SILVERTON — Silverton Cascadia has received the Bronze Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), an achievement that highlights the facility’s commitment to quality improvement and resident-centered care. 

The Bronze Award is the first step in AHCA/NCAL’s National Quality Award Program, which honors facilities that demonstrate a strong foundation for continuous improvement. For Silverton Cascadia, the achievement reflects years of focused effort and strategic changes. 

“A major factor was developing and educating a solid team of employees who are dedicated to delivering exceptional care and maintaining high standards,” Karrie Poortinga, marketing director for Silverton Cascadia, said. 

She added that strong leadership and a culture of accountability also played key roles in earning the award. 

To reach this milestone, the facility implemented several initiatives, including enhanced clinical protocols for infection control and medication management, upgraded staff education programs focused on person-centered care, improved communication systems for families and residents, and data-driven performance reviews to proactively address gaps. 

Poortinga said the award is more than a plaque on the wall. 

“It signifies that our team has established a solid foundation for continuous improvement and is dedicated to advancing care quality,” she said. “It’s a proud milestone that validates the hard work of our staff and the trust of our residents and Silver Valley community.” 

Looking ahead, Silverton Cascadia plans to pursue higher levels of recognition while staying responsive to community needs. 

“This achievement is a testament to our team’s resilience and dedication,” Poortinga said. “We view it as a steppingstone toward the Silver and Gold levels, and we’re excited to continue improving the quality of life for those we serve.” 

Silverton Cascadia is one of two award-winning Cascadia facilities in Shoshone County, along with Mountain Valley of Cascadia in Kellogg. 

The award comes on the heels of major changes at the facility. In 2025, Silverton Cascadia completed a major expansion of its assisted living quarters, doubling capacity from 14 to 28 beds to meet growing demand. 

“The expansion was driven by a noticeable shift in the needs of our senior community,” Poortinga told the News-Press earlier this year. “Our assisted living program consistently maintained a waitlist exceeding six months, with multiple inquiries each month.” 

The expansion also allowed the facility to hire additional staff and enhance offerings, such as adding a part-time activities assistant to enrich residents’ daily lives. 

For more information on Silverton Cascadia, visit www.silvertonofcascadia.com or call (208) 556-1147.