Continuing Education Sessions

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 Master's of Health Administration and is a nursing home administrator with over thirty years in the 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 in their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, and state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.

Cary Smith

President | Orion Post-Acute Care Consultants

About the Presenter

Cary Smith is a healthcare operations leader and consultant specializing in post-acute care and care transitions. With over 20 years of experience, including executive leadership as a COO and current advisory work in healthcare consulting, she partners with skilled nursing providers and hospitals to improve outcomes, reduce readmissions, and optimize performance. Cary is known for translating strategy into practical, sustainable operational results across the care continuum.

Vernon Zeger

Vice President of Operations | The Lilac Health Group

About the Presenter

Vern Zeger has been in long term care as a leader since 1997. He has led teams to receive Baldrige Quality awards, five-star ratings and small business of the year for the community. Vern is a member of the Survey and Regulatory Committee and has been actively engaged in FHCA as a board member, VP of multiple facilities, and other committees as needed. Vern has impacted many nursing home administrators as a mentor and preceptor.

Susan Anderson

Director of Regulatory Affairs | Florida Health Care Association

About the Presenter

Susan Anderson currently serves as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the 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 senior housing and in developing public policy positions and advising on regulatory compliance. Ms. Anderson is an active member of the Florida Bar.

Sean O'Regan

Director of Value Based Care | PointClickCare

About the Presenter

Sean O?Regan is the Director of Value Base Care with PointClickCare. He is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and has been in the post-acute industry in a variety of capacities over the last decade. Sean has worked closely with hundreds of providers across the nation to find ways to improve processes and ultimately outcomes. He is passionate about sharing these best practices so that we can collectively have a greater impact on the lives of the seniors we serve.

Samantha Vosloo

Senior Director of Value Based Care | PointClickCare

About the Presenter

Samantha Vosloo is the Senior Director of Value Based Care at PointClickCare and a Nursing Home Administrator with over 10 years of experience in Long-Term Care. She graduated from the University of South Florida and has since operated communities 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.

Jason Haney

SVP Health Plan Operations | American Health Partners

About the Presenter

Jason is responsible for the development and management of the provider-owned American Health Plans joint-venture ISNPs, operating in more than 500 long-term care and senior living facilities in 14 states. Jason oversees the development and implementation of strategic growth strategies and has led the drive to successfully expand membership by >700%. He has been instrumental in creating collaborative partnerships with providers and ISNP joint-venture partners to provide coordinated, person-centered care that enhances well-being and improves quality of life for nursing home residents. Under his leadership, AHP has reduced unnecessary hospitalizations by >40% and unnecessary members ER visits by ~50%, while paying more than $50M in partner shared savings. Before joining American Health Plans, Jason served as Market Vice President, OPTUM Complex Care Management and as Director of Practice Administration & Business Development for IPC Healthcare. His early career started with washing dishes in a nursing home kitchen, eventually becoming a food service director, then licensed nursing home administrator.

Alan Obringer

President | Guardian Pharmacy of Orlando

About the Presenter

Alan Obringer is the president of Guardian Pharmacy of Orlando. Alan is licensed as a pharmacist and consultant pharmacist in Florida and holds a faculty position with the University of Florida, College of Pharmacy as an Assistant Clinical Professor, since the fall of 2002. He became a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist in 2012 and serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students, offering both a Geriatric and Long-term Care practice site. Alan earned his pharmacy degree from the University of Rhode Island and he is a strong advocate for the profession of pharmacy in long-term care and is very involved in the changes that affect our industry.

Michael Samarkos

Regional Director of Clinical Services | Guardian Pharmacy of Orlando

About the Presenter

Michael has more than 20 years of experience in pharmacy. He began his career as a Retail Pharmacist before transitioning 17 years ago to Clinical Pharmacy. Michael is currently the Regional Director of Clinical and Consultant Services for Guardian Pharmacy Orlando where he works daily to ensure each resident receives the best clinical services Guardian can provide. He is also a managing partner in Envision Health Consulting, which works to advance education for long-term care providers. He works daily to expand the role of pharmacists and is especially interested in the Pharmacist?s role in the Transitional Care setting, and the use of Chronic Care Management and Remote Patient Monitoring to help achieve positive outcomes in patients with chronic disease states.

Cindy Fronning

Executive Director | NADONA

About the Presenter

Cindy Fronning has over 45 years of experience in long-term care as a DON, a Multi Facility Organization consultant and a National Clinical Consultant specializing in clinical reimbursement. Cindy?s experience includes education of nursing home personnel, mentoring of nurses and Directors of Nursing, clinical systems and form development, department restructuring, and mock surveys and a comprehensive understanding of State and Federal regulations. Cindy was the Director of Education for NADONA for 6 years. Her role was responsible for the planning, direction and implementation of all educational projects and pursuits within NADONA. She created and is an instructor for the NADONA Certification courses and exams for Nurse Leaders, Infection Preventionists, Antibiotic Stewardship, QAPI and Staff Development Coordinator. Currently Cindy is the Executive Director of NADONA. Her responsibilities include the oversight of the entire organization and together with the Board of Directors, determines the direction and growth of NADONA.

Kelly Smith

CEO | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC

About the Presenter

Dr. Kelly Smith is the CEO of Q3 Healthcare Consulting, Dr. Smith brings a systems-based approach to quality improvement?connecting strategy, workforce engagement, operations, and customer satisfaction. Her expertise lies in evidence-based frameworks, such as the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence and Lean Six Sigma, which she applies to improve long-term care outcomes. Dr. Smith was previously the Director of Process Improvement at a large senior care provider, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and post-acute care. Dr. Smith holds a doctorate in Aging Studies, is an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program Gold Examiner and Trainer, a Certified Professional in Healthcare, and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Robin Sweeney

Clinical Reimbursement Associate | Celtic Consulting

About the Presenter

Robin Sweeney, RN is a Clinical Reimbursement Associate at Celtic Consulting. With over 15 years of experience in long-term care, Robin brings a deep understanding of clinical reimbursement, billing documentation, and managing ADR denials. She has also held leadership roles as a Director of Nursing and earned her Legal Nurse Consulting (LNC) certificate, giving her strong insight into both care and compliance. Before joining our team, Robin served as Director of Clinical Reimbursement for two large multi-state operators, supporting more than 70 skilled nursing facilities. She played a key role in rolling out PDPM, led corporate IDT meetings, and helped streamline denial management and triple check processes. Robin is known for her collaborative, solutions-first approach. She focuses on improving outcomes for both residents and providers. She holds advanced certifications in Resident Assessment (RAC-CT, RAC-CTA) and Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QCP), and she is always ready to roll up her sleeves and help teams succeed.

Boris Kushnir

Partner | Pease Bell

About the Presenter

Boris has over 30+ years of extensive, hands-on expertise in management, finance, regulatory compliance, reimbursement, operations, and clinical consulting within the long term care and intermediate care facilities. He oversees the preparation and review of Medicaid and Medicare cost reports for a wide range of long term care and intermediate care facilities across many states including Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Landa Stricklin

Director of Clinical Reimbursement | Richter Healthcare Consultants

About the Presenter

Landa Stricklin takes her position as an educator seriously and is always eager to share the knowledge she has accumulated over the course of her 35+ 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. Having worked at both the facility and corporate level Landa has assisted facilities graduate from the Special Focus List with only 1 citation and through a Corporate Integrity Agreement. Having built the education for and implementation of the PDPM across 200 facilities she is prepared to assist you in meeting clinical and financial goals.

