​The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has named Michelle Stuercke, Chief Clinical Officer at TCM Consulting and Management, as the 2025 recipient of the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award​. This award honors individuals who have significantly advanced quality performance in long term and post-acute care.

“I am pleased to honor Michelle, who has committed herself to the long term care space and been a champion for the profession,” said Clif Porter, AHCA President and CEO. “Through her dedication and efforts, she has significantly advanced quality performance by helping facilities evaluate their systems and strive for improvements in quality care.”

Stuercke is a member of the AHCA Clinical Practice Committee and has chaired the AHCA Falls Sub-Committee, creating evidence-based tools to reduce fall rates and enhance resident safety across diverse care settings. Currently, she co-leads AHCA’s Behavior Management Sub-Committee, advancing non-pharmacological strategies for behavior management and reducing unnecessary antipsychotic use. Stuercke has also served as an examiner for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Awards for the last seven years.

Stuercke has made a national impact on the long term and post-acute care profession through spearheading education initiatives to elevate the role of behavioral health in improving resident outcomes through person-centered care. She has led training on reducing staff burnout and supporting staff mental health, providing practical tools to sustain high-quality care in high-stress environments.

Stuerke has advocated for policies that integrate behavioral health into quality frameworks, bridging clinical care with emotional and psychological well-being. Currently, she serves as an expert panelist for the United States Cost of Dementia Model: Quantifying Current and Future Impacts of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias funded by the National Institute on Aging.

On the state level, Stuercke has championed policy reforms in Illinois, working with others, including HCCI, the Illinois state affiliate of AHCA/NCAL of which TCM Management is a member, to achieve the inclusion of a quality add-on in the Medicaid reimbursement system. In addition to being a registered nurse, Stuercke is a licensed nursing home administrator and QAPI-certified practitioner. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, her Master’s in Public Health degree from Roosevelt University, and Doctorate in Geriatric Nursing from Rush University.

Each year, AHCA presents the Mary K. Ousley Champion of Quality Award to an individual who has made significant national contributions to advancing quality performance in long term and post-acute care. Recipients display leadership in the development, promotion, and implementation of quality improvement initiatives that have resulted in measurable outcomes.

Stuercke will be formally presented with the award during Del​ivering Solutions 25, the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 19-22, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nev.