February 16-19, 2021 A Virtual Experience - Washington ...
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February 16-19, 2021 A Virtual Experience
We welcome you to the 2021 WHCA Winter CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS
Conference, Together We Will. Join us from Skilled Nursing (SNF) provider attendees of the
anywhere February 16-19, 2021, for extraordinary WHCA Winter Conference Together We Will
education topics during this virtual conference can earn up to 28 continuing education units
experience. (CEUs) over the course of the entire series, and
Assisted Living (AL) provider attendees can
REGISTRATION INFORMATION earn up to 20 CEUs. The CEU code will be sent
There are two registration options for providers: to the email entered in the online registration
Individual Registration form. It is the responsibility of the virtual series
$149 per person attendee to keep track of which classes they
This registration option allows an individual to attend.
register. This series is approved for CEUs for assisted living
Per-Facility Registration and skilled nursing professionals who participate in
$499 per facility the live sessions or who complete the recorded
webinars through April 19, 2021. Each session with
This registration option allows a facility to have as
an asterisk (*) next to it is DSHS approved for AL
many individuals from the same facility (or from CEUs. All sessions are approved for SNF CEUs.
the same corporate office) for one low price. Once
registered as a facility or corporate entity, the
initial registrant will receive a priority code so they SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
can register individuals at later dates if more
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
individuals wish to participate. Please note, only
1:00 PM Legislative Update
individuals who are registered from a facility will
receive CEUs. 2:00 PM KEYNOTE*
CANCELLATION POLICY 3:30 PM General Session*
All cancellations received in writing on or before Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Monday, February 9, 2021, are subject to a $25 per 9:00 AM Assisted Living Session*
person cancellation fee. There will be no refund for Skilled Nursing Session
cancellations after February 9, 2021.
1:00 PM General Sessions*
3:00 PM Assisted Living Session*
Skilled Nursing Session
Thursday, February 18, 2021
9:00 AM Assisted Living Session*
Skilled Nursing Session
1:00 PM General Sessions*
3:00 PM Assisted Living Session*
Skilled Nursing Session
Friday, February 19, 2021
9:00 AM Assisted Living Session*
Skilled Nursing Session
1:00 PM General Sessions*
3:00 PM Assisted Living Session*
Register Here!
Skilled Nursing Session
Charter Construction Mercury Pharmacy Services, Inc.
Consonus Healthcare Performance Systems Integration
Consulting Resources Corporation
Cunningham Elite Staffing Select Rehabilitation, Inc.
Harmony Healthcare International Sound Telemedicine
Medline The Partners Group
Vikor Scientific
WHCA would like to thank the following organizations for supporting the WHCA Virtual
Winter Conference by sponsoring the event itself!
WHCA would like to thank the following organizations
for supporting the WHCA Virtual Winter Conference by
sponsoring an educational session and providing Conference App
quality content.
2021 WHCA Virtual Winter Cnference
The WHCA Winter Conference App is you one-stop
lcoation for all conference details. Schedule of
events, attendess, business partners, virutal
meetings, and more! Be sure to type
winter2021.whca.org in your search bar to access
this wonderful tool!
Special thank you to ARRIS Healthcare, our Winter
Conference App Sponsor!Educational Sessions
The WHCA Together We Will Virtual Winter Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Conference educational sessions are designated
into three tracks and are marked so you know the 9:00 – 10:30 AM
intended audience for each. Regulatory Trends and Updates in Assisted Living
Vicki McNealley, WHCA Director of Assisted Living
Skilled Nursing During this session, Vicki McNealley, WHCA’s Director of
Assisted Living Assisted Living, will share insight on current regulatory
General Audience requirements and the regulatory trends in assisted
living as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Participants
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 will learn about regulations regarding reopening,
current and projected inspection (survey) activity, the
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
vaccine rollout, repealed regulations, and the new
WHCA 2021 Legislative Update regulations and requirements in place as assisted living
Robin Dale, CEO | Lauri St. Ours, Executive VP for providers respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic
Governmental Relations | Paul Raines, Associate and public health emergency. Participants will have the
Director for Governmental Relations | Jeff Gombosky, opportunity to ask questions to get clarification on the
Lobbyist current requirements.
