2 Chattanooga-Area Associates Win Morning Pointe’s Exceeding Expectations Awards

Two associates in the Chattanooga area received Morning Pointe Senior Living’s 2023 Exceeding Expectations Awards for outstanding service in different categories.

John Hempel, maintenance director at Morning Pointe of Collegedale at Greenbriar Cove, won the award for Maintenance and Housekeeping, and Josh Rhodes, director of information technology, won forMorning Pointe’s Home Office.

Morning Pointe presented the awards at the annual conference on Dec. 6, recognizing the most
exceptional of its associates for demonstrating leadership and excellence in providing quality senior care.

Every year the company acknowledges top performing team members in its 38 communities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. The conference was held in Chattanooga, where Morning Pointe Senior Living is based.

Mr. Hempel has worked at Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove Assisted Living for three years. His expertise and ability to handle drywall, plumbing, mechanical and electrical issues has allowed the community to take care of these areas in-house, officials said.

“Residents and their families have developed a deep fondness for John, thanks to his warm smile and friendly disposition,” said Ian Shives, executive director at the community. “His presence has a positive impact on the overall atmosphere of our community.”

Mr. Hempel said, “I like working with people. That’s the enjoyment here, getting up every morning to come to work and seeing the residents. It’s like a family at this building.”

Mr. Rhodes, who has been with Morning Pointe for two years, was praised for being courteous, professional, knowledgeable, committed to excellence and a good listener. He has led his team through a number of big technological projects during 2023 and remains dedicated not only to his work but also to building a team environment with his Morning Pointe IT associates and others within the company, officials said.

“This award means that I’ve had a chance to serve my colleagues at Morning Pointe,” said Mr. Rhodes. “It reflects the symbiosis of a team that supports and energizes me so that I can return and provide that same service. I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve and to receive this award.”

This year, Morning Pointe Senior Living expanded its Exceeding Expectations Award program from three region-based awards to seven awards for different job types. The goal is to recognize more associates for excellence.

Greg A. Vital, president of Morning Pointe Senior Living, said: “As an organization, it is important to us to honor excellence among our associates. John and Josh and so many others like them not only make our senior living communities function but truly shine. We recognize their dedication and are so pleased for this opportunity to celebrate how much we value them.”