Jessica Hurley

Manager of Financial Consulting | Richter Healthcare Consultants

About the Presenter

Prior to joining Richter, Jessica dedicated a decade of her career to PointClickCare, a leading electronic health record (EHR) software provider specializing in solutions for long-term care and senior living communities. In her roles as a customer success manager and financial software consultant, she learned that the road to effective outcomes begins with strong relationships?not only with her clients but her internal project team. With a strong understanding of industry challenges and a deep appreciation of technology, she contributed to the development and enhancement of many system upgrades and new releases. She is passionate about helping her clients capitalize on system capabilities and optimize existing workflows so they can prioritize resident care. Jessica has also worked as an accounts receivable supervisor at a large senior care organization, where she was responsible for developing processes and implementing strategies to increase financial accuracy and reduce receivables.

Chanel Steptoe

Executive Director | Aviata at Kissimmee Gardens

About the Presenter

With over 19 years of long term care leadership experience, Chanel Steptoe is a veteran healthcare professional with a servant?s heart. She has a proven ability to enhance Skilled Nursing Facility operations, through leadership development, employee retention, and strong organizational systems. As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Chanel proudly leads the team at Aviata at Kissimmee Gardens, where she has achieved a remarkable two-plus years with zero complaint surveys. Chanel specializes in process improvement and bridging communication gaps among staff, management, residents, and their families. She excels in employee training and development, prioritizing resident-centered care, and proactive problem-solving. Her collaborative nature and strong critical thinking skills enable her to lead with confidence.

David Rivera

Regional Nurse Consultant | Aviata Health Group

About the Presenter

David J. Rivera is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing who has been serving the healthcare community since 2009. With over 16 years of clinical and leadership experience, David has developed a strong skill set and a proven record of success in long-term care and clinical operations. His professional passion centers on the elderly population, where he is deeply committed to improving quality of care, promoting well-being, and fostering stable, high-performing care environments. In recognition of his dedication and impact, David was honored by the Florida Health Care Association as Registered Nurse of the Year. In 2023, while serving as Director of Clinical Services, he led his facility to achieve the prestigious Gold Seal Award, an honor that recognizes organizations that provide excellent care, promote operational stability, and enhance resident outcomes. David previously served as Director of Clinical Services at Aspire at Kissimmee Gardens, where his vision focused on achieving a 5-star rating in quality measures, strengthening clinical systems, and developing future oriented healthcare leadership. Alongside his organizational goals, he maintains a personal aspiration to build and grow a business within the healthcare industry. Currently, David serves as a Regional Nurse Consultant for Aviata Health Group, where he supports facilities through clinical oversight, regulatory guidance, quality improvement initiatives, and staff education. Outside of his professional life, David has a passion for nature and sports, which reflect his balanced approach to personal wellness and professional excellence.

Jesus Cruz

Human Resource Trainer | Aviata Health Group

About the Presenter

Jesus Cruz, Co-Owner, at "Fearless Leaders ING". Holding a BA in Business Administration with a concentration in management. He has over 15 years of advanced knowledge in customer service, management, process improvement, on-time project delivery, budgeting, and exceeding expectations. He is a dependable and enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethic and advanced skills in complex problem-solving. Jesus Cruz is dedicated to continuous process improvement in the face of rapidly evolving and changing markets. Jesus Cruz recently completed the ALF Core Training Certification and possesses a BLS certificate, SERVsafe certification, is a licensed Public Notary, bi-lingual, and has exceptional administrative skills. Jesus Cruz is a healthcare industry professional focused on client satisfaction, efficiency, and company profits.

Yvette Cedeno

Staffing Mgr. | Aviata Health Group

About the Presenter

NEED BIO

Gill Bejerano

Chief Technology Officer | SAIVA AI, Inc.

About the Presenter

Gill Bejerano has a deep expertise in patient risks prediction from Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems, Helping manage many thousands of LTPAC patient lives every day (saiva.ai) Monogenic disease diagnosis and reanalysis from DNA and EMR data, First web portal for diagnosis & reanalysis (amelie.stanford.edu) Functional genomics and the non-coding human genome, Very popular portal for non-coding genomic data analysis (great.stanford.edu) Human comparative genomic, Discoverer of genomic ultra conservation (PMID: 15131266). A Nobel award awaits those who will explain it.

Karyn Dean

Head of Product | SAIVA AI, Inc.

About the Presenter

Karyn Allen Dean is a healthcare technology leader with more than 20 years of experience driving innovation across post-acute care, payer, and clinical technology markets. She specializes in translating complex clinical and operational challenges into scalable, AI-powered solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable costs. Karyn has led the development and commercialization of multiple post-acute and value-based care solutions, including machine learning?driven clinical risk platforms designed to identify early signs of patient deterioration. She currently serves in as Head of Product at SAIVA AI, where she helps advance predictive intelligence tools that enable skilled nursing facilities and care teams to move from reactive care to proactive intervention. She is a recognized leader in post-acute clinical analytics, interoperability, and value-based transformation, and is passionate about equipping frontline care teams with actionable insights that drive better outcomes across the continuum.

Boris Silantev

Tech Lead, ML & Data Engineering | SAIVA AI, Inc.

About the Presenter

Boris Silantev brings a blend of data science, machine learning, and business experience to developing AI products for the post-acute care domain. As a tech leader, he helps shape practical, production-grade solutions that turn complex patient data into clear, actionable insights for clinicians. His focus is on bridging technical possibilities with day-to-day clinical realities to support better decisions, care quality, and patient outcomes.

Andres Vallejo

Chief Medical Officer | Spectrum Medical Partners

About the Presenter

As an Attending Physician, Andres provides quality patient care to diverse populations exclusively in the Post-Acute Care industry, long-term care, skilled nursing, and assisted living settings. For the past 7 years, he has built a proven track record of improving patient outcomes, satisfaction, and safety, as well as collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. Andres strongly believes that doing ordinary things extraordinarily well will take their team a long way and ultimately will benefit their patients. If they as a team, share the philosophy of caring for others and bringing the best to their daily decisions by being intentional about their actions, then optimal care is guaranteed. He holds an MD degree from Universidad de la Sabana in Bogota, Colombia and post Doctorate and Residency from New York University, where he gained valuable skills and knowledge in Internal Medicine, Project Management, and Patient Assessment. He is passionate about advancing the field of Post-Acute Care and enhancing the quality of life of his patients. He is extremely grateful and honored to be a part of this remarkable group of professionals and looks forward to collaborating and effectively supporting the development and needs of their Post-Acute Care partners.

Franklin Riddle

Executive Director | Tampa Bay Health & Medical Preparedness Coalition

About the Presenter

Franklin Riddle is Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Health and Medical Preparedness Coalition (TBHMPC), Florida?s largest healthcare coalition representing nine counties in West Central Florida. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare emergency preparedness, he works closely with hospitals, long-term care, and community partners to strengthen coordination, training, and response capabilities. He previously served with ASPR and the Florida Emergency Response Team and holds the Florida Professional Emergency Manager ? Healthcare (FPEM-HC) designation.

Pam Kiel

Emergency Management Specialist | Orange County Office of Emergency Management

About the Presenter

Pamela Keil is an Emergency Management Specialist with Orange County's Office of Emergency Management, overseeing nearly 285 healthcare facilities. She reviews emergency plans to state standards and ensure they are practical and effective. Her work proved critical during Hurricanes Milton and Ian, when facilities evacuated due to flooding. Pam holds a Communications degree with over 20 years of experience in media, retail, and marketing. Prior to joining Orange County, she served with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. As often as life permits, you can find her at any of the four parks of Walt Disney World or Aquatica Water Park.

