The Lantern Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Morning Pointe of Knoxville received the Community of the Year Award. From left, Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founder and CEO; Anita Estes, executive director at The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Knoxville, winner of the Community of the Year Award; Greg A. Vital, Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founder and president; and Rob Pollard, Morning Pointe’s senior VP of operations.
Morning Pointe Senior Living leadership recognized several of its senior living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities at its annual conference, honoring their unique dedication to residents and their families.
Each year, Morning Pointe acknowledges top-performing teams of caregivers, directors, and customer service associates from its communities across the Southeast.
“It is my pleasure to announce these stand-out award winners,” said Morning Pointe President Greg A. Vital. “We are proud of the teams at each of these communities as they work together to not only meet the needs of our residents and their families but exceed them.”
Morning Pointe Senior Living, a Chattanooga-based senior healthcare services company, owns and manages 38 assisted living and Alzheimer's memory care communities in five southeastern states. Morning Pointe was founded in 1997 by Tennessee healthcare entrepreneurs Mr. Vital and Franklin
Farrow, current CEO.
Leaders presented executives from each of the winning communities with a plaque of recognition during the annual conference. The Lantern Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Morning Pointe of Knoxville was awarded the 2023 Community of the Year award for overall leadership in providing exceptional senior care. Executive Director Anita Estes accepted the award on behalf of the team.
“I am so thrilled for our team,” said Ms .Estes. “They really come together as a group, and most of us have been together since the beginning of the pandemic. Everybody does their part, and they do it well.”
Other honors presented included:
The Morning Pointe Foundation Award was presented to Morning Pointe’s Frankfort, Ky. campus, including Morning Pointe of Frankfort Senior Living (led by Executive Director Lisa Keller) and The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Frankfort (led by Executive Director Amber Stansberry).
The Fiscal Responsibility Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Brentwood, Tn., Assisted Living and Memory Care led by Executive Director Lisa Melby.
The Associate Satisfaction Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Tuscaloosa, Al., Assisted Living and Memory Care, led by Executive Director Kendra Martin.
The Operational Achievement Award was presented to The Lantern Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence at Morning Pointe of Russell, Ky., led by Executive Director Cheryl Stephens.
The Sales and Census Achievement Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Lenoir City, Tn., Assisted Living, led by Executive Director Lindsay Williams.
The Chairman’s Choice Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Athens, Tn., Assisted Living, led by Executive Director Crystal Sutton.
"The winners of these community awards exemplify the spirit and values that Franklin Farrow and I first envisioned for Morning Pointe more than 25 years ago,” Mr. Vital said. “We are extremely grateful for these associates who have set the bar high in serving seniors for generations to come.”
In addition, Morning Pointe Senior Living presented eight Exceeding Expectations Awards to individual associates. These awards recognize associates who have gone above and beyond their job duties to serve their residents and fellow associates. This year, Morning Pointe expanded its Exceeding Expectations Awards program to recognize twice as many associates.
The philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living is the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to provide clinical scholarships and caregiver support.
From left, Franklin Farrow; Crystal Sutton, executive director at Morning Pointe of Athens, winner of the Chairman’s Award; and Greg Vital