The next three months of Washington’s legislative
session are critical to both assisted living and skilled
Regulatory Trends and Updates in Skilled Nursing
nursing providers. During this opening session of the Elena Madrid, WHCA Executive Vice President for
WHCA Winter Conference, WHCA’s legislative and Regulatory Affairs
governmental affairs team will provide insight on the During this session, Elena Madrid, WHCA’s Executive
priorities of the upcoming session, the ways in which Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, will share insight
providers can engage in advocacy and outreach to on current regulatory requirements and the regulatory
legislators, and the work WHCA is doing on behalf of trends in skilled nursing as the COVID-19 pandemic
providers to attain optimal public policy and funding for continues. Participants will learn about current CMS
assisted living and skilled nursing providers. requirements, regulations regarding reopening, current
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM and anticipated survey activity, the vaccine rollout,
The Companionship Culture: Resident/Caregiver repealed regulations, and the new regulations and
Engagement through Life Stories requirements in place as skilled nursing providers
Jerald Cosey respond to the COVID-19 global pandemic and public
With demanding responsibilities in the areas of health emergency. Participants will have the
operations, staff development, and regulatory opportunity to ask questions to get clarification on the
compliance, today’s operational and clinical leaders current requirements.
navigate “white flag” moments daily. Those moments
that makes us want to give up. The COVID-19 pandemic 1:00 – 2:30 PM
has taken its tolls on healthcare providers as well as FINDING New “Together We Can” Team Members
residents as the impacts of isolation and ongoing Lou Ann Brubaker
scrutiny by governmental agencies and the general Over the past several months, long term care providers
public continue. During this opening keynote session, have battled the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to
Jerald Cosey, a long term care administrator, will share staffing challenges they already faced. As the pandemic
powerful stories to demonstrate the relevance of the goes on, providers face even more complications
work being done each day and how your own stories regarding staffing. During this session, participants will
can help mitigate the risks associated with long term learn how to address the barriers that prevent people
isolation and physical separation. This motivational from applying for a job including making it more difficult
message will inspire all long term care professionals, than it should be, focusing on the wrong items in the
honor the work they are doing, and help uncover outreach message, ignoring low-hanging fruit, and
strategies to improve engagement through intentional making sure to make a good impression from the get-
relationships between residents and staff. Join us as we go. As well, the presenter will share insight on how to
help reignite your calling to serve humankind as a senior create a desire for individuals to join your team even
care professional. before they arrive for an interview by demonstratinghow to create a compelling argument for your facility, cleaning program, and will help you get to know the
how to address COVID-19, and describing how your biggest bacteria offenders so you can ensure your
facility functions during times of crises. Finally, kitchen and dining facilities are free of bacteria and
participants will learn what questions to ask to learn if a danger to staff and residents.
potential candidate will be a great addition to their
team. Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh, What a Provider Relief It Is
Bill Ulrich, President & CEO of Consolidated Billing
Helping Residents and Families Look Ahead: Services, Inc.
Advance Care Planning and POLST The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Sharmon Figenshaw | Tamara Steffen worked quickly at the beginning of the COVID-19
People enter long term care realizing that it will likely be pandemic to issue funding to healthcare providers
their “last home”. This realization is often accompanied across the nation. Part of the funding package was
by a fear for the loss of autonomy, dignity, and self- allocated to skilled nursing centers to help them
representation. The somewhat daunting transition to respond to COVID-19 and continuing providing quality
one’s “last home” would ideally include offering a care for their residents. Nursing homes received
facilitated advance care planning conversation that multiple distributions beginning on April 10, 2020, and
would provide an opportunity to plan and articulate continuing into 2021. During this session, Bill Ulrich,
one’s future health care goals and wishes along with President and CEO of Consolidated Billing Services, Inc.,
thoughtful identification and communication with one’s will provide insight on the Provider Relief Funds skilled
health care agent. During this session, participants will nursing centers have received, the expectation around
learn skills to open up these conversations empowering accounting and recordkeeping for the funds, and what
individuals to consider the essential components for to expect as we move forward with regard to funds
their quality of life, to make important choices about received via the Provider Relief Fund distributions.
how medical decisions will be made, and to name who Learn how Provider Relief Funds may impact cost
they choose to speak on their behalf if they are, or reporting, accounting, allocation, and other
become, unable to speak for themselves. As well, the government-provided funding mechanisms like the
presenter will review available documents including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Sponsored by
new/revised Washington advance care planning Consolidated Billing Service, Inc., a WHCA Associate
documents from the Honoring Choices Pacific Business Partner.