Steven Lerner

Division Manager | Seminole County Office of Emergency Management

About the Presenter

Steven Lerner graduated from the University of Central Florida in May of 2013 with a bachelor?s degree in public administration a minor in Emergency Management and a Master?s Degree in Public Safety and Service Leadership from Drury University. Upon graduating college, Steven was hired by Seminole County?s Office of Emergency Management where he currently serves as the Division Manager. Before this role, Steven held other positions in the Division focused on managing state and federal grants and conducting extensive mitigation work for the County. Steven has worked on several notable incidents in Central Florida. Steven served as the Planning Section Chief for the Orlando Pulse Night Club Attack, Hurricane Matthew, and Hurricane Irma. Steven was also deployed to the State EOC to support communities in the recovery from Hurricane Michael. Most recently, Steven has served as the Planning Section Chief for the COVID-19 Response in Seminole County, FL, and Unified Incident Commander for Haiti Repatriation efforts. Steven has achieved the Florida Professional Emergency Manager designation through the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association and the Certified Emergency Manager designation through the International Association of Emergency Management. Most recently Steven was a graduate of the National Emergency Management Executive Academy where he joined other leaders in the Emergency Management field from across the nation to discuss high-level policy issues and develop evidence-based solutions to increase the effectiveness of the response to national-level incidents.

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 the 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 in their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, and state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.

Susan Anderson

Director of Regulatory Affairs | Florida Health Care Association

About the Presenter

Susan Anderson currently serves as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the 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 senior housing and in developing public policy positions and advising on regulatory compliance. Ms. Anderson is an active member of the Florida Bar.

Claire Houghton

Quality Improvement and Education Specialist | Florida Health Care Association

About the Presenter

Claire Houghton serves as the Quality Improvement and Education Specialist for the Quality Affairs Department of the Florida Health Care Association. She acts as staff liaison to the Performance Excellence Council, as well as the Professional Development and Emergency Preparedness & Life Safety Committees. She also acts as a facilitator of the Executive Nurse Leadership Academy, an educational program offered by FHCA to newly registered nurse executives looking to enhance their leadership expertise. She is a graduate of Wheaton College, where she studied the impact of rhetoric on community and culture formation. Her experience in project coordination, team building, education, and customer service works to amplify the art of communication and connection on the teams she serves.

Amanda Wetzel

Director Of Online Services | Consolidated Billing Services, Inc.

About the Presenter

Amanda Wetzel is the Director Of Online Services and Consolidated Billing Specialist for CBSI, supporting 4,000+ Part A SNFs, nationwide. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Amanda volunteers on the Medicare Learning Network National Provider Education Workgroup, advocating for clarity on CMS policy and billing guidelines in relation to Part A SNF stays. She is passionate about helping SNFs to better understand Consolidated Billing and regularly provides Continuing Education sessions at various state healthcare associations.

Kimberly Biegasiewicz

President/CEO | Avante Group, Inc.

About the Presenter

Kimberly Biegasiewicz, MSN, RN, is the President and CEO of Avante Group, overseeing skilled nursing, home health, and physician services across Florida and Pennsylvania . A nurse by trade and doctoral candidate in nursing education, she focuses on advancing healthcare leadership, workforce development, and the integration of artificial intelligence in clinical education and clinical competency. Kimberly is passionate about strengthening the future long term care workforce through innovation, education, and strategic leadership in long term care.

Katie Slier

Sr. Director of Clinical Reimbursement & Analytics | RB Health Partners, Inc.

About the Presenter

Katie Slier has specialized as a Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) consultant for over 8 years and is actively advanced certified as a Resident Assessment Coordinator through AAPACN. Katie brings over a decade of focused practice in acute and long-term care. Katie is excellent in the auditing process, which includes targeted reviews of the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), Medicaid case-mix, Quality Measures, the Five-Star Quality Rating Program, the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (SNF QRP), and the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing Program (SNF VBP). She is enthusiastic about staff education, specifically related to the RAI process, PDPM, and Quality Measures.

Carolyn Streaker

Clinical Reimbursement and Analytics Consultant | RB Health Partners, Inc.

About the Presenter

Carolyn Streaker has worked in nursing since 2002. She knew she wanted to work with the senior population early on, minoring in Gerontology while earning her bachelor?s in nursing from the University of Central Florida. She started her career in acute care rehabilitation for spinal cord injury, then as a Nurse Educator in transitional care and med/surgery and soon found her passion in the MDS Coordinator role, where she became nationally certified. She earned her master?s degree in nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader Track, which focused on quality, leadership, and outcomes measurement. Eventually, she brought her leadership and MDS experience to community based Skilled Nursing Facilities, and then moved into consulting and regional Clinical Reimbursement management, where she earned her Advanced certification for Resident Assessment Coordinators through AAPACN. Carolyn inspires others to strive for the highest level of quality in the Skilled Nursing Facility. She enjoys teaching the interdisciplinary team members about how their input into the MDS assessment contributes to the overall picture of quality and reimbursement outcomes. When not at work Carolyn enjoys spending time with her husband and her son, reading and baking.

Kelly Smith

CEO | Q3 Healthcare Consulting, LLC

About the Presenter

Dr. Kelly Smith is the CEO of Q3 Healthcare Consulting, Dr. Smith brings a systems-based approach to quality improvement?connecting strategy, workforce engagement, operations, and customer satisfaction. Her expertise lies in evidence-based frameworks, such as the Baldrige Framework for Performance Excellence and Lean Six Sigma, which she applies to improve long-term care outcomes. Dr. Smith was previously the Director of Process Improvement at a large senior care provider, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and post-acute care. Dr. Smith holds a doctorate in Aging Studies, is an AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program Gold Examiner and Trainer, a Certified Professional in Healthcare, and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.

Scott Allen

Executive Director | Sabal Palms Health Care Center

About the Presenter

Scott Allen is a well-established figure in Florida?s long-term care industry, with a career spanning facility administration, statewide leadership, and policy advocacy. He is particularly noted for his involvement with the Florida Health Care Association and for receiving multiple industry honors.

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, and other national groups.

Mary Pannell

Clinical Reimbursement Specialist/Manager | QRM

About the Presenter

Mary Pannell is a seasoned Clinical Reimbursement Manager with nearly 30 years of experience in long-term care and Minimum Data Set (MDS) operations. Known for her results-driven approach, she brings a strong blend of clinical expertise and strategic insight to optimize reimbursement outcomes and ensure regulatory compliance. Mary began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), building a solid clinical foundation. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Leadership and Nurse Education, further strengthening her ability to lead teams, develop processes, and educate staff across organizations. Throughout her career, Mary has been able to translate complex clinical and regulatory requirements into practical, actionable strategies. She is passionate about empowering teams with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed in an evolving healthcare landscape. Outside of her professional work, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, quilting, and participating in outdoor activities.

