Continuing Education Sessions
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Session 60 | Psychotropic Stewardship: Stay Compliant
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
The presenter will identify the compliance and regulatory tags that are related to psychiatric medication management. This session will discuss challenges with reducing unnecessary psychiatric medications without sacrificing quality care. The presenter will also address the OIG Report released in November of 2022 and how it will impact care versus compliance issues in long term care settings.Presenters
Dr. Parikshit Deshmukh
MD, Psychiatrist, Medical Director | Balanced Wellbeing, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Deshmukh aka "Dr. Desh" is a triple board certified psychiatrist and is currently a treating psychiatrist in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities for more than 10 years. Dr. Desh is also certified in psychotherapy. The goal of treatment for Balanced Wellbeing patients is for them to be restored to their maximum psychiatric balance and wellbeing.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 59 | Teach Leaders How to Lead
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
The first step in learning to lead is to discover why you want to lead and why you feel qualified to lead. True leaders develop other leaders. This session will teach participants how to lead by example and how to identify issues that challenge leaders. It will help participants improve departmental morale and teach leaders to catch the vision of the community in which they serve. Listening is an important skill, and this session will give needed insight to mentoring, teaching and developing a positive and motivating environment.Presenters
Connie Bend
Administrator | St. Catherine Laboure' Place
About the Presenter
As a seasoned veteran with over 35 years within the long term care profession, Connie Bend is highly recognized for her professional work ethic and unsurpassed dedication to consistently producing successful CMS/AHCA survey results. She has managed over six facilities maintaining a superior rating and Five Star Rating along with three deficiency free surveys. Connie became a licensed administrator in 1983, and a certified preceptor for the Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators in 1990. She has since directed six preceptorships for individuals who are now licensed nursing home administrators.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 58 | Balancing Opioid Risks and Benefits
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Managing the risks and benefits of opioid medications is a continual balancing act that long term care providers must contend with, as this drug class has both immense analgesic and adverse effect potential. This session will reflect on the ongoing opioid crisis and identify the relevant regulations enacted in an effort to curb suboptimal opioid use. The attendees will benefit from hearing practical steps that skilled nursing centers can take to align with "best-practice" elements that focus on resident-centered pain management. Additionally, the very real issue of opioid diversion will be discussed, and steps to safeguard the chain-of-custody will be provided. This session will offer perspective from a pharmacist engaged in the topic, with experience operating within the ASCP Opioid Stewardship Work Group. This unique perspective will benefit members across the interdisciplinary team, all of whom have a part to play in appropriately managing resident pain and balancing the inherent risks vs benefits of the opioid drug class.Presenters
Janis Russell, Pharm.D., MBA
Manager of Clinical Operations | PharMerica
About the Presenter
Janis Russell, Pharm.D., MBA is a Manager of Clinical Operations with PharMerica. She is a graduate of the University of Florida College Of Pharmacy where she received her doctorate in pharmacy, Summa Cum Laude. She also earned her MBA and accounting degrees from the University of North Florida. Janis has been with PharMerica since 2015 where she is involved in the implementation and enhancement of clinical activities including polypharmacy initiatives, medication therapy management services, and disease state management programs. She oversees a team of consultant pharmacists in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Janis is actively involved with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, where she helped develop the Opioid Stewardship Toolkit, and a LTC COVID-19 Policy and Procedure manual for the CDC. Janis is married with 4 children, a Catahoula Leopard Dog, and several African Cichlid fish tanks. She enjoys running, biking, and reading.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 57 | Leadership and Team Accountability: Think Big and Think Small
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Leaders manage a complex web of interconnections, all with competing demands. The Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence provides a framework which compels leaders to deploy the organization's mission, vision, and values to the workforce and create an environment for success. The leader's ability to navigate demands and effectively communicate with customers, suppliers, shareholders, and their intercompany peers is paramount to creating team alignment and to accomplish action plans that support the organization's overall strategic goals.Presenters
David Baumgartner
CEO | Tresane, LLC
About the Presenter
David Baumgartner, PCC, ITCA, SHRM-SCP, has worked with healthcare leaders and teams for nearly 3 decades. He has been recognized as an invaluable resource when leaders face significant challenges. He has supported mergers and acquisitions, turnaround efforts, cultural alignment, and leadership changes. His approach has earned him a reputation as a trusted mentor and colleague. David was among the first people in the world to receive advanced team coaching accreditation and is a published author.Kelly Smith
Quality & Analytics Consultant in LTC | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kelly Smith holds a doctoral degree in Aging Studies, is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Through her knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and professional experience, Dr. Smith focuses on quality and process improvement across the long term care continuum.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 56 | The New Frontier: Exploring Florida Medicaid
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
Providers will inevitably be facing new challenges as the unwinding of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) begins. Attendees will be invited to openly discuss specific reimbursement issues they see on the horizon and, together, develop proactive action plans to avoid financial disasters. Presenters will deliver insight on reimbursement topics including timely Medicaid application and eligibility, Medicaid Managed Care claims payment, and private billing practices. We will educate providers on federal and state Medicaid policies and best practices to avoid denials, increase cash velocity, and ensure claims are paid timely. This session will provide practical and legal strategies for providers to avoid and/or work through Medicaid appeals, guardianships and discharge for non-payment. Attendees will become a skilled resource not only for their company, but also for residents and family members.Presenters
Brittany Cone
Partner | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
About the Presenter
Brittany H. Cone, CHC is a Partner in the Hall Booth Smith, P.C. firm’s Atlanta office. She focuses her practice on regulatory, administrative, and litigation matters in health care. Ms. Cone received her JD from Georgia State University College of Law. At Georgia State, she was a member of the Law Review and served as associate symposium editor and associate editor for student notes. Ms. Cone also served as an extern for the Honorable A. Harris Adams of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Ms. Cone is certified in Health Care Compliance by the Health Care Compliance Association. Ms. Cone has specific experience in the day-to-day operations issues faced by providers, from Medicare, Medicaid, and third-party payors, to corporate and regulatory compliance, to administrative hearings and appeals. As the amount of denials or under-reimbursement received from payors, including Medicare Advantage Organizations and private insurance companies increase, much of her recent experience includes representing medical providers seeking reimbursement for or defending against the denial of claims submitted to various payers.Rebecca Hewitt
Senior Long-Term Care Reimbursement Specialist | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
About the Presenter
Rebecca Hewitt has worked in medical reimbursement for over 23 years, specifically in the long term care industry for 20 years. She has worked at the facility level as a Business Office Manager and at the operations level as a Regional Consultant to Admissions, Marketing, and Business Office staff. Currently, she is the Regional Long-Term Care Reimbursement Specialist with Hall Booth Smith, P.C. assisting our clients with all their reimbursement needs and quickly becoming recognized as the Medicaid expert in the long term care industry in multiple states and throughout the Southeast region. She provides onsite audits and education to our clients related to financial best practices and Medicaid policies. Since joining the firm in 2011, she has assisted facilities in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida to recover millions dollars each year in Medicaid revenue.James Maskowitz
Partner | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
About the Presenter
James “JJ” Maskowitz is a Partner in the Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Tampa Bay, Florida office, and specializes in defending physicians, hospitals and insurers in all aspects of aging services, medical malpractice and general liability lawsuits. James has more than a decade of legal experience, and was previously a Partner at a Tampa firm where he represented nursing homes, hospitals and physicians before courts, arbitration panels and in mediation. He has extensive experience in managing litigation from inception through trial, including motions, pleadings, discovery demands and responses, and trying cases to verdict or judgment.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 55 | Restorative Nursing Program Implementation
Time: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
This presentation will discuss the regulatory considerations for implementing a Restorative Nursing Program across nursing, therapy, activities and administration. The presentation covers various applicable terminologies and the importance of Restorative Nursing with its multiple components. How the Restorative Nursing Program aligns with functional, physical, psychological and spiritual health will be a focal point within the discussion, as well as accurate Minimum Data Set coding. The attendees will participate actively in several case studies to help them understand the process.Presenters
Angela Cooper, RN, BSN, RAC-CTA
Senior Director of Clinical Services | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Angela Cooper is the Vice President of Clinical Services with RB Health Partners, Inc. and has been a nurse for over 27 years. Angela is pursuing her Nursing Healthcare Administration MSN degree at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Angela has held many clinical roles, from staff nurse, Director of Nursing, Regional Nurse Consultant, and Director of Clinical Services. She is a member of the AHCA Nurse Executive Council, Florida Senior Clinicians and the FHCA Quality Cabinet.Wendy Davis
Director of Clinical Services | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Wendy Davis is the Director of Clinical Services with RB Health Partners. She has worked for more than 28 years in clinical roles of increasing responsibility in the sub-acute and long term care specialties. Her positions include CNA, Charge Nurse, Clinical Reimbursement Coordinator, ADON, DON, Regional Director of Clinical Reimbursement and Regional Director of Clinical Services. She is also certified in the RAI and Gerontological Nursing.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 52 | Preceptor Refresher Course
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrator (BNHA) regulations pursuant to 64B10-16.0025(2), FAC, require all Florida Nursing Home Administrators with Preceptor Certification to take a two-hour Preceptor Refresher Course upon license renewal every two years. This course will meet that requirement. If you are considering becoming a Preceptor, this session will also provide an overview to help you understand the needs and expectations of AITs and Preceptors. FHCA’s Senior Director of Quality Affairs Deborah Franklin will moderate this session as experts, including current and past members of the BNHA, probable cause panel members and experienced Preceptors, share their knowledge.Presenters
Deborah Franklin
Senior Director of Quality Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Deborah Franklin is the Senior Director of Quality Affairs for the Florida Health Care Association. Deborah has a Masters of Health Administration and is a nursing home administrator with over thirty years in long term care sector. Deborah is responsible for leading the Association's internal quality department while pioneering initiatives on quality improvement in long term care. She works in conjunction with the association's Board of Directors, Quality Cabinet and associated committees to develop, plan and implement long term care quality and educational programs to support members with their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 51 | Forging through the New MDS and Its Impact on Quality Measures and Reimbursement
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
Join this session as the presenters navigate through the new frontier of MDS. The presenters will be hammering through how the redesign of the MDS also reshapes Quality Measures. The conversation will include the changes affecting Quality Measures, how to start planning now, the impact on your Medicaid reimbursement rates going forward and how to monitor your center's information. Don't get burned by not knowing or understanding the changes and how they impact you.Presenters
Carol Maher
Registered Nurse | Hansen Hunter & Co
About the Presenter
Carol Maher is a Board certified Gerontological RN with over 30 years of long term care experience. She has worked as an MDS coordinator for large skilled nursing centers, and as director of clinical reimbursement and senior vice president of utilization for large skilled nursing facility companies. Carol has worked as one of the Gold Standard nurses for MDS 3.0, serving on the RAP workgroup to prepare the way for the CAAs for MDS 3.0, and participating on a number of technical expert panels related to MDS, Quality Measures and care planning. She is also a frequent author of articles related to the RAI process and PPS. Carol served as a member of the AANAC Board of Directors for nine years. She is presently serving as the immediate past chair of the AANAC Expert Advisory Panel and as an AANAC Master Teacher of the RAC-CT and RAC-CTA certification courses. Carol is the Director of Education for Hansen Hunter & Co.DeDe Nichols
Partner | Hansen Hunter & Co
About the Presenter
DeDe is a Shareholder with Hansen Hunter & Co. specializing in the long-term care / senior housing industry. Her focus is on providing back office support, billing and collections assistance, Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement consulting and preparation of Medicare and Medicaid state licensure applications for changes of ownership. She oversees the firm’s Southeast and South Central regions.Alberto Gonzalez
Financial Services Manager | Hansen Hunter & Co
About the Presenter
Please Provide« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 48 | Life Safety Codes and Standards
Time: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
This session will review the differences between Florida and CMS adopted versions of life safety codes and standards, including a review of the upcoming changes on December 31, 2023.Presenters
Clinton Slier
Life Safety Code Advisor | Integrity Health Care Systems, Inc.
