As part of the BC Care Awards, the Ed Helfrich Long-Service Excellence Award celebrates member owner/operators and member employee/contractors who have 15+ year industry track record of developing and delivering quality care for individuals in care.
Below we highlight a few nominees for the 2024 award.
Julia Glover – CEO, Buron Health Care
Throughout her career, Julia has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication for the well-being, safety, and happiness of seniors. As a Registered Nurse who has worked at every level within the healthcare system, from direct care to senior leadership roles, Julia has embodied the essence of compassionate care and transformational leadership.
In senior leadership, Julia has driven numerous initiatives to enhance care standards and engagement, building policies that empower staff and embrace best practices. Her vision for seniors’ care combines holistic health, person-centered care models, and strong communication frameworks that foster collaboration and innovation. By facilitating timely and accurate communication among nurses, care aides, support staff, and leadership, this initiative ensured every team member had a clear and current understanding of resident care needs. For residents, the benefits were significant: issues were identified and addressed more rapidly, leading to improved health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and higher satisfaction among residents and their families. Families felt like they were an active member in the care planning process and commented that their trust in the care team improved.
Julia’s approach has always centered on creating environments where residents thrive. Whether developing innovative care strategies, fostering meaningful engagement, or championing safety protocols, Julia has consistently prioritized residents’ dignity and quality of life. She has cultivated inclusive cultures, inspired staff to strive for excellence, and ensured homes demonstrate respect and compassion.
Leona Wong – Social Worker, AgeCare Lakeview
A crucial part of the Lakeview community for over twenty years, Leona has countlessly proven to be compassionate and dedicated to residents, families and staff. She advocates for residents and families and welcomes new additions to the community right when they walk through the doors and even checking in with them after moving away from the community.
Leona has been participating in number of quality improvement projects over the years, from reducing inappropriate/unnecessary hospital transfers to acute care by have goals of care conversations with residents and families, reducing the utilization of antipsychotics by joining family meetings, and improving residents’ quality of life with the ” Get to Know Me” project.
Throughout her two decades at Lakeview, Leona has shown an immense dedication to improving the lives of seniors in the community.
Maureen McIntosh – President, The Care Group (TCG) Senior Living & Care
For four decades, Maureen has been a champion of the quality of care for seniors. From working as a Director of Care in multiple homes in the eighties, to purchasing Sherwood Crescent Manor (Abbotsford) with her husband, Roy, and business partner, Lynn, in 1992, Maureen has worked tirelessly to provide more proactive, resident-centred care to seniors in B.C.
Thanks to the leadership of Maureen, TCG has since grown to nine homes and approximately 1,000 residents, continuing to drive person-centred care across homes in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Coquitlam, Sidney and Qualicum. Maureen and the TCG team work hard to maintain a home lien setting and prevent the institutionalization of care.
While serving as President, Maureen is a bed-side nurse first. Leading the company from the floor, Maureen engages with residents and leaders to provide exceptional care. Whether it is advocating for a change of treatment for a resident in need or bringing in her dog Millie to brighten up a resident’s day, she is in one of the TCG homes everyday because she knows each one of the residents deserves love and compassion and a skilled nurse. In an age where nurses are so burdened with data input and initiatives, Maureen supports the nurses by working with them at the bedside and showing them how proactive care can make a difference.
Throughout her career, Maureen has been a tireless advocate for the quality of care and dignity for residents.
Thank you to our award sponsor for their generous support: