BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is proud to once again recognize the inspiring work of those working in B.C.’s seniors’ care sector, whether in long-term care, assisted living or home health. Throughout the holiday season, BCCPA will be profiling all nominees across award categories to celebrate each nominee. Winners for the 12th Annual BC Care Awards will be announced in January 2026. Below are some nominees in the assisted living category for 2025 BC Care Provider of the Year.

Hillary Burge – Wellness Manager at Elim Village

Hillary Burge began her journey at Elim Village in 2005 as an Assisted Living Worker (Care Aide), and although her responsibilities and titles have evolved over the years, her passion for residents and dedication to the community have remained steady – and impressive.

Now a Wellness Manager, Hillary consistently shows a strong commitment to quality, compassion, and excellence in providing resident- and family-centered care. Her dedication exceeds her formal duties and is evident in the genuine relationships she forms and the time she willingly spends with the people she cares for. For example, Hillary joined a recent group trip to Alaska with eleven residents from Elim Village this past summer. Here, she connected with residents even during her designated resting hours, spending evenings chatting with residents to playing ping pong until 11 pm! These voluntary moments showcase Hillary’s unique ability to build relationships that boost the emotional well-being of residents in ways no job description can describe.
Beyond her individual actions, Hillary helps strengthen the Wellness, Care, Pastoral, Communications, and Events Leadership group, “the Dream Team.” She actively encourages collaboration across departments, bringing people together to create programs that are not only engaging but also deeply meaningful. She described as a vital part of the Elim community, always surpassing expectations and exemplifying the highest standards of service.

“I have been fortunate to learn so much from Hillary. Starting out in this career with no formal experience, Hillary has been a wonderful leader who brings enthusiasm and creativity to our team every day.” – Jenni-Lynn, Hadley, Recreation Assistant

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Cathy Donaldson – Health Care Aide at Riverside Manor

For over five years at Optima Living, Cathy Donaldson has been a shining example of exceptional seniors’ care that positively touches countless lives every single day through her unwavering commitment and heartfelt advocacy.

Her keen attention to subtle changes in health and behavior, combined with empathy and intuition, ensures early intervention and holistic support. A trusted team player, she communicates openly, mentors’ colleagues, and remains calm under pressure. She follows individualized care plans with precision and compassion, advocating for residents’ well-being while building trust through patience and respect.

Cathy has been recognized through the Shining Star Program, honouring her exceptional dedication, compassion, and commitment to resident care and reflecting her reliability, empathy, and proactive approach, consistently going above and beyond to ensure residents feel supported, safe, and valued.

“Her professionalism, warmth, and integrity inspire others, positively impacting residents, families, and the broader care community. She truly embodies excellence and compassion in every interaction, which reflects her commitment to the residents.” – Harpreet Aulakh, Director of Care

Maribel (Bella) Pakingan – Assisted Living Worker at The Hamlets Duncan

Through her warm presence, patience, thoughtful attention to detail, and genuine respect for each resident’s unique story, Bella Pakingan continually strengthens the supportive culture within the Hamlets Duncan community as an Assisted Living Worker. She consistently uses verbal and non-verbal communication skills to build trust and make residents feel valued and ensures residents are involved in decisions about their care, respecting their autonomy and preferences and promotes independence every day and with every interaction she has.

Bella emanates the characteristics of a truly compassionate caregiver. Whether it be her empathy, her kindness, and her genuine desire to alleviate suffering and promote well-being for all her assisted living residents, or her enthusiasm during exercise and bingo time, Bella consistently brings professionalism, warmth, and fun into her day-to-day tasks. She goes above and beyond by checking in with her residents, carefully observing and troubleshooting changes and possible needs before they happen, and wholeheartedly supporting her residents as they navigate through this important stage in their lives. Her dedication, attentiveness, and positive energy make a meaningful difference every single day.

“Bella is an excellent care attendant, and my dad absolutely loves her! She was a breath of fresh air when she walked in, always so positive, upbeat and genuinely caring towards everyone she encounters!” – A family member of a resident

Ian Evans – Assisted Living Worker at The Hamlets Penticton

Ian Evans’ approach to caregiving at the Hamlets Penticton goes far beyond routine tasks. He cares with intention, purpose, and genuine heart. Whether he is addressing anything with the clinical team, assisting a resident with daily activities, or simply offering a reassuring presence, Ian brings a level of dedication that truly elevates the standard of care in our community.

He has an exceptional ability to focus on what truly matters to our residents. He takes the time to listen to their concerns, their stories, and their needs. This thoughtful attentiveness not only helps residents feel heard and valued, but it also allows him to understand what brings them comfort, joy, and dignity. Ian is consistently showing empathy in every interaction he has with residents, families and peers.

When a situation calls for additional support, Ian is never hesitant to involve the clinical team or take on the additional tasks.

Understanding that the resident well-being is a shared responsibility, Ian never hesitates to take on additional tasks when needed and collaborates to ensure that concerns are addressed promptly and safely. The team at The Hamlets Penticton can always rely on him and trust that he makes residents’ needs his priority.

“The residents really appreciate his calm and caring demeanor, and he’s always willing to go the extra mile for the residents. His ability to stay composed during stressful situations is one of his greatest strengths, and he steps up to take charge when needed. He’s truly admired and trusted in his role as the Assisted Living Worker. Ian is highly recommended by his residents and co-workers.”

Linda Frew – Community Manager at Castle Wood Village, Golden Life Management

Linda Frew’s leadership reflects an extraordinary blend of compassion, dignity, and vision. She delivers resident- and family-centered care not as a task, but as a calling. Her work transforms ordinary moments into anchors of meaning, belonging, and humanity for the people who call Castle Wood Village home.

Through many different initiatives, Linda has built an environment where joy, pride, and identity thrive. For instance, she created the Golden Castle Awards so residents and staff could be celebrated for who they are. She has even advanced quality of life through the design of an enhanced Adult Day program. By balancing clinical support for high-needs individuals with integrated social programming with Village residents, she has reduced stigma for residents with less acute care needs.

Her compassion becomes unmistakable in the most intimate, vulnerable moments, too. Families have invited Linda to sit with them during Medical Assistance in Dying, trusting her to offer steadiness, comfort, and dignity at life’s final threshold. Her presence reassures families that their loved one mattered deeply — and that they were not alone.

Through every action — whether celebrating life’s milestones, reducing stigma, supporting families in grief, or empowering residents to shape their own community — Linda delivers quality, compassion, and excellence at the highest standard. She is not only a leader; she is the heart of Castle Wood Village.

“Linda is my friend, my community manager, and my coach. Because of her, Castle Wood feels like the cruise ship of Castlegar — vibrant, social, and full of life. She notices the little things, like who should sit together at dinner so friendships can grow, and she is present in the big moments too. I have woken up in the hospital to find her standing at the foot of my bed, having already called my family to make sure I was cared for. Linda leads with kindness, respect, and genuine love for the people who live here. These years at Castle Wood have been some of the best of my life, and Linda is a big part of why.” – Kay Abbott, Resident

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Thank you to our award sponsor for their generous support:

Interested in attending the 12th Annual BC Care Awards? Register here.