About the Presenter
Clinton Slier is an NPFA Certified Life Safety Specialist for Health Care, a certified health care safety professional, and a consultant with Integrity Health Care Systems. He is passionate about life safety and assisting others to understand the life safety codes and standards.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 47 | Improving Health Care Employee Engagement and Retention through Impactful Recognition
Time: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Perhaps the most pressing threat to quality health care today is staffing shortages. Shortages require health care centers to limit capacity, affecting both their mission and their bottom line. Most providers can't respond to the workforce market by simply increasing compensation or other new and cost intensive benefits. Creativity is required to make positions in the field more compelling. Some organizations, particularly those heavily dependent on government reimbursements and in rural and community-based settings, are constrained in their total reward offerings. As a result, need for low-cost, high-impact initiatives to increase worker resilience, reduce burnout, improve retention, and maintain high safety and quality of care standards is greater than ever. In this session, you'll learn best practices in the science of recognition, how to build programs that have credibility and stand the test of time, and how recognition and engagement technology can ease the burden of managers and leadership teams.Presenters
Nate Hamme
President | Ceca Foundation
About the Presenter
Nate Hamme is President of Ceca Foundation, a non-profit helping care communities improve human experiences in healthcare by recognizing and rewarding exceptional caregivers. He’s an entrepreneur and start up specialist, and an industry leader in employee engagement. Nate has written and spoken extensively on staffing and retention issues facing healthcare communities, including features in McKnight’s Senior Living and Homecare Magazine, interviews on ABC News7, and presentations to AHCA state affiliates, LeadingAge, and other national groups.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 46 | PDPM for Leaders: The Simple Approach to Identifying Trends
Time: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
This session will provide a brief overview of the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) components. Presenters will provide a simple and straightforward way to identify trends and the impact on reimbursement.Presenters
Boris Kushnir
Senior Manager | MSL, P.A.
About the Presenter
Boris Kushnir is a Senior Healthcare Manager at Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. (MSL) and has more than 25 years of hands-on experience in management, finance, regulatory, reimbursement, operation and clinical consulting in the long term care and ICF-IID profession.Landa Stricklin
Director of Clinical Consulting | Richter Healthcare Consulting
About the Presenter
Landa Stricklin is responsible for leading the clinical consulting team as they provide reimbursement, operational, HER, and clinical solutions to post-acute health care providers. By keeping apprised of federal regulations and changes across the LTPAC industry, she prepares clients to proactively meet new expectations through Richter’s custom-designed services. Landa takes her position as an educator seriously, and is always eager to share the knowledge she has accumulated over the course of her 30+ year career. Her mentees appreciate her ability to take complex rules and simplify them without sacrificing any valuable details. As someone who is extremely vested in her team, her greatest accomplishments are the successful careers she has helped nurture over the years.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 45 | Functional Mobility Maintenance Activities to Reduce Rehospitalization
Time: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Learn how to improve the mobility of your residents and reduce rehospitalizations. The presenter will discuss how the decline in functional status of your residents has a negative impact on your rehospitalization rates and the financial impact it poses. Receive proven mobility maintenance tools that can directly affect the residents for the good of their care and the center.Presenters
Tiffany French
Regional Director of Clinical Services | Life Care Centers of America, Inc.
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Session 43 | Building a Successful AIT Program
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
Becoming a nursing home administrator is a long journey and culminates in completion of an Administrator in Training (AIT) program. For preceptors, taking on an AIT can be a rewarding but challenging experience. This session will outline how to build a successful AIT program and how to structure the program so that the preceptor and center can both benefit.Presenters
Samantha Vosloo
Account Executive-Southeast | PointClickCare
About the Presenter
Samantha Vosloo is a nursing home administrator with 10 years of long term care experience. She graduated from the University of South Florida and has since operated centers in Kansas and Florida. During her time as an administrator, she partnered closely with state associations and AHCA/NCAL working in legislative activism, workforce solutions and the quality award program. Driven by the goal to improve the lives of those touched by the long term care profession, she takes pride in providing process driven solutions for better outcomes.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 42 | Abandonment of the Greatest Generation
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
Florida's long term care community is increasingly responsible for caring for residents who have been abandoned by family. Learn how to prevent it through proper and aggressive admissions policies and how to stop the financial bleeding when it happens by quick Guardianship action.Presenters
Shawn Harrison
President | Medical Collection Group
About the Presenter
Shawn Harrison is the founder of Medical Collection Group and the Tampa law firm Shawn Harrison Associates. His law practice focuses on collections, probate and guardianship matters for his many LTC clients, and Medical Collection Group performs background and asset screening for thousands of facilities nationwide. He served in the Florida Legislature from 2010-2018, sponsoring dozens of healthcare bills. He was a three time FHCA “Champion of the Elderly” and 2016 Legislator of the Year for the Florida Assisted Living Federation. Shawn lectures extensively on long term care topics nationwide.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 41 | Is Your Staff Quietly Quitting?
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
In this session, you will learn the definition of the new buzz word "quietly quitting" and what it can mean to your organization. You will also learn tips to spot staff who may be quiet quitters and some ways you can prevent this from happening in your organization.Presenters
Jennifer Ziolkowski
Consultant/Owner | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC
About the Presenter
Jennifer Ziolkowski has over 28 years of experience in the long term care profession. Her extensive knowledge of business operations and finance led her to serve in various roles such as senior vice president of finance and president in highly respected long term care companies. Jennifer holds a Masters in Business Administration and a Yellow Belt in Lean Six Sigma. In 2021, Jennifer along with two partners founded Q3 Healthcare Consulting to share her knowledge with others in the long term care profession. Currently, her firm serves as the program leader for the Caregiver FL Career Program.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 40 | Collaborate Together for Value-Based Reimbursement and Better Quality Outcomes: Introducing Florida Health Care Quality Partners Provider-Owned Network
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
With the increase in market penetration of Medicare Advantage and Medicaid Managed Care, even the savviest providers are being challenged. Provider-owned networks are helping providers improve clinical outcomes and access value-based reimbursement, which has eluded long term care and post-acute care providers without the volume to do so. Under Florida Health Care Association's leadership, provider members have created the Florida Health Care Quality Partners, a provider-owned network to negotiate collectively with managed care payers. This session will help you learn more about participation in provider-owned networks as a nation wide strategy to improve providers' position negotiating with managed care, and specifically on joining FHCQP, Florida Health Care Association's provider-owned network.Presenters
Katie Colgan
Executive Director, Integrated Networks | American Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Katie Colgan in her current position with AHCA/NCAL serves as Executive Director of Integrated Networks and leads a team which assists states and providers in exploring, developing and operating provider-owned networks such as Florida Health Care Quality Partners. Prior to joining AHCA, Katie worked as a health care consultant, working with a wide array of health care providers, specializing in pre- and post-acute care, primary care and behavioral health providers, to develop managed care networks and provide managed care contracting services. Katie is an attorney and specializes in value-based contracting for all types of providers, and specifically in creating new opportunities in such models and strategies for pre- and post-acute care providers.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 39 | Quality Cabinet Strategic Goals
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
The Florida Health Care Association Quality Cabinet is comprised of nursing home administrators, senior clinicians, medical directors, institutional pharmacists, the Quality Improvement Organization and other organizations that collaborate on quality as needed. The Quality Cabinet meets for a strategic planning session every two years and sets the two-year quality improvement goals. This session will educate attendees on the goals, how to capture data and strategies to improve quality. Included in the session will be current Quality Measure rankings comparing Florida to the nation.Presenters
Deborah Franklin
Senior Director of Quality Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Deborah Franklin is the Senior Director of Quality Affairs for the Florida Health Care Association. Deborah has a Masters of Health Administration and is a nursing home administrator with over thirty years in long term care sector. Deborah is responsible for leading the Association's internal quality department while pioneering initiatives on quality improvement in long term care. She works in conjunction with the association's Board of Directors, Quality Cabinet and associated committees to develop, plan and implement long term care quality and educational programs to support members with their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.Kelly Smith
Quality & Analytics Consultant in LTC | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kelly Smith holds a doctoral degree in Aging Studies, is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Through her knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and professional experience, Dr. Smith focuses on quality and process improvement across the long term care continuum.Mikki Meer
Regional Director | Clear Choice Health Care
About the Presenter
Please Provide« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 38 | Mega Session: AHCA Update
Time: 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
Type/Topic: Mega Session
Session Summary
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Kim Smoak, Assistant Deputy Secretary/ State Survey Agency Director, Agency for Health Care Administration, for this Mega Session. In the past, this session was standing room only, so get there early for a good seat and hear about the state of affairs, current regulations and survey trends impacting Florida’s long term care profession.Presenters
Kimberly Smoak
Deputy Secretary/State Survey Agency Director | Agency for Health Care Administration
About the Presenter
Kim Smoak has been with the Agency for Health Care Administration since August 1995. She is the Deputy Secretary of the Division of Health Quality Assurance. The Division licenses and/or certifies and regulates 40 different providers, including, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Ms. Smoak is also the State Survey Agency Director for the State of Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Health with the program emphasis in Aging Studies and is also a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP). In 2009 and 2017, she received Survey & Certification Achievement Awards, presented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for her work in Survey and Certification.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 37 | The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: What You Do Not Know About Transporting The Elderly/WC19
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