Northwest Advance Directive. Participants will also see
the new (proposed at this time) version of the POLST
and review some basic tips for discussing POLST with
Thursday, February 18, 2021
residents and families. Participants will be given the 9 – 10:30 AM
opportunity to identify and address key challenges in Wellness During the Pandemic and Beyond
creating system change as well as approaching Elizabeth Allen, Tacoma Pierce County Health
individuals with difficult and critical conversations. Department Behavioral Health Policy Coordinator
Dialogue will be encouraged to collaborate and create COVID-19 has upended our daily routines, our future
solutions for common problems, as well as the plans, and our lifestyles. As long term care providers,
opportunity to access statewide resources and teams to there are daily challenges both at work and at home.
support their work. Sponsored by Honoring Choices During this time, it is of utmost importance that
Pacific NW. caregivers at every level need to be mindful of self-care
so they can continue caring for the residents they serve.
3:00 – 4:30 PM During this session, participants will learn some ways to
To Clean or Not to Clean – That is NOT the Question manage stress, sleep, physical activity, eating well, and
Reynold Landry more to take care of you right now. One of the most
Join us for an enlightening presentation on what can be outstanding things long term care professionals are
lurking in your kitchen if staff is not effectively cleaning doing right now is showing up. This session is critical to
and sanitizing work and prep areas. Participants will all long term care professionals as it supports wellness
learn to identify key hotspots where bacteria can fester through self-care enabling you to continue showing up
as well as tips and principles to effectively create a to care for the residents you serve.
culture of cleaning and sanitizing that will take the
worry out of the daily routine. The presenter will share
examples of improper cleaning and sanitation, why it is
better to create a culture of cleaning rather than a Best Practices in COVID-19 Response in Skilled 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Nursing Infection Control, Infection Prevention – Is Your
Nancy Butner | Linda Emmett | Lisa Stubenrauch | Foundation on a Solid Rock or Floating Down River?
Elena Madrid, Moderator Laurie Johnsen, RN, CRNI, FCN; Jesse Kinsey, BS, RN,
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nurse Consultant
Washington making us Ground Zero for the virus here in In this session, the presenters will review general
the United States, long term care providers have rallied Infection Control elements, what Infection Prevention
to the challenging nature of this public health looks like today, common errors of infection control and
emergency. During this session, we have invited three prevention measures along with resources available to
providers to give insight on the best practices and correct those errors and educate moving forward.
response methodologies they have seen, utilized, and Sponsored by PropacPayless/PharMerica
developed throughout the many months of battling the
virus. As time passes, we learn more, discover more, COVID-19 and Infection Control
and better understand how to adequately respond and Kris Mastrangelo, President & CEO, Harmony Healthcare
manage this public health emergency. Learn from your International
colleagues and discover the ways others are This session will address current information on
overcoming the challenges of COVID-19 to keep infection prevention and control programs (IPCP)
residents, staff, and the greater community safe. leveraging best practices from those who have faced
the challenge of infection control with the COVID-19
1:00 – 2:30 PM pandemic. It provides the knowledge you need to have
Together We Can Face Workforce Challenges for an active functioning IPCP and to create policies and
Lauri St. Ours, WHCA Executive Vice President for procedures that meet regulatory requirements.
Governmental Relations | Paula Meyer, MSN, RN, FRE, Attendees will review infection prevention and control
Executive Director, Nursing Care Quality Assurance principles and gain information and tools to assist in
Commission | Vicki McNealley, WHCA Director of avoiding citations from a Focus Infection Control
Assisted Living Survey. Sponsored by Harmony Healthcare
The pandemic has exacerbated staffing challenges for International, a WHCA Associate Business Partner.
