Ellen Snyder, director of nursing for Life Care Center of Kirkland, was recently named Life Care’s Company-Wide Director of Nursing of the Year.

The award is given to the director of nursing who demonstrates outstanding qualities in several areas, including customer service ratings, staff development and successful state surveys.

Snyder received the award during Life Care’s Directors of Nursing Annual Meeting held in Nashville, Tenn. She was selected from all the directors of nursing in Life Care’s more than 220 skilled nursing facilities throughout the country.

“To be a director of nursing requires a very talented individual,” said Dee McCarthy, Life Care’s vice president of clinical systems. “Not only must they possess superior clinical knowledge and leadership skills, but they also need a passionate commitment to consistently providing resident-focused, quality care. Our directors are some of the most gifted in the industry. To be recognized from this group is an incredible honor.”

Life Care Center of Kirkland, located at 10101 Northeast 120th St., is one of 20 skilled nursing centers in Washington managed by Life Care.