SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Over 170 guests attended ACC Senior Services’ fundraising event on Oct. 17, benefiting its skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. It was the first in-person fundraiser since the COVID pandemic. 

The event honored area developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Angelo K. Tsakopoulos and U.S Congresswoman Doris Matsui for their decades-long support for ACC’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Tsakopoulos had donated the original land for the five-star facility in the Pocket area. Matsui and her husband, Robert Matsui, who passed away in 2005, had led efforts to build community and government support for the project. 

ACC Board Chair Jean Shiomoto prefaced the presentation of awards with, “Today, ACC serves thousands of local seniors with dynamic and diverse programming as well as high-quality, skilled nursing care and housing at culturally sensitive properties. This award honors those individuals that embody the spirit of this bold and uncompromising commitment to quality care, unwavering dedication to community service and selfless civic leadership.”

In addition to Tsakopoulos and Matsui, ACC recognized Dr. Scott Stringer for Excellence in Care and the Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) for Outstanding Corporate Partnership. Stringer currently serves as the medical director for ACC’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, and SMUD has been actively involved in helping ACC modernize its lighting and electrical systems to increase efficiency and comfort at the skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.

The event was emceed by former KCRA-TV anchor and Emmy Award-winning journalist Pamela Wu, who is now director of Media and Communications for UC Davis Health. 

Other notables also in attendance were Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento City Councilman Rick Jennings and SMUD Board Member Dave Tamayo. 

Guests were treated to small bites and beverages from Anheuser-Busch, Binchoyaki, Buckhorn Grill-Land Park, Frank Fat’s, Fuji Sacramento, Kalani Kakes, Onibi Beer Company, Bogle Winery, Heringer Estates and Sweet Oven Bakery. 

A special signature cocktail for the event was crafted by The Social Sip Bar’s Shannon Martinez.  

In between bites, guests started holiday shopping early by bidding on a treasure trove of auction items, including a guitar signed by Taylor Swift, signed 49ers and Raiders jerseys, Hawaii vacations and a unique and priceless rare-whiskey tasting experience in Nashville that was won with a $4,500 bid.

The event was also an opportunity for the Sacramento community to meet ACC’s new CEO and president, 

Connie Rusynyk, who joined the organization late last year. 

Rusynyk brings over 20 years of extensive strategic planning, servant leadership and business development experience in helping healthcare organizations. 

Prior to joining ACC, Rusynyk served as the president and CEO of Halcyon Rehab, where she built the $120 million in revenue rehabilitation and therapy organization from the ground up. Her experience and leadership has helped ACC overcome the lingering impact of the pandemic and is instituting the changes that will be needed to meet the challenge of providing affordable high quality care for the growing elderly population in the Sacramento area.

“ACC Care Center, like many skilled nursing facilities all across the country, is struggling to survive after the COVID pandemic,” Rusynyk said in her prepared remarks. “Nearly 800 nursing homes closed between February 2020 and July 2024, displacing nearly 30,000 residents. Nevertheless, generous individuals like you have made it possible for us to continue to operate and serve the Sacramento area.”

Funds raised from the Fall Gala will go toward modernization efforts at the skilled nursing and rehabilitation center, including the acquisition of a $500,000 96-hour emergency generator recently required by state law. 

The mission of the ACC Care Center is to provide compassionate, person-centered care that celebrates cultural diversity and promotes the highest quality clinical and social services for residents and family members. 

ACC Care Center, located in the Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood, has been serving older adults in the Sacramento area since 1986 and was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as “Best Nursing Homes: Long-term Care and Short-term Rehabilitation in 2022-23.” H