long term care providers who have struggled with
getting workers trained, licensed and/or certified in the
state of Washington. This session will update providers
Friday, February 19, 2021
about workforce policy issues of greatest interest to 9:00 – 10:30 AM
providers, including legislative initiatives related to LTC Best Practices in COVID-19 Response in Assisted
staffing, long term care staffing waivers, nurse licensing Living
challenges and barriers, and programs and initiatives Dr. Albert Munanga, Era Living | Wendy Gardner,
designed to support the LTC workforce. Merrill Gardens | Vicki McNealley, Moderator
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in
KEEPING “Together We Can” Team Members Washington making us Ground Zero for the virus here in
Lou Ann Brubaker the United States, long term care providers have rallied
As providers work to ensure the safety of their residents to the challenging nature of this public health
and staff, it is of utmost importance to have good team emergency. During this session, we have invited
members committed to your organization. During this providers to give insight on the best practices and
session, participants will learn how to keep outstanding response methodologies they have seen, utilized, and
team members. The work to keep individuals begins as developed throughout the many months of battling the
you prepare them for their first day and engage in the virus. As time passes, we learn more, discover more,
onboarding process. Learn the importance of keeping and better understand how to adequately respond and
things interesting and how to make new hire success a manage this public health emergency. Learn from your
team activity. Participants will also learn why exit colleagues and discover the ways others are
interviews are done at the wrong time and the two overcoming the challenges of COVID-19 to keep
activities every human resources director or team residents, staff, and the greater community safe.
should make sure happens each year. Finally, the
presenter will share the major drivers of why individuals
decide to leave and reveal the things that help you earn
staff trust. Common Dermatology Problems in the Aging patients that might benefit from decreased risk for
Resident hospitalization due to COVID-19, candidates for
Ryan Dirks, CEO, United Wound Healing administration, and benefits vs. risks. Finally, this
There is more that can go wrong with your resident’s session will help identify COVID-19 impact on
skin than a wound or ulcer. Thirty percent of long term medication optimization. Your pharmacy partners are
care residents have dermatological conditions that here to help guide through this stage of the pandemic
cause discomfort and can be successfully treated by a and lead us all on the road to recovery. Sponsored by
specialist. In this session, you will learn how to identify Consonus Healthcare, WHCA Affinity Partner.
common skin conditions that often go untreated in the
aging population. These conditions include rashes, 3:00 – 4:30 PM
MASD, allergic reactions, and benign as well as It’s About Time to Gain Control of Your Time
malignant skin lesions. Sponsored by United Wound Martha Bryan
Healing, a WHCA Associate Business Partner. The ability to control your time is one of the most
powerful skills you can ever develop. This program is
1:00 – 2:30 PM designed on the premise that “it is not lack of time but
Risk Management in a Pandemic: It is the Same but lack of direction.” It focuses on first being effective and
Different then becoming efficient. It emphasizes time as an
Carin Marney, Lane Powell | Deanna Winchester, Propel important investment and how that investment can be
Insurance made more efficient in small ways. It will help identify
The wise saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a major time robbers, establish goals and priorities to
pound of cure, and nothing could be truer when it manage time more effectively, and modify behavior
comes to risk management in long term care. patterns to improve time use. The goal of the program
Organizations do all they can to mitigate the risk of is to have participants leave the program feeling and
damage, both physical and conceptual, by ensuring being in greater control over their work and life.
proper policies and procedures are in place, employees
are trained and provided all the information they need PDPM: Case Studies and Tools for Success
to perform to standards, and proper infrastructure Kris Mastrangelo, President & CEO, Harmony Healthcare
exists to support risk management practices as well as International
responses to disaster if it occurs. During this session, a Amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic, the skilled
team of legal and insurance experts will provide insight nursing profession still needs to navigate through the
on the elements of good risk management and how infant stages of the recently implemented PPS PDPM
your strategies must adapt to accommodate a disaster reimbursement system. Harmony Healthcare
like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Participants will International (HHI) highlights tools, strategies and
learn about the key elements of risk management systems that help the healthcare professional better
particular to policy and procedure, insurance, staffing, understand the PDPM system. This session uses case
employee performance, public relations/crisis studies to depict how accurate coding directly impacts
communications, and more. Sponsored by Lane Powell care planning and reimbursement in the areas of
and Propel Insurance, both WHCA Affinity Partners. COVID-19 Isolation, Infectious Diseases, Diagnoses
Coding, IPA versus 5-Day, Function Scoring, Cognitive
Road to Recovery - The COVID-19 Vaccine Scoring, HIPPS Codes, ICD-10 Codes, depression,
Eric Lintner, Consonus Pharmacy tracheostomy, I.V. Fluids, I.V. Meds, and other clinical
The senior care industry has been tested in components for the Medicare Part A patient
unimaginable ways by the pandemic. The good news is, population. Sponsored by Harmony Healthcare
there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the International, a WHCA Associate Business Partner.
