Important Update from the Agency for Health Care Administration

The PASRR provisions of the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) amendments to the Medicaid Act, and implementing federal regulations, establish a comprehensive plan for ensuring that individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) or intellectual disability or related conditions (ID) who do not meet nursing facility level of care are not admitted to and do not reside in a Medicaid-certified nursing facility (NF). Read more...

Florida Medical Directors Association Call for Presentation and Poster Submissions for the 2015 BCP Conference

Florida Medical Directors Association Accepting Call for Presentations for Best Care Practices 2015

12^th Annual Call for Poster Presentations also Announced

West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting “Call for Speaker Presentations” for its Annual Best Care Practices in the Geriatrics Continuum conference, October 22-25, 2015, at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club in Lake Buena Vista. Presenters who wish to speak at the conference are invited to submit an online proposal with details about the intended presentation. Submissions should be based on FMDA’s needs assessment with issues related to long-term care and geriatrics. The submission deadline for all applicants is March 29, 2014 and a decision on accepted presentations will be made by May 31, 2014.

FMDA is launching its 5^th “Call for Speaker Presentations”, which falls into FMDA’s mission of providing the highest quality education to health care practitioners in long-term care. High-profile and relevant educational programs have always been the pinnacle of the annual conference. Attendees expect clinical topics to be strong evidence-based lectures with cited references and administrative topics to be relevant to their setting and focused on current best care practices. It is the presentation review committee’s intent, that the best presentations incorporate attendee networking, case-discussion (Q&A), small groups, and take home tools such as handouts, key points, guides or quick tips. These types of presentations have been successful at Best Care Practices in the past and are highly encouraged.

Dr. Naushira Pandya, chair of the LTC and Poster Awards Committee, is already gearing up for this year’s poster presentation submissions. This year is FMDA’s 12^th annual Poster Session, and as always, it will take place during trade show hours at the annual conference in October. All submissions that are complete and follow the Criteria for Acceptance of Posters will be considered and reviewed based on the content contained within the proposal. Submission of a proposal is a commitment by at least one author to be present at the designated times to discuss the information in the poster with symposium participants. The first 10 applicants who are accepted by the review committee will receive complimentary registration to the 2015 conference (only one applicant per poster presentation will be considered). Poster award winners will be announced during the Annual Awards Luncheon.

FMDA President Dr. Robert Kaplan remains very enthusiastic about the continued success of both the call for presentations and call for posters process.

“FMDA is committed to providing quality unbiased education to our health care professionals working in long-term care and geriatrics. The unique process of accepting calls for presentations has only strengthened the quality of our annual conference,” said Dr. Kaplan. “FMDA is very eager to evaluate this year’s crop of poster submissions, to add to our already stellar program.”

To learn more about FMDA’s “Call for Presentations”, or its “Call for Posters”, or to submit a proposal, go to www.bestcarepractices.org. Ian Cordes, the executive director for FMDA, can be reached by telephone at (561) 689-6321.

The Florida Medical Directors Association represents nearly 250 medical directors, attending physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners in Florida’s postacute care continuum including subacute care, hospice, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities, as well as in continuing care retirement communities. The mission of FMDA is to promote the highest quality care as patients’ transition through the long term care continuum. FMDA is dedicated to providing leadership, professional education and advocacy for the inter-professional team.

FMDA is the official state chapter of the American Medical Directors Association and a Specialty Society of the Florida Medical Association.  It is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Florida Medical Directors Association Post-Conference Press Release

 Florida Medical Directors Association Hosts Successful 2014 Best Care Practices Conference

11^th Annual Poster Award winners announced

West Palm Beach, Fla. -- Florida Medical Directors Association (FMDA) and President Dr. Robert Kaplan are extremely pleased with the outcome of the recent Best Care Practices in the Geriatrics Continuum conference, held this past October. The renowned geriatrics conference gathered together more than 240 physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, and administrators at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Excellent accommodations, amazing speakers and a focused clinical theme, “Future Directions: Transforming Long-Term Care”, were highlights of the conference that aims to provide a high quality educational and networking experience for all those with an interest in long-term care and geriatrics.
This year’s conference again featured an outstanding presence from AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, FMDA’s National Affiliate. Best Care Practices was honored to have AMDA President, Dr. Leonard Gelman, AMDA President-Elect and FMDA Director, Dr. Naushira Pandya, speak on Friday and Saturday of the conference. AMDA Past-President Dr. Charles Crecelius, AMDA Executive Director, Mr. Christopher Laxton, and AMDA’s Director of Public Policy, Mr. Alex Bardakh, were also in attendance.
A major focus of the conference each year is the National Leaders Forum which invited Dr. Gelman, Sharon Clackum, PharmD, President Elect of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, and Rachel Pryor, Senior Adviser to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging in Washington, D.C., to speak briefly about their respective organizations and what challenges they may be facing. This is a very important session every year and brings up great talking points that impact the continuum of long-term care in clinical, administrative, and legislative areas.
FMDA President Dr. Robert Kaplan is delighted with the growing success of Best Care Practices and the level of support received year after year from our collaborating organizations.
“As the president of FMDA, we are very grateful for our successful collaboration with numerous long term care health care organizations across the state. FMDA will continue to work hard to provide high quality education for those practicing in long-term care and working for our nation’s elderly population.”
Lastly, during the Annual Awards Luncheon at this year’s conference, winners of the 11^th Annual Posters Session were announced. Katherine Hypes, ARNP, was named the 1^st place winner and received a $50 Amazon gift card for her study on video games as therapy in the skilled nursing facility. Dr. Pandya, who chairs the Poster Awards Committee, was impressed with the amount of quality submissions this year. She is already looking forward to next year’s process.
For more information about next year’s Best Care Practices Conference taking place at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club, October 22-25, 2015, please contact FMDA’s Sr. Manager of Association Services, Matt Reese at (561) 689-6321.

