NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (June 17, 2024) – Five Virginia Health Services (VHS) communities have been recognized as 2024 recipients of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. This distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The Program honors providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to enhancing the quality of care for our nation’s elders and individuals with disabilities.

The Newport, Northampton and Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers, and The Hamilton and The Huntington Assisted Living communities — all under the VHS umbrella — are among the state’s 17 Bronze award recipients.

“We are proud to have The Newport, Northampton, Walter Reed, The Hamilton and The Huntington as recipients of the national Bronze award for quality. Our team is committed to providing the highest quality care possible to our residents at our nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living communities, and this recognizes all they do to honor that commitment,” said VHS President and CEO Mark Klyczek.

The Newport (Newport News), Northampton (Hampton) and Walter Reed (Gloucester) provide skilled and long-term nursing care with on-site rehabilitation. Walter Reed, which was recognized among Newsweek’s Best Nursing Homes for 2023 and 2024, also provides memory care.

The Hamilton (York County) and The Huntington (Newport News) Assisted Living communities provide residents with a 24/7 nursing team and support staff, and offer a comfortable living environment that includes on-site daily dining, events and activities.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence. The standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program help organizations achieve superior performance over time to improve the quality of life and care of long-term care residents.

Providers begin the quality improvement journey at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile detailing among other elements their vision, mission, key customers, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must demonstrate the use of a performance improvement system. Trained examiners review each application to determine if a center has met the demands of the criteria. As recipients of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality award, The Newport, Northampton, Walter Reed, The Hamilton and The Huntington may now move forward to the Silver – Achievement in Quality award criteria.

“Receiving this award marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards excellence,” said Cathy Bergland, AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board Chair. “Congratulations to the Virginia Health Services communities for this significant achievement. I encourage you to take some time to celebrate and continue striving for higher levels of quality and performance.”

The National Quality Awards will be presented during Delivering Solutions 24, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, in Orlando, Florida.

Follow our communities on Facebook: The Newport, Northampton, Walter Reed, The Hamilton and The Huntington.

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About VHS

Locally owned and headquartered in Newport News, Virginia since 1963, Virginia Health Services offers exceptional senior living and health care services. We specialize in the continuum of care from active lifestyle independent and assisted senior living communities, to skilled nursing and rehabilitation services. Our 1,000+ Team Members are passionate and committed to the well-being and quality care of our residents. Beyond our thoughtfully maintained communities located throughout the Virginia Peninsula, we offer a full range of personalized skilled health care, outpatient therapy, home care and hospice services by specially trained staff in the comfort and privacy of your home. To learn more, please visit our website at www.vahs.com.

About AHCA/NCAL

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,500 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www.ahcancal.org.