By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Shelby Ridge and Rehab Select took time to celebrate earning one of the top health care awards in the nation on Nov. 29, but the facility’s leaders said they already have their sights set for higher goals.

“We want to celebrate the bronze, try for the silver in January and then the year after that go for the gold. There has never been a gold winner in the state of Alabama,” said Shelby Ridge Administrator Roderick Watkins. “I think we have the potential to do it. We have great people, we have great residents and we have great care. If we take care of those three, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to do it. Focusing on the fine details is what makes us special.”

Shelby Ridge gathered its staff members and residents in the facility’s meeting room on the afternoon of Nov. 29 to celebrate receiving American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living’s Bronze award, which “honors long term and post-acute care providers that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of care for seniors and persons with disabilities,” according to the organization. From here, Shelby Ridge can now shoot to obtain the silver and gold awards over the next two years.

“Only four other facilities in the state were recognized for this, so you are head and shoulders above the other guys. But I don’t want us to stop there,” said Shelby Ridge Owner Chris Schmidt. “Each and every day, you guys are doing a fabulous job.”

Rehab Select Director of Marketing and Business Development Bobby Stephenson said the facility’s friendly and welcoming atmosphere sets the business apart.

“We’re very excited to be doing this today. What that means to us is that we worked hard to have systems in place to improve the care of the patients here,” Stephenson said. “What’s exciting also about it is a lot of local hospitals have noted that award and see that we are a quality organization. To us, it’s exciting to be recognized by the industry. Anyone can have a nice building, but what stands out to me is the welcoming feeling you get when you come here.”

During the celebration, the Shelby Ridge staff and residents were presented with bronze pins and enjoyed some sweet treats.

“This is a national recognition where people from all over the country look at our facility and say we meet these criteria. Do we have excellent care? Are we doing good quality measures? Are we doing good therapy? After they reviewed everything, they think we are,” Watkins said. “We are one of the top few facilities to receive this recognition.”