Anthony Robles

About the Presenter

Anthony Robles is a three-time all-American wrestler who won the 2010-11 NCAA individual wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class despite being born with only one leg. A graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Business Communication, he was also awarded the 2011 NCAA ?Best Wrestler of the National Tournament Award?. Robles is the recipient of the ?Jimmy V Perseverance Award? at the ESPN ESPYs and he has also received the NFL ?Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award?. Robles is a Nike athlete, the first signed to an agreement after having retired from active participation in a sport. He is currently ESPN's NCAA wrestling analyst and expert and is the wrestling analyst for the Pac-12 Network as well. He was inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012 and is the author of Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion. In 2013, President Obama appointed Robles as a member of the President?s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Additionally, Robles was a member of the Presidential Delegation to the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games. In 2015, the National Wrestling Media Associated awarded Robles with the "Broadcaster of the Year" award, and then he was inducted into Arizona's Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. Between 2018 - 2021, he became the Guinness World Record Holder for 3 different pull-up records. He was also inducted into ASU's Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. Anthony?s incredible story was chronicled in the acclaimed film based on his memoir, Unstoppable, produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck?s production company in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios. The film opened to wide acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival 2024 and was hailed as ?Nothing short of extraordinary? by Variety. Robles lives in Chandler, Arizona.

Joshua Aaronson

COO & Co-Founder | Panda Technology

About the Presenter

Joshua Aaronson is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Panda Technology, where he leads operations, service delivery, and customer success for a fast-growing managed services and technology firm. With over a decade of experience in MSP leadership, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, he specializes in designing scalable systems and secure environments that align with real business outcomes. Joshua has helped grow Panda from a startup into a trusted partner for organizations navigating modernization, compliance, and risk. He is known for blending technical depth with operational clarity, and for building high-performing teams around accountability, process, and people. His leadership is grounded in transparency, integrity, and a belief that technology should reduce anxiety, not create it. He brings a practical, systems-minded approach to growth and a clear focus on making security usable, not obstructive.

Sheryl Neelankavil

CEO | Gabby Health

About the Presenter

Dr. Sheryl Neelankavil is a physician executive, healthcare innovator, and AI advocate. With advanced medical degrees spanning MBBS, MD, and MS, she brings clinical excellence and deep patient care experience to every initiative she leads. As Founder/CEO of Gabby Health, she merges advanced technology with compassionate care. A patent holder for a remote blood transfusion process, MIT-certified in AI in Healthcare, and a recognized PALTC expert, she has spent her career on the front lines of medicine ? diagnosing, treating, and advocating for patients while simultaneously driving systemic change. Dr. Neelankavil is dedicated to transforming healthcare delivery and improving patient outcomes at every level.

Christina Devlin

VP of Therapy Services | Diamond Care Group

About the Presenter

NEED BIO

Jennifer Marx

Corporate Director of Clinical Quality and Compliance | Step-Up Rehab/Infinite Care

About the Presenter

Jennifer Marx has spent more than twenty years working in skilled nursing, shaping her career at the intersection of clinical care, regulatory requirements and quality improvement. As a speech language pathologist who later moved into compliance and operational oversight, she understands how clinicians navigate the realities of therapeutic practice while managing the growing expectations tied to documentation, ethics and organizational accountability. She is Certified in Healthcare Compliance, a credential that reflects advanced preparation in healthcare regulations, auditing processes, ethical decision making and organizational risk management. She is also a Resident Assessment Coordinator Certified professional, giving her a deep working knowledge of the Minimum Data Set system and the ways clinical decisions, coding and interdisciplinary communication influence reimbursement and care planning. In addition, she is a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Certified professional, a background that anchors her work in systems level analysis, root cause evaluation and long term quality development. She is also a Certified Alzheimer?s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, which strengthens her perspective on person-centered care in complex clinical environments. These qualifications reflect the breadth of her experience across both direct care and the regulatory structure that supports it.

Robin A. Bleier

President/CEO | RB Health Partners, Inc.

About the Presenter

Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC, has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which are 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.

David Slutzker

Consultant |

About the Presenter

Seasoned long term care operations professional spanning four decades including SNF, ALF, and home health care including single facility and multi-facility management from turn-around to new facility start-up.

Charlie Walsh

President/Chief Provocateur | HOPS International, LLC

About the Presenter

Seasoned organizational and leadership development expert with over 50 years of experience driving performance improvement in both private and public sectors. Recognized globally for designing competency-based leadership initiatives that advance governance and executive capability (e.g. leadership programs for emerging governments and diplomatic services. Proven ability to align training and OD programs with strategic goals, enhance service excellence, and build high-performing teams.

Alana Hanson-Williams

Managed Care Liaison | Managed Care Consultants of America

About the Presenter

Alana Hanson-Williams brings nearly 20 years of experience in skilled nursing and managed care, specializing in Medicare Advantage, payer navigation, and reimbursement strategy. She partners with SNF teams across Florida to provide education, streamline processes, and support revenue integrity through practical, real-world solutions.

Kim Smoak

Deputy Secretary | 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.

Shevaun Harris

Secretary | Agency for Health Care Administration

About the Presenter

Shevaun Harris was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) in February 2025. Previously, Secretary Harris worked at the Agency from 2005-2021 where she focused on the administration of the Florida Medicaid program, implementing sound policy and quality improvement efforts for millions of Floridians, and serving as lead negotiator for the multi-billion dollar procurement of the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program. Prior to returning to the Agency in 2025, she served more than four years as the Secretary of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Through implementation of key initiatives that promote prevention and resiliency, Florida experienced a decrease in opioid and suicide deaths; improvements in child welfare prevention efforts resulting in fewer youth in foster care and increases in adoptions; and expanded service options for those contending with substance use and mental health disorders. Secretary Harris is a champion for children and families, and her leadership is marked by a belief in accountability-driven systems, innovation, and continuous quality improvement.

Paul Minton

Head of Product | Matrixcare, Inc.

About the Presenter

Paul Mintonÿis theÿHead of Productÿat MatrixCare, a leading electronic health record platform serving post-acute care providers across skilled nursing, senior living, home health, and hospice. He leads product strategy and innovation focused on improving clinical workflows, operational efficiency, and patient outcomes across the post-acute continuum. A nurse with more than two decades of healthcare technology leadership, Paul holds multiple patents related to advancements in clinical documentation and has been at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to reduce clinician burden and improve care delivery. His work focuses on responsibly integrating AI into healthcare systems while maintaining strong clinical, operational, and regulatory safeguards

Allison Rainey

Head of Nursing and Clinical Informatics | MatrixCare, Inc.

About the Presenter

Allison Rainey, APRN, FNP?BC is the Head of Nursing and Clinical Informatics at MatrixCare, where she leads the intersection of regulatory compliance, clinical practice, and technology across post?acute and senior living care. With more than 20 years of experience in nursing leadership, regulatory compliance, and clinical informatics, Allison focuses on using technology to meet regulations in ways that actually make care delivery better, embedding compliance into workflows to reduce risk, support caregivers, and improve quality and operational performance.

Jen Bruning

Senior Director of Partner Education | Incite Strategic Partners, LLC

About the Presenter

Jen Bruning MS, RDN, LDN, serves as the Senior Director of Partner Education for Incite Strategic Partners, the exclusive group purchasing organization of FHCA. Jen has spent her dietetics career in food service, in both the corporate wellness and senior living sectors helping to shape the dining experience of clients around the country. She has previously held the positions of professor of nutrition at Columbia College Chicago, Wellness Director & Nutrition Strategist for large national food service providers, and both clinical and food service leadership roles in a skilled nursing environment. Jen has spent a decade serving as a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics and speaks nationally on dining and nutrition related topics for busy senior living professionals.

