11:00 am

Regirer Nurse Scholarship Golf Tournament (Separate registration required)

Hanging Rock Golf Club
Salem, VA

The Regirer Nurse Scholarship Golf Tournament helps VHCA-VCAL raise funds to award scholarships each year to nursing students who work in VHCA-VCAL member centers.

Join us in supporting this great cause and the nurses who are critical to quality resident care! In addition to playing in the tournament, there are various sponsorship opportunities available offering you the chance to be recognized prominently at the tournament. Contributions are also tax deductible. Contact Doran Hutchinson for more details.

4:00– 6:00 pm

Registration

6:30 – 7:30 pm

Welcome Reception

Come to the Welcome Reception and catch up with friends and colleagues, enjoy a drink, have something delicious to eat, and get ready for a great convention experience.

7:30 – 10:00 pm

Saber Mixer

Billy’s Roanoke
102 Market St SE
Roanoke, VA 24011

Join Saber Healthcare for more food, drinks, and fellowship as we get ready to kick off the largest long term care event in Virginia. It’s an easy walk from the Hotel Roanoke to Billy’s. 

7:30 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

OPENING KEYNOTE

Sustaining Consistent Peak Performance in Life and Work (NF, AL)

Alton Fitzgerald White

A major key to achieving and maintaining success in whatever you pursue is ensuring that your passions and your purpose are aligned. Through song and vast wisdom, Alton Fitzgerald White has gained pursuing and starring on Broadway, TV, and film, in six smash hit Broadway shows, including his record-breaking run as King Mufasa in Disney’s THE LION KING, White shares the vital ingredients for sustaining consistent performance on a daily basis.

9:30 – 9:45 am

Break

9:45 – 10:45 am

GENERAL SESSION

LTC Success: How LTC Organizations Achieve Excellence (NF, AL)

Dr. David Gifford | Chief Medical Officer | AHCA/NCAL

The storm waves coming from Washington will subside at some point, but ocean swells will continue no matter who is in control in Washington. Highly successful LTC organizations plan for and are anticipating those swells. Fundamental to achieving excellence in LTC organizations need to focus on their staff and non-clinical practices that impact their residents. This session builds on findings from interviews conducted with the most successful LTC organizations and published in “LTC Success: How Senior Care Communities Thrive Clinically And Financially.”

10:45 – 11:00 am

Break

11:00 – 12:15 pm

GENERAL SESSION

Changing the Narrative (NF, AL)

Dave Sanderson | Dave Sanderson Speaks International

How would your results change if you felt more in control, focused, and ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing landscape? Dave Sanderson survived the iconic plane crash known as Miracle on the Hudson. He uses the lessons he learned that day while submerged in the frigid water of the Hudson River as a springboard to discuss the essential facets of communication, teamwork, and leadership that can propel you to achieve the most sought-after and successful outcomes. 

Sometimes what is needed is a fresh vision to become re-energized, and Sanderson’s life-changing experience as a passenger on US Airways Flight 1549 gave him clarity on what it would take to do just that. He knows how critical it is to make the right move at the right time and stay focused and passionate about what you do.

12:15 – 1:15 pm

Lunch

1:15 – 4:00 pm

Trade Show

3:15 – 4:00 pm

Trade Show Reception

4:30 – 5:30 pm

Pledge Partners’ Reception (Invitation only)

5:30 pm

Dinner on Your Own

We have left Tuesday evening open so you can meet up with friends, customers, and business partners for dinner.

8:00 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

KEYNOTE SESSION

Five Strategies to Songwriting AKA Building Valuable Relationships (NF, AL)

Jimmy Yeary | Song Writer

Mastering authentic connectivity is essential for leadership, and it starts with genuinely feeling what you speak to create instant attraction. Leading by addressing the universal need for connection and making relatability a powerful asset can significantly enhance workplace relationships. To sell effectively, it’s crucial to first see and feel the sale from the buyer’s perspective, which helps craft authentic, compelling pitches that naturally build connections. Jimmy Yeary teaches the importance of small personal details, demonstrating how these can form deep emotional bonds, as people resonate more with feelings than just stories. Lastly, Yeary emphasizes that happiness fuels success, showing how joy can boost productivity and how his techniques can quickly tap into happiness to improve both personal and professional life.

