Hilltop Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation’s Mary Grace Aumentado Honored with Frontline Honors Award
Mary Grace Aumentado, a Registered Nurse (RN) at Hilltop Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, has been recognized with the Frontline Honors Award Class of 2025 by Skilled Nursing News. The Frontline Honors program, which includes nominations from the skilled nursing industry, celebrates frontline workers who demonstrate exceptional performance and character .
To be selected as a Frontline honoree, individuals are nominated by their peers and must demonstrate dedication, high performance, and a passion for delivering exceptional outcomes. Honorees are similarly recognized as advocates for their industry and colleagues.
A Lifelong Calling
Aumentado shared with Skilled Nursing News that her interest in nursing stemmed from a childhood dream, driven by a desire for holistic patient care. She finds fulfillment in being present during vulnerable moments in residents’ lives and building trust with both patients and their families. She also values the continuous learning inherent in the nursing profession, noting its constant evolution and opportunities for growth.
Critical Thinking and Patient Advocacy
Aumentado emphasized that nursing extends beyond simply following doctor’s orders. She highlighted the importance of critical thinking and clinical judgment, stating that nurses sometimes need to advocate for residents by questioning orders they believe could be detrimental. This advocacy role, she believes, is central to providing quality care.
The Profound Impact of Nursing
Aumentado recounted realizing the true significance of her work through the everyday moments of connection and care. She described nursing as encompassing protection, detection, connection, and advocacy, noting that nurses are often the first to recognize subtle changes in a resident’s condition and provide support during both joyful and difficult times. She emphasized the importance of empathy in her role, stating, “What if the resident/patient is your family member? That’s how important nursing is.”
Emotional Regulation and Staffing Ratios
Aumentado identified emotional regulation as a valuable skill often overlooked in nursing education. She explained that the ability to remain calm under pressure is crucial for clear thinking and effective response in critical situations. She also underscored the critical importance of adequate nurse-to-patient ratios, stating that insufficient staffing leads to moral distress and compromises patient safety.
Streamlining Communication and a Positive Outlook
Aumentado suggested a simple change to improve frontline work: uninterrupted handoff reports. Allowing nurses to complete reports without interruption can prevent miscommunication and ensure critical details are not lost. Despite the challenges within the industry, Aumentado remains optimistic about the future of nursing, citing the enduring trust patients place in nurses and the profession’s continuous evolution with new technologies. She believes nursing is the heart of the healthcare system.
WTWH Healthcare announced the Frontline Honors Class of 2025 on March 12, 2026.
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