Program & Schedule

7:30am

A POA Perspective and Bullying Prevention

Track: Clinical

Presented by Judy Salisbury

Logos Presentations

This session provides invaluable insights into how to help make the Family or Power of Attorney relationship with staff more successful. Attendees will learn what to do and what not to do. Also addressed is the difficult issue of bullying among residents; what it is, how to understand why it can happen, and how to spot the various tactics used.

 

Behind the Behavior: A Personality-Based Approach to Understanding Actions

Track: Quality

Presented by Justina Pilkonis

Sinceri Senior Living

This session focuses on uncovering the connection between personality psychology and common behaviors observed in everyday interactions, especially in caregiving settings. The presentation will provide a deeper understanding of common behavioral patterns, explain why these actions often “make sense” when viewed through a psychological lens, and offer actionable strategies to adapt interactions based on personality-driven needs.

 

Employment Class Actions in Healthcare Settings in Washington

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Erin Wilson

Ballard Spahr

A class action defense litigator will lead a discussion on employment class actions that have been having a huge impact in the healthcare industry in Washington, including wage and hour claims, meal break claims, off-the-clock claims, and others. We will discuss the trends we are seeing, what you can do to avoid litigation, and what the future may hold.

 

Unlocking Success: Navigating Managed Care for Enhanced Clinical and Operational Performance

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Jan Ward

Quality Rehab Management

Join this session for takeaways on successfully navigating the world of Managed Care. From contracting through admissions, care provision and billing, attendees will learn the keys to unlocking success for enhanced clinical outcomes and operational success. This presentation is designed to provide operators with strategies to successfully navigate through the Managed Care contracting, contract re-negotiations, empowerment of IDT members with information needed for appropriate clinical delivery of care, while recognizing optimal outcomes both clinically and financially.

 

8:45am

Opening Keynote Presentation! 

Campfire Stories: Reflecting on the Road Behind Us

Presented by Lauri St. Ours (moderator), Carma Matti-Jackson, Vicki McNealley, Elena Madrid, Scott Sigmon, Doris Barrett, Elena Whitemarsh, and Nathan Dikes

The past forty years have tested our resilience, reshaped our operations, and redefined what it means to provide quality care in long-term and post-acute settings. In this session, we’ll take a reflective look at where we’ve been as a sector—examining key moments, challenges, and milestones that have shaped the current landscape and elevated the standard of resident care in skilled nursing and assisted living across Washington State. Join us for a thoughtful discussion that will set the stage for where we go next.

 

10:30am

Equitable and Appropriate Dental Care for the Aging Patient

Track: Clinical

Presented by Sarah Luetke, Dr. Kendal Allman-Bailey

Sound Dental Care

This course will explore the barriers faced by aging patients in obtaining dental services, such as financial constraints, transportation issues, and a lack of age-appropriate treatment options. You will learn about minimally invasive dentistry and successful patient management outcomes. By promoting equity in dental care, we can enhance the overall health and quality of life for aging populations, ensuring that everyone comprehensive, respectful, and accessible care.

 

Restoring the Rhythm: Leveraging Circadian Rhythm in Dementia Care

Track: Quality

Presented by Justina Pilkonis

Sinceri Senior Living

This session will explore how circadian rhythms impact physical health, cognitive function, and overall quality of life, particularly for individuals living with dementia. Attendees will learn how dementia disrupts the hypothalamus and why restoring a stable daily rhythm is essential. At the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with actionable steps to implement circadian care that promotes better sleep, improved mood, and enhanced daily functioning for residents with dementia.

 

Becoming a Person of Influence & Innovation

Track: Leadership

Presented by Yanick Hicks

Maxwell Leadership

This presentation is packed full of information and interaction with the intent to create a fun learning environment for building awareness. Each participant will walk away with at least one mind-changing idea that will create a desire for motivation and self-improvement to increase productivity and results in your organization.

 

Sharing Stories, Shaping Policy Change

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by WHCA’s Eric Negomir

Laws and regulations are created, transformed, and destroyed through the power of human stories. It is critically important that providers engage in storytelling that helps state leaders put themselves in the shoes of the residents, resident families, and long-term care workers affected by their decisions. This session is designed for long-term care leaders at every level to develop the ability to help drive change with policymakers and the public.

