Elevate Your Leadership Bench: Introducing the Journey to Excellence DNS/DSW Mentorship Cohort Program
(Jan. 27, 2026) As the long‑term care sector continues to navigate an era of unprecedented workforce pressures, regulatory demands, and rising resident acuity, investing in strong leadership is no longer just beneficial – it’s critical. Providers striving to stabilize staffing, strengthen quality outcomes, and build future‑ready teams need leaders who are skilled, confident, and supported. That’s exactly why the Journey to Excellence Mentorship Program was created: a six‑month Director of Nursing Services (DNS)/Director of Social Work (DSW) cohort experience designed to cultivate the next generation of high-performing leaders across long‑term and post‑acute care.
This transformative program blends high‑impact leadership, clinical, and regulatory education with personalized mentorship, forming a powerful pathway for developing resilient, visionary professionals who can elevate care, lead diverse teams, and drive organizational excellence.
Participants engage in a hybrid learning model that combines the convenience of virtual learning with the depth and connection of in‑person sessions. The 2026 schedule includes two full‑day in‑person sessions on April 29th and Sept. 30th, complemented by four virtual sessions on May 27th, June 24th, July 29th, and Aug. 26th, creating a rhythm of learning that is sustainable for busy long‑term care professionals. With expert-led instruction, real-world tools, and access to mentors between sessions, participants receive not just training, but also continuous support that enhances real-time problem‑solving and leadership growth.
What sets this program apart is its strong emphasis on cohort mentorship, giving participants a built‑in professional network to exchange insights, troubleshoot challenges, and grow together long after the formal program ends. Topics speak directly to the operational and regulatory challenges nursing homes face daily, with 18 credit hours for Social Workers provided.
The Journey to Excellence program also serves as a strategic succession planning tool for providers. Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Administrators are encouraged to enroll not only current DNS and DSW leaders, but also emerging talent such as Assistant Directors of Nursing, Nurse Managers, Minimum Data Set (MDS) Nurses, Social Workers, Nurse Educators, and Quality Assurance (QA) Nurses, helping to build a strong leadership pipeline that supports long‑term organizational stability. This approach ensures that providers don’t just fill roles – they cultivate leaders.
With benefits that support both immediate operational needs and long-term organizational success, the Journey to Excellence Mentorship Program is truly more than mentorship – it’s leadership transformation. Space in the upcoming cohort is limited to ensure individualized attention, and the registration deadline is March 30th.
Registration can be found here. If you have questions, you can reach out directly to Cathy Bongermino at cbongermino@leadingageny.org for more details.