Motor vehicle safety for drivers and passengers has increased exponentially over the past 40 years. However, according to research, people seated in wheelchairs during travel are 45 times more likely to be injured in an accident than a typical passenger (Buning et al., 2012). Of great concern, adults over the age of 65 are at higher risk for severe injury in motor vehicle collisions (MVA) due to age. This session will discuss transporting residents in wheelchairs and proper systems to keep them safe.Presenters
Brenda Mahon
Clinical Education Manager | Broda Seating
About the Presenter
Brenda Mahon, OTD, OTR/L, ATP, has 26 years of experience providing occupational therapy services to older adults in various settings. She has extensive experience with seating and positioning in the long-term care setting and is passionate about seating and positioning due to the importance of providing comfort and optimal postural alignment to support activities of daily living. Additionally, Ms. Mahon was an adjunct faculty member for five years.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 33 | Evaluation of Sleep Issues Among Residents with Dementia
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Sleep issues impact approximately 60% of individuals living with dementia who reside in nursing centers creating a critical challenge for managing night-time care and sleep-related issues. Often, older adults in this setting are prescribed a psychotropic medication, specifically a sedative or hypnotic pharmacological treatment, to alleviate such symptoms. However, neither are intended for long-term use due to potential adverse side effects. To ensure delivery of person-centered care and to promote the highest quality of life possible for nursing center residents, providers should develop a systematic process to assess and alleviate sleep issues prior to the prescription of a psychotropic medication. This presentation will teach how to complete individual resident sleep assessments by considering underlying medical conditions, evaluating current medication regimes and deploying nonpharmacological approaches prior to use of a psychotropic medication.Presenters
Kelly Smith
Quality & Analytics Consultant in LTC | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kelly Smith holds a doctoral degree in Aging Studies, is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Through her knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and professional experience, Dr. Smith focuses on quality and process improvement across the long term care continuum.Michelle King, PharmD, CPh
Regional Clinical Pharmacist Specialist | Huntingdon Behavioral Health
About the Presenter
Michelle King, PharmD, CPh serves as the Regional Clinical Pharmacist Specialist for Huntingdon Behavioral Health. She is a licensed Consultant Pharmacist in the state of Florida and has served as a pharmacy consultant in the LTC field. She obtained her PharmD from West Virginia University in 2005. She currently guides her efforts as the Regional Pharmacist Specialist to designing strategies to overcome challenges related to the potential overuse of psychotropic medications in Florida’s elderly population.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 30 | Topics That are Hot
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
This session will highlight areas where centers are being cited under the CMS regulations with a focus on areas where interpretation of the regulation may differ among survey teams or seem inconsistent with the language of the regulation. Case law interpreting the regulations, if any, will be discussed. Case studies will be used to explain the rationale for the citations, and tips will be given on how to avoid violating specific regulations.Presenters
Karen Goldsmith
Attorney | FHCA's Regulatory Counsel.
About the Presenter
Karen Goldsmith currently serves as Florida Health Care Association's Regulatory Counsel and previously served as the association's Legal Counsel since 1980. She represents a number of providers of nursing home and assisted living facilities. She is active on the American Health Care Association Legal Committee and served as its chairman for two terms. She is active in the American Health Lawyers Association. She speaks often on health care and legal issues and has written numerous articles.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 29 | Telling Your Positive Story: The Why and the How
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Do nursing centers have an image problem? Attendees will answer this burning question and learn strategies to broadcast their positive stories to the masses. From story retrieval and creative packaging to cultivating positive relationships with local media, attendees will learn to leverage Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and digital media to change the nursing center narrative.Presenters
Kristen Knapp
Senior Director of Strategy & Communications | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Kristen Knapp, APR, CPRC, is a seasoned communications and public affairs professional with over 30 years of experience. As the Senior Director of Strategy and Communications for Florida Health Care Association, she manages the association’s marketing and membership communications, public relations programs and digital strategy. She acts as the primary media spokesperson and oversees all FHCA press activities, including counseling and coaching long term care providers on media relations. Knapp also manages FHCA’s Florida Leaders program and workforce initiatives, including the federally-funded CaregiversFL Career Program which focuses on raising awareness about and recruiting job seekers to the long term care profession. She is a Certified Association Executive and Certified Public Relations Professional and holds an Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation. She is a past Capital Chapter president of the Florida Public Relations Association and is also a Florida Veterans Foundation Board Director, serving as the communications counsel for the statewide lead organization for Florida veterans and their families.Luke Neumann
Senior Vice President of Service, Brand and Communication | Palm Garden Healthcare
About the Presenter
Luke Neumann is Senior Vice President of Service, Brand and Communications for Palm Garden Healthcare. Quoted in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, Luke is a passionate advocate for treasured elders and Post-acute Rehabilitation providers. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Economics, Luke has spent his career in orthopedics, pharmaceutical neuroscience and Post-acute Rehabilitation.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 26 | Mega Session: Membership Meeting and Election of Officers: AHCA/NCAL National Update
Time: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Mega Session
Session Summary
Join your colleagues for more Long Term Care Achievement Award presentations, committee reports and the election of officers for 2023-24, followed by a keynote presentation by AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Governor Mark Parkinson and NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea. We are honored to have American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living President and CEO, Governor Mark Parkinson, and National Center for Assisted Living Executive Director, LaShuan Bethea, join us for on overview of national legislation, regulations and developments impacting the profession and the latest initiatives that are helping to enhance quality care.Presenters
Governor Mark Parkinson
President and CEO | AHCA/NCAL
About the Presenter
The Honorable Mark Parkinson is the president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living, which represents more than 12,000 for- and not- for-profit nursing homes, assisted living residences, and centers for the care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Before leading AHCA/NCAL, the native Kansan was a successful businessman, state legislator, and most recently served as the 45th Governor of the State of Kansas. In 1996, Parkinson focused on a new passion—helping to enhance seniors’ quality of life by providing first-class, elder care centers. His experience as founder and CEO of centers offering skilled nursing care, assisted living, and dementia-related care has given Parkinson a perspective that spans the continuum of care.LaShuan Bethea
Executive Director | National Center for Assisted Living
About the Presenter
LaShuan Bethea is the executive director of the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) – the assisted living voice of the American Health Care Association (AHCA). Bethea joined NCAL from Genesis Healthcare, Inc. where she served in various leadership roles from 2007 – 2021. Bethea, a registered nurse and attorney, has a depth of long term care experience. She began at Genesis HealthCare in February 2007 and quickly advanced to the director of regulatory and program development before being promoted in 2015 to vice president of legislative affairs. She assumed a dual role as vice president of reimbursement in 2020 and was appointed to chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee in June 2020. Bethea received her law degree from Widener University School of Law, Harrisburg, PA. She earned a Master’s degree in Education from American Intercontinental University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 25 | Mega Session: Kick-Off Membership Meeting: The Heart of Healing
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Mega Session
Session Summary
At this official kick off for the 2023 Annual Conference & Trade Show, FHCA members gather to hear exciting FHCA business, enjoy an uplifting keynote presentation and celebrate winners of the Long Term Care Achievement Awards. Candidates for the 2023-24 FHCA offices will also be announced. Right now, nearly every aspect of healthcare is shifting and being re-imagined. Workforce shortages, stress, and burnout have deeply altered the landscape. In each part of the profession, medical professionals continue to make a difference for patients, families, and communities through their commitment and passion. In this uplifting keynote, acclaimed filmmaker Brett Culp shares powerful stories from his newest documentary about everyday heroes in healthcare. Through these inspiring real-life stories, attendees will gain fresh insights on leadership and empowerment in this ever-changing environment. This encouraging presentation equips audiences to face their fears about change, embrace a spirit of innovation, and move forward with confidence and optimism.Presenters
Brett Culp
Filmmaker and Speaker Who Documents the Positivity of the Human Experience |
About the Presenter
Brett Culp inspires us to engage in a passionate, meaningful mission that leaves a positive impact on the world and brings out the heroic spirit in us all. Brett is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of the not-for-profit, The Rising Heroes Project. He is known for the films, Legends of the Knight, and his latest, Look to the Sky, both of which explore the power of heroic stories and heroic individuals inspire us to believe in a better tomorrow. Brett's newest film, A Voice That Carries, follows the relationships between fathers and daughters, premiered in early June 2021.His films are featured on Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, and other top digital platforms. Through his groundbreaking non-profit documentary work, Brett has pioneered the art of creating “mini-movements” that inspire the super-human spirit in us all. His unique approach to community-building and relationship-driven engagement invite people to connect with a noble vision and make a difference together. Passionate, energetic, and engaging, Brett encourages audiences to find the superhero within and their own path to “everyday leadership.” His insights on connecting individuals to an organization's mission and goals resonate, help us realize our greatest personal and business potential, and renew our collective sense of hope for the future and belief that our efforts can make an impact.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session | Preceptor Provider Program
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Specialty Training
Session Summary
This six (6) hour Preceptor Training meets the requirements of 64B10-16.0025(2), FAC. This session will be an interactive training program to qualify attendees to become preceptors and help shape the careers of new long term care administrators. Additional registration fees are required for this program. Lunch is included.
Presenters
Deborah Franklin
Senior Director of Quality Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Deborah Franklin is the Senior Director of Quality Affairs for the Florida Health Care Association. Deborah has a Masters of Health Administration and is a nursing home administrator with over thirty years in long term care sector. Deborah is responsible for leading the Association's internal quality department while pioneering initiatives on quality improvement in long term care. She works in conjunction with the association's Board of Directors, Quality Cabinet and associated committees to develop, plan and implement long term care quality and educational programs to support members with their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.
