Heston Amble
Oakwood Village, Spring Green, WI

Tyesha Brower
Largo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Largo, MD

Emma Sullivan
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI

Vickie Tran
Katzman Family Center for Living, North Reading, MA

Marianna Grachek
MSN, RN, HSE, FACHCA

"I am grateful for the many mentors and leaders whose guidance have made my service to ACHCA profoundly meaningful. I offer special appreciation to Board Chairs Larry Slatky, Steve Esdale, Roxanne Falloway, Tim Dressman, and Michael Hotz. ACHCA has been a community of purpose and resilience. I am confident in its future."

Orlando "Lonnie" Bisbano
CNHA, Fellow Emeritus

"I want to thank members of the committee for this extraordinary honor. To be selected for the Hall of Fame is truly humbling. Thank you for allowing me to be with such distinguished company. I will strive to honor this Hall and the values it represents."

Norda Bellantoni
FACHCA

"I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to be inducted into the ACHCA Hall of Fame and regret that I am unable to attend in person to accept this honor. This recognition means more to me than I can fully express, and I am truly humbled to be acknowledged by my professional organizations and peers. This award reflects not only my journey, but also the collective efforts, support, and inspiration of so many individuals who have shaped my path along the way. Thank you again for this incredible honor. I will continue to carry its privilege with gratitude and purpose always."

Kara Owen, FACHCA
Barrington of Carmel, Fishers, IN

Annabelle Knox Howat, HSE, C-BFT
American House, Naples, FL

"Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I’m truly humbled to be named Assisted Living Administrator of the Year. I want to thank my mentor, Mark Prifogle, for believing in me before I was even an AIT and for always challenging me to think differently and keep asking questions. To my Eau Claire professors, thank you for setting me up for success early on. To the leaders I’ve had the privilege of working with, thank you for helping shape me into the leader I am today and the one I continue to grow into. Opening a state-of-the-art community would not have been possible without your support and collaboration. And to my boyfriend, Luke—thank you for your constant support and for celebrating the small wins with me. I’m deeply grateful to ACHCA. Thank you!"

Michael D. Schumacher, LNHA

"I would like to thank God, My Parents, Matt Lessard, Mark Prifogle, my professors from UWEC, and all my colleagues at various organizations that have supported me to get where I am today, especially the communities within Life Care Services. The opportunities that have gotten me to where I am today could not have happened without you, so thank you. To Luke Bjorklund, our friendship has pushed me to be a better Administrator, friend, and colleague within LCS, where we can rely on each other in times we need it most. You are truly a one-of-a-kind friend and colleague, in which I look forward to our continued growth in this profession, as well as our friendship, our crazy ideas never fail to amaze me. This award is something that I will remember for the rest of my life and will continue to drive me to be a better Administrator and leader every single day in this industry. This award after Jim Farleys recent passing means more now than ever and is a devotion to continue his legacy not only in Post Acute Care, but also in life, thank you ACHCA."

Lori A. Pomelow, RN, MLA, FACHCA
Russell Park Rehabilitation & Living Center,
Lewiston, ME

"Being nominated by my colleagues and peers, and receiving this award from ACHCA, is an honor leaving me truly humbled. I’m reminded of ACHCA’s mission and why it’s so vital to the quality of care we provide everyday. I extend my deepest appreciation to my organization, North Country Associates for the many professional growth opportunities they’ve afforded me, and to my mentors, Philip Jean and Matthew Lessard. Your guidance and wisdom have been the compass for my career. To my husband, thank you for your unwavering support—without it, my professional path would not exist- you make all my dreams come true. To my children and grandchildren, your love inspires me every day to continue to make this world a better place for generations to follow. Thank you to the Awards Committee and to all of you. It is a privilege to serve this noble profession alongside you."

Cailin Gallego,
Alliance Health at Mariana Bay, Quincy, MA

"It has been a great honor to serve as an Administrator in Training Preceptor. When I started my own journey as an AIT, I knew I wanted to give back this opportunity to someone else someday. I have successfully completed three AIT rotations and am looking forward to starting my fourth one in September of this year! To be able to get to know each AIT, develop lasting relationships with each person, and watch them grow into successful professionals in the Nursing Home industry is an amazing experience. I cherish each opportunity that I have to be a Preceptor. Thank you to Gwendelyn Paradis and Julius Sengendo for nominating me and being such wonderful people in which the industry is lucky enough to have! I am truly honored and grateful to be receiving this award."

Dr. Keya Sen, Ph.D, FACHCA
Texas State University, San Marcos, TX

"I am deeply honored to receive the 2026 Public Service Award and sincerely thank ACHCA for this recognition.I am grateful to Dr. Kendall Brune for his mentorship. I also deeply appreciate my students, whose collective dedication to community outreach, nurtured through my mentorship, has been essential to making this work possible.This award holds special meaning, reflecting not only my efforts but also the support of Texas State University, the encouragement of my colleagues, and our shared commitment to service. It motivates me to continue striving for excellence and making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.Thank you."

Barbara Speedling,
Queens, NY

"A heartfelt thank you to the College for this acknowledgement. I believe education is the cornerstone of quality for any organization. Thank you for allowing me to share my vision with you, always hoping to leave you thinking differently, inspired for change. I'm happy to keep talking."

Michael A. Hotz, CNHA, FACHCA, Retired
Pine Beach, NJ

"I would like to thank Doug Olson for launching this program and the late, great Jim Farley for serving as the first Mentor Chair and helping bring it to life. I am also grateful to former staff members Michelle Grachek and Elizabeth Lollis, now with NAB, for keeping us on track. This program is truly a cornerstone of the value the College provides. I thank all the mentors and protégés who have participated over the years, and especially Ana Montagne for the inaugural nomination, as well as Joelene Kavenaugh and Luke Bjorklund for nominating me this year."

Kerry Hart
NOA Diagnostics, Cromwell, CT

"I am honored to be recognized by the American College of Health Care Administrators. Receiving this award is incredibly meaningful to me, as ACHCA represents a community of professionals who lead with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to resident care. As a business partner, I’ve always believed our role goes beyond providing services—we are here to support, collaborate, and contribute wherever we can. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved and to work alongside such inspiring leaders. Thank you to the ACHCA community and to my team at NOA, who make this work so rewarding every day."