Wyckoff-based Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) has been recognized as a 2019 Gold – Excellence in Quality Award recipient by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for superior performance in the long-term and post-acute care profession.

The Gold award is the final stage of three distinct levels possible through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, which recognizes organizations nationally that serve as models of excellence in providing high-quality care.

“As an organization long-committed to continuous quality assurance and performance improvement, we are extremely proud and excited to be recognized as a 2019 Gold award recipient for our Heritage Manor Nursing Home, including CHCC’s post-acute care/short-term rehab, and The Longview Assisted Living Residence,” said Douglas Struyk, president and chief executive officer in a statement. “CHCC is the first and only recipient in the State of New Jersey to be recognized with the Gold distinction for skilled nursing since the award’s inception two decades ago. Only one other New Jersey recipient shares the Gold recognition for assisted living with us. This award is a true affirmation of CHCC’s commitment to excellence and quality on behalf of all those entrusted in our care,” said Struyk.

CHCC said it is the only organization in Bergen County to be recognized with Gold, and one of only five providers nationwide to receive the 2019 Gold – Excellence in Quality Award. Having previously achieved both the Bronze and Silver Quality Awards, CHCC continued on the intense and arduous journey to reach the ultimate goal of Gold.

Since the program’s inception in 1996, AHCA/NCAL has recognized only 38 organizations—excluding this year’s recipients—with awards at the Gold level.

Based on the core values and criteria of the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program challenges member providers to achieve performance excellence through three progressive levels—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. The Gold – Excellence in Quality Award is the most renowned of the program. At this level, recipients have invested years in mastering and applying the rigorous Baldrige Criteria quality standards to achieve superior results in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, customer and workforce focus, and operations and knowledge management.

AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson said: “The Gold Quality Award is the highest honor a facility can receive that recognizes its quality of care. These recipients are role models for our sector, and because of their years of hard work, dedication, and passion, they are improving and will continue to improve lives every day. This recognition is more than well deserved.”

“This award is the pinnacle of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program,” said Jon Dolan, Health Care Association of New Jersey’s president and CEO. “Gold Award recipients serve as a model of excellence in providing the highest quality care to those who count on them. Despite enormous challenges from funding to regulatory and Medicaid reimbursement process delays, CHCC has distinguished itself nationally by earning this prestigious quality award and continuing to meet the highest standards each and every day in service to their residents and communities in New Jersey,” Dolan said.

The awards will be presented during AHCA/NCAL’s 70th Convention and Expo in Orlando, Fla., Oct. 13 to 16.