Clara Houghton
Project Manager | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Claire Houghton serves as the Project Manager at the Florida Health Care Association. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, where she studied the impact of rhetoric on community and culture formation. Her experience in project coordination, training, team building, public speaking, and customer service works to amplify the art of communication and and connection on the teams she serves.
Zechariah Legendary
Administrator | The Bristol Care Center
About the Presenter
Zechariah Legendary is a nursing home administrator licensed in Florida and Georgia, who has built a reputation of leading teams of healthcare professionals to higher standards in long term care. His philosophy is to give what you expect through mentoring and educating staff to be leaders no matter what the position or title is, while holding himself accountable first.
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Session 54 | Developing the Leaders Around You
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership/Workforce
Session Summary
Developing leaders is essential to making a great and lasting impact. The leader sees the big picture, but he or she needs other leaders to help make their mental picture a reality. In this session, attendees will be challenged to develop leadership qualities while also learning to invest in the potential leaders around them by learning tested and proven principles. The time you spend developing your leadership skills will prove to be a worthy investment.
Presenters
Yanick Hicks
Executive Director | Maxwell Leadership Team
About the Presenter
As a leadership speaker of The Maxwell leadership Team, Yanick Hicks will inspire and entertain your audience to achieve their goals and improve their lives. Yanick teaches from his professional life, sharing stories about his time spent as a pharmacist for Walgreens. Yanick will energize your organization with values-based people-centric servant leadership lessons which empower and energize everyone in attendance. Yanick received his doctorate degree in pharmacy from Marshall University and licensed pharmacist in the state of Arizona. As a pharmacist, Yanick led, inspired, engaged his team and patients to improve their overall health outcomes
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Session 53 | VA Care for Veterans
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs eligibility for services and application for coverage are complicated. This session will provide you with information about long term care programs for veterans and their spouses. It will provide eligibility standards, the application process to receive benefits, where you can get assistance with this process and how your center can apply to be a VA contracted nursing center.
Presenters
Bob Asztalos
Deputy Executive Director | Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs
About the Presenter
Bob Asztalos is a Navy veteran and the Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He previously served as: Chief Operating Officer for Medical Equipment and Supplies of America, a disabled veteran owned company that contracts with the Veterans Administration; Chief Lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association; Senior Congressional Affairs Representative for the American Health Care Association; and Associate Director of Government Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association.
Marlies Sarrett
Administrator | Baldomero Lopez State Veterans' Nursing Home
About the Presenter
Please Provide
Wende Phillips
Social Work Supervisor, Geriatrics & Extended Care | Orlando VA Healthcare System
About the Presenter
Wende Phillips has served as the Social Work Supervisor for Geriatrics & Extended Care (GEC) at the Orlando VA Healthcare System since 2012, where she manages over $30M annually in care in the community for over 2,250 Veterans. Ms. Phillips serves as the Contracting Officer’s Representative for 15 contracted Community Nursing Homes and manages the State Veterans Home, Veteran Directed Care, Community Adult Day Health Care, Homemaker/Home Health Aide and Home Respite programs. She serves as a liaison for the Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, Medical Foster Home, and Hospice programs. Wende is Chair-elect for the Social Work Leadership Development Committee, Lead for the Fireside Chat Charter, and Chair for the VISN 8 Non-Institutional Care (NIC) Community of Practice. She is an active member of Orlando VAHCS Rehab & Extended Care Committee, VISN 8 Rehab & Extended Care Communities of Practice, and National GEC Workgroup. Ms. Phillips has worked with the Orlando VA since 2007 and is a graduate of VISN 8’s Competency Development for Leaders course. She shared her passion for learning and teaching through serving as Orlando VA’s MSW Internship Coordinator for four years as a collateral duty, receiving the MSW Field Supervisor of the Year and MSW Program Community Partner of the Year awards. Ms. Phillips has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001 and has served as an adjunct faculty member at University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Master of Social Work program.
Roy Ward
Veterans’ Claims Examiner II | Roy Ward serves as Veterans’ Claims Examiner II for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Ward retired from the United States Army after more than 33 years of service. He served in more than 20 countries including combat tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His awards include the Distinguish Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. Ward is a graduate from the Glen R. Jones College of Business with a M.B.A.
About the Presenter
Roy Ward serves as Veterans’ Claims Examiner II for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Ward retired from the United States Army after more than 33 years of service. He served in more than 20 countries including combat tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His awards include the Distinguish Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. Ward is a graduate from the Glen R. Jones College of Business with a M.B.A.
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Session 50 | The Java Project: Addressing Loneliness in Long Term Care
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Loneliness is affecting a majority of residents in long term care. Residents themselves represent a largely untapped resource to address these issues. The Java Project is a research-based innovative approach using resident peer support groups and mentoring that has demonstrated decreases in loneliness by 15%, depression by 30% and increases in resident engagement by 60%. Presenters will provide results to date, including successes and lessons learned.
Presenters
Bonnie Lawrence, BSN-RN-BC, CDP
VP Quality of Life | Synergy Healthcare Services
About the Presenter
Bonnie Lawrence, BSN-RN-BC, CDP is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years experience in long term care. Bonnie believes in the mind-body connection and how the psychosocial aspects of care impact physical healing. She believes strongly in the psychosocial impact of peer support and how it builds a sense of community within the center and is helpful in reducing the need for psychotropic medications.
Kristine Theurer, PhD
President | Java Group Programs
About the Presenter
Dr. Kristine Theurer has pioneered the use of standardized peer support and mentoring to address loneliness and social isolation among older adults in senior living. She is co-author of The Need for a Social Revolution in Residential Care in the Journal of Aging Studies. Dr. Theurer has received numerous research awards including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She serves on the planning committee for the Canadian national conference on culture change.
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Session 49 | Boots, Chaps and Resident Stats
Time: 2:15 to 3:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
Gather 'round the campfire as the presenters discuss how the use of technology to share data is assisting post-acute care providers. Learn about benefits that the Florida Health Information Exchange's Encounter Notification Service (ENS) can provide post-acute care organizations, including building relationships with partners (payers, ACOs, and hospitals), sharing of admission and discharge data with partners and being informed when recently discharged residents return to a hospital.
Presenters
Corinne Slautterback
Health IT Outreach Coordinator | Agency for Health Care Administration
About the Presenter
Corinne Slautterback has been with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for 3 years. In her role as Health IT Outreach Coordinator, Corinne facilitates outreach activities for the Office of Health Information Exchange and Policy Analysis, with a primary focus on Health IT initiatives. Her current focus is predominantly on strategic planning and adoption of technology within healthcare. She is responsible for educating providers and administrators on the benefits of using Health IT, including the use of Electronic Health Records, Florida HIE Services, and Patient Record Exchange. Prior to working at AHCA, Corinne earned her Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications from Florida State University.
Aaron Parsons
Senior Manager | Audacious Inquiry LLC
About the Presenter
Aaron Parsons is a health policy enthusiast focused on promoting technological innovation in health care. He is a Senior Manager with Audacious Inquiry, where he oversees policy and outreach for the Florida Health Information Exchange. Prior to joining Audacious Inquiry, Aaron helped lead transformational health IT initiatives at the Agency for Health Care Administration. Aaron has a master’s degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Florida State University.
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Session 44 | Circle of Excellence Award Luncheon & Officer Installation: Be Coachable in Life
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Mega Session
Session Summary
Join us as we celebrate excellence, success and significant achievements in long term care as the 2023 prestigious Walter M. Johnson Jr. Circle of Excellence Award is presented and the 2023-24 FHCA Board of Directors is installed. Following the award recognition and installation, we will have a motivating presentation from Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN College GameDay anchor, Desmond Howard. Desmond will share that in sports and in life, the ability to be coachable is a helpful trait that can take you far. He will share inspiring insights and personal experience around why being coachable matters and ways to open yourself up to it.
Presenters
Desmond Howard
Heisman Trophy Winner and ESPN College GameDay Anchor |
About the Presenter
Desmond Howard is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for 11 seasons. Howard also played college football at the University of Michigan, where he won the Heisman Trophy in his senior year. During his college career, Howard set or tied five NCAA and 12 Wolverine records. He also led the Big Ten Conference in scoring with 138 points during the 1991 season on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Award, earning first-team All-American honors. Howard captured 85% of the first-place votes in balloting for the Heisman, the largest margin in history at that time. In 1992, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and was selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft. While with the Green Bay Packers, Howard was voted the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXI against the New England Patriots and is the first and currently the only special teams player to win the award. He is also one of only four players to win both the Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP. After his NFL playing career, Howard joined ESPN in 2005 as a member of the popular College GameDay crew. You can watch Howard on set during college football season as he visits some of the best week-in and week-out college football games throughout the country. After the college football regular season, Howard can be seen covering the major bowl games.
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Session 36 | Lessons Learned from Hurricane Ian
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
In this session, attendees will hear first-hand testimonies from administrators directly impacted by Hurricane Ian. Presenters will offer insight into safe and effective evacuation, competent and prepared receival of evacuees and capable management of the complications that arise during the recovery period. Presenters will walk attendees through these vital questions: what are the key factors in making the decision to evacuate, who needs to know what and when, what happens when a well-developed and viable disaster plan fails, and lastly, how can we build back stronger in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Panelists will be interviewed for additional insight about their experiences.
Presenters
Tracy Greene
Chief Operating Officer | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Tracy Greene began her career in healthcare as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist at an inpatient psychiatric hospital in the Florida panhandle. She then moved to the Florida Keys and worked in long term care as a Social Services and Admission Director, eventually moving into an Assistant Administrator role. She became a Nursing Home Administrator in 2000 and was also the company’s internal Emergency Preparedness Coordinator. In this role, she worked collectively with the CEO, COO, and the County to streamline disaster plans for three nursing homes. This included obtaining CDL Class B licenses for several employees and managing the use of school buses. After five years in the Keys, Tracy moved to Tampa and worked for Southern Health Care Management (SHCM) as an Administrator, a Senior Administrator, and a Vice President of Operations. She worked for SHCM for a total of 13 years, and she was also a Regional Vice President for Life Care Centers of America. In addition, Tracy is an active member of the Florida Health Care Association and has been on FHCA’s Emergency Preparedness Committee since 2005, serving as the Vice Chair and most recently the Chair.