development of a COVID-19 vaccine. This feat of science
brings us hope on the road to recovery. A pharmacist’s
role is to provide unbiased and evidence-based
education to patients about the risks and benefits of
medications. That includes vaccines. In this session,
you’ll hear first-hand from a pharmacist about the
COVID-19 vaccine landscape, including roles in ongoing
monitoring of vaccine safety and public and healthcare
confidence in their safety. In addition, this session will
review monoclonal antibodies for LTC use, includingConference range of experiences -- working with Owners, CEOs,
Presidents, Directors, Managers, Technicians, Skilled
Trades as well as Line Staff. Fascinated by what makes
Presenters
some individuals strive to be the very best, Martha has
Elizabeth Allen is the Tacoma Pierce County Health devoted her life to studying peak performers. She is a
Department’s Behavioral Health Policy highly effective organization consultant and dynamic
Coordinator. She has been supporting children, youth public speaker who is recognized for her informative,
and families in the Puget Sound area for over 20 down-to-earth, and entertaining keynote presentations
years. Elizabeth’s work includes leading the health and workshops on motivation, personal effectiveness,
department’s ACEs and Resiliency Team, perinatal leadership, customer service, and change management.
mental health, school based health center workgroup, Her programs on implementing quality, excellence,
Tacoma Ministerial Alliance’s behavioral health leadership, vision and strategy, self-esteem and success
committee, Opioid Task Force, Social Emotional psychology bring about immediate changes and long -
Learning workgroup, and supporting the county’s term results. She gives such practical ideas, methods,
behavioral health tax. Elizabeth is passionate about tips and techniques that participants emerge excited,
health equity and access to quality care for all. enthusiastic and eager to apply her ideas in their work
She is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor and and personal lives. You will enjoy spending time with
has degrees from The Ohio State University as well as her!
the University of Missouri. Elizabeth is mom to two
great teens and wife of a combat veteran. Jerald Cosey is a senior healthcare leader and
professional speaker. He currently serves as executive
Lou Ann Brubaker For over 32 years Lou Ann Brubaker director of Greenwood Meadows, a skilled nursing
has helped senior care organizations enhance their facility operated by American Senior Communities. His
occupancy/mix, staff recruitment/retention, supervisory facility earned the 2019 American Health Care
skill, and customer service success. Her clients include Association Silver Quality Award. In addition to his
providers along the entire continuum of post-acute skilled nursing facility role, Jerald is the Operational
care. Lou Ann presents frequently to national, state and Leadership Development Director for American Senior
regional senior care associations and works with Communities. In this position, he is responsible for
provider teams at the facility level. She is Past- development of operational leadership for over 90
Chair/Trustee of The Beacon Institute, the former skilled nursing and assisted living communities in
educational subsidiary of Maryland’s Leading Age Indiana and Kentucky. This role complements Jerald’s
affiliate. Lou Ann Brubaker’s diverse professional desire to advance senior health care as an industry
experience ranges from administration of a senior across the globe. Jerald began his professional career in
citizen utility assistance program, the transitioning of an sales, joining Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in 1996. He quickly
in-house advertising agency to a revenue-generating advanced to the leadership role of district sales
division and the management of more than 35 satellite manager, a position he held for over 15 years. He
operations and 500 sales representatives within a worked in this industry at various companies before
services organization. Just prior to founding her own transitioning to the senior care profession in 2013.
company, she directed the North American marketing Jerald is founder of Graceful Moments, an outreach
for an organization that in three years grew to become ministry focused on reducing isolation among seniors.
