Jill Gustafson, Director of Nursing at Lake Ridge Care Center, Receives Top Leadership Award

Posted on March 3, 2022 by Barbara Landeen

Jill Gustafson, Director of Nursing at Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, MN, was honored by LeadingAge Minnesota with the Outstanding Leadership Award at the LeadingAge Minnesota Institute & Expo.

The award recognizes a leader in older adult services who has provided excellent leadership to their staff and organization, enhanced the quality of life for the residents in the community, and provided exceptional community service.

Gustafson started at Lake Ridge in 2009 and has served in various roles. She began as a nursing assistant, eventually becoming a registered nurse and moving on to floor nurse, staff development coordinator, and now director of nursing.

"Jill's staff trust her to make the best decisions for the residents and them. They respect her because she has filled all the roles that they work in," said Jason Nelson, Administrator, Lake Ridge Care Center. "Her staff has grown with her, with many nursing assistants becoming nurses themselves, guided and supported by Jill, and to her credit, most want to stay here and continue to work for her. They know that she supports them, and there is a comfort knowing that she is doing the right thing in the right way at the right time to create an atmosphere that they can thrive in."

Join us in congratulating Jill on this prestigious honor. Watch this award video to learn more about her story and read about all the 2022 Stars Among Us Award recipients here.