Eastwood Nursing Center has been recognized as a 2019 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. The distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program, presented by the leading association in long term and post-acute care, honors association members across the country that have demonstrated their dedication to improving quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities. “Our staff deserves the credit,” said Administrator Lee Johnson in a news release, who has directed Eastwood since its inception in 1994. “After being awarded with a deficiency-free survey in 2018, we knew our systems were solid and the care we provide is top-notch. While we just feel like an extended family here at Eastwood, it’s an honor to receive attention at the national level.” The National Quality Award Program, established by AHCA/NCAL in 1996, is based on the core values and criteria of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which also serves as the foundation for the metric-based AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative. The Baldrige framework helps organizations among different business sectors improve organizational effectiveness and achieve strategy-driven performance. The Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile with essential performance elements such as vision, mission statement, and key strengths and challenges. Bronze applicants must also demonstrate their ability to implement a performance improvement system. Trained Examiners review each Bronze application to determine if the center has met the demands of the criteria. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, Eastwood may now move forward in developing approaches and achieving performance levels that meet the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award criteria. “I applaud Eastwood Nursing Center for taking this important step towards quality improvement,” said the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Board of Overseers Chair Alana Wolfe. “I encourage Eastwood to continue on its path to achieving the highest of quality care.”