Wisconsin Illinois Senior Housing Inc. and Carriage Healthcare Co., Inc. are proud to share that two outstanding team members from within the WISH family have been selected as 2025 WHCA/WiCAL Shining Star Award recipients, one of the highest honors in Wisconsin’s long-term care field. This year’s winners include Amy Ramirez, Administrator at Edgerton Care Center in Edgerton, WI, who received the Leadership Award, and Juana Albino, CNA at Holton Manor in Elkhorn, WI, who received the Direct Caregiver Award.
Amy Ramirez’s journey into long-term care administration began as a second career, but quickly became her true calling. As Administrator at Edgerton Care Center, Amy has transformed her facility into a thriving, connected, and joyful community. Her leadership is marked by compassion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to residents, staff, and families alike. Amy’s presence is felt throughout the building—she’s there early in the morning greeting residents at breakfast and often stays late to ensure every need is met.
Under Amy’s leadership, Edgerton Care Center has become a place where staff love to work, and residents feel at home. She is known for her approachable, positive energy and her ability to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Whether it’s through her famous “Pickle Pledge” to promote positivity, themed staff meetings complete with her pink megaphone, or community events like parades and Senior Proms, Amy’s creativity and joyful spirit have united her team and strengthened ties with the broader Edgerton community. Her dedication, optimism, and sense of fun have made her not just a leader, but a source of inspiration for everyone around her.
"Amy’s leadership has transformed Edgerton Care Center into a warm, unified, resident-centered community. She leads with compassion, creativity, and integrity — and she lifts up those around her. We are incredibly proud to see her recognized as a Wisconsin Shining Star for Leadership," said Carriage Healthcare CEO, Robert Siebel.
Juana Albino, winner of the Direct Caregiver Shining Star Award, has been a cornerstone of the Holton Manor community since 2005, dedicating two decades to caring for residents with compassion, loyalty, and joy. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, Juana is known for her positivity, reliability, and deep commitment to those she serves. Residents affectionately call her “Mama Juana,” a name that perfectly captures the warmth and care she brings to her work each night. When Juana takes a well-deserved vacation, residents and staff alike count down the days until her return—a true testament to the impact she has made.
Known for her strong work ethic, Juana regularly goes above and beyond, often working more than 80 hours a week to ensure residents receive the best possible care. She is not only a dedicated caregiver but also a mentor to new staff, always willing to lend a helping hand and share her knowledge. Her bright personality and nurturing spirit make her an irreplaceable part of Holton Manor’s team and family.
"Everything Juana does she puts 110% into. It is hard to find someone with her dedication, compassion, and loyalty, and we are so blessed to have her with us,” stated a Holton Manor representative.
Join us in congratulating these outstanding individuals for their dedication to serving the long-term care community and the residents who rely on them.