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 six exceptional individuals in the long-term care category who were nominated for their commitment to quality, compassion, and excellence in care.
Taylor Clark – Health Care Aide at The Hamlets at Westsyde, Optima
Deeply resident-focused, Taylor Clark always takes the time to understand each resident’s unique needs, preferences, and circumstances at The Hamlets at Westsyde. Her communication is always grounded in empathy, allowing residents to feel truly heard, valued, and supported. Her commitment and compassion help create an environment where residents feel safe, respected, and understood, which significantly enhances their overall experience.
Taylor always actively looks for ways to personalize each resident’s daily routine, ensuring their comfort, dignity, and emotional well-being are prioritized. Whether it’s adjusting activities to match a resident’s mood or finding small ways to brighten their day, she pays attention to details that truly matter.
In addition to her commitment to residents, she is a strong and reliable support to her co-workers, always willing to lend a hand or step in during challenging moments. She maintains a calm, compassionate presence even in high-pressure situations, helping to create a stable and reassuring environment for both residents and team members.
“I wish Taylor worked 7 days a week! She’s always smiling and has a positive attitude.”
“Taylor is a team player, always willing to lend a helping hand and share her cheer around the floor.”
Michael Morter – Director of Dietary Services at Lake Country Lodge
As the Director of Dietary Services at Lake Country Lodge, Michael Morter empowers residents by finding meaningful and innovative ways to engage them. He takes the time to connect meaningfully with residents and their families, engaging in thoughtful conversations to understand their individual dietary needs, preferences, and cultural considerations.
Mike collaborates closely with all departments, contributing his culinary expertise to enhance special events and community gatherings. Whether creating themed menus, adapting meals to individual needs, or elevating celebrations with creative food experiences, Mike is always eager to use his imagination and innovate. His willingness to step in wherever needed and his dedication to teamwork inspire those around him and enrich the lives of our residents every day.
Through his many thoughtful initiatives, Mike has created a meaningful role that gives residents a sense of contribution, independence, and belonging within the Lake Country Lodge community.
“Residents describe Mike as cheerful, supportive, and empathetic—someone who makes them feel heard, respected, and validated. His ability to connect with others and ensure they feel valued is deeply appreciated and reinforces the high quality of care we strive to provide every day.” – Brenda Thomas
Simranjit Virpal – Registered Nurse, Evergreen Hamlets at Fleetwood
Simran exemplifies professionalism, compassion, and dedication in her role as a Registered Nurse at the Evergreen Hamlets at Fleetwood. A strong advocate to those unable to speak for themselves, she takes the time to understand their needs and represents their interests with integrity. She is a trusted role model among her peers and is known for her leadership, empathy, and commitment to excellence.
Her clinical expertise is matched by her attentiveness and initiative. Simran responds quickly to changes in residents’ health, working alongside the Director of Care to create care plans that promote healing and safety. To maintain continuity of care, she often steps in when her team needs extra support by covering extra roles or extending her hours. Her ability to effectively communicate with her peers and her reliability make her a valuable team member at the Evergreen Hamlet at Fleetwood.
“…She [Simran] is cooperative, embraces new ideas, and is highly respected by the care team, who often look to her for advice and leadership, appreciating her reliability, compassion, and consistent dedication to maintaining exceptional standards of care and fostering a positive, collaborative environment.”
Charan Bhatia – Operations Manager, The Harrison at Elim Village
With fifteen years of experience in Long-Term Care at Elim —first as an LPN leading her floor and now as Operations Manager—Charan oversees key operational areas that ensure the home runs smoothly. Charan plays an important role in onboarding new residents and their families, helping them feel comfortable and guiding them through the transition into long-term care. Charan’s strong attention to detail ensures that each resident’s unique needs are clearly identified, enabling the team to provide the individualized care every resident needs and deserves.
As one of the first points of contact for new residents at The Harrison, Charan Bhatia always welcomes questions and concerns with a warm, hospitality-focused approach. She routinely helps residents obtain clothing or personal items they need, even going out to purchase them herself when residents do not have family available. She also assists residents in applying for resources they would not otherwise access or know about. Her open-door policy and willingness to support others at any time demonstrate her deep commitment to resident well-being.
“Charan keeps a notebook in which she writes comments and feedback from people throughout the day, and she often makes valuable changes based on others’ requests that improve the environment or meet the needs of residents or staff. She is very collaborative and enjoys making it a better place to work and a great place to live for older adults.” –Shirley Mendiola, Administrative Assistant, Operations
Debra Furgeson – Health Care Aide at The Hamlets at Vernon, Optima
Debra Furgeson approaches care through her calm and reassuring nature, reducing anxiety and promoting trust among residents at The Hamlets at Vernon. Debra ensures that residents’ comfort, safety, and emotional well-being are always prioritized by paying close attention to detail in all aspects of care. She takes the initiative to notice and address small details that greatly impact the residents’ quality of life, such as adjusting a resident’s environment for comfort, ensuring favorite items are within reach, taking time to style hair or to help with personal grooming in a way that makes residents feel cared for and confident.
Constantly going above and beyond as a Health Care Aide, Debra engages residents in meaningful activities and interactions that supports cognitive function and enhances quality of life. She often takes extra time with residents living with dementia, using patience and creativity to calm agitation, encourage participation in activities, and maintain a sense of dignity and familiarity. For example, she has been known to sing familiar songs or reminisce with residents to help ease confusion and bring comfort during challenging moments. Her exceptional understanding and patience when supporting residents living with dementia reflects her genuine empathy and respect for each resident’s individuality and dignity.
“My family member lives with dementia, and Debbie has a natural gift for connecting with them in meaningful ways. Whether it’s taking the time to hold their hand when they’re feeling anxious, speaking gently to help them feel safe, or remembering small details about their likes and routines, their care always feels deeply personal and heartfelt.” – Family member of a resident
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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.
