Program & Schedule

Keynote Presentation

Become Unshakable: Thrive Through Challenge and Change

Presented by Trish Tutton

If there was a SIMPLE STRATEGY TO develop YOUR ability to navigate hard seasons, WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT?

The challenges you’re facing now are the first you’ve encountered – and won’t be the last. So how do we position ourselves to THRIVE instead of just get by?

Though change can seem overwhelming, building a mindset to thrive is simpler than it seems and is a culmination of daily actions and attitudes. There is one powerful strategy that ANYONE can use to be more adaptable – regardless of age, title, or challenge – mindfulness.

In this experiential presentation, Trish will teach the keys to develop the mindset to thrive, so you can weather any change and challenge that comes your way with more ease and confidence.

Trish Tutton spent years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success. After suffering a shocking loss, she realized: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives. Trish has spent over 15 years studying with world class teachers, practicing mindfulness and learning about the science of well-being. As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to become UNSHAKABLE and THRIVE amidst change and challenge to over 15,000 people across North America. You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.

Convention Schedule

Full education schedule coming soon!

Monday, May 18

Tuesday, May 19

Wednesday, May 20

Classes begin Monday – 1:00pm

1:00pm

Leadership

Activate & Advocate: Creating Change at Every Level

Presented by WHCA’s Aidan Swayne

Join us for a powerful leadership panel featuring facility champions who have stepped into the advocacy arena and lived to tell the tale. This candid conversation brings together leaders who have testified before committees, met with legislators, and navigated speaking up for long-term care amid facility management. Whether you’re a seasoned legislative champion who joins us regularly or are stepping into advocacy for the first time, this session will leave you energized, equipped, and ready to become a leader for change at every level.

Clinical

Designing Adaptive Activities and Spaces for Residents with Dementia

Presented by Aegeliss’ Ju Tu

Creating meaningful engagement for residents living with cognitive change is both deeply rewarding and operationally challenging for senior living communities. This interactive workshop introduces practical strategies for designing cognitively accessible engagement experiences that work across a range of abilities while reducing staff burden. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable strategies to design activities that require less preparation, reduce staff effort, and create meaningful opportunities for connection.

Regulatory/Legal

Memory Care Certification: New Requirements for Assisted Living

Presented by WHCA’s Vicki McNealley

Effective July 1, 2026, all assisted living memory care units, cottages, and dedicated buildings with restricted egress must comply with new memory care certification requirements. This one-hour session will review draft regulations, the application process, and what to expect with the updated memory care certification standards.

General

From First Call to Front Door: Reimagining the Senior Living Sales Process

Presented by True Connections Communities’ Dresden Cincurak

The senior living sales process is often viewed as a series of tasks. But for families and older adults, it is anything but transactional. This session reframes the entire sales process from inquiry to move-in as a human-centered journey, not a funnel to be rushed through. Participants will learn how to slow down the process without slowing momentum, ensuring prospects feel supported, seen, and guided rather than sold to.

2:15pm

Leadership

Managing Reputation in a Noisy Landscape

Presented by Aaron Pickus, Pickus Communications

Earning a positive reputation is a long-term effort requiring disciplined communications tailored for your audiences. In an increasingly noisy arena, threats to an established reputation can emerge rapidly. This session is an opportunity to overview communications practices to audit your current approach and consider general best practices for responding to a communications crisis when they occur.

Clinical

Food is Medicine

Presented by Jen Bruning, Incite Strategic Partners

The Food is Medicine concept dates to Hippocrates: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” However, modern trends are bringing this idea back to the forefront of the nutrition discussion. Join us for this in-depth session bridging the gap between food intake and clinical outcomes, including discussion of the ways that nutrition science pair with modern menu concepts to create a Food is Medicine framework suitable for today’s modern resident population.

Regulatory/Legal

Introduction to the Midwest QIN-QIO and 13th Statement of Work – SNF

Presented by Nina Sanderson, Midwest QIN QIO

The Midwest Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program is a comprehensive quality improvement program that helps nursing homes improve quality of care while meeting regulatory requirements. The QIN-QIO program has just entered its 13th Statement of Work (SOW), which allows for customization to meet each provider’s quality improvement needs. This SOW will continue until 2030, and includes Health Information Technology, Disease Prevention, Patient Safety, and more.

