Cheryl Wallen, director of Givens Life Ministries outreach, was named a winner in the Veteran VIP class of the 2024 McKnight’s Women of Distinction program, as announced today, Feb. 14.

The fourth annual class of Veteran VIPs includes top professionals in skilled nursing, senior living, and home care. The awards program is a joint effort of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and sister media brands McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.

The Veteran VIP category honors women who have more than 15 years of experience and have made an impact on the senior living, skilled nursing or home care fields, typically at a level lower than vice president or its equivalent.

Wallen will be honored along with 15 other VIP honorees from across the nation at a gala banquet to be held May 14 in Chicago. Also recognized at the event will be her colleagues Christian Grunder, vice president of HR with Givens Communities, and Jessie Bosshard, executive director of Givens Home First, both selected as “Rising Stars” by the program.

“The contributions of these seasoned professionals are valued greatly by their skilled nursing, senior living and home care employers, and we are pleased to honor them,” said John O’Connor, McKnight’s vice president and associate publisher.

Givens Life Ministries serves Givens affordable communities by providing residents access to a community nurse, health and wellness programs, and resident services coordinators. Through regional outreach, health disparities of underserved, diverse, and vulnerable populations are given access to free health screenings, chronic disease self-management programs, nutrition presentations, wellness coaching and education.