9:30 – 9:45 am

Break

9:45 – 10:15 am

Annual Meeting and State Update (NF, AL)

Karen Stanfield | Chief Operating Officer | Saber Healthcare Group
Keith Hare | President & CEO | VHCA-VCAL

Karen Stanfield, Chair of the VHCA-VCAL Board of Directors, and Keith Hare will provide an overview of the association’s recent activities. They will cover topics including advocacy efforts, financial performance, regulatory and membership updates, and progress on strategic initiatives.

10:15 – 10:30 am

Break

10:30 – 11:30 am

GENERAL SESSION 

Honoring Legacies in Long Term Care (NF, AL)

Renee Kinder | Executive Vice President of Clinical Services | Broad River Rehab

Amanda Brooks | Vice President of Operations | Retirement Unlimited, Inc.

Cleo Kitt, PhD | Senior Vice President of Leadership Development | Retirement Unlimited, Inc.

Every resident in long term care has a story worth preserving. Their lives, rich with ambition, love, and resilience, often go unnoticed in the day-to-day operations of skilled nursing facilities. This session will explore the profound impact of honoring the legacies of those we serve, weaving together personal narrative and practical strategies to ensure that every resident’s story is valued and shared. Through interdisciplinary approaches, such as legacy journals, storytelling integration, personalized engagement, and mentorship opportunities, caregivers can transform the care experience into one that acknowledges and uplifts the full humanity of each individual. This presentation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the experiences and achievements of residents, many of whom have lived remarkable lives filled with contributions to their communities and professions. It serves as a reminder that caregivers are not just providers of support; they are the custodians of history, ensuring that voices are heard, and lives are remembered.

11:30 – 11:45 am

Break

11:45 – 12:45 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS 1

Polypharmacy and the Art of Deprescribing (NF, AL)

Cathy Fuquay, RPh, BCGP | Consultant Pharmacist | Neil Medical Group

During this first session there will be discussion on the rising number of medications being used in general and specific to the geriatric population. It covers a vast number of systems that help contribute to the overuse. (Note: This is the first part of a two-part session continued in the Concurrent Session 3.)

The MDS Roadmap to Critical Components of Improved Clinical & Financial Outcomes (NF)

Michele Self, MA, CCC SLP, CMAC | Clinical Account Specialist | Real Time Medical Solutions

With many new changes, the impact the MDS has on patient care, public policy, and overall facility success is profound. When completed, the MDS will trigger CAA’s and calculate Quality Measures, Quality Reporting Program data, value-based purchasing data, PDPM Case Mix index, some state Case Mix, as well as impact state survey efforts. That’s a lot of dots to connect! As the MDS continues to evolve and impact reimbursement, this session explores how facilities can utilize live data to better manage these critical components of the post-acute reimbursement and alternate payment models while driving improved patient outcomes.

12:45 – 1:45 pm

Lunch

1:45 – 2:45 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS 2

Polypharmacy and the Art of Deprescribing (NF, AL) (Continued)

Cathy Fuquay, RPh, BCGP | Consultant Pharmacist | Neil Medical Group

This session explores a systemized approach to implementing a plan in your facility to deprescribe medications in our residents/patients. Various tools to accomplish this are also discussed. (Note: This is the second part of a two-part session begun in the Concurrent Session 2.)

Survey Readiness During Changing Times – A Leader’s Update and Guide to Survey Readiness and Next Steps (NF)

Lisa Thomson | Chief Operating Officer | Pathway Health

Join this engaging session as attendees will gain further knowledge and insight on the current survey process, new revisions, regulatory expectations, and the use of organizational data by regulators, driving changes in how we prepare for the survey process.  The survey process was revised back in 2017, focusing on data and organizational outcomes,  with many updates since its inception.  This session will provide attendees with keen insight as to the current regulatory process, strategies for readiness, and how to leverage your organization data for great outcomes. This is a session you don’t want to miss!