The Florida Medical Directors Association represents nearly 250 medical directors, attending physicians, physician assistants, and advanced registered nurse practitioners in Florida’s post-acute care continuum including sub-acute care, hospice, skilled nursing, and assisted living facilities, as well as in continuing care retirement communities. The mission of FMDA is to promote the highest quality care as patients’ transition through the long term care continuum. FMDA is dedicated to providing leadership, professional education and advocacy for the inter-professional team.

FMDA is the official state chapter of the American Medical Directors Association and a Specialty Society of the Florida Medical Association.  It is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.

                                                    

Florida Health Care Social Workers Association Press Release Regarding the 2014 Annual Conference

FHCSWA’s 2014 Annual Conference a Tremendous Success

Elections Held & Winner of Social Services Award of Excellence Announced

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The Florida Health Care Social Workers Association is pleased to announce that the 2014 Annual Conference, Health Care Heroes: Championship Teamwork held July 13-16, 2014 at the Delray Beach Marriott was a tremendous success. The conference featured a wide variety of topics, both clinical and regulatory, with excellent speakers providing education to more than 140 participants. Attendees were primarily composed of social workers and social service directors who practice in long-term care facilities. Social workers had the opportunity to earn CEUs, and to meet with vendors during the annual trade show. This year’s conference also featured elections of the new executive board. Maddie Del Valle, MSW was installed as the new President; Pedro Curbelo assumed the role of Vice President, John Barton as Treasurer, and Otto McGavisk as the new incoming Secretary. Denise Baultrip-Cuyjet is immediate past-president.

This year’s conference featured an exciting line-up of programming and top-notch speakers. Highlights included a session on bullying and empathy in older adults, sexuality challenges for residents with dementia, and regulatory updates from the “Hill”. Also, a major highlight of every annual conference is the presentation of the Social Services Award of Excellence during the annual awards breakfast.
This year’s winner of the Social Services Award of Excellence is Cynthia Evins, Director of Social Services at Sandalwood Nursing Center in Daytona Beach.
“Cynthia is an excellent social worker and is most deserving of this special recognition”, FHCSWA President Maddie Del Valle, MSW said. “Her passion and love for her job really shines through, and her facility is lucky to have her. FHCSWA is extremely proud of its members who make a difference every day in their communities.”

Planning has already begun for next year’s conference to be held at the Daytona Beach Hilton in July 2015. For more information about FHCSWA or the annual conference, please contact Matthew Reese at the business office at (561) 689-6321.  

Corecare Press Release

Corecare Associates to Provide Management Services to Florida State Guardianship Association

 Association Growth Sparks Need for More Management Resources

West Palm Beach, Fla. - Corecare Associates’ President Ian Cordes is pleased to announce that Corecare has been selected by the Florida State Guardianship Association to manage their day to day operations. Corecare already provides association management, consulting, marketing and publishing services to other health care organizations around the Southeast and the state of Florida.
The Florida State Guardianship Association (FSGA) is an affiliate of the National Guardianship Association. It was formulated in 1983 with the purpose of improving guardianship services. The organization is governed by a board of directors comprised of Area Directors representing eight geographical areas of the state; Five At-Large Directors, Executive Officers and Chapter Presidents. The Florida State Guardianship Association is dedicated to the protection of the dignity and rights of incapacitated persons and to increasing the professionalism of guardianship through education, networking and legislative action.
There are currently more than 450 members in FSGA including professional guardians, public, corporate and family guardians, attorneys, fiduciaries, social workers, care managers, government agencies, court personnel, not for profits, healthcare professionals and many others.
“Corecare is committed to providing the highest level of service to professionals in health care and we are excited and honored to be given the opportunity to support the efforts of such a dedicated association such as FSGA.”
Cordes, who is a former long-term care administrator, is president of the West Palm-based Corecare Associates, and an award-winning journalist and publisher. He has been recognized with numerous awards for news and feature writing and was the recipient of the American College of Health Care Administrators Journalism Award as well as numerous APEX awards for publication excellence.
In addition to its newfound relationship with FSGA, Corecare provides various professional
management services, and marketing and publishing services to such statewide and regional health care associations as the Florida Association Directors of Nursing Administration, Florida Medical Directors Association, Florida Health Care Social Workers Association, and the Southeast Region Wound, Ostomy, & Continence Nurses Society.
Information about these associations and/or Corecare Associates is available by calling Matthew Reese at (561) 689-6321, or contacting him via e-mail at mreesejuno@bellsouth.net

FADONA Press Release

In addition to this press release, we'd like to share some of the photos from the 2014 FADONA Convention. This photo album is located here; please "follow" us on Google+ (the platform the photos are located) and help build our online network! Thanks! 

