The BC Care Provider of the Year Award celebrates the exemplary individuals who go above and beyond in delivering support and care for seniors.
Winners will officially be announced in January 2026 and will be presented their awards at the BC Care Awards ceremony at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, B.C. on February 25, 2026.
Below we highlight five exceptional individuals in the long-term care category who were nominated for their commitment to quality, compassion, and excellence in care.
Teena Love – Executive Director at Harmony Court, AgeCare
Teena Love exemplifies what it means to lead with heart. Her approach to care goes far beyond professional duty—she treats every resident as family. Teena doesn’t just learn care plans; she learns stories, fears, and the small routines that bring comfort. Her extraordinary attentiveness allows her to notice subtle changes—a shift in mood, a few extra bites left on a plate—and act immediately to prevent complications. Families often say Teena brings a sense of safety during overwhelming times, guiding them with patience and clarity.
Her compassion shines brightest in moments of vulnerability. When a resident became deeply anxious late one evening, Teena stepped in without hesitation. She dimmed the lights, played his favorite oldies playlist, and spoke gently about memories she remembered because she listens. By the time his daughter arrived, he was calm and reassured—a testament to Teena’s ability to transform fear into peace.
Teena’s leadership is equally impactful. She supports her team with empathy, models best practices, and creates a culture rooted in dignity and respect. Residents trust her, families rely on her, and colleagues admire her. Every day, Teena turns caregiving into something profound: genuine compassion in action.
“There are people who do their job, and then there’s Teena—someone who turns care into love, warmth, and dignity.”
“She inspires all of us to be better caregivers. Watching her work is like watching compassion in motion.”
Christa Choquette – Health Care Aide at Menno Home
Christa Choquette consistently demonstrates quality, compassion, and excellence in every aspect of her work. She approaches each resident with patience, kindness, and genuine attentiveness, ensuring they feel valued and understood. Her strong attention to detail is evident in the thoughtful notes she leaves for nurses, particularly regarding residents’ pain management needs, and in her proactive reminders—such as ensuring wheelchair users are positioned comfortably and inclusively in common areas. These small but meaningful actions reflect Christa’s deep respect for dignity and person-centered care.
On the bath team, Christa understands that bathing can be refreshing or frightening, and she adds gentle, personalized touches based on each resident’s preferences. Her calm and steady presence offers comfort to residents and reassurance to her team, even during busy or challenging times. Beyond her direct care, Christa actively contributes ideas to improve team processes and often assists with tasks like delivering meal trays to ease workloads for colleagues.
Her professionalism, strong work ethic, and sincere care continually raise the standard of service at Menno Home. Whether mentoring new staff, supporting palliative care, or simply holding a resident’s hand during a difficult moment, Christa exemplifies what it means to care with both skill and heart.
“Her calm, positive presence reassures residents and staff alike, and her keen observation often catches details that others might miss. She consistently goes above and beyond to support both residents and team members.” – LPN on the unit
Steven Tafoya – Recreation Aide at Peace Portal Seniors Village
With a genuine dedication to enhancing the well-being of each individual, Steven Tafoya crafts engaging programs that foster both physical and emotional growth, promoting social connections and a sense of belonging at Peace Portal Seniors Village. His empathy shines through in every interaction, offering comfort, encouragement, and understanding to residents, while his professionalism guarantees seamless delivery of services. Through his tireless efforts and unwavering passion, Steven creates an environment where residents not only feel cared for but also empowered to live their lives with dignity and joy.
Steven consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty. He is often the first person most vulnerable residents seek during moments of distress; his calm, reassuring presence is a steady anchor in times of chaos. He takes the time to reach out to family members who are unable to be here in person, offering comfort and connection when it is needed most.
“I’ve lived at Peace Portal for two years now, and I just want to say a few words about Steven and what a remarkable human being he is to all of us residents. We truly love him a lot, and he loves us too. There really aren’t enough words to describe the kind of person he is.
“Steven is always there for someone, every moment he’s here. He shows up with kindness, patience, and heart—every single day. We all feel it, and we all appreciate it more than he’ll ever know.” – Daryl M., resident
Hayley Nocon – Executive Director, Mount Isa Mews, AgeCare
Hayley Nocon demonstrates a level of commitment to quality, compassion, and excellence that transforms life at Mount Ida Mews. Her leadership is defined not by titles, but by heart. Every day, Hayley shows up with calm intention and a genuine desire to make life better for residents, families, and staff. She leads with an open door and an open mind, welcoming every concern with patience and empathy while finding solutions that honor dignity and well-being.
What makes Hayley exceptional is her hands-on approach. When staffing is tight, she steps into nursing roles without hesitation, ensuring residents receive safe, person-centered care. Her presence reassures residents, comforts families, and inspires staff who see a leader willing to work beside them, not above them. Hayley also champions joy and connection, supporting creative programs that bring music, laughter, and meaningful engagement to the home.
Her influence extends beyond daily care. Hayley mentors new leaders, strengthens team confidence, and drives quality initiatives that elevate standards across the board. From guiding emotional care conferences to launching innovative programs, she turns challenges into opportunities for growth. Through her compassion, creativity, and unwavering dedication, Hayley has become the anchor of Mount Ida Mews—a leader who cares with both skill and heart.
“She doesn’t just listen—she understands. I’ve watched families walk into her office anxious and leave feeling heard, supported, and reassured.”
“Hayley sees potential in people before they see it in themselves. Because of her encouragement, I had the confidence to take on a leadership role.”
Karima Kassam – Executive Director, Rosewood Manor
Karima has shown great care and dedication at Rosewood Manor. She initially began as a consultant educator, where her clinical expertise and thoughtful guidance helped the home navigate through a period of leadership transitions. Her ability to implement effective processes and streamline workflows quickly distinguished her as a trusted leader. With compassion and a commitment to excellence, she laid the foundation for her future leadership roles.
When the organization faced vacancies in key positions, Karima stepped forward with remarkable initiative, first as Director of Care and later as interim Executive Director. She eventually became the permanent Executive Director and demonstrated exceptional responsibility and vision in just six months. By solving overdue financial matters, initiating capital projects, and modernizing the care home, she made her message clear: she is dedicated to increasing the morale and work environment of Rosewood Manor. Her forward-thinking approach and strong relationship building skills ensured that Rosewood Manor would not only survive but thrive under her guidance.
Beyond operational achievements, Karima is also committed to her community and its culture. The annual Gratitude Celebration, a celebration for staff, residents, and families, was turned into a successful fundraiser under her leadership, raising over $34 000 to support the home. Her leadership is defined by compassion, accountability, and innovation, consistently elevating the experience of residents, families, and staff. Karima embodies the values of integrity and excellence.
“Karima has been a wonderful mentor; she cares very much about her team and how to provide support while successfully managing an organization. She has taught me a great deal about being a manager and developing my leadership skills”- Jacqueline (colleague)
“Karima is a great manager; she is caring and takes time to speak with me when I need someone to talk to, her door is always open”- resident of Rosewood Manor
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Thank you to our award sponsor for their generous support:
Click here to register for the 12th Annual BC Care Awards ceremony.