3:30pm

Leadership

Ignite a Culture of Accountability

Presented by Relentless Leadership LLC’s Manny Martinez

Ignite a Culture of Accountability in your workplace where employees can thrive and strategy can flourish. Create a culture where employees are engaged and visions become reality. Learn how to create an accountability strategy and why having one is essential to your line of business. During this session, participants will identify how accountability contributes to organizational success and recognize the key elements required to create a culture of accountability.

Clinical

Safety Leadership in Long-Term Care

Presented by ERNwest’s Caleb Keller

In this presentation, the case will be made that safety success is business success. The more that employers drive employees to own the safety program, the better that facilities’ overall culture will become. Attendees will learn key ideas to ensure a safety programs success, and how to develop safety leadership from the top down.

Leadership

From the Capitol to Care: 2026 Legislative Session in the Rearview Mirror

Presented by WHCA’s Lauri St. Ours

WHCA’s Government Relations team will deliver a comprehensive overview of the 2026 legislative session, highlighting key budget pressures, emerging policy priorities, and what they mean for long-term care providers. Attendees will gain insight into the realities of navigating a changed legislative landscape. Learn what happened, what’s ahead, and how WHCA is adapting its strategies to drive impact in this new environment.

Welcome Reception – 4:30pm

Grab some drinks, shake some hands, and get settled in at this year’s Welcome Reception. This is your chance to start the Convention off right with some light networking and colleague bonding! Meet some new folks, discuss the first few education sessions, or just kick back and relax with a cocktail for the evening.

AB Dine-Around – Monday evening

Associate Business Members – this is your time to connect with the provider attendees of your choosing in a more intimate, personalized setting. Whether you choose to take them out for dinner at one of Seattle’s tasty downtown restaurants, grab some drinks at a nearby watering hole, or book your own hospitality suite for a stylish soiree, our providers are sure to be impressed! If you purchased an AB Membership Package, you get early access to the Convention attendee list – so you’ll have the first chance to send out your invitations and make meaningful connections at the Dine-Around!

Assisted Living Reimbursement Committee – 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Skilled Nursing Facility Reimbursement Committee 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
WHCA Legislative Advocates Networking and Lunch 11:00 – 12:00pm

Morning Education Sessions

8:00am

Leadership

Leading with Confidence and Clarity

Presented by Jennifer Baker

This session focuses on helping leaders step back, get clear on what matters most, and lead with confidence in the moments that count. Participants will strengthen decision making and communicate expectations more effectively, walking away with simple, practical tools to reduce overwhelm, stay focused, and lead with greater clarity and consistency.

Clinical

Dementia: Shoe on the Other Foot

Presented by Continuum Care Hospice’s Jordan Drew

This session will be covering proper communication techniques and offering relatable examples of what a person with Dementia maybe be feeling day to day. Folks with Dementia need someone on their team, not someone who doesn’t believe them or wants to get in their way. Attendees will learn tips to help their staff better empathize with those who have dementia in order to follow best practices and not default into less then optimal approaches.

Regulatory/Legal

Citation Free is the Way to Be Roundtable

Presented by WHCA’s Elena Madrid & Vicki McNealley, ft. Gidgette Chesley, Amanda Bankus, Jessie Shelton, Tiffany Hill

Join us for a lively discussion via roundtable format, where four WHCA members who earned citation-free DSHS surveys this year will guide you through tried and true methods to move from putting out fires to creating a culture of readiness in every department. Share your insights, learn from your peers, and have fun in this session where active participation is required.

General

2026 SNF Reimbursement Update

Presented by Consolidated Billing Services’ Bill Ulrich

While skilled nursing facilities received a rebase to 2024 allowable cost, the overall rate increased roughly 2.1% percent. This presentation will provide a general update on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, funding, as well as demographic data driving policy decisions. In addition, there will be a discussion on potential revenue opportunities available to skilled nursing facilities.

