NAHCA celebrates 20 years

The National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) is observing the 20th anniversary of its founding.

“The journey has been filled with great victories and the occasional defeats,” said Chief Executive Officer Lori Porter in a statement. She and Chief Clinical Officer Lisa Cantrell founded the organization on Jan. 2, 1995, to advance the professionalism of certified nursing assistants and other frontline caregivers.

Starting in a home basement with just more than 200 members in Missouri and Kansas, NAHCA has grown to more than 31,000 members across 29 states in its lifetime. “Through it all, we have remained committed to recognizing, educating, advocating and motivating the wonderful women and men closest to our nation’s frail and elder citizens,” Porter added. “We recognize that quality of life and care can’t be accomplished without our members. Our knowledge and passion have brought us this far and will certainly carry us into the future.”

The association credits its success to its governing bodies—a steering commission and board of advisers—as well as partnerships with national and state healthcare associations as well as the American Health Care Association/National Center of Assisted Living, LeadingAge and Medlines Industries.

Each year, NAHCA recognizes outstanding caregivers during the Key to Quality Awards Banquet. The 20^th Annual Key to Quality Awards Banquet will be June 11 in Des Moines, IA, after a two-day annual conference.

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