility criteria, and supporting documentation requirements will be published on the official website.
The Provider ACE Awards complement AHCA/NCAL’s National Quality Award Program, which recognizes facility-level performance excellence. Together, these programs create comprehensive recognition frameworks celebrating both individual professionals and organizational achievements in long-term care quality and innovation.
