NOAAP Presents Top Awards to Senior and Assisted Care Professionals

The Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals held its 2018 conference at the Spitzer Center at Lorain County Community College Aug. 18.

The NOAAP is an organization that exists to ensure high standards of professionalism and resident care, while striving to meet the ever changing needs of the Activity Professional and the lives they touch in senior care, nursing and assisted living facilities throughout northeast Ohio.

“Connecting through Person-Centered Care” was the theme of the day that featured speakers, presentations and professional showcases.

Highlights came at the end of the day when three professionals were honored by their peers with special awards.

Emily Dorland was honored with the Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals Activity Director of the Year Award 2018. Emily is the Independent Living Activity Director at Concordia At Sumner.

“Thank you to the Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals for believing that I am worthy of such an honor as Activity Professional of the Year,” said Emily, a specialist in music therapy. “I am beyond grateful to the incredible members and leaders of this organization. It is truly overwhelming to be thought of in this way by my peers and professional mentors. She tearfully accepted the award in the presence of her family as well as colleagues.

“I am so blessed to have been called into a profession where I can surround myself with others who lift each other up and grow together to enrich our residents’ lives,” she said.

Jennifer Krupa received the The Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals Exceptional Educator Award for Activity Professionals & Healthcare employees.

Jennifer Krupa is the Program Coordinator for the Center for Lifelong Learning at Lorain County Community College. She coordinates the educational classes and trips for students over 50. Her background includes 21 years in Long Term Care as an Activity Director; she teaches training classes for Activity Professionals and has consulted in many area nursing homes. Jennifer received the Educator of the Year Award 2018 from the National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioners. Jennifer is the Vice President of the Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals.

Lori Presser was honored as Administrator of the Year 2018.

“Lori has gone above and beyond to make a difference in healthcare, activities, and the elderly, those that are living in Nursing Facilities, Dementia Care, and Assisted Living,” said Normandy Care Center’s Tammy Danilovic in her nominating letter. “She has gone above and beyond to make an impact in the Activity Profession. She is on many Boards and is able to multitask all of her positions to make the Activities throughout the country better for all Activities Directors and health Care Workers.”

The Northeast Ohio Association of Activity Professionals provides dynamic leadership, education, promotion, and networking opportunities for professionals that work with seniors providing recreation pursuits within long term care communities, assisted living, senior centers, homecare, adult day cares, and hospitals.

NOAAP exists to ensure high standards of professionalism and resident care, while striving to meet the ever-changing needs of the Activity Professional and the lives they touch. NOAAP provides support to professionals working in Cuyahoga County, Lorain, Medina, and Summit Counties.

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