the world’s largest provider of online medical, scientific This ministry began at an American Senior Communities
and technical information. facility, with Jerald visiting two men every week to
shoot the breeze and enjoy each other’s company. This
Martha Bryan is a management consultant, author, ministry expanded to volunteers from his church, Grace
speaker, and seminar leader who speaks nationally and Church in Indianapolis. The volunteers made monthly
internationally regarding the development of human visits to love on seniors. This outreach kindled a desire
potential and personal excellence. With an education in Jerald to serve others professionally and in 2013, he
background in teaching, she has taught at both high resigned from an 18-year pharmaceutical sales career to
school and college levels and has held positions in both become an Administrator-in-Training. Jerald considers
government and private industry. Her work career himself a professional servant and is a patient advocate
expands from farm laborer and cafeteria helper to for people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
positions in staff support, sales, training and personnel He is committed to advancing senior care as a speaker
administration. After 20 years in public sector and senior health facility operator.
administration, Martha resigned to start her own
consulting and public speaking firm. She has a wideRyan Dirks, CEO of United Wound Healing, became Jesse Kinsey, BS, RN, Nurse Consultant In her role with
interested in caring for patients as a Physician Assistant PropacPayless, a Pharmerica Company, Jesse serves as a
with the goal of extending the hands of physicians and Long Term Care Nurse Consultant for customers
providing care in under-served areas. His passion for throughout the Big Sky State of Montana as well as
sports as an NCAA athlete and Olympic hopeful made Wyoming. With over 10 years of experience in Long
sports medicine a natural fit. In 2011, Ryan was Term Care Pharmacy services in depths of Infusion
introduced to skilled nursing wound care and felt a Therapy Instruction, Compliance, Education, Quality
unique calling to provide specialty care in an often Assurance, MDS, Director of Nursing and Correctional
under-served area. Today Ryan is the CEO of United Medicine, her experience and expertise continue to be
Wound Healing, a mobile provider of wound care. His an asset to the customer base. Jesse is an advocate for
dedication to helping patients heal their wounds, along quality, safety and support for the elders by means of a
with his commitment to providing wound care community based approach and involvement.
education and support to clinical providers, is second to Identifying and connecting needs with resources is an
none. ongoing mission. When not serving the community in
which she lives, the Montana native can be found with
Sharmon Figenshaw, RN, MN, ARNP, ACHPN-BC, is a her family exploring and enjoying the backcountry and
Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner working with families backroads of the Big Sky.
facing end-of-life transitions for over 30 years. She is
active in end-of-life community education and outreach, Reynold Landry is an independent consultant and
including state and nation-wide projects on advance owner of Advanced Dietary Consulting Service of Kaplan
directives and end-of-life choices. She has served as co- Louisiana. Over the past 30 plus years Reynold Landry
chair for the Washington POLST task force since its has worn many hats, like Executive Chef, Executive
inception in the state in 2001. She continues to work as Pastry Chef, Corporate Chef, CDM, Corporate CDM/Chef
a nurse practitioner in palliative care and hospice in her and now National Speaker and consultant. Chef
community. Like Tamara, she is now a consultant for Landry’s focus is on increasing resident and patient
Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest (HCPNW) where satisfaction through restaurant style dining,
she is working in the arena of POLST and Serious Illness individualized centered care and regulatory compliance.
Communication, training medical team members to Chef Landry brings a new twist to the speaking circuit
discuss serious illness, to listen for the individual’s story, where he incorporates personal stories and practical
and to align care with the values and wishes of knowledge in his presentations that listeners can relate
individuals along their health care journey. to and learn from.
Laurie Johnsen, RN, CRNI, FCN has been working in long Eric Lintner, BS, RPh, doesn’t know if his career path
term care since 1993 in a variety of roles, including DNS was luck or destiny, but he’s glad it happened the way it
which contributes to the consultant knowledge and the did. He started college as a biochemistry major, but
ever changing world of regulations. As a pharmacy changed his mind when he just happened to make some
nurse consultant with PropacPayless, a Pharmerica friends who were on their way to pharmacy school.
company, her ability to work with skilled and assisted Before becoming the Clinical Projects Director of
living facilities alongside nurses throughout multiple Pharmacy for Consonus Healthcare in Oregon, Eric
states has brought about a reputation of knowledge, served as the General Manager and was responsible for
skills and partnerships. In her role, Laurie has been day-to-day operations and department management.