Kimberly Biegasiewicz
President/CEO | Avante Group, Inc.
About the Presenter
Kimberly Biegasiewicz received her Bachelors of Arts in 2008 majoring in History with a minor in political science. In 2013, Kimberly began her career in long term care as a floor nurse and quickly moved up the ranks holding positions such as 3-11 supervisor, assistant director of nursing, director of nursing and regional director of clinical services. In December of 2018, Kimberly was presented with the opportunity to lead the clinical team of the Avante Group as the Chief Nursing Officer all while continuing her education and graduating with her Masters in Health Care Administration. In 2021, Kimberly was promoted to Chief Nursing Officer for the organization. She is actively involved in FHCA on various committees including the Senior Clinicians Council, Publication Relations Committee, FCAL and the Survey and Regulatory Committee.
Joseph Jincha
Executive Director | Life Care Centers of Orlando
About the Presenter
Joseph Jicha has been the Executive Director at Life Care Center of Orlando for the past four years. He is a graduate from Bowling Green State University and his skilled nursing facility experience spans 33 years. He was initially licensed in 1990 in the state of Ohio. He has managed 12 facilities in his career throughout Ohio and Florida.
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Session 35 | Unleashing the Power of Love Languages in Long Term Care: A Global Journey to Unlock Unconventional Tactics for Building Stronger Connections in the Workplace
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Join this session and hear how the "5 Languages of Love" can inspire perspectives and motivate professionals. Attendees will learn how to flip a negative relationship with a peer or resident with these proven tactics for creating unique human connections. With the presenter’s insights, attendees will learn how to encourage their team with simple exercises to improve connections between the colleagues within their organization.
Presenters
Peter Lewis
Vice President of Marketing | Experience Care
About the Presenter
Peter Murphy Lewis is the host of the most popular podcast on long term care, LTC Heroes, as well as the vice president of marketing at Experience Care. His show gives everyone from CEOs to CNAs a platform to share their experiences and insights about the industry. Peter is a gifted communicator who, from his early days in Osawatomie, KS, aspired to highlight the contributions of America’s difference makers. Beyond podcasting and being a CNA, Peter just finished filming the third season of his South American TV docuseries, Aqui Te Las Traigo Peter, which just aired on public television in Chile in March of this year.
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Session 34 | Every MDS Counts: Aligning Care, Quality Initiatives and Reimbursement
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
This session will review the use of properly timed Resident Care Assessments with appropriate MDS coding to align intentional resident care with CMS Quality Initiatives and reimbursement. The Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) increased documentation complexity for optimal reimbursement to reflect resident needs and the increasing importance of Quality Initiative programs. Attendees will learn how to implement assessments affecting up to 14 Quality Measures (QM), eight 5-star Measures, seven Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Measures and Case Mix Group (CMG) reimbursement.
Presenters
J.Lynn Bauknight
Corporate Director of Client Success | Reliant Rehabilitation
About the Presenter
J.Lynn Bauknight has more than 20 years experience as a clinician, manager and operator. She has served as an in house consultant for Rehabilitation, Education, and Wound Care as well as being the Vice President of Operations, Reimbursement and Quality Initiatives in Skilled Nursing Facilities in Texas for over 12 years. She focuses on quality analysis and performance improvement, existing therapy departments, and maintaining and improving communication and cooperation between Interdisciplinary Team Members to optimize resident care. She has been a Licensed Physical Therapist in Arizona, Oregon and Texas. After attaining her Masters of Physical Therapy in 1997 from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, she traveled and worked in a variety of locations, from Arizona to Ireland. She is a Certified Wound Specialist and member of the American Academy of Wound Management and is certified by AAPACN as an RAC CTA.
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Session 32 | Mega Session: Quality Award Ceremony/Legislative Update
Time: 3:45 to 5:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Mega Session
Session Summary
Please join us for a combined session designed to both inform and honor attendees. The FHCA Government Affairs team will provide a recap of Florida’s 2023 legislative session and the impact it will have on long term care providers across the state. The team will also discuss expectations for the 2024 session and the advocacy initiatives needed for success. In addition to the legislative update, we will recognize our distinguished care centers who have received national and state awards and celebrate their remarkable accomplishments as they take center stage.
Presenters
Legislative Panelists Legislative Panelists
About the Presenter
FHCA CEO & Government Affairs Team: FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed, Lead Lobbyist Toby Philpot and Senior Director of Policy and Reimbursement Tom Parker are the lead advocates for Florida Health Care Association who lobby for the long term care priorities that will make a positive impact on resident quality care and facility operations.
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Session 31 | Regulatory Dodgeball: Protecting Your Reimbursement in 2023
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
Long term care has been experiencing significant changes in 2023, and it’s critical for skilled nursing centers to be informed and prepared. From iQIES to new CMS audits, each new regulation could have a major impact on your reimbursement. This session will explore the most significant regulatory risks for 2023 and how to protect your reimbursement, with topics focused on Section GG, PBJ, iQIES, CMS audits, and more.
Presenters
Ethan Tayne
Senior Solution Strategist | Simple (NetSmart)
About the Presenter
Ethan has worked at SimpleLTC since 2013 and is currently responsible for managing the strategic direction of the SimpleAnalyzer™ solution. His team works to simplify the regulatory landscape by creating tools that enable customers to gain control over the outcomes that matter most to them.
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Session 28 | Maximizing Your Medicaid Quality Incentive Add-On
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
Understanding how the Florida Quality Incentive Add-On program works is challenging unto itself. Improving your quality incentive add-on is both an art and a science. This session will take attendees through the three process measures, five outcome measures, two structure measures and two credentials and offer strategies for improvement. Center operational leaders will learn how to set themselves up for success by creating a culture of improvement, while clinical leadership will take away specific measure assessment and care strategies.
Presenters
Steven Littlehale
Chief Innovation Officer | Zimmet Healthcare Services Group, LLC
About the Presenter
Steven Littlehale is an internationally known author and speaker on a broad range of health care and post-acute care topics. His numerous publications include various professional journal articles as well as a popular monthly blog in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. Steven brings a career spanning more than 30 years ranging from direct nursing care to education, research and analytics, quality assurance/improvement, and consulting. He has a BS in nursing from the University of Vermont and an MS in nursing from Georgetown University.
Tom Parker
Senior Director of Policy & Reimbursement | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Tom Parker serves as the Senior Director of Policy & Reimbursement for the Florida Health Care Association. On behalf of FHCA, he serves as a liaison to American Health Care Association and FHCA Reimbursement Committee and represents long term care providers before the Florida Legislature, AHCA, DOEA, CMS, and other entities regarding issues of reimbursement and health care finance policy.
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Session 27 | Managing Accidents and Incidents: Using a Clinical Risk Approach
Time: 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Managing accidents and incidents is part of a strong risk management program. Using a clinical risk management approach will strengthen how your team’s focus on reducing and minimizing these occurrences will cause a positive effect. This session will focus on three components: understanding the requirements and intent of CMS, clinical risk considerations and steps to an effective program to help reduce and minimize accidents and incidents.
Presenters
Robin A. Bleier
President | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC , has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which in long term care. Robin's passion is teaching and training with a focus on risk management as a means to help improve quality and resident outcomes while increasing long term care professional's work satisfaction. Robin worked as a nursing assistant, LPN, RN, DON, regional nurse, CCO, and COO. She now owns and operates RB Health Partners, Inc. (RBHPs) a long term care consultancy firm for the past 20 years. RBHPs employs an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and consultants to support long term care providers meet their quality improvement goals.
Kimberly Broom
Director of Clinical & Risk Management | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Kim Broom been a Registered Nurse for 35 years with 22 of the years in long term care as a Director of Nursing, Regional Nurse Consultant and other rolls. She is a risk manager and for six years was the administrator of a 68-bed assisted living center with an Extended Congregate Care license. She came to FHCA in May of 2017 and is the liaison to Senior Clinicians Council, Risk Compliance Council and the FCAL Committee.
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Session 24 | Benefits of Provider-Owned Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plans
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Assisted Living
Session Summary
Significant features of Medicare coverage can differ based on whether a person is enrolled in fee-for-service or a managed care plan. Attendees are likely to know and understand the needs of the Medicare beneficiaries they serve. Consequently, their understanding of different Medicare plans and Medicare's special needs plans can help them support their residents. The Institutional Equivalent Special Needs Plan (IE-SNP) is designed for people who need more care. Specifically, the IE-SNP is intended for people whose condition requires an institutional level of care but reside in the community. The presenters will provide an overview of the IE-SNP model and explain how this model enhances the provider and member experience. IE-SNPs cover benefits above the standard Medicare benefit package, offer enhanced care coordination and provide an array of additional benefits.
Presenters
Stephanie Plana
Vice President of Medicare | Independent Living Systems
About the Presenter
Stephanie Plana began her legal career focused on civil defense litigation before pursing her current field, health care law. Stephanie presently serves as the Vice President of Medicare at Independent Living Systems, LLC (ILS) where she has devoted her legal skills to the business aspect of improving health outcomes and reducing costs. Today, she is responsible for the Compliance, Operations and Sales departments of FC2. Stephanie’s passion for the health care field has contributed towards the success of the new Florida Complete Care plan.
Abby Riddle
COO, Independent Living Systems | President, Florida Complete Care
About the Presenter
Abby Riddle is the Chief Operations Officer for Independent Living Systems (ILS) and serves as Plan President for ILS’s Medicare Advantage Institutional and Institutional-equivalent Special Needs Plan, Florida Complete Care. Abby has more than 17 years of experience in government sponsored healthcare programs. Prior to joining ILS in 2020, Abby served as Assistant Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Operations with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), functioning as the Florida Medicaid program’s Chief Operations Officer. Abby held several senior level positions during her 15-year tenure with AHCA, which included responsibility for Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program operations including health plan oversight, field office operations and Florida’s Medicaid Management Information System. Abby was a key Executive Branch staffer in the initial launch of Florida’s SMMC program, which launched Florida’s current managed care program. Abby served as an AHCA negotiator in the SMMC Reprocurement in 2018, where she was one of four state staff responsible for awarding health plan contracts valued over $120 billion over a five-year period. These contracts included the richest benefit packages ever available to Florida’s Medicaid population.
