On Dec. 6, 2023, Morning Pointe Senior Living recognized eight Exceeding Expectations Award winners during its Annual Holiday Awards Banquet, honoring their dedication to their residents and fellow associates.
This year, Morning Pointe expanded the Exceeding Expectations Awards from four region-based categories to eight role-based categories. The goal was to provide a greater level of recognition for those who go beyond their job descriptions.
“As an organization, it is important to us to honor excellence among our associates,” said Greg A. Vital, Morning Pointe Senior Living Co-Founder and President. “These exceptional associates and so many others like them not only make our senior living communities function but truly shine. We recognize their dedication and are so pleased for this opportunity to celebrate how much we value them.”
Here are the winners for 2023!
Home Office: Josh Rhodes, Director of Information Technology
Josh has been with Morning Pointe for two years and was praised for being courteous, professional, knowledgeable, committed to excellence and a good listener. He has led his team through a number of big technological projects during 2023 and remains dedicated not only to his work but also to building a team environment with his Morning Pointe IT associates and others within the company.
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Resident Care: Loretta Cameron, Certified Nursing Assistant at Morning Pointe of Richmond, KY, Senior Living
Loretta is the lead CNA for first shift and has been working at Morning Pointe of Richmond for more than 10 years. Beyond excelling at her everyday duties, she was praised for cutting the men’s hair, as well as volunteering to assist with menus and as a receptionist on her days off while the business office manager was in the hospital.
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Nursing: Kahlalishia Williams, Director of Nursing at Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa, AL, Assisted Living and Memory Care
Kahlalishia has been working at Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa for two and a half years. She has worked in healthcare for more than 15 years and is able to relate to the staff on all levels. They in turn look up to her.
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Life Enrichment and Alzheimer’s Programming: Beverly Smith, Life Enrichment Director at Morning Pointe of Powell, TN, Assisted Living
Beverly oversees activities at her community. She started as an Activities Assistant in 2020 just before the COVID shutdown and has proven her dedication to providing individualized activities for the residents. She checks on residents when they are in the hospital and never wants residents to feel left out.
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Sales and Marketing: Megan Dunaway, Community Relations Director at Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley, TN, Assisted Living and Memory Care
Megan is often the first associate that families interact with when they are exploring the possibility of assisted living. She has worked at Morning Pointe of Hardin Valley since the building opened and is trusted by the residents. Sometimes, she even runs out on her own to get items for them.
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Business Office: James Ford, Business Office Director at the Morning Pointe of Lenoir City campus, TN, including Assisted Living and Memory Care
James oversees business functions at two communities. He joined Morning Pointe in 2016 as a Cook, then became a Resident Assistant in 2017 and worked his way up to the Lead RA on second shift. He took the Business Office position in 2021, and the residents adore him.
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Food Service: Cindy Morris, Food Service Director at Morning Pointe of Russell, KY, Senior Living
Cindy has worked at Morning Pointe of Russell since June 2021 and was praised for increasing the freshness of the food at the community. Beyond excelling at her everyday duties, she developed a monthly Resident Food Council Meeting to listen to feedback from the residents and includes a very popular Resident Choice meal each month. She also routinely scores 100 on inspections from the Health Department.
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Maintenance and Housekeeping: John Hempel, Maintenance Director at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove, TN, Assisted Living
John has worked at Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove for three years. His expertise and ability to handle drywall, plumbing, mechanical and electrical issues has allowed the community to take care of these areas in-house. His friendly smile and disposition endear him to the residents.