involved in many aspects of consulting in regards to He conducts frequent customer business reviews to
compliance within regulatory agencies such as Board of help them identify money-saving opportunities. With
Nursing, Board of Pharmacy, CMS and more. In patient safety as his top priority, he’s implemented
addition, Laurie is actively involved with Educational robotic packing technology to improve efficiency and
program development, Quality Assurance, an IV Nurse accuracy, and has been involved in spearheading
Educator, policy and procedures, with coaching and Consonus’ adoption of electronic medical records ahead
educating as a targeted focus. Amongst patient safety of most competitors. After graduating with a Bachelor
and advocacy, Laurie enjoys empowering nurses with of Science in Pharmacy from Oregon State University,
confidence and improving skills while consulting on Eric worked in retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy
system development. In her spare time, she enjoys management, IV program creation and as a consultant
spending it with her family and traveling. pharmacist. He’s also an accomplished entrepreneur
who created both retail and long-term care pharmacy
companies before joining Consonus in 2004. Speaking
engagements find him discussing topics like managingpharmacy costs, coping with regulatory changes, resolving and avoiding licensing disputes, survey
enhancing patient safety and the benefits of electronic enforcement actions including civil money penalties
medical records. He serves on the board of the Oregon (CMPs), Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and
State Pharmacy Association, and is a member of the administrative appeals, compliance programs, transfers
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and other and discharges, risk management, and disciplinary
professional organizations. Eric and his veterinarian wife actions.
of 28 years have three children, two cows and seven
horses, including two ponies and a miniature mule. He Kris Mastrangelo, OTR/L, LNHA, MBA, is a nationally
enjoys water and snow skiing, scuba diving and has just recognized keynote speaker with more than 24 years of
taken up adventure motorcycle riding. He’s an active experience in the Health Care industry with a specialty
volunteer at his church, and has done short-term in the Post-Acute Care Arena. An Occupational
mission work in Guatemala. Therapist degree from Tufts University followed by a
Master's in Business Administration from Salem State
Elena Madrid, RN, BSN, is the Executive Vice President University coupled with a Nursing Home Administrator's
for Regulatory Affairs for Washington Health Care License, affords Kris an in-depth perspective into the
Association (WHCA). She supports WHCA members by clinical, financial, and operational components critical
providing answers and insight to regulatory questions for business success. Initially providing direct care as an
and expectations. Elena’s long and focused background Occupational Therapist, Kris became familiar with the
in survey and enforcement as a surveyor and field Medicare, Medicaid and HMO reimbursement systems.
manager for DSHS provide her with extensive Her position evolved into the facility level and multi-
knowledge and insight on regulatory compliance, the facility management of Rehabilitation Programs to Vice
survey process, and policies and procedures. Elena also President of Operations for a national consulting
provides support, resources, and training regarding company to Vice President of Reimbursement. Kris
quality. As staff liaison for the Skilled Nursing Quality currently owns and operates Harmony Healthcare
and Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Elena International (HHI) which she founded in 2001.
works with members to promote quality care and
services at every level. At DSHS Residential Care Vicki McNealley, PhD, MN, RN, is the Director of
Services where she was a field manager with oversight Assisted Living for the Washington Health Care
of assisted living and skilled nursing communities, Elena Association (WHCA). Vicki is directly responsible for
was responsible for the supervision of licensors, supporting WHCA member assisted living providers
surveyors, and complaint investigators for assisted through regulatory clarification, nurse consultation,
living communities, skilled nursing facilities, and adult facility system evaluation, advocacy, and education.
family homes in eastern Washington. Elena has also Vicki is responsible for developing and implementing
worked as a director of nursing in both assisted living WHCA programs to support providers in these areas. As
and skilled nursing. She is a registered nurse and brings staff liaison for the Assisted Living Quality and
a wealth of knowledge regarding long term care Regulatory Executive Advisory Committee, Vicki works
requirements and the regulatory issues affecting long with members to promote quality care and services at
term care providers. every level. Vicki spent ten years as the assisted living
director for WHCA prior to serving as the Corporate
Carin Marney represents health care and long term Director of Regulatory Compliance for Village Concepts
care providers in regulatory and litigation matters. She for over six years. She has extensive experience as a
has extensive experience advising clients in this highly teacher, consultant and provider, and has been involved
regulated industry on compliance and helping them in assisted living operations and policy work since 1999.
