LeadingAge Washington represents the interests of not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations dedicated to improving the aging experience of over 50,000 older Washingtonians and their family members. In June 2023, at their Annual Conference, LeadingAge Washington presented the Northwest Healthcare Response Network (the Network) with their Board Chair Award. This award, is their topmost award of excellence, and was presented in recognition of the Network’s dedication, commitment, partnership, support and advocacy for the needs of long-term care and aging services over the last few years.

The Network’s relationship with LeadingAge and the Washington Health Care Association (WHCA) has deepened over shared activation during the June 2021 Heat Dome Incident. From this event, a partnership in preparedness and response and a commitment to activate collaboratively was born. Fast forward to the Montesano, Washington skilled nursing facility fire in November 2022, where a coordinated response led by the Network to support this facility and long-term care agencies in the evacuation and placement of 77 residents.

Onora Lien, Executive Director, accepted the award on behalf of the entire team from the Network.

The Network values and appreciates the partnership with the LeadingAge Washington team and is fortunate to work alongside them. Partnerships like this are a true example of how much we can learn and accomplish together. The Network extends our appreciation to each and every one of the long-term care leaders in Washington for all that they have done for their staff, patients, residents and communities over the last few years.