Heather Bruemmer is known for her compassionate leadership and tireless advocacy for the protection of consumer rights and improvement of quality of life for Wisconsin citizens receiving Long-Term Care services. Heather served passionately as the Executive Director of the State of Wisconsin's Board on Aging and Long-Term Care and Ombudsman program, she was a key founding member of Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL), Chair of the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee, a member of the Center for Excellence in Assisted Living (CEAL) Advisory Counsel, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Dementia Steering Committee, Civil Money Penalty State Review Committee, and Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network. Heather also served on the Task Force on Elder Abuse for former Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel.
Heather Bruemmer WCCEAL video (2 minutes)
This award acknowledges individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of long-term care.
John Sauer, former President and CEO of LeadingAge Wisconsin, founding member of the Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL), and developer of the Wisconsin Clinical Resource Center (CRC). John retired in April 2023, following a highly distinguished career leading quality improvement in long-term care for over 30 years. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all residents and staff working in long-term care. John graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in political science and public administration, and began his career as a Team Leader within the Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau.
David R. Zimmerman, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus of Industrial and Health Systems Engineering, and the former Director of the Center for Health Systems Research and Analysis (CHSRA), at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2016, Dr. Zimmerman and his daughter Kate Hester started the Elder Justice Foundation to fund projects that prevent elder abuse and promote elder justice.
Over the course of his academic career, Dr. Zimmerman supervised the work of many graduate and undergraduate students, and taught courses on health systems, health information, evaluation methodology and health performance measurement.
Dr. Zimmerman has more than 30 years of research experience in the measurement and evaluation of the quality and performance of long-term care. He led the team that developed the original set of Minimum Data Set Quality Indicators for nursing homes. He has headed many projects to develop quality measurement and assessment systems serving consumers, providers and regulatory agencies. He is the founder, principal investigator and academic partner of the Wisconsin Coalition for Collaborative Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL).
Dr. Zimmerman has served on the Nursing Home Measures Steering Committee of the National Quality Forum, the Board of Directors of the American Medical Directors Association Foundation, and many national provider network boards and quality committees. He has been the recipient of multiple awards from government regulatory agencies and consumer advocate organizations, and has several times testified before congressional committees on long-term care quality issues.
This award, presented annually, is awarded to WCCEAL provider ALCs that exemplify Heather Bruemmer by demonstrating going above and beyond to provide quality care to their residents. The provider ALCs selected for this award show examples of exceeding quality improvement initiatives in WCCEAL.
Community Quality Improvement Highlights: Waterford Senior Living has effectively implemented concepts from Certified Dementia Practitioner training, funded by the HCBS grant, by creating designated activity spaces that include a music room, small group areas, a resident gym, an arts-café, a sensory area, a living room, and an indoor garden with a butterfly garden. These spaces, developed with input from residents & team members, have enhanced resident engagement and reduced the need for PRN psychotropic medications. Smaller group settings and increased activity options have fostered resident socialization and allowed for more personalized attention without increasing staff hours. more info
Deer Path Integrated Living recognizes the unique learning styles, beliefs, and needs of individuals by creating personalized, one-on-one plans for residents that focus on both short-term and long-term goals. These plans are regularly evaluated and adjusted, accompanied by an incentive program tailored to residents' evolving needs. Staff are trained to emphasize holistic care, promoting personal growth and well-being. Feedback from residents reflects appreciation for the compassionate staff, who provide guidance, support relationship-building, and help advocate for individual needs. more info
DSPN recognizes these organizations for their unwavering commitment to continuous quality improvement and collaboration, kindness, advocacy, and caring for others. They promote access, autonomy, and self fulfilment within a unique segment of the assisted living landscape. In a multitude of small setting, home-like environments across the state of Wisconsin, these providers truly make a difference. We are honored to serve them as members and WCCEAL participants. more info
LeadingAge Wisconsin is proud to nominate five assisted livings for the Heather Bruemmer WCCEAL Provider Award for Assisted Living Quality. These providers have consistently placed residents at the forefront of both care quality and quality of life. Their commitment to fostering a positive attitude permeates their communities, even during challenging times, creating an uplifting environment for both residents and staff. more info
WHCA/WiCAL is proud to honor Birch Haven Senior Living for their outstanding commitment to providing exceptional care to their residents. Birch Haven not only consistently exceeds WCCEAL’s quality improvement initiatives but also embodies the values of compassionate, person-centered care, as exemplified by Heather Bruemmer's leadership. more info