resolve disputes, both in and outside of court. Carin Vicki has served as a national award reviewer for the
serves as the Co-Chair of Lane Powell’s Senior Living and American Health Care Association and worked closely
Long Term Care Team. Carin works with a range of long with the American Assisted Living Nurses Association to
term care providers, including: skilled nursing, assisted develop its certification exam. Vicki is a registered nurse
living, independent living facilities, CCRCs, long term with a master’s degree in community health nursing
acute care hospitals, dialysis clinics, and other health and a doctorate degree in nutrition.
care providers. Carin has defended long term care
clients and other health care providers throughout the Tamara Steffen, MSW, received her Bachelor's degree
Pacific Northwest in high profile litigation involving in Recreation Therapy from San Francisco State
allegations of neglect and abuse of vulnerable adults University and later her Master's degree in Social Work.
and wrongful death. She also routinely advises and Tamara presents with over 20 years of experience
represents clients in regulatory matters, such as practicing Social Work in Central Washington. Sheinitiated and supported the development of a system wide advance care planning program within a large medical organization in central Washington. She has served as the Executive Director of a long-term care community in Central Washington. She now is an independent clinical consultant, offering geriatric care management and serves as faculty for the Honoring Choices Pacific Northwest (HCPNW) initiative for advance care planning across the state. Bill Ulrich, President/CEO of Consolidated Billing Services, Incorporated (CBSI), has more than 26 years of experience in the health care industry as a financial and Medicare consultant beginning in 1989 with The Hillhaven Corporation and founding his own consulting company in 1998. Prior to founding CBSI in 1998, Bill was Vice President of the consulting subsidiary of a national nursing home chain, where he directed the efforts of 43 experts who provided daily, comprehensive consulting services to 300 long term care facilities nationwide. Bill is a nationally-recognized expert and frequent speaker on Medicare, Medicaid, and billing issues. Bill currently represents the American Health Care Association on the National Uniform Billing Committee (NUBC). Bill has served on the legal committees and reimbursement committees for several state healthcare associations in addition to serving on the Finance Committee at the American Health Care Association. He has given hundreds of day-long PPS updates and in-house presentations regarding PPS regulations and requirements, has developed corporate compliance programs, and has conducted Medicare billing training ss nationwide.
Affinity Partners
We appreciate the Associate Business members who support WHCA at least $10,000 in sponsorship dollars
annually. Their support enables us to offer quality educational programming, resources, tools, and information
promoting quality care and services.
For more than three decades, ALRS has been the nation’s leading provider of
respiratory care services. Our primary focus at ALRS is helping our patients achieve
their best possible quality of life. We are committed to providing in-person, on-site,
24/7 care management and support for all of our patients. And we provide all
necessary training to caregivers when patients are ready to transition to the home.
Offering consulting, contract therapy, and long term care pharmacy services including
eMAR technology, on-site staff education, IV infusion services, rapid medication
delivery 24/7. ALSO providing contract therapy and temporary therapy staffing.
Collaboration with facility staff ensures optimal clinical and financial benefit and the
highest level of customer service.
For nearly 25 years ERNwest has been helping employers like you save money, time,
and frustration on their Workers’ Compensation programs and have earned a
reputation as one of the most effective and knowledgeable companies in the state.
Our highly experienced and trained staff works as a team to get to know your business,
which allows us to provide you with guidance and advice that is right for your
company.
Our Senior Living and Long Term Care Team is a regionally and nationally recognized
practice devoted to the representation of seniors housing and long term care clients
for all of their needs; regulatory, compliance, risk management, transactional,
employment, IP, litigation, tax and real estate.
PayNorthwest offers a cloud-based, unified human capital management platform that
can be configured to your specific business requirements. You get streamlined
workflows, higher data integrity with one database and single employee record, easy-
to-use reporting, and world class security. Only pay for the capabilities you need, when
you need them.
PharMerica is a national leader with a local touch in over 140 pharmacies. With 30+
years of senior experience, innovative technology and comprehensive offerings, we’re
improving care to help people live their best life. We’re also advancing our clients’
success by ensuring access to medications, controlling pharmacy costs, and fostering
regulatory compliance.
As senior living communities prepare to care for the largest retiree population in
history, more and more are turning to Propel. With deep experience and broad
industry involvement, our experts specialize in forward-thinking solutions for every
type of building, from independent and assisted living communities to skilled nursing
centers, life plan communities and more. We help clients thrive in a complex and
increasingly litigious environment.You can also read