9:00am

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Becoming Unshakable: Thrive Through Challenge and Change

Presented by Trish Tutton

When faced with changes (big and small) how do we position ourselves to THRIVE? One thing is for sure – the changes you’re facing now aren’t the first you’ve encountered – and they definitely won’t be the last. What if a simple, straightforward, age-old technique could be the secret to developing an unshakable mindset to navigate change with ease? In this experiential keynote, Trish will teach the keys to develop the mindset to thrive, so you can weather any change and challenge that comes your way with more ease and confidence.

10:45am

Leadership

Your Authentic Advantage – Values, Identity & Authentic Leadership in the Care Setting

Presented by Jordyne Carmack

This session takes participants from inspiration into application — using structured reflection and facilitated dialogue to help leaders clarify their core values, examine where those values show up (or don’t) in daily practice, and leave with a sharper sense of what authentic leadership actually looks like in the specific role they hold.

Clinical

Hospice 101: A Tale of Two Grandparents

Presented by Continuum Care Hospice’s Jordan Drew

This presentation provides an overview of hospice care, focusing not only on the basic services offered but also on the “why” behind hospice. Attendees will learn how hospice can be introduced as a supportive service rather than a last resort. This presentation will help replace fear and misunderstanding with clarity and confidence. By understanding the philosophy behind hospice, attendees are better equipped to support residents and families through one of life’s most significant transitions.

Regulatory/Legal

Legal Hot Topics: Wage/Hour Cases Affecting Our LTC Providers

Presented by Ballard Spahr’s Greg Pyle, Barbara Duffy, Carin Marney

Is your facility properly prepared for possible wage cases? Join us for this valuable session on legal hot topics, presented by experts from Ballard Spahr. Learn about requirements surrounding wage cases, how to prevent and mitigate risk, and any best practices that can be utilized.

Trade Show Luncheon – 12:00pm-1:30pm

Join WHCA and our business partners for a trade show exhibition during lunch on Tuesday. Discover new solutions to challenges your facility may be facing, discuss opportunities that can improve the lives of your residents and employees, and get some face time with businesses that are looking to connect with providers like you.

Afternoon Education Sessions

1:45pm

Leadership

Speak Up, Stand Out! – Executive Communication & Storytelling in the Age of AI

Presented by Jordyne Carmack

Every picture tells a story — but not every leader knows how to tell theirs. When AI can draft your report in seconds, the human skill that remains irreplaceable is the ability to stand in front of a room, read the audience, and move people to action. This high-energy, practical session equips executive leaders with the frameworks and confidence to communicate with clarity, credibility, and presence.

Clinical

Every Picture Tells a Story: The 30-Minute Friction Audit That Cuts Burnout, Reduces Survey Risk, and Protects Residents

Presented by Arete Architecture’s Michael Garret

Long-term care leaders are being asked to do more with less: higher acuity, tighter survey expectations, rising wages, and persistent staffing shortages. This session introduces a practical way to fight back against the “invisible staffing tax” of daily workarounds—those small friction points that quietly drain time, increase incidents, and raise survey exposure. Aligned with WHCA’s theme Every Picture Tells a Story, attendees will use real-world, non-identifying facility photos to uncover what their environment are truly “saying” about care delivery.

Regulatory/Legal

Unlock the Power of Documentation: Your Best Defense Against Litigation and Liability in Senior Living

Presented by March McLennan Agency’s Robin Bell

Are you confident your facility’s documentation can stand up under legal and insurance scrutiny? Join this eye-opening session tailored specifically for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Operators, where you’ll discover how smart, strategic documentation can be your strongest risk management tool. Walk away with proven best practices and actionable strategies to create credible, defensible records that safeguard your facility, your team, and your residents. Don’t miss this opportunity to turn your documentation into a powerful shield against risk.

General

Elevating Experiences-The Art of Exceptional Customer Service

Presented by Serengeti Care’s Albert Munanga

While many communities focus heavily on the “front door” aspects of community relations and business development to boost their census, they often overlook critical factors that contribute to occupancy. These “backdoors” – silent bleeding points – can significantly impact the community’s overall success. In this session, learn how a more balanced approach can help close these back doors, ensuring that your community not only attracts new residents but also retains existing ones effectively.

