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Sessions

Take This Job And Love It

Barb Bancroft, RN, MSN, PNP
Symposium Opening Keynote Speaker

Take a lively and humorous look at the wonderful world of healthcare – comparing what’s old, what’s new, and why healthcare is one of the most respected and trusted professions in the world. Take This Job and Love it will have you laughing your way to reducing stress, improving team collaboration, and managing a healthy and prosperous year in nursing.

  • Discuss the many “hats” we wear as healthcare professionals
  • Distinguish change as a challenge, not as a chore
  • Describe the major changes that have occurred in the healthcare profession over the past 40 years
  • Recognize the importance of collaboration with other members of the healthcare team

Barb Bancroft, RN, MSN, NP, has provided more than 2,800 continuing education events on clinical topics pertaining to pathophysiology, physical assessment, and pharmacology to health care professionals throughout the United States and Canada. She has been the motivational keynote speaker on health maintenance topics for numerous nursing associations, medical associations and dental associations as well as for corporate groups and events. She has held faculty positions at the University of Virginia, the University of Arkansas, Loyola University of Chicago, and St. Xavier University of Chicago. She has provided courses on Advanced Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, and Physical Assessment to graduate and undergraduate students. Barb Bancroft is the author of eight books: Medical Minutiae (1999), An Apple a Day: The ABCs of Diet and Disease (2002), Live a Little, Laugh a Lot (2004), Kiss My Asparagus (2012), Geriatric Gems (2018), Focus on Pharmacology (2019), Plants or Pills? (2019), and her latest 2019 release—Laughing My Aspirin Off. Barb is a fascinating, highly informative speaker whose dynamic and humorous presentation style makes learning enjoyable. She provides a wealth of clinical information that can be applied to everyday practice.

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval # 20210823-1.25-A68248-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.

Utilizing Lean Six Sigma to Improve Quality, Reduce Cost & Transform your Culture

Joanne Marie Cu, BS, MBA, CHC, LPhT Vice President, Billing & Corporate Compliance, Forum Extended Care Services

Pamela Bryan Kramer, BA, LPhT Executive Vice President, Forum Extended Care Services

Today’s challenging economic times are forcing healthcare organizations to reconsider every aspect of their operations. Offering an alternative to staff layoffs and other expense-cutting measures, Lean Six Sigma has been shown to reduce costs, increase the quality of care, and improve customer satisfaction. Join pharmacy leaders to learn about the key Lean Six Sigma tools that operators and staff can initiate to create quick wins while engaging staff and transforming their workplace culture.

  • Describe Lean Six Sigma philosophies and tools to improve quality and reduce cost
  • Identify how the practice of Lean Six Sigma can impact an organization’s culture
  • Implement incremental small “wins” to achieve buy-in and demonstrate value

Joanne Cu is responsible for overseeing and managing regulatory, legal, and financial compliance for Forum Extended Care Services, ensuring that all accreditation standards are maintained across the organization. She joined Forum in 2004 as Forum’s Billing & Reimbursement Manager, from Royal Management / Lexington Health Care Centers. In 2006, Joanne successfully led her department and client facilities through the initial rollout of Medicare Part D, ensuring that residents experienced no payer-related lapses in care and working with plans to address unanticipated issues with their understanding of long-term care residents’ needs. She was named Forum’s Director of Financial Services in 2011, overseeing all pharmacy billing, 3rd-party reimbursement, and accounts receivable activities. During an overseas relocation, Joanne worked for Macquarie Bank as their Global Lead for Stocks, Bonds, Billings, and Fees, and then as Finance Director / Regional Head for Asia Pacific at Reed Elsevier, where she was responsible for Lexis Nexis Asia Pacific operations and served as a Tower Lead for Lexis Nexis United States Operations. As a member of the Global Shared Services Leadership team, she was involved in corporate strategic planning, change management, and process improvement. Since her return in 2014, Joanne has taken a leadership role in managing the company’s Lean Six Sigma initiatives, coordinating improvement efforts, and training management and employees. Joanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Economics from Ateneo de Manila University and a Certificate in Business Information Systems from DeVry University, and received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from Elmhurst College. Joanne is a member of the Health Care Compliance Association and has completed accreditation training with the Accreditation Commission for Healthcare. She is certified in Healthcare Compliance by the Compliance Certification Board, and as a Change Agent for continuous improvement by LexisNexis.

