Minnesota Care Home Leader Wins National Top Honor

When you dedicate your career to caring for seniors, the reward is usually a grateful smile or a family's thank you. But for one Minnesota administrator, that dedication just earned national recognition as the best in the country.

Melissa McCorquodale of Ridge View Estates in Minnesota has been named the National Center for Assisted Living's 2026 Leader of the Year. The award recognizes her exceptional commitment to ensuring seniors receive the highest quality care possible.

McCorquodale works for Good Samaritan Society, where she's built a reputation not just for excellence, but for inspiring others to join her in that mission. Sharon Thole, Good Samaritan's vice president of operations, says McCorquodale has a unique gift for bringing people along on the journey toward better senior care.

"Melissa is a champion for quality," Thole said. "She has a way of bringing others along that journey, ensuring our nation's seniors receive high-quality care no matter where they live."

McCorquodale's influence extends beyond her own facility walls. She actively participates with Care Providers of Minnesota at the state level and serves on various local committees, working to improve senior care across her community.

Why This Inspires

In a field where burnout runs high and resources often run thin, McCorquodale represents what's possible when passion meets persistence. Her career-long commitment shows that excellence in senior care isn't just about policies and procedures but about people who refuse to settle for good enough.

She'll receive her award at the National Center for Assisted Living Convention in Boston this October, joining hundreds of other care professionals who work daily to improve lives. But for McCorquodale, the real honor comes from somewhere closer to home.

"I am humbled to receive this award and am grateful to the residents and families who entrust us to care for themselves and their loved ones," McCorquodale said.

Her recognition reminds us that behind every well-cared-for senior is someone like Melissa, working tirelessly to make their golden years truly shine.