Awards and Recognition

The Cedars is among the 21% of U.S. skilled nursing facilities that have been recognized as a Best Nursing Home for 2020-21 by U.S. News & World Report.

The Cedars earned Best Nursing Homes status by achieving a rating of “High Performing,” the highest possible rating, for short-term rehabilitation and long-term care. U.S. News gives the designation of Best Nursing Home only to those homes that satisfy U.S. News’s assessment of the appropriate use of key services and consistent performance in quality measures.

The Mayer-Rothschild Foundation Announces First Designation of Excellence in Person-Centered Long-Term Care Award Winners: The University of Maine Center on Aging and The Cedars, Portland, Maine, Will Share Major Award

December 2020: The Designation of Excellence in Person-Centered Long-Term Care Award challenges the The Cedars and The University of Maine Center on Aging to work together to develop systems, methods, measures, tools, and processes for characterization of superior practices in the care of older adults living in long-term nursing homes, independent and assisted living communities, and dementia and memory care residences.

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The Cedars received the 2019 Jewish Programming Award for “Partnering with Elders: Health and Creativity” which is an innovative program that builds bridges across age and cognitive barriers through the use of art. Students from the University of Southern Maine and the University of New England come to The Cedars to earn course credits by participating in this program with our residents.

Jennifer Butcher, long-time volunteer at The Cedars received the 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award from Leading Age Maine/New Hampshire. Jennifer has logged over 3500 hours of service at the Skilled Care Center at The Cedars. With her natural ability to tune into the needs of others, combined with her understanding of dementia, Jennifer uses humor and warmth to relate to residents. Jennifer is a natural leader, responding to needs as they arise. From comforting residents to assisting staff and offering her ideas, she is a treasured friend to all and an outstanding asset to The Cedars community.

The Cedars was honored by Spurwink with the 2015 “Recognition of Service Award” for providing work training to young people through the Glickman Academy Vocational Program. For over 20 years, The Cedars has had the pleasure of working with Spurwink to offer work opportunities to their students.

Nick Viti, OTR/L, MS, Director of Life Enrichment, received the 2015 “Practitioner of the Year Award” from the Maine Association of Occupational Therapists. Nick has worked with students and adults with behavioral disabilities and dementia patients since graduating from college. He has a passion for innovative, person-centered care and an in-depth knowledge of dementia treatment.

John Watson, Chief Financial Officer received national recognition as recipient of the 2015 “The Outstanding Advocacy Award” from LeadingAge, a national association representing 6,000 non-profit aging-services organizations throughout the United States. The award honors John Watson as a tireless advocate at the State level for educating legislators, executive branch officials, and fellow nursing facility administrators regarding Maine’s current system of reimbursing nursing homes.  

Angie Hunt, Chief Operating Officer, recipient of the 2015 “Leadership Award” from Leading Age of Maine and New Hampshire for her tireless work, incredible self-direction and unwavering commitment to seniors, staff and the long term care non-profit community. 

John Watson, Chief Financial Officer, recipient of 2014 “Advocacy Award” from Leading Age for his work on Maine’s Commission to Study Long Term Care (LTC) Facilities.  “John’s dedicated work toward making way for a more transparent and equitable State reimbursement system and his unrelenting focus on improving access to the highest quality services possible is why Leading Age Maine and New Hampshire is proud to show the appreciation of its members with this Special Advocacy Award,” Denise Vachon, Leading Age Board of Directors and Executive Director of Park Danforth, declared at the award ceremony.

Kathryn Callnan, President and CEO, received the 2012 “The Rose M. Richsafer Senior Mentor Award ” from Partners in Senior Life.