2:45 – 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 – 4:15 pm

GENERAL SESSION

The Future of AI in Long Term Care (NF, AL)

Allison Rainey | Head of Nursing & Clinical Informatics | Matrix
Daniel Zhu | Vice President of Product, Data, Analytics, and AI/ML | Matrix

In an era where technology continuously reshapes healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative tool for enhancing senior care. This session will explore how AI driven solutions can proactively address the unique challenges faced by seniors, from monitoring health conditions to improving social engagement. Attendees will gain insights into innovative applications in AI in telehealth, predictive analytics, and personalized care plans. Join us to discover how these advancements can lead to improved health outcomes, increased quality of life, and more efficient caregiving processes.

6:15 pm

Cocktail Reception

7:00 pm

Awards Banquet

8:00 am

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

GENERAL SESSION

State of the Sector (NF, AL)

Clif Porter | President & CEO | AHCA/NCAL

Clif Porter will give an update on actions that have taken place in DC, the state of the sector, and what developments providers can expect this coming year. He will discuss today’s heightened regulatory environment, the workforce crisis, and other top issues in long term and post-acute care and how providers can mobilize to address them. Porter will also provide insights on the future state of the sector to help facilities best prepare for what’s next. This informative session will arm you with the knowledge you need to understand the industry’s latest challenges and opportunities.

9:30 – 9:45 am

Break

9:45 – 11:15 am

CONCURRENT SESSIONS 3

Getting Hip to HIPAA: Signals from Proposed Updates to the Security Rule (NF, AL)

Kyle René | Partner | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, LLP

On January 6, 2025, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) published a proposed rule entitled, “HIPAA Security Rule to Strengthen the Cybersecurity of Electronic Health Regulation.” This proposed rule aims to reinforce OCR expectations for how healthcare providers and other covered entities are to maintain the security of protected health information in light of developments in technology and the management and transmission of such data in recent years. In this session, we will review the key takeaways from these updates and what they mean for healthcare providers and others. Specifically, we will discuss what the proposed rule indicates we should be doing to protect ourselves from cybersecurity and other threats to the privacy of sensitive patient information. After this session, you should have a firm grasp of these key expectations and the resources that can help your organization meet them.

How to Get Your Staff Engaged in Better Care Techniques (NF, AL)

Amanda Snow Bulgarelli | Chief Operations Officer | Positive Approach to Care

Changing patterned behaviors and a group’s culture of care is not an easy task. This session will provide practical tips, techniques, and recommended strategies for the most effective ways to change the mindset and actions of care professionals. Learn the key aspects of a supportive dementia care environment, and how to create enthusiasm for adopting the most compassionate care techniques available today. This session will help attendees learn how to create true culture change to positively impact the quality of care and life for those living with dementia.

11:15 – 11:30 am

Break

11:30 – 12:30 pm

CONCURRENT SESSIONS 4

It’s Me, Hi, I’m the Solution, It’s Value-Based Care (NF)

Eric Palm | Vice President of Business Development & Sales | Provider Partners
Jill Sumner | Principal | Lyle Health LLC

We are stepping into the Value-Based Care era, where having a patient-centered healthcare model that focuses on patients, emphasizing outcomes, quality of care, and preventive measures, is crucial. By addressing health issues earlier with more effective treatments, it can improve patient outcomes, decrease hospitalizations, and reduce costs.

How Lifelong Personality Traits Impact Dementia Care (NF, AL)

Amanda Snow Bulgarelli | Chief Operations Officer | Positive Approach to Care

This session is designed to help learners understand how lifelong personality traits and preferences help to determine choices, behaviors, reactions, and responses. It will help attendees appreciate the value of knowing individual preferences and needs regarding being around other people, getting information, using time, and getting things done. Knowledge and appreciation about these tendencies are critical in interactions with others, especially for those living with dementia. By recognizing and using this information, one can have more control over “how things go” and in getting what they need, while respecting others and helping them as well.