At Optima Living, extraordinary care begins with extraordinary people. You can see it in the everyday moments across our communities—team members who offer support without being asked, create spaces where people feel genuinely at home, and get to know every one of our residents.
In 2025, many of those moments were recognized in a remarkable way. Optima Living communities and team members across British Columbia were nominated for the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) BC Care Awards—an honour that reflects the compassion and professionalism our teams bring to seniors each day.
One of the nominations is for Workplace of the Year, shared by Optima Living, Wisteria Place, and The Hamlets at Duncan. This recognition speaks to the kind of environments our teams work hard to build: supportive, collaborative places where people feel valued and equipped to provide exceptional care.
“Being nominated across multiple categories is a significant acknowledgement of the compassion and professionalism our teams bring to seniors throughout British Columbia,” says Angela Grottoli, Optima Living Chief Operating Officer. “These honours reflect the strength of our care model and the unwavering dedication of our team members who make our communities feel like home. Their commitment inspires us to continue advancing excellence in seniors’ living across British Columbia and beyond.”
Alongside the organizational nomination, 12 Optima Living team members are recognized for Provider of the Year in Long-Term Care and Assisted Living. These nominees represent the diverse voices and skills that shape daily life in our communities—people who show up with kindness, show leadership in small moments, and put residents at the centre of everything they do.
Our Long-Term Care Nominees include:
Deborah Furgeson, Health Care Aide, The Hamlets at Vernon; Freda Saban, Health Care Aide, The Hamlets at Penticton; Simranjit Virpal, Registered Nurse, Evergreen Hamlets at Fleetwood; Taylor Clark, Health Care Aide, The Hamlets at Westsyde; Teresa Bagshaw, Health Care Aide, The Hamlets at Duncan; and Teresita Ames, Health Care Aide, Oakwood Manor.
Our Assisted Living Nominees include:
Cathy Donaldson, Healthcare Aide, Riverside Manor; Gayle Murphy, Assisted Living Worker, The Hamlets at Westsyde; Ian Evans, Assisted Living Worker, The Hamlets at Penticton; Lucy Cable, Health Care Aide, Royal Crescent Gardens; Maribel Pakingan, Assisted Living Worker, The Hamlets at Duncan; and Rosario Castro, Assisted Living Worker, The Hamlets at Vernon.
Across all categories, these nominations shine a light on the shared commitment that strengthens every Optima Living community. Whether offering hands-on care, coordinating meaningful activities, supporting recreation, or leading clinical teams, each nominee helps create daily experiences rooted in dignity, connection, and person-centred support.
The BC Care Awards celebrate individuals and organizations shaping the future of long-term care, assisted living, and home health in British Columbia.
As we look ahead to the February 25, 2026, ceremony at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, we continue to celebrate the compassion and dedication our nominees bring to their work—and the meaningful difference they make every day in the lives of residents, families, and colleagues.