Academy Point at Mystic Associate Named Annual Benchmark Service Champion

Benchmark (www.benchmarkseniorliving.com), a human connection company and leading provider of senior living services in the Northeast, today announced that Janie Whipple, a receptionist, van driver and cultural ambassador at Academy Point at Mystic, a Benchmark assisted living and memory care community in Mystic, Conn., has received the Benchmark Service Champion Award for 2018 out of over 6,400 associates.

Throughout the year, service champions, or those who go above and beyond to provide transformative experiences for residents, families and fellow associates, are chosen monthly at each of the 58 Benchmark communities and the Waltham, Mass., home office. At year-end, an overall winner for the year is selected.

At Benchmark’s 17th Annual Awards Gala held on March 28, 2019, Whipple was selected as the overall winner for creatively elevating human connection, improving the experience of aging and demonstrating a commitment to Benchmark’s mission, vision and values. Individuals hailed her genuine love of people and her commitment to every personal interaction. Her servant’s heart has also helped to raise funds for a number of causes.

“She not only goes out of her way to meet the needs of residents and family members but also anticipates them,” says Academy Point executive director Bonnie Pollard-Johnson. “Janie is adept at keeping those she serves connected to what matters most in their lives.” One resident liked going out for oysters, crème brulee and a gin and tonic every week before moving to Academy Point. Whipple made it possible to continue the tradition by arranging for a weekly standing reservation for his favorite table and waitress, and she comes in weekly after her usual shifts to take him.

Whipple came to Academy Point two years ago and was attracted to the position because of her love of working with seniors. She graduated from Mitchell College with a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies and a concentration in behavior sciences. A  longtime resident of Mystic, she and her husband, Tim, a local elementary school teacher, have two children.

“I am so grateful for the work that Janie and all of our associates do every single day to elevate human connection,” says Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark. “Our annual awards gala is the highlight of my year because it’s an opportunity for all of us to come together to celebrate our communities and associates who sincerely live our company mission, vision and values. This year’s award winners are  truly exemplary, and I could not be prouder of all we have accomplished together.”

About Benchmark
Based in Waltham, Mass., Benchmark is a leading provider of senior housing in the Northeast with 6,400 associates and 58 communities. Founded in 1997 by Tom Grape, Benchmark offers independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s care and skilled nursing in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. The organization was selected by FORTUNE magazine for its inaugural 2018 Best Workplaces for Aging Services list, taking the number 16 spot on the list of top 40 aging services companies and ranking number three among companies with more than 40 communities. Benchmark is one of only six companies named to The Boston Globe Top Places to Work list every year of the 11 years it has been published. And it has been consistently recognized by Boston Business Journal, Hartford Courant and Hartford Business Journal as a top workplace, and by the Boston Business Journal, Providence Business News and Hartford Business Journal as one of the healthiest employers. Click here for more information.

Press Contact: Carol Arnold, Arnold Communications, carol@arnoldcomm.com, (603) 502-0469.

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Academy Point at Mystic