3:00pm

Leadership

The Power of Listening: Strengthening Team Engagement

Presented by Jennifer Baker

In the middle of busy days and nonstop conversations, it’s easy to think we’re listening when we’re really just responding. This session focuses on what it looks like to listen in a way that builds trust and strengthens your team. Participants will apply active listening techniques to improve everyday conversations, create stronger connections, and build a more engaged team.

Clinical

From Evidence to Impact: Benefits of Implementing Evidence-Based Fitness Programs

Presented by WA SAIL Coordinator’s Cindy Jaffe

This session explores how evidence-based fitness programs can transform resident health, engagement, and overall quality of life across independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing settings. Attendees will gain practical insight into program implementation, including strategies for adapting exercises across varying levels of mobility and cognitive ability. Participants will leave with actionable tools to bring evidence into practice and create sustainable, impactful wellness programming in their communities.

Hidden Refunds: Recovering Sales Tax on Medical Supplies in Washington

Presented by Agile Consulting Group’s Matt Soifer

100% of the Washington skilled nursing facilities that have engaged Agile unknowingly pay sales tax on eligible medical supplies and equipment. This session explains where overpayments commonly occur and how providers may be able to recover funds through the sales tax refund process. Participants will learn what types of purchases may qualify, what documentation is typically needed, and what steps organizations can take to evaluate opportunities.

General

7 Staffing Metrics Every Operator Should Track (But Usually Aren’t)

Presented by Christina Sanders

The staffing crisis in long-term care isn’t just about open shifts. It’s about disruption. In this session, we’ll show how analytics can help you take control. Learn to drive staffing efficiency across both internal and contingent teams using seven key metrics. Walk away with practical strategies to reduce costs, strengthen retention, and reclaim control of your workforce.

4:15pm

Clinical

Beyond the Basics of Wound Care: Integrating Advanced Modalities in Clinical Practice—Which Interventions, For Which Patients, and Why

Presented by United Wound Healing’s Dillon Linhart and Carl Tabor

Wound medicine in post-acute long-term care settings extends beyond standard moist wound healing intervention. This session will focus on practical, evidence-based strategies to enhance clinical decision-making using advanced assessment technologies and therapeutic treatment modalities. Emphasis will be placed on improving diagnostic accuracy for skin assessments and blood flow to the extremities, supporting regulatory compliance for pressure ulcer/injury prevention, and expanding treatment options beyond traditional dressings.

Regulatory/Legal

The Surveyor’s Camera Roll: 15 Photos That Predict Your Next Citation (and the Fixes That Actually Stick)

Presented by Arete Architecture’s Michael Garret

Survey outcomes are often decided before the opening conference ends—during the first walkthrough when surveyors form an impression of staffing effectiveness, resident safety, and systems reliability. In this hands-on workshop, attendees will use a set of real-world facility photos to identify the most common “visual triggers” that correlate with citations, preventable harm, and staff burnout. Participants will learn a repeatable method to translate each observation into an immediate operational fix, and a capital fix with Good/Better/Best investment tiers.

PAC Bowl-A-Rama – 5:30pm

This hit WHCA-PAC FUNdraiser is back! Last year’s PAC Night Bowl-a-Rama was another roaring success – so we’re setting up the pins and can’t wait to do it all again! Join us for fun night of bowling, beer, and blowing off steam. Sponsorship opportunities still available – contact Aidan Swayne for more information.

8:00am

Disaster Preparedness Panel/Round Table

Led by WHCA’s Vicki McNealley and Elena Madrid. Listen to assisted living and skilled nursing facility colleagues speak to the recent winter flooding and evacuation processes. This informative panel discussion will help your team consider lessons learned from those companies who lived through it. Follow the panel discussion with interactive table discussions focusing on disaster and emergency planning, communication, evacuation, staff and resident education, greater community involvement, and much, much more! This important morning will leave you with insight to revisit and strengthen your facility’s emergency plans.

Excellence in Service Awards Luncheon – 11:30am-1:30pm

Meet the inspiring honorees of WHCA’s Excellence in Service Awards as we close Convention with this special luncheon. Their stories of dedication will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed, ready to return to your facility armed with the new tools and knowledge you gained at this Convention.
Separate tickets to the luncheon are available for friends and family of the honorees for $75 per person. Contact [email protected] for more information.