ICAA and NuStep honor North America’s top 5 wellness directors in senior living with the Pinnacle Award.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – November 19, 2024, The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) and NuStep, LLC proudly announce the top five recipients of the inaugural ICAA NuStep Pinnacle Award, which recognizes exemplary wellness directors in senior living communities across North America. This prestigious award honors visionary leaders who have profoundly impacted wellness programming, fostering transformative opportunities that inspire their communities and enhance the lives of their residents.
The 2024 Pinnacle Award winners are:
- Annie Shaffer, Wellness Director, Sunnyside Retirement Community (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
- Carole Clausen, Senior Director of Wellness, Fellowship Village, Inc. (Basking Ridge, New Jersey)
- Fabiana Cheistwer, Wellness Director, Providence Point/Baptist Senior Family (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- Amanda Birchem, Director of Health & Wellness, Kavod Senior Life (Denver, Colorado)
- Belinda Degboe, Director of Well-being, Asbury Methodist Village (Gaithersburg, Maryland)
These outstanding professionals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to wellness, fostering a culture of health, vitality, and joy for residents and staff alike. Recognized for their innovative and integrated approaches, they guide the active-aging industry toward a dynamic wellness model that prioritizes meaningful engagement and lifelong growth.
Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, commented on the award’s significance: “The Pinnacle Award comes at a pivotal time, as wellness has evolved beyond a trend to become essential in senior living. Wellness touches every facet of life in these communities, from physical and mental health to social connections and personal fulfillment. By honoring these leaders, we celebrate the directors who not only shape wellness programs but also expand the very definition of what aging well can be. Their work sets a new standard for the industry, underscoring the profound impact of a wellness-focused culture on the quality of life for older adults.”
NuStep's Marketing Communications Specialist, Jane Benskey, shared her thoughts on the importance of the Pinnacle Award: “We’re thrilled to recognize these outstanding individuals for their leadership and their commitment to creating environments that are infused with a sense of possibility and growth, empowering residents and staff to embrace health and wellness as a way of life.”
For more information and insights from these distinguished award recipients, please visit the ICAA NuStep Beacon Award website at beaconaward.icaa.cc.
About NuStep, LLC
Since introducing the seated recumbent stepper in the 1990s, NuStep has continued to develop innovative and inclusive fitness products. Notable additions include the UE8 upper body ergometer in 2021 and the RB8 recumbent bike in 2022. Since 1997, NuStep products have been the brand of choice in physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, senior communities, fitness centers, and home settings worldwide. A long-time supporter of senior communities, NuStep established the Pinnacle Awards in 1998 to honor excellence in holistic wellness programs. Learn more at www.nustep.com.
About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)
ICAA is a professional association that leads, connects, and defines the active-aging industry. Focused on promoting wellness for adults aged 50 and over, ICAA supports professionals committed to creating environments, programs, and services that enable older adults to live life to the fullest.
For additional information:
Contact: Colin Milner, CEO, ICAA
Toll-free: 1-866-335-9777 (North America)
Telephone: 604-734-4466; cell: 604-763-4595
colinmilner@icaa.cc
Contact: Jane Benskey, Marketing Communications Specialist, NuStep, LLC
Toll-free: 1- 800.322.2209 (North America)
Phone:734-418-1867
jbenskey@nustep.com