Clinton Slier

Life Safety Compliance Advisor | Integrity Life Safety Systems, LLC

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 life safety codes and standards.

Adam Lewis

General Manager, Talent & Workforce | Viventium

About the Presenter

Adam Lewis is the General Manager of Talent and Workforce Management at Viventium and previous CEO & Founder of Apploi. Adam has built a reputation as an energetic and passionate entrepreneur, a thought-leader, and innovator. Adam is a husband and father of five. He loves community & charity organizing, running, biking and fitness. Since 2022 he has raised over $120k for children affected by pediatric illness by participating in Bike4Chai, a 150-mile bike ride organized by Chai Lifeline.

Ashley Swanson

Registered Dietitian | Nutrition that Works, LLC

About the Presenter

Ashley Swanson, MPH, RDN, LDN, is a nationally recognized registered dietitian, spokesperson, and long-term care nutrition consultant. She is a trusted source with over 14 years of experience practicing as a long-term care dietitian. Ashley earned her Masters of Public Health and Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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.

Emmett Reed

Chief Executive Officer | Florida Health Care Association

About the Presenter

Emmett Reed, CAE, has served as CEO of FHCA since 2009, where he is also the appointed CEO of the Association?s advocacy partner, Our Florida Promise. Reed also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Affiliate of State Health Care Association Executives (ASHCAE) Board of Directors and is a member of the American Health Care Association?s national advocacy group, the Council for Post-Acute Care (CPAC).In 2022, Reed was recognized by Influence Magazine as an industry leader and one of the Most Influential People in Florida Politics and City & State Florida ranked him in the top 12 among Florida's Healthcare Power 100.

Toby Philpot

FHCA Lead Lobbyist | Floridian Partners

About the Presenter

Toby Philpot is with Floridian Partners and has served as the Florida Health Care Association's Chief Lobbyist since 2020. He is a health care policy expert and veteran political strategist. Prior to joining Florida Health Care Association, Philpot served for five years as Chief of Staff for the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), where he served under three AHCA secretaries. Additionally, Philpot is a former Chief of Staff at the Florida Lottery; a former Political Director for former Senate President Mike Haridopolos; and a former Deputy Legislative Affairs Director for the Florida Department of Transportation.

Alicia Cantinieri

Managing Director, Clinical Reimbursement and Regulatory Compliance | Zimmet Healthcare Services Group, LLC

About the Presenter

Alicia Cantinieri is the Managing Director, Clinical Reimbursement & Regulatory Compliance at Zimmet Healthcare Services Group, LLC, with the firm for over 16 years, and has 29 years of experience and expertise in long-term care. She has earned a Certification in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), the prestigious AAPACN Resident Assessment Coordinator-Master Teacher (RAC-MT) designation, Resident Assessment Coordinator Advanced (RAC-CTA), a QAPI Certified Professional (QCP), and a Director of Nursing (DNS-CT). She is a nationally recognized subject-matter expert and speaker in the long-term care arena, specializing in RAI and MDS processes, clinical reimbursement, and compliance.

Mayda Antun

Chief Medical Officer | Independent Living Systems

About the Presenter

Dr. Antun has nearly three decades of experience as a physician executive and clinical operations leader in local and national managed care companies and provider organizations. Prior to ILS, she served as Chief Clinical Officer at CareMax, where she led quality improvement, clinical pharmacy performance, and practice integration. During her employment with Humana, she was the clinical leader in the national strategy to engage primary care practices and build a culture of value-based care.

Thomas Swope

Executive Director, Hospice Care | Independent Living Systems

About the Presenter

Thomas Swope is an experienced healthcare leader with over 30 years in hospice and skilled nursing care. He has a strong background in healthcare consulting, palliative care, physician relations, and nonprofit organizations, with a proven ability to build and lead interdisciplinary teams. Thomas holds a Master?s degree in Social Work from The University of Akron and brings extensive expertise in integrating advance care planning and hospice services to support person-centered care in skilled nursing facilities.

Robin Allen

Chief Risk Officer | The Lilac Health Group

About the Presenter

Robin Allen received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Florida State University in Speech Pathology. Robin?s career has focused on post-acute care initially in Therapy Services. Robin then became a Healthcare Risk Manager and focused her efforts on proactive and response-driven Risk Management. Robin is the Chair of the FHCA Risk and Compliance Council. Robin is currently the Chief Risk Officer for The Lilac Health Group supporting a portfolio of SNFs and ALFs across Florida.

Robin A. Bleier

President/CEO | RB Health Partners, Inc.

About the Presenter

Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC, has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which are 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

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Julie Morris

NEED TITLE | NEED COMPANY

About the Presenter

Julie Morris is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with over 25 years of experience. With extensive knowledge in long term care and geriatric administration. She is highly qualified in regulations and operational functions in the long term care facility. Julie is an effective strong communicator with problem-solving skills. She is a dedicated advocate for our Seniors with a professional attitude and perspective. Julie has been a member of FHCA since 2005 starting at the District level and has increased her involvement with committees. Co-Chair and Chair of Annual Conference, Survey and Regulatory, Bylaws, Professional Development, Budget, and Workforce Committees. Julie previously was Region II VP until running for Secretary of the Executive Committee and currently serves as the President of the FHCA Board.ÿ

Eric Palm

Chief Growth Officer | Provider Partners

About the Presenter

Eric Palm is the Chief Growth Officer at Provider Partners, a leader in advancing tech-enabled value-based care within the long-term care (LTC) industry. With over 15 years of experience, Eric brings a profound understanding of long-term care and innovative healthcare solutions that support patient-centered, outcome-focused models. In his role, he works closely with providers and facilities to design and implement strategies aligned with value-based care goals, ensuring enhanced patient outcomes and improved operational efficiencies for partner organizations.

Keith Persinger

CEO | Provider Partners

About the Presenter

A respected leader in healthcare transformation, Keith Persinger brings nearly 30 years of executive experience driving operational, clinical, and financial strategy across acute and post-acute settings. As CEO of Provider Partners Connect Care, Keith leads one of the nation?s few value-based care organizations dedicated to long-term care, partnering with skilled nursing and assisted living facilities to succeed in High-Needs ACO REACH and other advanced care models. Prior to this role, Keith served as Chief Performance Improvement Officer for the University of Maryland Medical System and held executive positions including CFO and COO at the University of Maryland Medical Center. His work has consistently focused on delivering sustainable outcomes through collaborative, data-informed approaches. Keith is a frequent presenter at national conferences on value-based care and long-term care innovation. He holds both a bachelor?s degree and MBA from Loyola University Maryland.

Clif Porter

President and CEO | American Health Care Association /National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL)

About the Presenter

Clifton (Clif) Porter II is the President and CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing over 14,000 long-term care providers. With more than 35 years of experience in the field, he played a key role in securing critical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Porter began his career in 1989 as an administrator-in-training and later held senior roles at skilled nursing centers and HCR ManorCare. He has earned numerous awards, including the Industry Ally Award from McKnight?s Long-Term Care News and recognition on The Hill?s Top 100 Lobbyists list. Porter holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and co-founded the Porter Legacy Scholarship to support students in the College of Health Professions.

LaShuan Bethea

Executive Director | National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL)

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.

