The American College of Health Care Administrators bestowed its Honorary Fellowship Award on Beecher Hunter, president of Life Care Centers of America, on May 6.

“I am humbled and appreciative of the honor extended to me,” said Mr. Hunter. “But while my name is on it, the award is in reality a testament to the enduring partnership between Life Care Centers of America and the American College of Health Care Administrators.”

The Honorary Fellowship Award was presented during the ACHCA annual meeting at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. This award represents the highest level of achievement within the ACHCA. It honors exemplary achievement in the health care field and an ongoing commitment to staff, residents and the community.

Mr. Hunter has been president of Life Care for more than five years and has worked for the company for 26 years. During the meeting, he was praised for his community and worldwide relief involvement; developing creative programs to benefit the staff, residents and volunteers of Life Care’s facilities; and actively supporting the ACHCA and its education and certification programs.

“ACHCA truly appreciates Beecher and others at Life Care who are so supportive of our organization,” said Marianna Grachek, president and CEO of ACHCA.

Also during the meeting, several Life Care associates received ACHCA’s Facility Leadership Award:

• Kris Berntsen, executive director at Darcy Hall of Life Care in West Palm Beach, Fla.

• Jennifer Lindley, executive director at Life Care Center of Pensacola, Fla.

• Doyle Love, executive director at Life Care Center of East Ridge, Tn.

• Raymond Thompson, vice president of Life Care’s Mariner Region in Washington

“Life Care encourages all of its administrators to be certified by the College,” said Mr. Hunter, “and our company has sponsored a year-long initiative to create a national administrator mentoring program open to all ACHCA members. The first 20 pairs of mentors and protégés were introduced at the recent convocation. That was an energizing moment to see these future leaders of our profession lined up across the front of the meeting room, alongside the experienced professionals who will train them.”

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tenn., Life Care operates or manages more than 220 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit http://lcca.com.

ACHCA is the only professional association devoted solely to meeting the professional needs of long-term care administrators. It focuses on advancing leadership excellence in long-term care through providing leadership education, promoting professional advancement programs such as fellowship and certification, and facilitating leadership development. The College’s membership includes administrators of assisted living centers, nursing homes and retirement communities. For more information about ACHCA, visit http://achca.org.