CHICAGO, May 26, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Leading national developer, owner and operator of high-end continuing care retirement communities Vi has announced that Ahkira McPherson, care center staff development manager at Vi at Lakeside Village has been named a Rising Star in the McKnight's Women of Distinction awards, a joint program by McKnight's Long-Term Care News and McKnight's Senior Living. Now in its second year, the program recognizes women who have made significant contributions to the senior living and skilled nursing professions or who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to these fields.
McPherson joined Vi in 2001 as a restaurant server following her graduation from high school. She leveraged Vi's tuition reimbursement program as well as various learning and development opportunities to progress in her career, obtaining her CNA and wound care certifications, later becoming an LPN, then RN and eventually the leader for resident staff development at her community. She is responsible for the mentoring, onboarding and ongoing development of the care center staff at her community.
"I am incredibly thankful to be recognized by such a prestigious organization and among other leading females helping to move our field forward," said McPherson. "Vi at Lakeside Village has provided a space for me to develop my skills and a platform for me to expand my leadership abilities. I am immensely grateful to the team at Vi for affording me so many opportunities."
"Ahkira is a model employee and a valued member of our team at Vi," said Randy Richardson, president at Vi. "She is the definition of hard work and determination, and it has been an absolute pleasure to watch her grow her career at Vi and excel every step of the way."
McKnight's Women of Distinction Awards Program honors winners in two categories. The Hall of Honor recognizes candidates serving as the equivalent of vice president or higher who have made a significant impact on their organization or industry. Rising Stars candidates are age 40 or younger or have fewer than 15 years of experience in the profession and have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the senior housing and care industry. Candidates can come from the senior housing and care sector, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and life plan/continuing care retirement communities. Nominations were judged by an external panel of industry experts.
Winners will be recognized with full coverage at McKnights.com, McKnightsSeniorLiving.com and in the upcoming print editions of both publications. All winners will be honored at virtual on July 28 and 29. To see the full list of inductees, and for more information about the program and to register for the events, visit http://www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com.
To learn more about Vi communities, visit http://www.viliving.com. For employment opportunities, visit https://jobs.viliving.com.
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About Vi
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Vi operates 10 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) across the United States. With more than 30 years of experience as the owner and operator of residential communities for older adults, Vi continues to work toward providing quality environments, services and programs to enrich the lives of those they serve. In 2019, Vi was recognized by Great Place to Work and Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces for Aging Services and was ranked as one of Glassdoor's "Top 100 Best Places to Work".
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