Char-Mac

Kim Luze, Director of Char-Mac Assisted Living in Lawton, has received an "Excellence in Long-Term Care" award. On September 26, 2007, Kim was selected as the "2007 Assisted-Living Director of the Year" at the Iowa Healthcare Association State convention. Kim received the award in the presence of the several hundred members attending the convention. These members included Kim's peers in the Healthcare arena: Nursing home members, and Assisted-Living members.

This prestigious award is given to the most outstanding assisted-living director in the State of Iowa. The candidate must demonstrate the pursuit of excellence in the long-term care arena. The candidate also must demonstrate leadership and the mission to deliver exceptional care, and promote quality of life for the elderly.

Char-Mac, which opened April 8, 2000, has gone from a new inexperienced assisted-living to the top award winning assisted-living in the state. Luze was recognized for this accomplishment and for demonstrating the correct mission of assisted-living.

Jeanine Chartier, owner of Char-Mac, was awarded this same honor in 2004. According to Chartier, with Kim Luze receiving the honor this year, it marks the first time in Iowa State history that an Assisted Living Facility has received this distinction twice! After Chartier received the award in 2004, she was asked, "What is your secret?" Her response was, "The secret is to have a director who loves and believes in what she doing! And, have exceptional staff who believe in the same mission."