Information in this article provided by SCDVA, American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two South Carolina Veteran homes in both the Upstate and the Lowcountry have been named recipients of a national award for excellence in standards of quality to improve the lives of their residence. Palmetto Patriots Home in Gaffney, and Veterans Victory House in Walterboro are both 2025 bronze award recipients named by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 15,000 nursing homes and long-term care facilities across the nation announced the 2025 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award recipients at the end of May. This year, more than 480 skilled nursing facilities (SNF), 129 assisted living (AL) communities, and 38 combined SNF/AL providers in 46 states earned the Bronze Award, the first of three levels in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. The awards program recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of quality to improve the lives of their residents.
“We commend this year’s recipients for taking this important first step on their quality journey,” said Clif Porter, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Their commitment to continuous improvement and resident-centered care reflects the heart of our mission and lays a strong foundation for future excellence.”
"We are incredibly proud to see Palmetto Patriots Home and Veterans Victory House recognized with the 2025 Bronze Commitment to Quality Award," said Heyward Hilliard, SCDVA Director of Veteran Care. "This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of their staff and leadership in providing exceptional care and a nurturing environment for our South Carolina Veterans. It reflects our collective commitment to ensuring that those who have bravely served our nation receive the highest standards of support and quality of life they so richly deserve."
The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level, where they demonstrate a clear understanding of their organization’s mission, vision, and core values—who they are and what matters most to them. They also highlight the use of a performance improvement system that supports ongoing evaluation and helps refine their processes to achieve their goals. An esteemed group of trained examiners review each application to determine if the organization has met the demands of the award criteria. Recipients of the Bronze Award can now begin to work towards earning the Silver Award level.
A full list of the 2025 Bronze recipients is available on the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award website. The association will announce the recipients of this year’s Silver Award at the end of June, and the Gold Award recipients in August.