Pam Kramer has been involved in process development and improvement in every company with whom she has been associated during her more than 35 years in the pharmaceutical industry. She has worked across the country with agencies, hospitals, healthcare centers, and pharmaceutical/biotechnology manufacturers, creating award-winning strategies and programs in oncology, cardiology, infectious diseases, pharmacy, and more for such noted clients as Abbott Laboratories, Parke-Davis, and Genentech. She joined Forum in 2004 as Director of Marketing & Client Relations, working with client facilities to align pharmacy services to customer needs. With a unique background that balances strategic planning and operational process development with a keen understanding of what her customers need, she was named Vice President of Business Operations in 2007 and Executive Vice President in 2011. Responsible for development and implementation of Forum’s overall company strategy, as well as overseeing pharmacy and business operations, she is intimately involved in optimizing infrastructure and services to create exceptional value for customers. Pam also serves as the pharmacy’s lead educator, developing programs on compliance, controlled substance regulations, reimbursement, industry trends, process development, and procedural improvement. With particular expertise in electronic health records and reimbursement, Pam has been a speaker at educational meetings, family nights, and conferences such as the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Illinois Health Care Association, and the Leading Age, Illinois. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from New York University and is a Licensed Pharmacy Technician.

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval # 20211009-1.25-A69541-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.

Know your Costs to Manage your Costs – Properly Pricing Senior Living Rent and Services to Mitigate Shrinking Margins

Patrick McCormick, CPA Plante Moran Partner, Strategy & Operations

James R. Stradiot, CPA Plante Moran Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations

View your organization from a comprehensive business lens incorporating general cost accounting business principals into day-to-day operations. This session will help identify which rental units and services generate a profit or loss and the measures to adjust pricing, improve delivery of services, and ultimately strengthen net operating income.

  • Identify how to accurately price the rent and services that are provided to residents
  • Identify which services should be provided and others that should be avoided in an effort to manage expenses and enhance revenue
  • Identify and evaluate the correlation between the cost to provide a service vs. the revenue that is being generated
  • Evaluate and compare pricing structures as it relates to the specific market demand in your community

Pat McCormick has been immersed in the healthcare industry, focusing on senior living throughout his entire 27-year career. Working with CCRCs, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and independent living facilities, Pat has provided financial feasibility, operational due diligence, strategic planning, operational reviews, and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement services. By immersing himself in provider operations, Pat is often able to bring them a new perspective. His passion is seeing clients — from smaller family-owned organizations, all the way up to publicly traded or private equity-owned national groups — develop their own niches and optimize the expertise that they provide to their residents. Pat is a frequent speaker at both state and national events, such as Senior Living 100, the Ziegler CFO conference, LeadingAge, state provider associations, and numerous board meetings. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, and earned a BBA in accounting from the University of Toledo.

Jim Stradiot is a senior manager specializing in operational analysis, strategic planning, financial feasibility studies, financial forecasts, mergers & acquisitions, and due diligence. With over ten years of experience in consulting and operations, he provides valuable insight in helping clients improve operations, implement best practices, and evaluate the financial impact of business decisions. He has worked with a variety of long-term care and senior living organizations, including nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, continuing care retirement campuses, and developmentally disabled communities. He has also participated in all phases of Medicare and Medicaid cost report filings and rate projections, resulting in a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare reimbursement system and a solid understanding of facility operations.

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval # 20211011-1.25-A69587-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.

