Submitted by: Nightingale Healthcare
Nightingale Healthcare, a family-owned healthcare company based in Bellingham, is pleased to announce that two members of its leadership team have been named “Rising Stars” as part of the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards program, a joint program of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and McKnight’s Senior Living — Jennifer Mack, Regional Operations Director for Nightingale Healthcare, and Audra Gutierrez-Ritari, Administrator for View Ridge Care Center in Everett.
The program, in its second year, recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the senior living and skilled nursing professions or who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the fields. Rising Stars are women who are younger than 40 or have fewer than 15 years in the industry.
“We couldn’t be prouder of both Jenny and Audra on receiving this incredible recognition,” said Pete Wolkin, Chief Operations Officer for Nightingale Healthcare. “Both women have proven to be great leaders and we’re so grateful that they are a part of the Nightingale family.”
Jennifer Mack first joined the Nightingale Healthcare family as the Administrator for one of its skilled nursing facilities, Arlington Health and Rehabilitation, in 2013. She transitioned into her current operations role for the parent company in December 2016. In this capacity, Jennifer collaborates with each of Nightingale’s nursing facilities to assist with daily operations, providing oversite and support where needed whether its facility financials, electronic medical records, or providing staff education that is determined through facility audits and requests. Jennifer received her Business Management Degree from the University of Washington. She maintains a Certified Nursing Assistant license and is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
Audra Gutierrez-Ritari joined the Nightingale Healthcare family in 2018 as Administrator for its Everett, WA skilled nursing facility, View Ridge Care Center. She is responsible for overseeing all facility operations, including monitoring its compliance with State and Federal regulations, leading staff and personnel management, monitoring financials and reporting, and addressing and resolving any conflicts or issues that pertain to the facility and its residents. Audra received her Master’s in Business Administration with an Accounting focus from Washington State University and her Master’s in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. She holds her license in Nursing Home Administration.
“To say the least, this is a well-deserved honor,” said McKnight’s Editorial Director John O’Connor.
Hundreds of nominations from across the United States were judged by an external panel of industry experts. The winners will be honored at a May 7 awards dinner in Chicago. An educational forum will follow on May 8.
To see the full list of inductees, and for more information about the program and to register for the events, visit www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com. The Diamond sponsor for the McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is PointClickCare. The Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica.
About Nightingale Healthcare
Privately-held and family-owned since 2014, Nightingale Healthcare is a healthcare management company based in Bellingham, Washington. Nightingale Healthcare proudly serves communities throughout the states of Washington and Oregon, offering skilled nursing care, long-term care, post-acute medical and rehabilitation care, hospice care, and rehabilitation therapy. Its communities include Mt. Baker Care Center and Summit Place Assisted Living in Bellingham, Arlington Health and Rehabilitation in Arlington, View Ridge Care Center in Everett, Sunnyside Assisted Living in Sunnyside, and Puyallup Nursing & Rehabilitation in Puyallup, Washington; Spruce Point Assisted Living & Memory Care in Florence and Fox Hollow Assisted Living in Eugene, Oregon. For more information, visit us at nightingaleliving.com or 360-656-6609.