 

1:15pm

Building a High Caliber Hospice Program within Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living Settings

Track: Clinical

Presented by Min An, Dr. Hope Druckman

Kline Galland

Building your Hospice program to meet regulations can be challenging, and adding in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living settings, with their own regulations, can be even more daunting. Learn how our Hospice Agency learned to navigate the highly regulated environments for skilled nursing and assisted living, to deliver high-quality hospice care for patients with better care outcomes. In this session, we will explore the challenges and the benefits by serving patients in a variety of regulated settings with dedicated, specialized staff, strengthening our competitive place in the market, while serving seniors and their families better.

 

Five Star for Smarties: Harnessing the power of data for Quality Excellence

Track: Quality

Presented by Dahlia Kroth

Strategic Healthcare Programs

Do you feel like you’re doing all the right things to have the best quality outcomes, only to be disappointed when you see your CMS Five Star Rating?  This session will help you go from feeling like a data dummy to becoming a “Data Smartie”. Learn the basics of the CMS Five Star Program, learn to identify your Five Star Opportunities for improvement, then gain confidence with simple process improvements using your data to impact your outcomes.

 

Developing the Leaders Around You

Track: Leadership

Presented by Yanick Hicks

Maxwell Leadership

Those closest to a leader will determine the magnitude of their success. That’s why a leader must take responsibility for training and equipping a core group of leaders. An organization’s growth depends upon the growth of its personnel, and the more people you lead, the more leaders you need. Successful leaders maximize the abilities of those they supervise and empower them to exercise their influence for the benefit of the organization.

 

Emergency Preparedness — What We Are Looking For

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Kimberly Bloor

Washington State Patrol

It’s been a few years since we implemented emergency preparedness, and so far, we have only had a few emergencies, pandemics, and natural disasters. In this session, we will review the changes that CMS has made to the regulations surrounding emergency preparedness, go over what is looked for in an inspection and where we get guidance, and have a peer discussion on best practices.

 

2:30pm

Revolving Door Whiplash: Effective Training for Retention and Success

Track: Clinical

Presented by Judy Salisbury

Logos Presentations

This workshop brings to light areas which can sabotage success for members of our nursing staff, bringing about frustration and discouragement that leads to an increase in turnover. Effective solutions are offered that help build confidence and hone skills to reverse course and lead to longevity of staff and an increase in quality care. Also addressed are special situations, including how to interface with 911 and nursing experience for better resident care.

 

Teaching Soft Skills to Your CNA Mentors

Track: Quality

Presented by Lori L. Dierolf

Open Door Training & Development

It’s easy to tell when a CNA is good at her job duties, but smart managers understand it takes a lot more than that to make a CNA a good mentor for new employees. Since more new people decide in the first two weeks whether or not they are staying, this session is important to your organization’s orientation and retention programs and reviews some “hard-to-teach” techniques for building new relationships and valuing new employees.

 

At The Trailhead: Conversations on Where We Stand

Track: Leadership

Presented by WHCA’s Elena Madrid (moderator)

Join peers for an interactive roundtable session focused on the current realities facing assisted living and skilled nursing providers across Washington. Participants will engage in small-group discussions centered around key themes including resident engagement, staffing, survey readiness, reimbursement, leadership, and quality of care. This session is designed to foster collaboration and insight—because no one understands what you’re facing better than those walking alongside you.

 

Navigating State and Federal Medicaid and Medicare Reimbursement: Insights from the Field

Track: Leadership

Presented by Bill Ulrich

Consolidated Billing Services

This seminar provides an update on the latest trends in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement at both the state and federal levels. Attendees will learn about policy and funding changes that impact care delivery and what’s on the horizon for skilled nursing and assisted living providers in Washington. Many issues are at play that could affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care. These are complex times, and this update will help operators understand the climate and outlook here and in DC.

 

Assisted Living Fire Code Inspections

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Kimberly Bloor

WA State Fire Marshal’s Office

Review the latest and greatest in assisted living fire code inspections. Learn what we are looking for, what the citations mean, and how to correct them. Review the latest best practices in gaining compliance.