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Session 23 | The ABCs of PBJ
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
Data submission to the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) system is more important now than in the past. Join this session to learn more about recent regulatory changes, the intricacies of submitting data to PBJ and what the data trends reveal about staffing. Also, learn about enforcement actions related to new F-tags in this area.Presenters
Susan Anderson
Director of Regulatory Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Susan Anderson currently serves as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for Florida Health Care Association. In this position, she concentrates on supporting the legislative, regulatory, and policy activities on behalf of association members for nursing centers and assisted living facilities. Ms. Anderson has experience in seniors housing and in developing public policy positions and advising on regulatory compliance. Ms. Anderson is an active member of the Florida Bar.Robin A. Bleier
President | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC , has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which in long term care. Robin's passion is teaching and training with a focus on risk management as a means to help improve quality and resident outcomes while increasing long term care professional's work satisfaction. Robin worked as a nursing assistant, LPN, RN, DON, regional nurse, CCO, and COO. She now owns and operates RB Health Partners, Inc. (RBHPs) a long term care consultancy firm for the past 20 years. RBHPs employs an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and consultants to support long term care providers meet their quality improvement goals.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 21 | Goldrush: Onboarding, Orientation and Ongoing Education
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
This session will review innovative and effective measures to onboard new staff, as well as provide tips for a viable and engaging orientation and ensuring compliance with ongoing staff education requirements. Presenters will share proven best practices to improve operational flow of newly hired staff with an emphasis on the orientation experience for each individual. This session will present approaches and systems tailored to skilled nursing centers in the pursuit of staffing stabilization.Presenters
Jennifer Lawrence
Chief Nursing Officer | Aston Health
About the Presenter
Jen has devoted an almost thirty-year career to serving our geriatric population from her beginnings as a high school volunteer, then as a Certified Nursing Assistant, then as a Licensed Practical Nurse, to a Masters prepared Registered Nurse, and also as a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator. Jen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing as well as a dual Master’s Degree in Business Administration and in Nursing. Jen’s experience spans all the geriatric continuums of care with positions including Risk Manager, Director of Nursing, Regional Nurse, Nursing Home Administrator, Assisted Living Administrator, Regional Director of Operations, VP of Clinical Services, and Chief Nursing Officer. She has extensive experience in Florida as well as multiple other states. She is focused on positive patient experiences and outcomes citing a strong compassionate team as the foundation for success. Jen is an active member/presenter with the Florida Health Care Association serving as the Vice-Chair for the Senior Clinician’s Committee as well as an item writer for the NAB exams.Mary Bottcher
Clinical Educator | Aston Health
About the Presenter
Mary Bottcher, BSN, RN, RAC-CT. Mary is Director of Clinical Education with Aston Health. With over 20 years of experience working in long term care, Mary has held multiple clinical positions in facilities. She is certified as a Resident Assessment Coordinator through American Association of Post Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) since 2008. As Aston’s Director of Clinical Education, she has developed a live, interactive orientation program for new team members, and has implemented and coordinated several education programs. Mary is passionate about cultivating care providers and continues to establish and direct innovative training programs for the post acute care industry.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 20 | Clinical and Operational Review of PDPM: Pioneering Excellence through MDS Accuracy
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
With providers well into the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), it might be time for a temperature check. Skilled nursing centers have learned there are significant changes in how we ensure accurate payment under PDPM, but how are they doing? How providers are faring depends largely on how they integrated this reimbursement change into the operational system and, particularly, their MDS coding. When auditing MDS Assessments, it is surprising how many errors are found. In this session, presenters will talk about what they have learned so far. This session will review some of the potential pitfalls related to PDPM. Key focus areas for providers will be addressed, including auditing for areas of risk, quality assurance initiatives, using the facility assessment to identify care strengths and weaknesses, analyzing marketplace dynamics, CMS initiatives relative to alternative payment models and leveraging technology solutions to ensure success.Presenters
Kathleen Weissberg
National Director of Education | Select Rehabilitation, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kathleen Weissberg, (MS in OT, 1993; Doctoral 2014) in her 29+ years of practice, has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher and educator. She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; has spoken at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally, for 20+ State Health Care Associations, and for 25+ state LeadingAge affiliates. She provides continuing education support to over 17,000 therapists, nurses, and administrators nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation. She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner and a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist. She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Affairs Affiliates and is an adjunct professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and Gannon University in Erie, PA.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 19 | Make a Difference in Your Rehospitalization Rates
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
This session will discuss the impacts of high rehospitalization rates in skilled nursing centers. There will be a discussion about how to target high-risk residents and action steps to reduce rehospitalizations, along with tangible steps to make a difference in your rehospitalization rates.Presenters
Amina Dubuisson
Vice President of Clinical Services | Ventura Services
About the Presenter
Amina Dubuisson has been a nurse for over 24 years. She earned an Associate of Science degree in nursing from Miami Dade College and become a Registered Nurse. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing, Business Administration and Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix; and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University. She is currently the Vice-President of Clinical Services at Ventura Services of Florida, Inc. She is the Vice Co-Chair of the Senior Clinicians Council from the Florida Health Care Association. She received the Florida Health Care Association Rising Star in Nursing Award and was recognized as an emerging nurse leader who has demonstrated excellence in nursing and person-centered care practices. She was recognized by Greystone Healthcare Management for her volunteer works in the community. Amina's biggest achievement has been her ability to give back to the community through volunteering and providing care to the underserved population through various Medical Missions and Health Fairs. Every year, she travels to Haiti at least twice in Medical Missions. She believes that everyone has a purpose in life and her purpose is to help people.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 18 | Infection Prevention and Control Updates
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Assisted Living
Session Summary
To build a successful infection prevention program in an assisted living facility, leadership needs to have knowledge of the regulations impacting this care environment, what policies and procedures are needed to support the program and strategies for how to implement the program. This session will review each of these topics and discuss the role of the risk assessment, infection prevention plan, and a culture of safety to support an effective infection prevention program.Presenters
A.C. Burke
VP of Healthcare Quality | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
A.C. Burke, MA, CIC, is the Vice President for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc. and is the primary author for the Nursing Home Infection Prevention Program (NIPP©), NIPPing Infections in the Bud. She holds a master’s degree in health management and is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. Her 20 years of experience includes creating, implementing, and managing programs that have achieved national recognition, partnership building, meeting facilitation, consensus building, and developing competency- based training curricula for healthcare workers across the continuum of care. AC has worked in public health preparedness and response roles, served as the manager of the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program for the Florida Department of Health as well as the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 17 | Forging a Financially Viable Future
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
This session will look at the financial and operational challenges the skilled nursing profession has endured, with a focus on occupancy and workforce challenges, financial outcomes, and increased regulatory oversight. Presenters will discuss various strategies to meet some of these challenges and innovative ideas for organizations to explore as they pursue a financially viable future.Presenters
Scott Bridgman
CPA, Principal | CLA
About the Presenter
Scott Bridgman is a Principal with the health care group of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), specializing in a variety of strategic, financial and operational services for health care clients across the continuum. Scott is the growth network leader for the healthcare practice in the state of Florida. Scott has over seventeen years of experience of providing audit, accounting, tax and consulting services to clients of varying sizes with a primary focus on organizations that serve older adults, which includes Senior Living, Home Health, Hospice and physician practices. Scott also services secondary industries including higher education and non-profit clients.Deb Emerson
Principal | CLA
About the Presenter
Deb Emerson is a principal with the health care group of CLA’s specializing in reimbursement and consulting services for senior living facilities, home health and hospice organizations. She has extensive experience handling the distinctive issues facing health care organizations in today’s challenging environment.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 16 | CMS Updates to Compliance Program Guidance: A New Sheriff in Town
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
Compliance requirements are continually changing. Learn about the latest updates from CMS and ensure your center is prepared and compliant when surveyed. Join the panel of presenters as they provide professional views of CMS guidance to keep you current.Presenters
Daniel Coggins
Chief Compliance Officer | Aston Health
About the Presenter
Daniel Coggins has operated multiple skilled rehabilitation centers, behavioral health systems, and psychiatric hospitals, and holds certifications in compliance as well as physician practice. He’s been a licensed administrator for over three decades, was awarded the prestigious Facility of the Year Award twice during his career, and is a member of the Florida Healthcare Association’s Regulatory Committee and Compliance CommitteeKellie Gronefeld
Compliance Officer | AdventHealth
About the Presenter
Kellie Gronefeld has worked in long term care for over 25 years, beginning her career as a speech-language pathologist. Kellie has held positions in rehab operations and clinical programming prior to compliance. Kellie currently serves as the Regional Corporate Responsibility Officer over AdventHealth Care Centers Post Acute Division.Risty Smith
Compliance Officer | AbleHearts Consulting Services, LLC.
About the Presenter
Risty Smith, OTR/L, CHC, is the Compliance Officer at Greystone Health. His experience includes building compliance programs for multi-state rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, private duty nursing, assisted living, and durable medical equipment providers. He is a contributing member of the Florida Healthcare Association Risk & Compliance Council. He has placed a special emphasis on establishing and maintaining HIPAA/HITECH complaint privacy and security practices, including the incorporation of telehealth into clinical practice.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 15 | The Pulse of Employee Benefits: Enhance Your Workforce’s Health and Well-being
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Staffing and retention continues to be a top priority for provider organizations. What are employers doing to stay dynamic and innovative? This session will explore the movement in employee benefits to enhance company culture and the health and well-being of your workforce.Presenters
James Lynch
Sales Executive | Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region
About the Presenter
James Lynch is a Sales Executive at Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region with a specialization in the senior living profession. Prior to joining Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region, he worked as a litigation paralegal for a law firm devoted to defending senior care operators in nursing home negligence cases.Phil McElfresh
Vice President | Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region
About the Presenter
Phil McElfresh, a Vice President with Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region, leads strategic planning with executive teams of health care providers to minimize exposure and forecast impacts in the profession, specializing in both Business Insurance and Employee Health Benefits.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 14 | The Reimbursement Pony Express
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
This session will focus on the results of the 2023 legislative session regarding the Medicaid budget and other legislative issues impacting the Medicaid reimbursement landscape. The session will also focus on changes projected for the October 2023 Medicaid rates and address the impact of the elimination of the "hold-harmless" clause and elimination of the cap on gains for providers. Attendees will learn how to manage their spending to prepare for rate rebasing in 2024, the importance of maintaining or improving quality and the right way to make center improvements count. Attendees will also learn the steps they need to take now to ensure they are prepared to compete in the future.Presenters
Lorne Simmons
Healthcare Manager | MSL, P.A.
