HCAM has a robust awards and recognition program. Nominating a team or individual is a great way to show your appreciation for their dedication. Winners are recognized each year at HCAM’s Annual Convention in September. Nominations open each year in the spring.

Team of Excellence Award

The Team of Excellence Award will recognize and celebrate one skilled nursing facility’s and one assisted living community’s long-term care team for their exemplary contribution and unwavering commitment to delivering quality care to residents. A winning team is one that works to build a culture of excellence.

One team from a skilled nursing facility and one team from an assisted living community will be selected to receive the award.

Gerry Baker Hero of Healthcare Award

Named for HCAM’s past board president, the Gerry Baker Hero of Health Care Award recognizes and celebrates those in the profession whose commitment to residents and co-workers goes beyond the already high standard long-term care workers set every day. Gerry championed Michigan’s long-term care industry for several decades, eventually serving nationally on the American Health Care Association board, working his way up to chairman in 1999. The Gerry Baker Hero Award will honor dedicated individuals who perform their jobs in an exceptional manner.

David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship (SNF Only)

Established in 2016 in memory of HCAM’s long-time legal counsel, the David Lebenbom Memorial Scholarship provides cash awards to assist employees in meeting education expenses and advancing the long-term care profession. Contracted as special legal counsel for the association in the 1960s, David Lebenbom helped pioneer the laws governing long-term care in Michigan over the next 40 years. His firm, Lebenbom and Rothman P.C., continues to serve as HCAM general counsel today.

Scholarship applicants must be employed by an HCAM skilled nursing facility member in good standing for a minimum of one year and be enrolled in an education program related to long-term care at an accredited college or university. This can include, but is not limited to, nursing, art, music therapy, and other related fields.

In 2025, HCAM will award up to eight $2,500 scholarships.

HCAM Assisted Living Scholarship Award

New this year, HCAM’s Assisted Living Scholarship will provide awards to employees to help meet education expenses and advance the long-term care profession. Scholarship applicants must be employed for at least one year by an HCAM assisted living community member in good standing and be enrolled in an education program related to long-term care at an accredited college or university. This can include, but is not limited to, life enrichment, direct care, administration, sales, cooking, maintenance, med tech, occupational therapy or other related fields.