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National award signifies a formal commitment to continuous improvement in quality care

 MISSOULA, MONT. (June 17, 2026) – Riverside Health & Rehabilitation has been recognized as a 2026 recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for its commitment to improving the lives of residents through quality care. This distinction is the first of three progressive award levels through the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The program honors long-term and post-acute care providers across the nation that have demonstrated their dedication to enhancing quality care for the residents they serve.

“It is with immense gratitude that our community receives the Bronze National Quality Award,” said Jesseca Letke, executive director of Riverside Health & Rehabilitation. “Our team strives every day to provide quality, compassionate care to each resident, patient, family member and guest we serve. It is a true honor for those efforts to be recognized with such a prestigious award. I am grateful for each team member’s contributions and continued commitment to Platinum Service^®.”

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is a rigorous three-level process in which organizations are reviewed and evaluated by trained experts against a set of nationally recognized standards for organizational excellence. The standards of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework help organizations achieve superior performance over time, ultimately enhancing the quality of care and quality of life for long-term care residents.

Providers begin the quality improvement journey at the Bronze level, where they develop an organizational profile outlining key elements such as their vision, mission, customer base, core strengths and challenges. As a recipient of the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award, Riverside Health & Rehabilitation may now move forward to the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award criteria.

“Earning the Bronze Quality Award reflects a strong commitment to continuous improvement and delivering quality care every day,” said AHCA/NCAL President & CEO Clif Porter. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients for taking this important step in the quality journey. We are excited to see all they will accomplish in the years ahead.”

This year, the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary. Since its establishment in 1996, more than 8,000 providers across the country have participated in the rigorous, Baldrige-based program to strengthen their operations, improve outcomes, and enhance the lives of residents and team members. This milestone anniversary highlights the program’s lasting impact on advancing quality care throughout the long-term care profession.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award recipients will be celebrated during Delivering Solutions 26, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 11-14, 2026, in Boston, Mass.

The 2026 National Quality Award Program is supported by AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Members: McKesson, Prevail by First Quality, Incite Workforce Solutions Powered by SnapCare, and HealthCap.

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