The 2026 Cassia Conference brought together more than 200 team members from across every Cassia community, department, and allied service for two energizing days of connection, insight, and inspiration. Centered on the theme, Deep Roots, Bold Future: Growing Fearlessly with Purpose, the gathering marked an important moment in Cassia’s journey—one defined by change, growth, and renewed possibility.
Over the past year, Cassia has embraced intentional and meaningful transformation. Change, while often challenging, has created space for broader perspective, stronger alignment, and bold opportunity.
Grounded in a legacy built by dedicated leaders and teams, Cassia is moving forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. The conference reflected this “both/and” reality—honoring those who have shaped Cassia’s story while stepping forward to meet future opportunities.
As Aimee Robertson, Cassia Senior Vice President of Culture and Communication, says, “The 2026 Cassia Conference was truly an event our leadership team was proud to deliver. Our site leaders and home office department heads invest so much year-round, pouring into their teams with dedication and care. This was our opportunity to pour into them—creating an experience where they felt seen, valued, and energized.”
Months of thoughtful planning by the Cassia Conference Committee ensured every detail contributed to an experience attendees described as meaningful and impactful. From engaging sessions to opportunities for connection, the event was intentionally designed to leave participants feeling refreshed, appreciated, and inspired to lead with purpose in the year ahead.
Celebrating Excellence Through the Cassia Annual Awards
Cassia Annual Awards, a growing tradition that celebrates the extraordinary work happening across Cassia communities, highlighted the event. What began as a way to recognize excellence has evolved into a cherished honor that teams proudly strive for.
“The Cassia Annual Awards have become a source of genuine pride for our communities—something teams are honored to receive and leaders truly look forward to presenting,” Aimee says. “Over the past three years, it has been especially rewarding to watch the anticipation build as cross-departmental teams thoughtfully research and collaborate to identify the sites that rise to the top.”
These awards serve as a visible reflection of the values that guide Cassia’s work—compassion, integrity, innovation, excellence, unity, respect, collaboration, and stewardship—and the teams who bring those values to life every day. Across campuses, recipients proudly display their crystal oil-drop awards, symbolizing the dedication, care, and excellence they represent.
2026 Award Recipients
This year’s recipients exemplify what it means to live out Cassia’s mission in meaningful and tangible ways.
Compassion Award – Emerald Crest Burnsville
Emerald Crest in Burnsville, MN was recognized for delivering Christ-centered, compassionate memory care that honors each resident as a whole person. Through trauma-informed, person-centered practices, the team transforms fear into trust and fosters a deep sense of belonging, even for residents with complex needs.
Integrity Award – Trinity Springs
The team at Trinity Springs in Oxford, FL demonstrated integrity through their commitment to honoring donor intent and enhancing their memory care environment, ensuring both ethical stewardship and high-quality resident care.
Innovation Award – Park View Care Center
Park View Care Center in Buffalo, MN stood out for its forward-thinking workforce development program. By partnering with regional colleges and leveraging the Dual Training Grant, the team created sustainable pathways into nursing careers, strengthening both recruitment and retention
Excellence Award – Skilled Nursing Facilities – Fargo Elim
Fargo Elim in Fargo, ND earned recognition for its outstanding culture of accountability and continuous improvement, backed by achievements including a 5-star Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rating and national quality awards.
Excellence Award – Independent Living/Assisted Living/Adult Day Services – Milaca Elim Meadows
Milaca Elim Meadows in Milaca, MN demonstrated excellence through exceptional outcomes, strong team engagement, and a vibrant, resident-centered culture that fosters trust and belonging.
Unity Award – Signe Burckhardt Manor
Serving a highly vulnerable population, Signe Burckhardt Manor in Minneapolis exemplified unity through teamwork, resilience, and unwavering commitment during times of challenge and crisis.
Respect Award – Redeemer Health Care Center
Redeemer Health Care Center in Minneapolis earned recognition for fostering a culture where every resident is treated with dignity and every team member’s voice is valued, driving strong outcomes and meaningful relationships.
Collaboration Award – Chapel View Care Center
Chapel View Care Center in Hopkins, MN was honored for turning a challenging regulatory situation into an opportunity for growth, demonstrating the power of teamwork, transparency, and shared accountability.
Stewardship Award – Skilled Nursing Facilities – Baptist Health & Rehabilitation
The team at Baptist Health & Rehabilitation in Bismarck, ND showed exceptional stewardship through innovative staffing, strong financial performance, and meaningful resident engagement, even amid external challenges.
Stewardship Award – Independent Living/Assisted Living/Adult Day Services – Regent at Burnsville
Regent at Burnsville in Burnsville, MN demonstrated responsible resource management while enhancing care quality and community engagement, building a sustainable and thriving environment.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Cassia Conference served as both a celebration and a launching point. It honored the deep roots that have shaped the organization while inspiring leaders to step boldly into the future.
With a shared commitment to growth, innovation, and purpose, Cassia continues to evolve—guided by its mission, strengthened by its people, and energized for what lies ahead.
