McKnights’ Pinnacle Thought Leader Winner: HomeWell’s Michelle Cone

Burkburnett, Texas, January 6, 2023 – With over 24 years of service in the post-acute care space, Michelle Cone, HomeWell Franchising’s Senior Vice President of Training and Brand Programs, recently received McKnights most prestigious award—the Pinnacle. Reserved for industry veterans who have furthered the value of home care across the care continuum, the Pinnacle Thought Leader recognition was awarded to Cone for the ingenuity and innovation she has displayed throughout her illustrious career.

“With the Pinnacle Awards, McKnights is honoring the individuals who have not only reached the top of the profession but managed to remain there for years,” said McKnights Publisher Craig Roth. “They’ve inspired us in the past, and they’ll continue to do so for as long as they remain in the field.”

Receiving such an esteemed award was an experience to remember for Cone. Reflecting on her time in the industry, from skilled nursing to inpatient rehabilitation and now, non-medical home care at HomeWell, she was overcome with gratitude.


“To be recognized along with industry peers who have set and continue to set the standard within their respective fields and who have dedicated their professional lives to making a positive impact on the lives of others—it is quite remarkable. I am humbled, appreciative and quite taken aback by this award.”—Michelle Cone, Senior Vice President of Training and Brand Programs at HomeWell Franchising, Inc.


Like many drawn to the industry, Cone’s motivation and sense of fulfillment come from helping others. She has witnessed the positive influence of quality care—lives changed, families’ sense of hope restored and even entire senior communities transformed—and that has propelled her for over 20 years.

“The most gratifying part of my career is reflecting on how many patients, clients and families I have had the opportunity to help during their care journey. Also, in more recent years, working with HomeWell to support entrepreneurs to allow them to fully realize their dreams of business ownership while positively impacting the thousands of employees and clients they serve.”

Cone joined HomeWell Franchising in 2016 as the Vice President of Operations before transitioning into her current role as the Senior Vice President of Training and Brand Programs in 2020. Under her leadership, the franchise innovated several signature and specialty care programs catered to homebound individuals facing distinct health and wellness challenges, including the Go-HomeWell Post-Medical Care™, SureStep Fall Prevention™, and the Life Enrichment Activities Program™ (LEAP), and hospice, low vision and dementia support.

Challenging the traditional general home care model, Michelle opted for specificity in developing the franchise’s services, leveraging data and proven processes revealed to her through two decades of experience. And the results speak for themselves; over the last three years, HomeWell has achieved more than 88% growth and expanded its footprint in more than 25 new states. As HomeWell flourished, Cone ensured the franchise scaled its efforts to implement a more personalized care experience, including providing an expert Care Manager to administer an individual care plan for each client and their family.

“I feel incredibly motivated and encouraged to continue my journey and look for ways to elevate HomeWell’s offerings in a value-based environment. The future of healthcare is in the home, and we have a tremendous opportunity to address the wants and needs of our most vulnerable populations—both physically and emotionally—like never before by delivering supportive services for the health of our clients in a non-medical way.”

For more information about the 2023 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards, please visit https://www.mcknightspinnacleawards.com/.

About HomeWell Franchising Inc. 

HomeWell Care Services®, franchised by HomeWell Franchising Inc., provides personal care, companionship, and home maker services for seniors and other homebound individuals, so they can remain safely in the comfort of wherever they call home. HomeWell is committed to helping people live life more fully and offers special programs for fall prevention, post-medical care, and life enrichment.

HomeWell Franchising Inc. is a premier franchisor with over 50 locations representing over 100 territories across the United States. The company has a strong pipeline of new agencies set to open. HomeWell has been recognized as a Franchise Business Review Top 100 low investment franchise and an Inc. 5000 company. For more information on HomeWell or to explore franchise opportunities, visit HomeWell Care Services or HomeWell Care Services Franchising.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Andrew Hurst, Communications Manager

817.203.8313, media@homewellcares.com

For franchising opportunities, please contact:

Mike Condon, Franchise Development Director

817.203.8313 franchising@homewellcares.com

About McKnights

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living & McKnight’s Home care serve leaders on the higher-needs skilled nursing setting, seniors housing, assisted living, and in-home personal care, home health, and palliative care.

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