Birch Bay Retirement Village Honored with 2025 Aging Leadership Award
Press release
BAR HARBOR—Birch Bay Retirement Village has received the 2025 Aging Leadership Award from LeadingAge Maine and New Hampshire, honoring exceptional leadership, workforce development, and innovation in senior care.
The award was presented at LeadingAge’s annual May conference to Executive Director Robert Hemenway, Programs Director James Hoke, and Marketing Director Susanne Hopkins. This marks another major milestone for Birch Bay, which also received the 2019 Standing Ovation Award for Excellence in Dementia Care.
LeadingAge Maine and New Hampshire is a nonprofit membership organization representing over 60 mission-driven providers of aging services, including nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home- and community-based services. As a regional affiliate of the national LeadingAge organization, it works to advance policies, promote collaboration, and support innovation in the field of aging through education, advocacy, and leadership development.
Birch Bay Retirement Village serves older adults through independent living, residential care, memory care, and adult day programs. Known for its commitment to staff development and resident-centered care, the organization offers a health occupations training initiative, life enrichment internships, and a unique music therapy internship led by a board-certified neurological music therapist.
“Our team is deeply honored,” said Hemenway. “This award affirms our mission to lead, not just serve.”
Rooted in person-centered care, Birch Bay’s resident-driven approach and robust staff training reflect an enduring commitment to excellence and innovation in aging services.
Birch Bay is proud to join the 2025 LeadingAge Award recipients and remains dedicated to shaping the future of care for seniors in Maine and New Hampshire.