8:00am

Selling the Senior Living Experience, pt 1

Track: Clinical

THIS SESSION CONTINUES INTO THE 9:15 SESSION SLOT

Presented by Michael Marlow

The Marlow Group, Inc

Marketing to the Collective has historically been the approach to achieving occupancy and revenue success in our industry. However, research clearly points in a new and much more effective direction – Selling to the Individual. Please join us for this highly interactive and fun presentation as we discuss the BEST way to serve more seniors and their families!

 

Let’s Talk About Sex! Dementia Resident’s Rights Regarding Sexuality

Track: Quality

Presented by Kristina Walker

Walker Consulting & Resources LLC

Talking about sex in the workplace is uncomfortable for many, especially in the context of the residents we care for. But sex and the need for intimacy are lifelong realities. We will cover a variety of topics and scenarios: from biases to inhibitions, sexual aggression, consent and abuse. Now is a good time to ask yourself, “Are your policies regarding resident rights and sexuality up to date and is my team competent on how to address this topic?”

 

Train to Retain – Designing Training to Keep Talent

Track: Leadership

Presented by Molly J. Mackey

LEAdeRNship Institute

This session is designed to help you create training programs that meet the unique needs of your healthcare team. Learn how to utilize various training modalities that fit the diverse needs of your staff. Join us to empower your team, boost morale, and ensure your organization remains a place where top talent thrives.

 

Investigating Potential Drug Diversion

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Kelli Carr, WHCA’s Vicki McNealley

The reality of drug diversion in long-term care is a sad affair; dedicated staff members can (and do) divert residents’ narcotics for various reasons, all resulting in potential negative outcome. This session emphasizes the need to maintain an air of alertness in all aspects of medication management, with suggested audits to prevent and respond to alleged diversion. Join Kelli Carr, a renowned diversion response specialist, who will cover commonly investigated drug diversion techniques and successful methods to deter diversion. WHCA’s Vicki McNealley joins the discussion to emphasize regulations and state expectations pertaining to this important topic.

 

9:15am

Selling the Senior Living Experience, pt 2

Track: Clinical

THIS SESSION IS CONTINUED FROM THE 8:00 SESSION SLOT

Presented by Michael Marlow

The Marlow Group, Inc

Marketing to the Collective has historically been the approach to achieving occupancy and revenue success in our industry. However, research clearly points in a new and much more effective direction – Selling to the Individual. Please join us for this highly interactive and fun presentation as we discuss the BEST way to serve more seniors and their families!

 

Creating a Culture of Fun

Track: Quality

Presented by Lori L. Dierolf

Open Door Training & Development

This lively session outlines what workplace culture is and how long-term care leaders can assess it within their own organizations.  It provides an overview of why a culture of fun is so important in a healthcare setting, and it offers creative, low-cost suggestions for developing such a culture in your facilities!

 

Healing Leadership – Building Trauma-Informed Practices into Your Leadership

Track: Leadership

Presented by Molly J. Mackey, MBA, CPTD

Imagine infusing your work environment with trauma-informed empathy, where curiosity replaces judgment and questions foster deeper understanding. This session will guide you in applying the six key principles of trauma-informed care to transform your workplace dynamics, enhance relationships, and build a more supportive and resilient team. Discover how this approach can revolutionize your workplace interactions and promote a culture of compassion and trust.

 

AI in Healthcare: Navigating Regulations, Overcoming Survey Challenges, and Implementing Solutions with AI Tools

Track: Regulatory/Legal

Presented by Aysha Kuhlor

Institute of Post-Acute Care

This session will provide an overview of current regulations, common survey pitfalls, and the most frequent deficiencies impacting facilities. Attendees will explore how AI-driven solutions streamline compliance processes, from documentation and audits to Plan of Correction development and ongoing quality improvement. By leveraging AI-powered tools, nursing home leaders can shift from reactive compliance to a proactive, data-driven approach.

 

10:30am

Closing Keynote Presentation

Breaking Camp: Blazing the Trail Ahead

Presented by Bill Miller, Clif Porter, Zachery Wester, Ashley Hogue

This inspiring keynote will explore what’s on the horizon for long-term care: resident-centered care models, policy shifts, workforce transformation, and how we can lead with resilience, compassion, and purpose. At the heart of it all is our shared commitment to enhancing the lives of residents—ensuring their voices, choices, and dignity remain central as our field evolves. We’ll reflect on the progress we’ve made and look ahead with intention—because the future of our field isn’t just happening to us, it’s being shaped by us, for the people we serve.