About the Presenter
Lorne Simmons is a member of the Firm's Senior Housing and Long-Term Care Practice Groups. Lorne has over 30 years of accounting experience, 22 years in senior housing, and health insurance. Before joining Moore Stephens Lovelace, P.A. (MSL), Lorne held positions with Life Care Services (LCS) management company and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Lorne's focus at MSL is on reimbursement consulting, spending reviews and reimbursement rate analyses, cost structuring, cost report preparation, cost report audits, and appeal issues for Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement. He also handles financial statement projections, prospective financial analyses, and Certificate of Need financial forecasts. Lorne is a member of the FHCA Reimbursement Committee and Legislative Committee and has presented staff webinars and training sessions on Florida's Medicaid reimbursement system and 11 previous sessions at FHCA events.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 13 | Florida Department of Health, Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention Program
Time: 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
The Florida Department of Health will provide an introduction to the Health Care-Associated Infection Prevention Program. The program includes containment strategies, infection prevention and control principles and best practices, antimicrobial stewardship programs, antibiotic resistance, injection safety, bloodstream infections, urgent threats and data-driven strategic approaches to reduce health care-associated infections across Florida. This session will focus on surveillance, detection, outreach initiatives, contact precautions, and enhanced barrier precautions for targeted organisms, including Candida auris and carbapenemase-producing organisms. In addition, the presentation will highlight the role of county health departments, implementation of preventative efforts, available resources, as well as partnerships and collaborations.Presenters
Alexis Guttenberg
CDC Project Firstline Infection Prevention Education Specialist | Florida Department of Health
About the Presenter
lexis Guttenberg serves as an Infection Prevention Education Specialist with a focus in emerging pathogens and infectious diseases. She currently practices within the Florida Department of Health's HAI Prevention Program, responding to urgent threat organisms at the county and state level. Alexis received her Bachelor's of Science at Florida Atlantic University and went on to receive her Masters of Public Health - Epidemiology at the University of Florida.Jalysa Erskine
MDRO Prevention Epidemiologist/ HAI Team Lead | Florida Department of Health
About the Presenter
Jalysa Erskine is an Epidemiologist that has experience and specializes in infectious disease outbreaks in different facility types. She has been with the Florida Department of Health for 4 years, first starting out as an Epidemiologist at the county level in Pinellas County and now working for the State as the MDRO Prevention Epidemiologist and HAI team lead. Jalysa received her Bachelor's of Science degree at Tennessee State University and went on to receive her Master's degree from the University of South Florida. Jalysa also obtained a specialized Certificate in Infection Control at the University of South Florida as well. She has been able to use the knowledge she has gained in HAIs at both the county level and state level.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 11 | Using the Baldrige Framework to Improve Your QAPI Program
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
The Baldrige Framework provides a roadmap for managing components of an organization using a big or systems based approach. Given the vital role nurses play in the nursing center environment, it is imperative that they are equipped with knowledge to understand how to use existing data to analyze performance, create meaningful performance improvement projects and sustain results.Presenters
Kelly Smith
Quality & Analytics Consultant in LTC | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kelly Smith holds a doctoral degree in Aging Studies, is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality, and holds a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. Through her knowledge of quality improvement methodologies and professional experience, Dr. Smith focuses on quality and process improvement across the long term care continuum.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 10 | Grievance Management: One Key to a Successful Risk Management Program
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
Grievance management is a critical aspect of a successful risk management program. This allows the resident, family or other interested person to be able to express themselves in a meaningful manner in which they feel heard. It reduces complaints to the Agency for Health Care Administration which reduces your regulatory risk and increases overall satisfaction. This session will discuss key aspects to better support your team and help them recognize possible issues to report for resolution.Presenters
Robin A. Bleier
President | RB Health Partners, Inc.
About the Presenter
Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC , has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which in long term care. Robin's passion is teaching and training with a focus on risk management as a means to help improve quality and resident outcomes while increasing long term care professional's work satisfaction. Robin worked as a nursing assistant, LPN, RN, DON, regional nurse, CCO, and COO. She now owns and operates RB Health Partners, Inc. (RBHPs) a long term care consultancy firm for the past 20 years. RBHPs employs an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and consultants to support long term care providers meet their quality improvement goals.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 9 | Beyond the Pizza Party: Forging New Frontiers for Staff Recognition to Impact Quality
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
Staff appreciation, recognition and staff development terms are overused and highly overrated. What do they even mean in a profession where turnover can be as high as 50% and finding and hiring qualified staff is costly? Retention is more critical now than ever, so, what can you do? This session will look at recognition and employee appreciation through several different lenses. Attendees will evaluate their mindset related to recognition and learn cost-effective, real-time strategies proven in the field.Presenters
Kathleen Weissberg
National Director of Education | Select Rehabilitation, LLC
About the Presenter
Dr. Kathleen Weissberg, (MS in OT, 1993; Doctoral 2014) in her 29+ years of practice, has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher and educator. She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; has spoken at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally, for 20+ State Health Care Associations, and for 25+ state LeadingAge affiliates. She provides continuing education support to over 17,000 therapists, nurses, and administrators nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation. She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner and a Certified Fall Prevention Specialist. She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Affairs Affiliates and is an adjunct professor at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA and Gannon University in Erie, PA.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 8 | Improve Profitability through Creative Insurance Purchasing
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
Florida long term care providers are suffering from increased expense load in many areas. This session will review the current state of the insurance marketplace. Attendees will learn how to most effectively structure their insurance programs in the face of rising costs.Presenters
James Lynch
Sales Executive | Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region
About the Presenter
James Lynch is a Sales Executive at Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region with a specialization in the senior living profession. Prior to joining Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region, he worked as a litigation paralegal for a law firm devoted to defending senior care operators in nursing home negligence cases.Patrick McConachie
Senior Vice President | Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region
About the Presenter
Patrick McConachie is a Senior Vice President in the Tampa office of Marsh McLennan Agency. In this role, he leads a team of client advisors in providing expert risk management consultation and advice to health care organizations across North America with complex insurance needs. Working with the clients and other trusted advisors, it is the goal of the Marsh McLennan Agency to protect the client’s tangible assets, streamline processes and reduce corporate cost of risk. Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Central Florida and has earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation. In his free time, he supports many nonprofit organizations and was most recently appointed to the Florida Management Committee of Coastal Conservation Association.Phil McElfresh
Vice President | Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region
About the Presenter
Phil McElfresh, a Vice President with Marsh McLennan Agency, Bouchard Region, leads strategic planning with executive teams of health care providers to minimize exposure and forecast impacts in the profession, specializing in both Business Insurance and Employee Health Benefits.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 7 | Is Your Staff Feuding Over Resident Safety?
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
In this session, attendees will play Family Feud and explore the best practices to achieve resident safety. Using adult learning principles, this session will explore how to reduce hospitalizations due to C. Diff, how to reduce adverse drug events and reduce center acquired infections such as MRSA. At the end of the session, attendees will have the skills necessary to identify barriers and opportunities for improvement to ensure resident safety aligns with best practices. The session will review tools and resources for your inter-disciplinary team to use and an implementation plan for quality success.Presenters
Renee DelMonico
State Quality Manager-Florida | Alliant Health Solutions
About the Presenter
Renee DelMonico is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator who has worked 30 years in LTC in positions such as Business Office Manager, Director of Finance and Regulatory Compliance, Assistant Administrator and 22 years as an Administrator in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, as well as a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Salve Regina University. With a passion for Reiki and making a difference in the lives of the residents, she certified 20 staff members in Reiki where they incorporated a Reiki program which decreased pain in residents, decreased sun downing in Dementia residents, as well as assisted COPD residents with energy conservation. Currently she is the Florida State Quality Manager with Alliant Health Solutions, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization where she collaborates with nursing facilities, hospitals, and community coalitions to improve the outcomes of Medicare Beneficiaries.Julie Kueker
Program Director | Alliant Health Solutions
About the Presenter
Julie Kueker, MBS, BS MT (ASCP) is the Program Director for Alabama, Louisiana and Florida from Alliant Health Solutions, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization. She facilitates quality improvement through implementation of CMS contract goals by working with providers to assess current systems, identify opportunities for improvement and design solution strategies using proven methodologies for success. Facilities and coordinates stakeholders, vested partners and providers in community coalition work using rapid cycle improvement techniques for agile, date-driven results for improvement. She obtained a Master of Business Degree and undergraduate Bachelor of Science Medical Technology degree from Louisiana State University. In 2019, she obtained her Six Sigma Green Belt.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 6 | Agency Top Ten Deficiencies and Updates
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Assisted Living
Session Summary
In this session, the Agency for Health Care Administration will provide an update on the top ten assisted living facility citations and topics to help manage the latest survey updates. Hear about case studies to provide instruction and guidance on ways to avoid frequent high-level citations.Presenters
Anne Sosiak
Registered Nurse Consultant, Division of Health Care Policy & Oversight, Bureau of Field Operations | Agency for Health Care Administration
About the Presenter
Anne Sosiak has worked at the Agency for Health Care Administration for 11 years, starting as a nurse surveyor based in the Delray Beach office. She has survey experience in assisted living and long term care facilities as well as ambulatory surgery centers. Currently, Anne is a Registered Nurse Consultant with the Survey and Certification Support Branch, Bureau of Field Operations and her responsibilities include quality assurance, surveyor training and surveying for unlicensed assisted living activity.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 5 | Taming the Wild World of Labor Law: Current Trends in Workplace Law
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Technology and Quality Innovations
Session Summary
New laws and regulations have been enacted and interpretations of existing laws are changing. It is easy to put the cart before the horse and misjudge the impact of labor and employment law, resulting in financial harm not only to your center but also to yourself. Presenters will explore the most commonly misunderstood areas of employment law, updated for 2023, to help avoid costly litigation. The second part of this session will feature a panel discussion on positive employee engagement. Increasing evidence shows a connection between engaged employees and stronger business performance. Positive employee experiences can lead to higher productivity, a decrease in turnover and better retention of knowledge and skills. Join this interactive session to hear from attorneys and profession peers who are putting engagement at the center of work as they discuss established strategies on how to improve the employee engagement process.Presenters
Justin McConnell
Associate | Fisher Phillips
About the Presenter
Justin McConnell is an attorney with the Orlando office of Fisher Phillips and serves as a member of the firm’s Healthcare Practice. Justin partners with businesses of all sizes and industries to advise and defend them in employment and business matters. Justin routinely practices in state and federal courts and has successfully represented clients in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, non-competition, wage and hour, contract, and a variety of other employment, civil, and business matters. Justin is a trusted partner of business owners, management, and human resource professionals to maintain issue free workplace environments, and zealously represents his clients in their most challenging and complex labor and employment cases. Justin has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, since 2022. Justin currently serves as the Legislative Director for the Greater Orlando Society for Human Resource Management, a professional human resources association located in Orlando, Florida. Justin is a frequent presenter and speaker to local businesses and community organizations regarding trending workplace and employment law topics.LaKisha Kinsey-Sallis
Partner | Fisher Phillips
About the Presenter
LaKisha M. Kinsey-Sallis is a Partner with Fisher Phillips, Tampa. LaKisha has extensive experience representing private and public sector employers. Her experience includes, litigation, providing day-to-day advice on workplace issues, defending charges before administrative agencies, developing and reviewing handbooks, offering preventive strategies through training and risk assessments before and after lawsuits.Megan Janes
Partner | Fisher Phillips
About the Presenter
Megan is a partner based in Fisher Phillips’ Fort Lauderdale office. She represents healthcare employers, including long term care, assisted living, and home health, among others with both litigation and counseling needs. Her day-to-day includes situations involving alleged discrimination, denial of leave, wage and hour matters, or restrictive covenants, both at the administrative level and in court. She also counsels employers on ways to reduce litigation risks, presents trainings on employment law compliance, and assists with drafting policies and contracts.Mike Miller
Senior Counsel | Michael Miller has practiced labor and employment law for more than 50 years. He serves as Labor Relations Counsel to FHCA, a position that Mike has held since 1985. During his career, Mike has guided FHCA members in labor matters ranging from union organizing to Wage and Hour, and to EEOC issues.