Chris Wright

Chairman | American Health Care Association (AHCA)

About the Presenter

Chris Wright is the current Chair of the American Health Care Association Board of Governors, having served previously as Vice Chair, Secretary-Treasurer and was a former president of the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities. He is the co-founder and current chairman of iCare Health Network and has nearly four decades of leadership in long-term and post-acute care. iCare manages 12 skilled nursing facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont and is known for providing a wide range of services including placement and care for resident with complex and challenging conditions and those underserved. In 2024, he received the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities' Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extensive contribution to advancing the industry and ensuring resident access to compassionate care.

Sebastian Terry

About the Presenter

Shocked by the death of a close friend in his mid-twenties, Sebastian experienced a moment in his life where he asked himself a simple question; ?Am I happy??. The answer was NO, and so he created a list of100 things that he hoped would bring him closer to a sense of happiness, if not purpose, in life. Abandoning the familiar, Seb has dedicated the past 16 years to pursuing and achieving his most audacious goals, not only transforming his own life, but along the way creating a ripple effect of positive change in others, too. From Marrying a Stranger in Vegas (Goal #2) and Delivering a Baby (#23), to Living on a Deserted Island for 1 week (#63) and Helping a Stranger (#26) by aiding a quadriplegic man to complete a half marathon by pushing him in his wheelchair, Seb?s story has been turned into a bestselling book, his own reality show and a powerful keynote which has seen him speak in all seven continents. Recognized for his unique approach in combining brilliant humor, piercing insight and real-time action, Seb?s compelling storytelling and interactive teaching style has inspired millions of individuals around the world to take action on their biggest personal and professional goals, linking passion and purpose with limitless imagination.

Lisa Honig Buksbaum

CEO & Founder | Soaringwords, Inc.

About the Presenter

As CEO & Founder of Soaringwords, Lisa has impacted the lives of 500,000+ people. When her family?s world imploded with three experiences with death and illness, Lisa felt she had become irrevocably damaged. Instead, she found her calling while walking along the beach during the height of her son?s illness, which led her to founding Soaringwords. Lisa is Past President, Health & Wellbeing division, International Positive Psychology Association. Author, SOARING into Strength. Keynote speaker, expert workshop facilitator; Podcast Host. Lisa graduated with honors from University of Pennsylvania; MBA Columbia University; Masters Applied Positive Psychology: University of Pennsylvania. Lisa lives in NYC and Miami Beach and gets her energy from swimming and connecting with people in meaningful ways.

Pari Deshmukh

Medical Director, CEO | Balanced Wellbeing, LLC

About the Presenter

Dr. Desh is a triple board-certified MD and award-winning psychiatrist with extensive training in psychotherapy. He has practiced in long-term care for more than 14 years, and his evidence and experience-based practices improve outcomes and patient care, with a positive impact on quality measures and star ratings.

Joy Herring

Corporate Director of Clinical Reimbursement | Avante Group, Inc.

About the Presenter

Joy Herring is a Post-Acute Care Nurse with over 25 years of experience in MDS, clinical reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and nursing informatics. She is committed to improving patient care quality and establishing an environment where policies, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement initiatives drive excellence in patient outcomes. Dr. Herring specializes in RAI process optimization, system analysis, and leveraging data analytics to improve clinical and financial outcomes. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership and her ability to transform complex data into actionable insights that support quality improvement and operational efficiency. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from Chamberlain University.

Rick Foley

Lead Director, Clinical Account Management | Omnicare

About the Presenter

Dr. Rick Foley is the lead director of clinical account management for Omnicare with over 30 years experience in the post-acute long term care market. He received his PharmD degree from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in 1999. He is board-certified in geriatrics and is a Fellow of ASCP. He was a clinical professor of Geriatrics at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy for eight years and served three terms on the Florida Medicaid P&T Committee. He served on the Board of Directors for the Florida Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (FMDA) from 2016 to 2021 and was the first pharmacist recipient of the FMDA Quality Champion award.

Joy Patel

Regional VP, Sales | ShiftKey

About the Presenter

Joy Patel is a Regional Vice President at ShiftKey, bringing years of clinical and executive leadership to the senior care landscape. A Respiratory Therapist, Joy?s hands-on clinical experience evolved into large-scale operational leadership, including serving as CEO for long-term acute care. This blend of frontline understanding and executive decision-making allows Joy to bridge clinical need with operational strategy. Joy now partners with facilities across the region to strengthen staffing models, enhance patient care, and elevate outcomes in the senior care environment.

Lorne Simmons

Senior Healthcare Manager | Forvis Mazars, LLP

About the Presenter

Lorne has 30 years of accounting experience in senior housing and health insurance. Lorne?s focus at Forvis Mazars is on reimbursement consulting, rate analyses, cost report preparation, FNHURS reporting, cost report audits, and appeals. Lorne also handles financial statement projections, prospective financial analyses for Florida licensure requirements, and Certificate of Need financial forecasts. He is a member of the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) reimbursement committee and legislative committee and a representative for Forvis Mazars as the financial and accounting consultant on the FHCA board of directors. Lorne has presented at numerous training sessions on Florida?s Medicaid reimbursement system at various district luncheons, board meetings, and other FHCA events.

Pamela King

HIE Policy and Analysis Administrator | Agency for Health Care Administration

About the Presenter

Pamela King, MBA, CPM, PMP is the Manager for Florida?s Health Information Exchange with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Pam has over 30 years of experience in the areas of health care administration and health information exchange. Her current focus is predominantly on strategic planning and adoption of technology within healthcare. She is responsible for administering the Agency?s Florida Health Information Exchange and other programs within the Florida Center for Health Information and Transparency

Jamie Harley

NEED TITLE | Agency for Health Care Administration

About the Presenter

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Allison Rainey

Head of Nursing and Clinical Informatics | MatrixCare, Inc.

About the Presenter

Allison Rainey, APRN, FNP?BC is the Head of Nursing and Clinical Informatics at MatrixCare, where she leads the intersection of regulatory compliance, clinical practice, and technology across post?acute and senior living care. With more than 20 years of experience in nursing leadership, regulatory compliance, and clinical informatics, Allison focuses on using technology to meet regulations in ways that actually make care delivery better, embedding compliance into workflows to reduce risk, support caregivers, and improve quality and operational performance.

Kim Warnecke

COO | The Why Factor, LLC

About the Presenter

With over two decades of leadership experience in the Skilled Nursing Facility sector, I bring a unique blend of expertise in both Operations?as a licensed Nursing Home Administrator?and Human Resources, supported by a master?s in Public Administration and a minor in HR. My career has included multiple HR leadership roles, culminating in my position as Chief People Officer at Gulf Coast Health Care. More recently, I?ve broadened my perspective through work in long-term care pharmacy, where I?ve seen firsthand how HR and Operations can collaborate to strengthen organizational culture and drive performance. This cross-disciplinary experience has deepened my commitment to building ethical, high-performing workplaces. Today, I?ve launched my own venture?The Why Factor, LLC?to share what I?ve learned, inspire others, and continue doing what I love: leading, motivating, and helping people grow.

Eli Kaplovitz

CEO | Aidace

About the Presenter

Eli is a seasoned Business Office Manager (BOM) who began his career at a local SNF, quickly earning recognition for his efficiency and problem-solving skills. He was promoted to Regional BOM in New Jersey, supporting multiple facilities and improving revenue and operations. Driven to empower BOMs, Eli founded Aidace, a platform built by BOMs for BOMs. He takes pride in its impact and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family in New Jersey.

