What transforms anxiety into peace of mind? What turns isolation into belonging? At Atria Forest Hills in Queens, New York, the answer lies in an unwavering commitment to excellence that families can see, feel and trust. When retired nurse Lynn visits her sister Karen – a resident at Forest Hills – she witnesses something remarkable: genuine care that exceeds professional standards. “I’m never gonna move her,” Lynn tells Executive Director Bill Deignan with conviction. “Because I know she’s safe here.”
This isn’t just exceptional care – it’s award-winning care. Atria Forest Hills has earned three prestigious Q Awards in just three and a half years through Atria’s Quality Enhancement program, which stands out in the senior living industry for its thoroughness and attention to detail.
What makes a Q Award so significant?
The Q Award represents the pinnacle of achievement in senior living excellence. Atria’s Quality Enhancement (QE) program conducts unannounced assessments twice yearly, evaluating over 400 performance indicators across every aspect of community life – from first impressions and environmental cleanliness to resident services, emergency preparedness and culinary quality.
Achieving a Quality Enhancement score of 90% or higher is challenging enough. Maintaining that standard consistently, year after year, demonstrates an exceptional commitment to residents’ well-being that goes beyond compliance to create something truly special.
“You can’t win something like that alone,” explains Deignan. “It takes everyone buying in – from department leaders to every team member working behind the scenes. One person doesn’t win a Q Award. The entire community does.”
How award-winning quality transforms daily life
The impact of this excellence becomes evident in residents’ experiences. Consider Karen’s transformation: once overwhelmed by anxiety while living alone, she now thrives where quality care meets genuine community connection.
“She’s got her Atria family now too,” Deignan observes. The consistent care standards that earn Q Awards create the foundation for positive change, extending beyond basic services to encompass community culture. Residents experience:
- A meticulously maintained environment that feels like home
- Reliable medical alert systems and emergency response protocols
- Staff who form meaningful connections and pay attention
- Daily opportunities to pursue hobbies and passions with support
Where creativity and care converge
Artist Portia found not just care at Atria Forest Hills, but also genuine appreciation for her talents. The community has hosted exhibitions of her paintings, including portraits of her daughter Danna.
This personalized approach reflects how award-winning standards support individualized care that helps residents maintain their identity and live with purpose.
The leadership philosophy behind excellence
Deignan’s management approach exemplifies how quality leadership creates quality outcomes. His philosophy centers on trust, empowerment and recognition:
- Department heads are given autonomy to lead their teams effectively
- Excellence is integrated into daily operations, not treated as an add-on requirement
- Achievement and exceptional performance are consistently acknowledged and celebrated
“I’m a big fan of letting smart people do smart things,” Deignan explains. This trust-based leadership style creates an environment where quality naturally flourishes because team members feel valued and empowered.
Why quality standards matter
When evaluating senior living options, families often focus on amenities and activities. While these things are important, the underlying quality standards that govern daily operations make the crucial difference in residents’ safety, well-being and life satisfaction.
Q Award communities demonstrate measurable distinction in areas that impact daily life: emergency response, nutritious meals, comprehensive staff training and regular service improvement.
The transformation that speaks volumes
The most compelling evidence of quality care lies in residents’ transformations. Deignan frequently witnesses individuals who arrive skeptical gradually discover something unexpected.
“After a few months, they become familiar with the team and connect with other residents,” he explains. “Suddenly they’re saying, ‘I can’t believe I ever didn’t live like this.’”
One resident took over a year to settle in, but today serves as Atria Forest Hills’ most enthusiastic Resident Ambassador, welcoming newcomers and sharing her experience with prospective families.
A community that earns trust every day
“There are no shortcuts,” Deignan emphasizes, echoing the philosophy that has guided Forest Hills to multiple Q Awards. “The only way to earn recognition like this is to live these standards every single day.”
This commitment to daily excellence creates the peace of mind that families like Lynn’s experience. When quality isn’t just a goal but a lived reality, residents and their loved ones can focus on what matters most: connection, growth and enjoying life together.
Planning for what comes next
Atria Forest Hills joins numerous communities across the Atria network that have earned Q Award recognition for their commitment to quality. This selective honor reflects not just high standards, but also the consistent execution of those standards in ways that meaningfully impact residents’ daily experiences.
For families considering senior living options, the Q Award designation provides objective validation of what Lynn discovered through her healthcare expertise: Exceptional care, genuine community and systematic excellence can transform the senior living experience from adequate to extraordinary.
See the difference for yourself
When you’re ready to explore how award-winning quality could benefit you or your loved one, we invite you to discover an Atria community near you. Take the next step today and experience the difference that Q Award excellence makes.
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