MANCHESTER, CT (July 21, 2026) – iCare Health Network is proud to announce that 60 West in Rocky Hill and Fresh River Healthcare in East Windsor have each been recognized with the 2026 Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) National Quality Award Program. The recognition places both centers among a select group of long-term care providers nationwide that have demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement and organizational excellence.
The Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award is the first of three progressive distinctions within the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program. Based on the nationally recognized Baldrige Performance Excellence Framework, the award recognizes organizations that have established a strong foundation for performance improvement by demonstrating effective leadership, strategic planning, workforce engagement, customer focus, and quality management practices. Facilities that earn the Bronze Award are encouraged to continue their quality journey by pursuing the Silver – Achievement in Quality Award in the years ahead.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our caregivers, clinicians, support staff and leadership teams who work every day to improve the lives of the residents and families we serve,” said Phil Sterling, CEO of iCare Health Network. “Quality is not a destination—it’s a continuous journey—and both 60 West and Fresh River Healthcare have demonstrated the commitment, discipline and culture necessary to achieve excellence.”
The AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program evaluates organizations on a broad range of operational and clinical criteria, including leadership, strategic planning, workforce engagement, customer satisfaction, process improvement and organizational performance. Applicants complete a rigorous assessment that is independently reviewed by trained examiners who evaluate each organization’s quality systems and performance improvement efforts.
For 60 West, examiner feedback highlighted the organization’s strong understanding of resident and customer requirements, robust workforce engagement strategies, and comprehensive performance improvement systems, noting that the center demonstrated well-developed processes for gathering customer feedback and driving continuous improvement.
Fresh River Healthcare’s recognition reflects the same unwavering commitment to building a culture centered on quality, accountability and resident-centered care. Together, these awards underscore iCare Health Network’s continued investment in clinical excellence, innovation and performance improvement across its family of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers.
The 2026 Bronze Quality Award recipients will be honored during the AHCA/NCAL Delivering Solutions 26 Convention & Expo in Boston this October. With this year’s recognition, 60 West and Fresh River Healthcare join Touchpoints at Bloomfield, Touchpoints at Manchester, and MissionCare at Holyoke, which earned Bronze Quality Awards in 2025, while Parkville Care Center advanced to the 2026 Silver Quality Award, reflecting iCare Health Network’s continued commitment to quality and performance excellence.
Congratulations to the residents, families, staff and leadership teams at 60 West and Fresh River Healthcare on this outstanding national achievement. Their dedication to delivering exceptional care continues to strengthen iCare Health Network’s mission of providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare services throughout Connecticut and beyond.