John Vander Meer

Director of Regulatory Affairs | Carefeed

About the Presenter

John Vander Meer has more than 25 years of experience across journalism, government, association leadership, and post-acute care. He has served in leadership roles across the sector, including as President and CEO of the Wisconsin Health Care Association and the Wisconsin Center for Assisted Living, as an executive with a multi-facility skilled nursing and assisted living provider, and in several roles at Carefeed. In his current role, he focuses on helping organizations reduce regulatory and compliance burden through technology-enabled solutions. He holds a bachelor?s degree from Calvin University and a master?s degree in public affairs from the University of Wisconsin?Madison?s La Follette School of Public Affairs.

Christian Wilbeck

Director of Survey Services | Carefeed

About the Presenter

Christian Wilbeck is the Director of Survey Services at Carefeed, where he leads the development and implementation of survey programs that help healthcare organizations measure and improve experience and satisfaction outcomes. With more than 20 years of experience designing customer and employee experience programs, Christian has partnered with organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to healthcare systems to build data-driven feedback strategies. His background includes leadership roles at Medallia, Perceptyx, and IBM Kenexa. Christian brings deep expertise in survey design, analytics, and experience measurement programs, including regulatory healthcare surveys.

Susan St. John

Partner | Garfunkel Wild, P.C.

About the Presenter

Susan L. St. John is a partner at Garfunkel Wild based out of our Florida office. Having served as a health care financial consultant and Medicare Auditor before becoming a lawyer, Susan brings over 30 years of health care experience to clients on business planning, tax law, health care compliance, mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions and health care regulatory matters.

David Traskey

Partner | Garfunkel Wild, P.C.

About the Presenter

David is the co-head of the Washington, D.C. office of Garfunkel Wild, P.C., a nationally recognized law firm that specializes in meeting the business and legal needs of its clients in the health care industry. Previously, David was Senior Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. His practice focuses on fraud and abuse issues, including matters arising under the False Claims Act, the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and the Stark Law. He also counsels clients on health care reimbursement, risk mitigation and compliance strategies, investigations and audits, overpayments, and self-disclosures. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Shonda Taylor

Senior VP of Operations | Avante Group, Inc.

About the Presenter

Shonda M. Taylor, DBA, MBA, LNHA is a Senior Vice President of Operations and recognized turnaround leader in long-term care. She specializes in stabilizing underperforming facilities, pioneering innovative programming, and driving measurable improvements in quality, compliance, and financial performance, achieving multiple 5-star outcomes across her portfolio. Dr. Taylor is known for building high-performing teams and mentoring emerging leaders as a dedicated preceptor. She currently serves as an Adjunct Professor and facilitator with Cornell University and teaches at the University of Maryland, and has previously taught at LeTourneau University, University of Hawaii, and University of Phoenix. She holds a Doctorate of Business Administration with emphasis in Global Health Care Leadership & Management (2015), a Master of Business Administration with emphasis in Health Care Management/Leadership (2007), and a Bachelor of Health Administration (2006), and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Florida (formerly AZ, WA, LA, HI), a Certified Nursing Home Administrator (American College of Health Care Administrators), and a NAB Exam Writer. A passionate leader committed to transforming care delivery and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Joy Herring

Corporate Director of Clinical Reimbursement | Avante Group, Inc.

About the Presenter

Joy Herring is a Post-Acute Care Nurse with over 25 years of experience in MDS, clinical reimbursement, regulatory compliance, and nursing informatics. She is committed to improving patient care quality and establishing an environment where policies, regulatory compliance, and continuous quality improvement initiatives drive excellence in patient outcomes. Dr. Herring specializes in RAI process optimization, system analysis, and leveraging data analytics to improve clinical and financial outcomes. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership and her ability to transform complex data into actionable insights that support quality improvement and operational efficiency. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics from Chamberlain University.

Becky Hewitt

Healthcare Policy & Reimbursement Director | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

About the Presenter

Becky Hewitt started her career in the healthcare industry over 25 years ago and knows first-hand the important role that skilled nursing facilities, as well as ALF and other providers play in our nation?s healthcare system. Her passion to ensure that America?s most defenseless and frail population receive the healthcare services they need drives her dedication to change the narrative for this industry. As the Director of Healthcare Policy and Reimbursement, Becky collaborates with our clients and healthcare associations across the Southeast to assist in the development of healthcare strategies and to advocate for positive change to existing reimbursement policies. She actively seeks out innovative and effective solutions for Medicaid reimbursement and payment. She offers strategic, and practical guidance to these organizations, drawing from her experience in the healthcare and legal realms. Working closely with our HBS Government Affairs team and Aging Services attorneys and lobbyists, she effectively advocates for change and reform within the healthcare reimbursement sector. Since joining the firm in 2011, Becky has been instrumental in helping providers across the country with Medicaid eligibility and reimbursement, successfully recovering millions of dollars annually in revenue. Becky is widely acknowledged as a Medicaid expert within the long-term care industry across several states in the Southeast region. She conducts onsite audits and provides education to our clients on financial best practices and Medicaid policies to give providers the tools they need to improve their cash velocity that allows them to better serve those they care for.

Brittany Cone

Partner | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

About the Presenter

Brittany is experienced in the day-to-day operations issues faced by providers, ranging from Medicare and Medicaid matters, issues involving third-party payors, corporate and regulatory compliance matters, administrative hearings, and appeals. As denials and under-reimbursement become more prevalent from payors including Medicare Advantage Organizations and private insurance companies, Brittany often works with medical providers seeking reimbursement for or defending against the denial of claims submitted to various payers.

James Maskowitz

Partner | Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

About the Presenter

James ?JJ? Maskowitz is a Partner in our office in Tampa Bay, Florida, and he specializes in defending physicians, hospitals, and insurers in all aspects of aging services, medical malpractice, and general liability lawsuits. JJ 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 and arbitration panels as well as 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. A natural leader, JJ has overseen teams of associates and mentored attorneys who are at the beginning of their legal career. Before switching to private practice, JJ worked as an attorney in the Office of the Public Defender in the 6th Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Florida, where he tried more than 35 cases for serious violent felonies as well as misdemeanor drug charges. He also interned at two other public defender offices and served as a law clerk to pro bono attorneys for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. JJ earned a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida. He received a Pro-Bono Certificate and a Sports Law Certificate, participated in the National Mock Arbitration Competition, and won the Best Group Advocate award for trial practice twice. He also completed a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Pre-law at the University of Arizona at Tucson. He and his wife Brandi have two children, Ava and Jax.

Alfonso Ortega

CTO | The Moxie Health Group LLC

About the Presenter

Alfonso Ortega, Chief Technology Officer at MoxieLink, brings both clinical and operational expertise to the role. Trained as a Medical Doctor and licensed in the UK, he later spent three years in the U.S. healthcare system, gaining deep knowledge of medical operations and care coordination. This dual perspective shapes MoxieLink?s product philosophy, ensuring technology is designed for real-world challenges in Skilled Nursing Facilities. Under his leadership, the platform delivers intuitive tools that streamline operations, support staff, and improve patient care.

Nestor Banegas

COO | The Moxie Health Group LLC

About the Presenter

Nestor Banegas is the Chief Operating Officer at The Moxie Health Group. He is a medical doctor with clinical training in emergency medicine and a background spanning international healthcare systems. Over the past three years, he has developed expertise within the U.S. healthcare landscape, focusing on medical back-office operations and care coordination. As Director of Global Operations at Moxie Health Group, Dr. Banegas leads cross-functional teams and directs the implementation of streamlined workflows that enhance patient care delivery and operational efficiency across the organization?s care management services. He is currently pursuing a Master?s degree in Hospital Management, further advancing his proficiency in healthcare administration. This academic foundation strengthens his ability to align clinical insight with strategic operations in today?s complex healthcare environments.

