Senior Living Awards
Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Senior Living Award recipients, who were recently recognized at IHCA/INCAL’s 2025 Convention and Expo. Be sure to watch the videos below to learn more about the three Caregivers of the Year.
Do you know someone who deserves to be honored for caring for others and being a valuable team member or volunteer in long-term care? Online nominations open in the spring, so check back soon!
2025 Assisted living Caregiver of the Year
Brooke Spytma
Heritage Woods of Noblesville, Gardant Management Solutions, Inc.
With 25 years of service in senior care dining, Brooke Spytma brings leadership to her role as dietary manager at Heritage Woods of Noblesville. Watch and learn more about her dedication to involving residents in crafting menu items, cooking family recipes and creating a signature seasoning. Under her care, both your stomach and heart will be full. WATCH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT BROOKE.
2025 Caregiver of the Year
Amanda Cline
Wesleyan Health and Rehabilitation Center, TLC Management
Get moving with Amanda Cline, the activities assistant at Wesleyan Health and Rehab! She connects with residents and families, and with her creativity, passion and love, Amanda makes sure everyone in the Alzheimer’s Unit has a set of angel wings over them. WATCH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT AMANDA.
2025 Caregiver of the Year
Karen Bauer
Adams Woodcrest of Decatur, Adams Health Network
For over 26 years, Karen Bauer has been the cornerstone of Adams Woodcrest of Decatur’s nutritional services department. But her impact extends far beyond the kitchen. As the Clinical Dietary Supervisor, she shows compassion, dedication and innovation in every aspect of her work, making her not just a leader, but a valued presence in the lives of residents and alike. WATCH AND LEARN MORE ABOUT KAREN.
Culinary Caregiver Competition
2025 Culinary Caregiver Champion
Zakkary Hackerd
Indiana Veteran’s Home
Competition heats up in this year’s IHCA/INCAL Culinary Caregiver Competition, where chefs from long-term care communities showcase the cooking skills they use to provide quality food for quality care! WATCH AND SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN!
Long-Term Care Champion
2025 Public Servant of the Year
State Sen. Liz Brown
State Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) (pictured, far left) is a devoted state policymaker who tirelessly fights for Hoosier seniors, individuals with disabilities and health care practitioners. She has successfully passed numerous bills into law that are strengthening the long-term care workforce, holding insurance companies accountable, and enhancing Medicaid services for vulnerable and elderly Hoosiers. On behalf of Indiana’s long-term care industry, it is an honor to recognize Sen. Brown as a Long-Term Care Champion and to present her with this year’s IHCA/INCAL Public Servant of the Year Award.