Help Us Celebrate the People Making a Difference in Home-Based Care
Every day across the Kansas City region, professionals, caregivers, advocates, and community leaders make an extraordinary impact in the lives of patients and families.
The KCRHCA Annual Recognition Luncheon is our opportunity to honor those individuals whose compassion, leadership, service, and dedication strengthen the home-based care community.
We invite you to nominate the people who go above and beyond — the often unseen heroes whose work deserves to be recognized and celebrated.
Awards are presented in two categories:
- Member Awards
- Community Awards
Please review the award descriptions below and submit your nominations by November 15, 2026.
If you have need more information, contact one of the Annual Luncheon Committee Co-Chairs:
- Craig Lee, Sponsorship Coordinator
craig@imovephysicaltherapy.com • 816-721-8254 - Julie Allen: jallen@jkv.org
- Teresa Borger: tntborger@gmail.com
- Katelin Gharst: katelin.gharst@novuslifecare.com
- Shawn Mueller: shawnmueller001@gmail.com
- Doug Peterson: dougpeterson@synergyhomecare.com
RSVP FOR THE LUNCHEON
Early Bird til November 16: $25/person
After November 16: $35/person
Deadline to register is November 27, 2026
2026 MEMBER AWARDS
Outstanding Associate Award
Each KCRHCA member agency is encouraged to nominate one outstanding team member for recognition. This award honors employees who demonstrate exceptional dedication, compassion, professionalism, and service in support of patients, families, and the home-based care community.
Nominees may include:
- Clinical staff
- Office staff
- Delivery technicians
- Administrative professionals
- Support personnel
- Any employee who deserves special recognition
Richard Sanders Extra Mile Award
The Richard Sanders Extra Mile Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, service, and commitment to KCRHCA and the home care industry over the past year.
This award honors the legacy of Richard Sanders, whose wit, wisdom, energy, and unwavering commitment played an important role in shaping and strengthening our home care community.
Nominees should exemplify:
- Outstanding service and leadership
- Commitment to advancing home-based care
- Generosity of time and expertise
- Meaningful contributions to KCRHCA and the healthcare community
2026 COMMUNITY AWARDS
Listed are four Community Award categories. Each award category has criteria listed to assist you with your nomination selection.
Noni McCall Legislative Award
This award also honors those who have played an important role in educating KCRHCA members, healthcare professionals, and the public on critical healthcare policy and legislative issues.
Nominees may have:
- Championed healthcare-related legislation
- Advocated for improved patient access and quality of care
- Provided leadership in healthcare policy education
- Supported the advancement of home-based care services through public service or advocacy
Barbara Johnson Education Award
The Barbara Johnson Education Award recognizes an individual who has made a meaningful impact through healthcare education, professional development, or research that advances the quality of care within the home-based healthcare community.
This award honors those who have demonstrated leadership in educating healthcare professionals or the public, expanding learning opportunities for providers, or contributing research and innovation that improves patient care and outcomes.
Nominees may have:
- Educated healthcare professionals or the public on important healthcare issues
- Advanced educational opportunities within the healthcare field
- Conducted research that improves patient care and outcomes
- Demonstrated a commitment to learning, mentorship, and professional excellence
Marilyn Bockelman Community Award
The Marilyn Bockelman Community Award honors a business leader, community advocate, volunteer, public servant, or individual whose service and leadership have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the quality of life throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
This award recognizes those who demonstrate a strong commitment to community well-being, compassion, service, and positive change through their personal or professional contributions.
Nominees may have:
- Demonstrated exceptional community leadership
- Supported initiatives that improve quality of life
- Made meaningful contributions through service or volunteerism
- Strengthened the Kansas City community through advocacy, outreach, or civic engagement
Outstanding Physician Award
The Outstanding Physician Award recognizes a physician who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the health and well-being of their patients through compassionate care, professional excellence, community involvement, and healthcare advocacy.
This award honors physicians whose impact extends beyond the practice of medicine through service, leadership, support of healthcare initiatives, and meaningful contributions to the lives of patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader community.
Nominees may have:
- Demonstrated excellence in patient care
- Supported healthcare advocacy or legislation
- Contributed to the well-being of the community through service and leadership
- Positively impacted patients, families, and healthcare professionals through compassion and dedication
Our Members Say
The Kansas City Regional Home Care Association is one of the best organizations to join for networking and education as it relates to healthcare for people in the home. From pediatrics to our senior citizens, there are many opportunities to share ideas and make contact with experts in the Kansas City area. Learning from other leaders in the community helped our company improve services and benefited our patients and our staff.
It is a privilege to be a member of the Kansas City Regional Home Care Association. Not only does it provide an opportunity to interact with peers in the senior adult healthcare industry, but it also keeps me up to date on all legislative changes as we work together to meet shared challenges. My favorite benefit is the coordination of knowledge and teamwork within the KCRHCA team – it feels like family.
The Kansas City Regional Home Care Association has been beneficial to me as an administrator of a home health company to help stay up-to-date on current legislation and provide resources to help Medicare meet guidelines, such as for emergency preparedness. It is great to be able to collaborate and network with other agencies who specialize in home care.
As a member of the KCRHCA we have had the opportunity to collaborate with other home care organizations in the region to gain valuable insight and education. The monthly education, advocacy opportunities, and regulatory updates are invaluable to helping agencies stay up to date and achieve better patient outcomes. The Emergency Preparedness Committee is another huge benefit of membership and has played a vital role in helping our agency be more prepared, especially during COVID.
