Atria Willow Glen’s Herman Dacong Receives Outstanding Team Member Award
Atria Senior Living, a leading operator of senior living communities across the United States and Canada, announces that Herman Dacong, driver at Atria Willow Glen, has received the Team Member of the Year award by the California Assisted Living Association (CALA). Herman is the only senior living employee in the entire state of California to earn this specific award. The awards are to be presented during CALA’s 2023 Senior Living Conference on June 5 – 7.
“Herman has a zest for life and a natural way of connecting with seniors,” said Kurt Gursu, Executive Director at Atria Willow Glen in San Jose. “He takes notice of our residents’ habits, their likes, their needs and takes the time to hear about their life and families. Going above and beyond is part of our DNA, and Herman embodies it.”
Herman drives residents to excursions, events, appointments and shopping outings. When shopping, he greets residents to carry their bags and purses. Then upon returning to the 7-acre community, he delivers groceries to individual apartments.
“It’s an honor to have our employees recognized as industry leaders in California. It’s our commitment to be a great place to work and a great place to call home for the older adults we serve,” said Danny McCoy, Atria’s Senior Vice President. “Herman is one of thousands of Atria employees who take pride and exude joy in their work supporting seniors. Every day, we are a people business.”
Herman joins an elite group of Atria employees who have received industry honors from CALA. Seven Atria staffers have also been recognized in the past three years among all California assisted living workers.
Criteria for the annual awards include contributing to the work environment personally and professionally; providing outstanding customer service; treating residents, staff and families with dignity and respect; and demonstrating extraordinary dedication.
Atria has served California seniors and families for nearly 20 years, and today operates independent and assisted living communities across the state, including seven in Orange County and 25 in Southern California. In Northern California, the company’s footprint includes 14 high-quality locations from Sacramento to San Jose.