Luisa Vega

CEO | Psych Health Associates

About the Presenter

Dr. Luisa Vega, DNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, was born in the Dominican Republic, and was raised in Puerto Rico. At age 18 she joined the U.S. military and served in the Army Reserves for eight years. Dr. Vega also worked for Verizon as a telecommunications Engineer in New York While working in the Verizon central office, she was directly exposed to the devastating events of 911 and its tragic aftermath. After working for six months in ground zero, she developed health conditions which propelled her to move to Florida to pursue a career in nursing. After completing her doctorate degree from Duke University, she became a geriatric nurse practitioner. She then attended Eastern Kentucky University where she obtained her post-master?s degree and became a psych certified mental health nurse practitioner. In 2020 she partnered with Spectrum Medical Partners and launched Psych Health Associates, a behavioral health group that provides quality and compassionate psychiatric care to residents residing in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities.

Joseph Reppucci

Project Manager, Lead Fire, Emergency Management, and Security Consultant | Jensen Hughes

About the Presenter

Joseph Reppucci, MSEM, CEM, is a Lead Fire, Security,ÿand Emergency Management Consultant at Jensen Hughes with over 26 years of experience in healthcare, public health, security, and emergency services. He has led large-scale preparedness initiatives, including statewide COVID-19 alternate care hospital operations and national-level response planning. Joe specializes in emergency preparedness, active threat programs, and complex incident response, bringing practical, real-world experience to help organizations strengthen resilience.

Gina Mancini

Director of Workforce Solutions | LeaderStat

About the Presenter

Gina Mancini is the Director of Workforce Solutions at LeaderStat with over a decade of experience in the long-term care industry. She has managed skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living communities, giving her a broad perspective on senior care operations. At LeaderStat, Gina leads the Workforce Solutions department, overseeing multiple programs that focus on agency management solutions, filling open positions with permanent staff, and delivering customized recruitment and hiring assessments to help senior living providers strengthen their staffing strategies.

Chad Bogar

Founder and Managing Partner | sb2

About the Presenter

Chad Bogar, J.D., is the Founder and Managing Partner of sb2, a firm focused almost exclusively on Medicaid/Medicare eligibility & reimbursement and related regulatory matters?representing long-term care providers, facilities, third-party fiscal agents, healthcare associations and related entities nationwide.

Landa Stricklin

Director of Clinical Reimbursement | Richter Healthcare Consultants

About the Presenter

Landa Stricklin takes her position as an educator seriously and is always eager to share the knowledge she has accumulated over the course of her 35+ 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. Having worked at both the facility and corporate level Landa has assisted facilities graduate from the Special Focus List with only 1 citation and through a Corporate Integrity Agreement. Having built the education for and implementation of the PDPM across 200 facilities she is prepared to assist you in meeting clinical and financial goals.

Jessica Hurley

Manager of Financial Consulting | Richter Healthcare Consultants

About the Presenter

Prior to joining Richter, Jessica dedicated a decade of her career to PointClickCare, a leading electronic health record (EHR) software provider specializing in solutions for long-term care and senior living communities. In her roles as a customer success manager and financial software consultant, she learned that the road to effective outcomes begins with strong relationships?not only with her clients but her internal project team. With a strong understanding of industry challenges and a deep appreciation of technology, she contributed to the development and enhancement of many system upgrades and new releases. She is passionate about helping her clients capitalize on system capabilities and optimize existing workflows so they can prioritize resident care. Jessica has also worked as an accounts receivable supervisor at a large senior care organization, where she was responsible for developing processes and implementing strategies to increase financial accuracy and reduce receivables.

A.C. Burke

Vice President of Healthcare Quality | RB Health Partners, Inc.

About the Presenter

A.C. Burke is the VP for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc. She is a nationally recognized infection prevention trainer and consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and best practices. She has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, is nationally board certified in infection control, and is a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control.

Stephen Brown

Vice President of Wellness Services | EnerG by Aegis Therapies

About the Presenter

Stephen is the VP of Wellness Services for Aegis Therapies EnerG which offers activities, wellness, and restorative programming for the senior population. Aegis Therapies specializes in rehabilitation, recovery care, and wellness services. Stephen holds certification in group fitness, and specialties in senior exercise & functional. With over 10 years in senior living he has provided services in a wide range of community settings including skilled nursing, independent and assisted living, outpatient clinics.

Emily Ridgely

National Director of Training and Customer Support, Wellness Services | Aegis Therapies

About the Presenter

Emily Ridgely is the National Director of Training and Customer Support for Aegis Therapies. She has an academic background in Kinesiology from the University of Arkansas and is a Certified Exercise Physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. She has eight years of activities, wellness, and restorative experience working with seniors in various care settings. Emily is driven by her passion for fitness and implementing creative initiatives for seniors throughout all stages of life.

Anne Sosiak

Registered Nurse Consultant | Agency for Health Care Administration

About the Presenter

Anne Sosiak has worked at the Agency for Health Care Administration for 15 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.

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 the 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 in their pursuit of providing high-quality, person-centered care. Additionally, Deborah is the key liaison with the executive and legislative branches, and state and federal health care agencies on long term care survey and regulatory issues.

Clinton Slier

Life Safety Compliance Advisor | Integrity Life Safety Systems, LLC

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 life safety codes and standards.

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 became a Registered Nurse. She received her Master 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 Chair of the Senior Clinicians Council for 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 work 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.

Julie Ann Kemman

President/CEO | Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc.

About the Presenter

Julie has over 34 years of experience working within the long-term care and post-acute profession. Julie holds a bachelor?s in business administration and is also a Certified Professional Compliance Officer. Julie started her career in the skilled nursing facility business office with HCR ManorCare and has held operational, regional, and divisional financial positions. Julie is currently the President/CEO of Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc. dba HCPCS, Inc which is a firm that began in 2003. Under Julie?s direction, HCPCS provides a vast array of business systems and financial operation services to acute, post-acute, long-term care, and professional providers. Knowledge base spans the full spectrum of contracting, managed care, reimbursement, revenue cycle management, compliance, coding, billing, denial management, training, and operations and Julie has a passion for the profession and to make a difference.

Vernon Zeger

Vice President of Operations | The Lilac Health Group

About the Presenter

Vern Zeger has been in long term care as a leader since 1997. He has led teams to receive Baldrige Quality awards, five-star ratings and small business of the year for the community. Vern is a member of the Survey and Regulatory Committee and has been actively engaged in FHCA as a board member, VP of multiple facilities, and other committees as needed. Vern has impacted many nursing home administrators as a mentor and preceptor.

Cary Smith

President | Orion Post-Acute Care Consultants

About the Presenter

Cary Smith is a healthcare operations leader and consultant specializing in post-acute care and care transitions. With over 20 years of experience, including executive leadership as a COO and current advisory work in healthcare consulting, she partners with skilled nursing providers and hospitals to improve outcomes, reduce readmissions, and optimize performance. Cary is known for translating strategy into practical, sustainable operational results across the care continuum.

Susan Anderson

Director of Regulatory Affairs | Florida Health Care Association

About the Presenter

Susan Anderson currently serves as the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the 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 senior housing and in developing public policy positions and advising on regulatory compliance. Ms. Anderson is an active member of the Florida Bar.