Jewish Geriatric Services receives 2008 Pathways to Greatness Award

Date: 11/17/2008

LONGMEADOW Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS) announced recently that it has been named the recipient of the 2008 Pathways to Greatness Award, given annually to organizations that demonstrate excellence in aging services. The award is sponsored by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and LarsonAllen, a CPA, consulting and advisory firm serving healthcare providers across the nation.

The Pathways to Greatness Recognition program was initiated by AAHSA and LarsonAllen as part of the Quality First program with the goal of identifying the traits of high-performing organizations and pinpointing the leading practices and innovations that these providers are utilizing to impact their communities, deliver superior performance and produce enduring changes. This year JGS was the program's sole recipient of the award.

"The fact that JGS was recognized on a national level for our commitment to care and our ongoing effort to continually innovate and improve is an honor the fact that we were the only organization, among multiple applications, to receive the award is truly remarkable and a testament to the dedication of our leadership, management, staff, our supportive community and the people and families for whom we care," said Alan Rosenfeld, President and CEO of JGS.

"It's our people who make this a special organization and help to create our unique combination of leadership, skill, compassion and knowledge, which all comes together to form what is we feel a progressive organization," he continued.

JGS, which began integrating AAHSA's Quality First initiative into its culture several years ago, submitted its application for the 2008 Pathways to Greatness Recognition Program in May, which consisted of a detailed overview of the organization on multiple levels, including leadership, financial performance, innovation, customer excellence and impact. All submitted applications were then reviewed and assessed by a Steering Committee of national experts established by AAHSA and LarsonAllen.

JGS was presented the award at the AAHSA Annual Meeting & Exposition held in Philadelphia.

"Participating in the Pathways to Greatness Recognition Program is not only a way for the hard work and dedication of our community leadership and staff to be recognized, but it is also a way for our organization to gauge our own performance and look for how we can continue to improve the care we deliver everyday," said Rosenfeld. "We thank each and every person who works to make JGS a leading post-acute care organization."

Jewish Geriatric Services is a leading healthcare system serving elders and their families. Programs operated by JGS subsidiaries include the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home, Spectrum Home Health and Hospice Care, Ruth's House An Assisted Living Residence, Wernick Adult Day Health Care Center, JGS Family Medical Care and House Calls and Genesis House. For more information, please visit www.jewishgeriatric.org.