About the Presenter
Michael Miller has practiced labor and employment law for more than 50 years. He serves as Labor Relations Counsel to FHCA, a position that Mike has held since 1985. During his career, Mike has guided FHCA members in labor matters ranging from union organizing to Wage and Hour, and to EEOC issues.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 4 | Saddle Up: Managing Incapacity and Avoiding Legal Process Tumbleweeds
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
Do you have residents who can't make legal and financial decisions? Are you concerned they can't sign legal documents due to a physician's determination of incompetency? Is lack of decision-making authority delaying discharge? This session will explain when guardianship is necessary and whether there are alternatives that may provide a better, quicker solution.Presenters
Beth Roland
Managing Attorney | Family First Firm
About the Presenter
Beth Roland is the Managing Attorney at Family First Firm. She earned her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law and her bachelor’s from Sweet Briar College. As an experienced Elder Law attorney with a focus on guardianship, Beth has received numerous accolades, including the 2021 Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award and 2019 Governor's Award for her advocacy work. She is passionate about ensuring dignity and independence of Florida’s senior and disabled population.« Back to Continuing Education Sessions
Session 1 | Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Using Person-centered Approaches
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices
Session Summary
Providing person-centered care can help you reduce antipsychotic medication use in your skilled nursing center. The presenter has proven you can systematically reduce these medications and meet the behavioral and psychosocial needs of each resident. In this session, you will learn best practices and simple steps for improved quality of care for each resident and providing a culture of success.Presenters
Maureen Brown
CNO | Onyx Health
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Session 22 | Preparing for the Elimination of Section G
Time: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Operations/Regulatory/Legal Compliance
Session Summary
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services posted a draft of updated Minimum Data Set (MDS) specifications, noting that all of Section G will be eliminated. The volume of new data that providers will be required to collect in MDS 1.18.11 starting in October 2023, is significant and will require a great deal of preparation. This session will provide insights regarding the specific changes, key preparation, planning steps to take and suggestions as far as what measures, metrics and outcomes to focus on to maintain a high-performing organization.
Presenters
Cassie Diner
Clinical Product Manager | Matrixcare, Inc.
About the Presenter
Cassie Diner joined the clinical team at MatrixCare in May of 2013 after graduating with BSN, RN from College of Saint Benedict. That same year she became the RN charge Nurse at a Long-Term Care facility. In 2015 she became a Senior trainer and eventually became a Senior Manager of Client Education at MatrixCare in 2018. Cassie currently works as a Clinical Product Manager and continues to work at a Long-Term Care facility as the RN Charge Nurse. Being part of the MatrixCare team allows her to utilize her technology, clinical, and leadership skills.
Jessica Stagg
Director, Strategy & Portfolio Management | Matrixcare, Inc.
About the Presenter
Jessica Stagg is the Director, Strategy & Portfolio Management, for MatrixCare SNF Orders and eMAR as well as for the SigmaCare by MatrixCare EHR. She has served in various client facing and product roles throughout her 13 years with the company. In her role, Jessica is responsible for driving innovation, quality, and compliance for the MatrixCare and SigmaCare products. Jessica is passionate about delivering a high-quality product that meets and surpasses the needs of customers and the individuals they care for.
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Session 12 | Saddle Up for the Continuum of Care Ride
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Assisted Living
Session Summary
With so many options across the care continuum, what role do assisted living facilities play? How do we dig in our spurs to bridge the gap and best coordinate the transitions in care? How do we improve communication so that all needs are met on the sometimes bumpy trail? This session will help you to understand both sides of the discharge planning process and give you tools to implement best practices for your Medicaid residents.
Presenters
Regina Wild
Director of Community & Home-Based Services | Managed Care Consultants of America
About the Presenter
Regina Wild has been in post-acute care for over 13 years. She has an extensive background in business development, admissions and managed care. Regina has worked in skilled nursing, assisted living and home health, including a regional role in business development.
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Session 3 | The Great Eight: Leadership and Motivation
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Leadership / Workforce
Session Summary
This session has been cancelled; we apologize for the inconvenience.
Presenters
Kris Mastrangelo
President/CEO | Harmony Healthcare International, Inc. (HHI)
About the Presenter
Kris Mastrangelo is a nationally recognized consultant and keynote speaker with more than 32 years of experience in the Health Care industry with a specialty in the Nursing Home (Long Term Post-Acute Care Setting). She is the founder, owner, President and CEO of Harmony Healthcare International, Inc (HHI) an internationally recognized, premier Healthcare Consulting firm. Kris started the company in 2001. Harmony Healthcare International, Inc. (HHI) is a recognized consulting firm that uses a systematic approach in addressing the C.A.R.E.S. platform which is trademarked and created by HHI and stands for Compliance, Analysis, Audit, Regulatory, Rehabilitation, Reimbursement, Education, Efficiency and Survey.
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Session 2 | Managing Managed Care From a Nursing Perspective
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.
Type/Topic: Finance and Reimbursement
Session Summary
Managed care organizations don't make it easy for nurses to understand and manage the reimbursement for residents who have managed care payers. This session will help attendees understand how managed care reimbursement works, how to capture the best appropriate reimbursement to match the residents' clinical care needs and how to identify and capture outliers and exclusions.
Presenters
Mary Hirsch
Managed Care Liaison | Managed Care Consultants of America
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Session | Nursing Home Administrator 101
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Type/Topic: Specialty Training
Session Summary
This six-hour training is for new administrators with five years or less experience and is designed to motivate and develop the skills needed to become a great leader. Attendees will also make valuable connections through the program's networking opportunities. The training will focus on leadership, financial, legal and regulatory, life safety, survey readiness and quality improvement skills. Hear from long term care leaders as they discuss best practices and tools for the administrator to be successful. Nursing home administrators are responsible for leading the team to ensure regulations are met and quality of care is of the highest standard. This course will provide a foundation for new administrators and serve as a refresher for seasoned administrators. Registration includes lunch, breaks, a resource reference manual and 6 CEUs.
Presenters
Susan Anderson
Director of Regulatory Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Susan Anderson currently serves as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for Florida Health Care Association. In this position, she concentrates on supporting the legislative, regulatory, and policy activities on behalf of association members for nursing centers and assisted living facilities. Ms. Anderson has experience in seniors housing and in developing public policy positions and advising on regulatory compliance. Ms. Anderson is an active member of the Florida Bar.
Amina Dubuisson
Vice President of Clinical Services | Ventura Services
About the Presenter
Amina Dubuisson has been a nurse for over 24 years. She earned an Associate of Science degree in nursing from Miami Dade College and become a Registered Nurse. She received her Masters of Science in Nursing, Business Administration and Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix; and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chamberlain University. She is currently the Vice-President of Clinical Services at Ventura Services of Florida, Inc. She is the Vice Co-Chair of the Senior Clinicians Council from the Florida Health Care Association. She received the Florida Health Care Association Rising Star in Nursing Award and was recognized as an emerging nurse leader who has demonstrated excellence in nursing and person-centered care practices. She was recognized by Greystone Healthcare Management for her volunteer works in the community. Amina's biggest achievement has been her ability to give back to the community through volunteering and providing care to the underserved population through various Medical Missions and Health Fairs. Every year, she travels to Haiti at least twice in Medical Missions. She believes that everyone has a purpose in life and her purpose is to help people.
Deborah Franklin
Senior Director of Quality Affairs | Florida Health Care Association
About the Presenter
Deborah Franklin is the Senior Director of Quality Affairs for the Florida Health Care Association. Deborah has a Masters of Health Administration and is a nursing home administrator with over thirty years in long term care sector. Deborah is responsible for leading the Association's internal quality department while pioneering initiatives on quality improvement in long term care. She works in conjunction with the association's Board of Directors, Quality Cabinet and associated committees to develop, plan and implement long term care quality and educational programs to support members with their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.
Julie Ann Kemman
CEO | Julie Ann Kemman has over 30 years of experience in long term care operations and reimbursement and is a Certified Professional Compliance Officer. She is currently the President of Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc. and has a passion for serving our profession.
About the Presenter
Julie Ann Kemman has over 30 years of experience in long term care operations and reimbursement and is a Certified Professional Compliance Officer. She is currently the President of Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc. and has a passion for serving our profession.