Elara Caring Leader Receives 2024 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Award

Elara Caring, a leading national home health provider offering high-quality clinical and personal care services across the patient continuum, has—for the second consecutive year— seen its leadership honored by McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards. The program has recognized Shellie Rachal, Elara’s Regional Vice President of Operations for the Southern Region, as a 2024 Veteran VIP.

For the past six years, the McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards program has spotlighted leaders who have made a significant impact in the skilled nursing, senior living and home care space, with all honorees judged and selected by an external panel of industry experts. The program is conducted jointly by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.

“Elara takes special pride in the contributions of each of our valued team members, and the tremendous impact they have on patients and clients, and the industry as whole,” said Laura Hamrick, Chief People Officer at Elara Caring. “We are absolutely delighted to see Shellie recognized for her tireless efforts and strong leadership, which exemplify Elara’s culture of caring.”

In her role as Regional Vice President of Operations for the Southern Region, Ms. Rachal leads a team responsible for 61 branch locations, which manage care for over 9,000 patients daily. In 2023, she was one of just 12 Elara team members selected to participate in a leadership development program designed specifically to build competencies crucial for success in dynamic healthcare environments.

Last year, Kimberly Nystrom, President of Skilled Home Health at Elara, was inducted into the 2023 McKnight’s Women of Distinction Hall of Honor.

McKnight’s Women of Distinction award winners will be honored at an in-person celebration on May 14th in Chicago. A full list of inductees is available at https://www.mcknightswomenofdistinction.com/.