2026 Senior Living Awards
With IHCA/INCAL’s Senior Living Award program, we help honor those working and volunteering in nursing facilities and assisted living communities. Each year, three Senior Living Award recipients are named Caregiver of the Year. Recipients are nominated online by their peers and then selected based on those nominations.
Congratulations to this year’s awardees, who were celebrate during our Senior Living Awards luncheon ceremony at the 2026 IHCA/INCAL Convention & Expo on Aug. 18 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis.
This summer, the team from IHCA/INCAL hit the road and surprised our Senior Living Award winners while they were hard at work. Take a look:
Check out this year’s recipients below
2026 Assisted living Caregiver of the Year
Lisa Jelly-May
Senior Suites at The Leland
Lisa is beloved by her friends, family, colleagues and residents at Senior Suites at The Leland. For more than three decades, Lisa devoted her life to serving seniors with compassion, dignity, and unwavering commitment. Her career reflects not just longevity, but a deep-rooted passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of those she cares for each day. She leads with both strength and heart — balancing clinical excellence with genuine human connection. Her ability to bring humor into even the most challenging moments creates a sense of comfort and trust for residents and staff alike. She understands that care goes beyond tasks; it’s about relationships, presence, and empathy.
2026 Caregiver of the Year
Megan Falkner
Manderley Health Care Center
Advanced Care Clinical Consultants
Megan Falkner is one of the hardest workers in the service of her residents at Manderley Health Care Center. With over 15 years of dedicated service as a Certified Nursing Assistant, she consistently demonstrates exceptional compassion, professionalism and commitment to the residents she serves. Throughout her career, she built strong, trusting relationships with residents and families by providing care that goes beyond assigned duties. She is known for her patience, reliability, and ability to treat every resident with dignity and respect, regardless of their cognitive or physical limitations. Her calm presence and positive attitude are especially meaningful during challenging situations, and she often serves as a source of comfort and reassurance for both residents and coworkers. In addition to her extensive CNA experience, she is advancing her professional growth by obtaining her Qualified Medication Aide (QMA) certification. This decision reflects her deep commitment to lifelong learning and to expanding her skills in order to better support resident care. Balancing full-time responsibilities while pursuing further education speaks to her strong work ethic and dedication to excellence. With her longevity in service, compassionate approach to caregiving, and dedication to professional advancement, Megan truly embodies the spirit of excellence in senior care.
2026 Caregiver of the Year
Fred Mardis
Sellersburg Healthcare Center
CommuniCare Health Services
Fred fixes a whole lot more than appliances and HVAC in his role at Sellersburg Healthcare Center. For the past 24 years, he’s been fixing hearts and the spirits of his residents with his warmth and personality. As Maintenance Director, his impact reaches far beyond the physical structure of the building — he helps create a safe, comfortable, and truly welcoming home for every resident who walks through the doors. He exemplifies reliability, dedication, and heart. Whether it’s responding to a maintenance emergency after hours, ensuring resident rooms are always in top condition, or proactively improving the environment, he approaches every task with pride and professionalism. His work ensures not only compliance and safety but also peace of mind for residents, families, and staff alike. What truly sets Fred apart is his unwavering commitment to people. He is known throughout the facility as someone who is always willing to help — no matter the time or circumstance. Residents often seek him out not just for repairs, but for conversation, reassurance, and a friendly face. He treats each resident with dignity and kindness, embodying the spirit of senior living at its best. Fred is more than a Maintenance Director — he is a trusted leader, a problem solver, and a vital part of the facility family. His 24 years of service stand as a testament to his character, and his daily actions continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around him.
2026 Long-Term Care Champion
Public Servant of the Year
Michael Crider
Indiana Senate District 28
As the Senate sponsor of House Enrolled Act 1277, State Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) championed a critical new state law during the 2026 legislative session reforming the state’s PathWays for Aging Medicaid Program, protecting elderly and vulnerable Hoosiers who rely on skilled nursing, assisted living, and home- and community-based services.
It’s a privilege for IHCA/INCAL to recognize Sen. Crider as a long-term care champion and present him with the 2026 Public Servant of the Year Award. Thanks to his dedication, more Hoosier seniors and those with disabilities will receive the critical medical care they need and deserve.
First elected to the Indiana Senate in 2012, Sen. Crider represents Senate District 28, which includes Hancock County and portions of Marion and Shelby counties. He serves as Majority Whip of the Senate Republican leadership team, chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Transportation, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and the Military. He also serves as a member of the Senate Committees on Appropriations, Health and Provider Services, Joint Rules, and Rules and Legislative Procedure. Click here to learn more about Sen. Crider.
