WHAT’S NEW
Vernon Homes Brings Home Wellness Award Gold
Vernon, VT – December, 2025 – The Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has awarded Vernon Homes a 2025 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Worksite Wellness for its efforts to promote wellness initiatives within the workplace. Government officials will present the award on October 31, 2025, at the Killington Grand Resort.
Vernon Homes joins 131 other Vermont employers in receiving awards ranked Bronze, Silver and Gold. Vernon Homes was one of 104 employers that received a Gold award.
Vernon Homes’ Assistant Administrator Sabrina Krafchuk receives the Excellence in Worksite Wellness 2025 Award on behalf of Vernon Homes at a recent ceremony.
The Council recognizes employers for programs and policies that bolster a culture of wellness and improve the lives of their employees. This year’s recipients include schools, banks, utilities, retailers, food co-ops, bakeries, municipalities, nonprofit agencies, health care organizations, retailers, manufacturers, insurance companies, and ski resorts. The awards are a way to thank these organizations for bolstering a healthy Vermont workforce with wider benefits that include keeping health care costs down, improving productivity, and making Vermont a great place to live and work.
Vernon Homes Executive Director Brad Ellis said, “We all recognize the importance of health and wellness. Since employees spend a significant part of their day at work, it just makes sense to make the workplace a health-place. We actually use the award application each year to gauge our accomplishments and progress helping our team members live healthy lifestyles and get the most out of their career here at Vernon Homes.”
Sabrina Krafchuk, Vernon Homes Assistant Administrator, noted that the employee health initiatives at Vernon Homes “are appreciated by our staff. They have inspired more exercise, healthy eating habits, and even provide a place for discussion and comfort when someone needs assistance. It’s great to be able to work with an organization that promotes healthy living.”
The awards ceremony takes place in conjunction with the Vermont Safety and Health Council annual Expo, where participants learn about and share best practices for mental and physical worksite health, safety and overall well-being.
Vernon Homes announces new director of nursing and new administrator license
Vernon, VT – February 2, 2024 – Lisa Kemp is the new director of nursing at senior living community Vernon Homes, and current Assistant Administrator Sabrina Krafchuk has earned her Vermont Nursing Home Administrator License. In addition, four new managers have joined the facility.
As director of nursing, Lisa will oversee the care provided by the nursing staff. She previously held interim director of nursing positions at several New Hampshire health care facilities. After starting her career as a nurse’s aide in high school, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1988. She held positions in long-term care and in hospital settings before returning to the long-term care field.
Lisa Kemp, Director of Nursing.
She says. “Long-term care is where my heart is. I take personally my responsibility to create relationships with staff and residents, form bonds, and provide care with empathy and love. One special aspect of working with elders is that you can discover each resident’s unique story and wisdom. It’s a joy. Providing care to those who need it most at this stage in their life is incredibly gratifying.”
Sabrina Krafchuk’s new license enables her to act in the absence of Executive Director Brad Ellis. The license requires education and hands-on experience in long-term care. Sabrina joined Vernon Homes in 2022 and has worked closely with Brad in an administrative support role while also advocating for residents and staff. She was naturally attracted to the field of elder care management early on and she considers it in the light of a mission. In this and other ways, she provides a perfect fit in her expanded Vernon Homes administrative role.
Sabrina Krafchuk, Assistant Administrator.
In addition, Vernon Homes has bolstered its management team with the addition of Michele Hall as assistant director of nursing, Lori Cornellier as activities director, and Steve Momaney as activities coordinator.
Brad Ellis said, “With her experience and compassion, I am excited to have Lisa Kemp join us as director of nursing. Our staff and residents are in good hands. The same goes for Sabrina Krafchuk and her license advancement that gives Vernon Homes new leadership capabilities and flexibility. Michele Hall, Lori Cornellier and Steve Momaney bring professional excellence to our community as well. I look forward to working with a great team – a team that can help us as we move closer to building the new Green House Community at Vernon Homes, which will create a true home for seniors. After many years of effort, it is now coming to fruition. I am grateful to have people who really get this new model of care and who can step in and be part of an exciting movement.”
Vernon Homes – a history of quality awards
Vernon Green, Vernon Hall and the staff have received awards from the state and other third-party organizations year after year. Awards provide further comfort to residents’ families who can rest assured that their loved ones are getting the best possible care.
Vernon Homes earns Excellence Award for worksite wellness
Assistant Administrator Sabrina Krafchuk accepts the Vermont Governor’s Council’s Excellence Award at the VT Worksite Wellness Conference.
Vernon Homes received an Excellence Award at the VT Worksite Wellness Conference that recently took place in Burlington, VT. The award is given by the Vermont Governor’s Council.
Based on measures that examine an organization’s operations, the award further confirms Vernon Home’s commitment to and success at providing care quality for its residents.
The Best Of The Best Award
This award is given by Market Surveys of America to recognize separately Vermont’s top nursing home and assisted living facility. First awarded to Vernon Green in 2000, both Vernon Green and Vernon Hall have received this award frequently, including as recently as 2026.
Vermont Nursing Home Quality Award
Issued by Vermont’s Agency of Human Services, this award recognizes outstanding Vermont nursing homes that have met high quality of care standards. Our nursing facility has received this award regularly.
Excellence In Action Award
Vernon Green has regularly received this award from National Research Corporation (NRC) that recognizes outstanding resident satisfaction as measured by comments from residents and their families.
Future Leaders Award
Executive Director Brad Ellis received this award from the American Health Care Association near the beginning of his career in 2005.
