The American College of Health Care Administrators  honors Natalie Miko, Administrator of Acacia Health Center located in the Sagewood senior living community in Phoenix, with the 2023 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award.

Only 2% of senior communities nationwide met the initial selection criteria.

Based on the premise that community reflects leadership excellence, this award recognizes the outstanding administrator who provided such leadership in 2022.

Eligibility for this award is based on three years of skilled nursing survey data including the health, fire safety, complaint surveys and top quartile performance on designated quality measures.

The criteria also include at least a 70% or greater facility occupancy and a three-year avoidance of a special focus facility status.

Miko is a resident-focused leader with more than 15 years of experience as a nursing home administrator. She oversees the care of 78 skilled beds at Acacia Health Center while providing oversight to Acacia’s Assisted Living.

In her role, Miko manages a team of nurses and support staff and coordinates care plans to ensure individualized, quality services for each resident.

“Natalie’s leadership, passion and knowledge is an asset to our community,” said Executive Director of Sagewood, Ed Smith. “Acacia Health Center residents and staff hold Natalie in high regards. We are so proud of her – this honor is well-deserved.”

This year, only 31 administrators across the nation were awarded the 2023 Eli Pick Facility Leadership Award. The recipients were celebrated at ACHCA’s 56^th Annual Convocation and Exposition in Baltimore, Md, on April 25.

“Skilled nursing centers across our country are at the forefront of providing care. Despite ongoing challenges, regulatory burdens, and limited resources, these exceptional leaders and their teams have shown that they can achieve outstanding results,” Robert Lane, ACHCA’s president and CEO.