Robbin Darden, RN, lead nurse at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Chattanooga, has received the Morning Pointe Senior Living Exceeding Expectations award for outstanding service for the Appalachian Region, covering 13 Morning Pointe communities in southeast Tennessee and Georgia.

Independent Healthcare Properties and Morning Pointe Senior Living presented its Exceeding Expectations awards at its annual conference last week, recognizing the most exceptional of its associates for demonstrating leadership and excellence in providing quality senior care, said officials. Every year, the company acknowledges top performing team members in its 35 communities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. This year’s conference was held virtually, the first in the company’s nearly 25-year history, and was attended by over 300 associates.

Ms. Darden has been with Morning Point for 11 years, starting her career as a second shift nurse at Morning Pointe of Hixson before transferring to the resident services director position at The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Collegedale, where she  remained for over five years. Now, as lead nurse at the Chattanooga Lantern, she also works with many of her colleagues from her time in Collegedale.

“I have learned and continued my growth with Morning Pointe, and I do not want to stop,” said Ms. Darden. “I have had a glorious journey with Morning Pointe. I want to let everyone know that there’s no other place I would rather be than where I am right now.” 

When selecting her as the Exceeding Expectations winner, Morning Pointe leadership cited Ms. Darden’s instrumental role in staffing and training in the wake of an EF3 tornado that devastated much of the East Brainerd community earlier this year—including Morning Pointe Senior Living communities on Shallowford Road—as well as her many years of advocacy for associates and residents, as particularly noteworthy.

“This award goes to associates who exceed the expectations set for them, and Robbin is no exception,” said Heather Tussing, executive vice president of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “She is an exemplary leader who embodies the heart of what Morning Pointe is all about, providing excellent care to residents, and is someone who continues to grow in her role at Morning Pointe Senior Living.”

“Morning Pointe believes in recognizing associates like Robbin, who aptly demonstrate the ideal of serving others, especially with regard to the numerous difficult circumstances, predominantly the tornado and COVID-19, that have characterized the past year,” said Greg A. Vital, president of Morning Pointe Senior Living. “In spite of these challenges, Morning Pointe associates like Robbin have risen up to protect the health and safety of our residents. They truly embody the Morning Pointe way.”