FADONA Invites Presentation Proposals for 

“Carrying the Torch of Leadership 2015”

28^th Annual Convention will be returning to the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando

West Palm Beach, Fla. – Florida Association Directors of Nursing Administration/LTC (FADONA) is excited to announce that it is now accepting “Call for Speaker Presentations” for its 28^th Annual “Carrying the Torch of Leadership” convention, being held March 30-April 2, 2015 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. Presenters who wish to speak at the convention are invited to submit an online proposal on FADONA’s website (www.fadona.org) that will include details about the proposed presentation. Submissions should be based on FADONA’s needs assessment with issues related to long-term care and geriatrics. The submission site deadline for all applicants is December 19, 2014.

This is FADONA’s fifth-year of hosting this call for presentations process and it continues with enormous success. There has been a high interest level since this practice was debuted and FADONA expects this trend to continue this year. The calls for presentations process falls into FADONA’s mission of providing the highest quality education to health care practitioners in long-term care. High-profile and relevant educational programs have always been the pinnacle of the annual convention. Attendees expect clinical topics to be strong evidence-based lectures with cited references and administrative topics to be relevant to their setting and focused on current best care practices. It is the presentation review committee’s intent, that the best presentations incorporate attendee networking, case-discussion (Q&A), small groups, and take home tools such as handouts, key points, guides or quick tips. These types of presentations are highly encouraged and will result in the highest possible learning experience for attendees.

FADONA President Jean Nelson remains extremely passionate about the call for presentations process and its continued success. The quality of speakers and educational topics that the system has brought forth the last two years have been spectacular. For this reason, her excitement about the prospect of future submissions continues to grow.

 “FADONA has always worked tirelessly at providing excellence in education to our health care professionals working in long-term care and geriatrics. Since its inauguration, the call for presentations process has undoubtedly strengthened the quality of the annual convention. With increasing numbers of proposals, the program will continue to thrive. We are very eager to see the submissions we will receive this year,” said Nelson.

FADONA is the largest state chapter of NADONA in the country with more than 350 members. This is a huge achievement and FADONA is thrilled to have the participation and support of so many nurse leaders in long-term care. We hope to see each and every one of you at FADONA’s 28^th annual conference at the Rosen Centre Hotel, March 30-April 2, 2015 in Orlando.

FADONA is back at the Rosen for the second-straight year. This award-winning 1,334-room hotel sets a spectacular standard of hospitality, service and value. Rising 24 stories, this premier hotel offers a highly-respected professional staff and outstanding accommodations. Connected to the Orange County Convention Center via the Rosen Centre Skywalk, it is an ideal headquarters hotel that caters to virtually any meeting. Rosen Centre combines impressive meeting capabilities with resort-style luxury in a world-class meeting and vacation destination.

To learn more about the venue or the call for presentations process go to www.fadona.org or contact Matt Reese, FADONA’s Communication Manager, at (561) 683-0037.

The Florida Association Directors of Nursing Administration/LTC, otherwise known as FADONA, is a statewide coalition of professional, administrative long-term care (LTC) nurses holding director, assistant director of nursing (ADON/DON) or other administrative nursing roles. FADONA is a state chapter of the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care and its primary goal is to ensure that the residents entrusted to their members enjoy the highest possible quality of life while receiving the finest quality care available.

General News Update

It's an exciting time for us at Corecare Associates; in addition to this "News and Events" blog, we recently welcomed the Florida State Guardianship Association into our family! We will assume the management responsibilities by the end of November and look to have a long and fruitful partnership with FSGA. You can find information about who they are and the work they do by visiting their website: floridaguardians.com.

Additionally, we also have a new Twitter account and Google+ page that will be bustling with information in the coming months so be sure to "like" and "follow" us! 

A photo album has been posted containing the highlights from our latest Best Care Practices 2014 Conference, located here. There's some very nice photographs, feel free to check them out! 

We are also excited about the new Corecare.net; it is currently under construction, but it will soon house valuable information and updates. Also in the works are renovations for our associations' websites. We are seeking to make more intuitive designs that cater to each of the association's individual needs. 

Last but not least, there's a call for submissions for presentations for FADONA’s 28th Annual Convention & Trade Show March 30-April 2, 2015 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando. If you would like to be a presenter at this conference, please fill out this form and submit it for review!

Save the date for next year's BCP 2015 Conference!