Appropriateness of Drug Therapy

Lisa O’Hara, PharmD, CGP President and Owner, Comprehensive Therapy Specialists

Modern medicines have contributed to longer life spans and improved quality of life. However, when not used appropriately, effectively, and safely, medications can have devastating consequences. There are several risk factors that can lead to polypharmacy, including having multiple medical conditions managed by multiple prescribers. Monitoring patients’ active medication lists and deprescribing any unnecessary medications are recommended to reduce pill burden, risks of adverse drug events, and financial hardship. This session will review medications with increased risk of complications in the elderly and presents a process for patient active medication list monitoring and deprescribing as a therapeutic intervention.

  • Define and discuss medication-related problems, adverse drug reactions, unnecessary medications, polypharmacy, and deprescribing
  • Identify why older adults are at greatest risk for medication-related problems and polypharmacy
  • Recognize medications which increase risk for medication-related problems and offer more safe alternatives
  • Examine a medication list and practice deprescribing techniques

Dr Lisa O’Hara is owner of Comprehensive Therapy Specialists, LLC, an independent pharmacy consulting provider. Lisa has been instrumental in expanding the role of the pharmacist by bringing forth her knowledge as a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, the Corporate Clinical Director for a long-term care pharmacy provider, and preceptor of students from both Butler and Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy. Dr O’Hara is a national speaker on multiple pharmacy related topics. Her other contributions include numerous pieces and publications focused on geriatric/long-term care areas such as: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Failure, Osteoporosis, Stroke Prevention, and Unnecessary Medication Use. Dr O’Hara was also a finalist for the Next Generation Pharmacist, Pharmacy Times, Patient Care Provider of the Year (2013).

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval # 20211011-1.25-A69588-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.

Pain Management in Older Adults

Lisa O’Hara, PharmD, CGP President and Owner, Comprehensive Therapy Specialists

An estimated 50% of older adults living at home and up to 80% of those living in nursing homes have significant pain that is often persistent. There are many challenges that can make it difficult to treat pain in this age group, most notably the presence of other significant health problems and the difficulty of assessing pain in those with cognitive impairment. This session will review different pain types and discuss the misconceptions and consequences of untreated pain in the elderly. Analgesic therapies are examined and the current Illinois laws and regulations, and considerations for use of Cannabis are presented.

  • Develop an awareness for misconceptions and consequences of untreated pain while recognizing different pain types
  • Examine appropriate dose, duration, and risk for adverse effects with analgesic therapies
  • Describe the current laws for medical cannabis in Illinois, cannabis formulations currently available, evidence for using medical cannabis for various pain indications, and potential adverse effects from therapy

Dr Lisa O’Hara is owner of Comprehensive Therapy Specialists, LLC, an independent pharmacy consulting provider. Lisa has been instrumental in expanding the role of the pharmacist by bringing forth her knowledge as a Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, the Corporate Clinical Director for a long-term care pharmacy provider, and preceptor of students from both Butler and Purdue University’s School of Pharmacy. Dr O’Hara is a national speaker on multiple pharmacy related topics. Her other contributions include numerous pieces and publications focused on geriatric/long-term care areas such as: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Diabetes Mellitus, Heart Failure, Osteoporosis, Stroke Prevention, and Unnecessary Medication Use. Dr O’Hara was also a finalist for the Next Generation Pharmacist, Pharmacy Times, Patient Care Provider of the Year (2013).

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval #20211011-1.25-A69589-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.

Update on COVID-19 – Learnings to Date

Panelists: Thomas Annarella, LNHA, Administrator, Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab Terran Salbego, MA, LPC, Regional Director of Operations, Spectrum Retirement Communities

Moderator: Johnson Abraham, PharmD, BCGP, Director of Clinical Services, Forum Extended Care Services

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of everyone and greatly impacted the economy. As experts predict one or more additional waves of the pandemic moving into the summer and winter, our panelists will discuss lessons learned, mistakes made, and how we can prepare for the future.

  • Comprehend the devastation caused so far by COVID-19
  • Discuss the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Describe the mistakes made in managing the spread of COVID-19
  • Explain how operations and communication could have been managed differently to assist in obtaining a better outcome

Thomas Annarella, LNHA has been a dedicated member of the long-term care profession for more than a decade. He currently serves as the administrator of Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab in Woodstock, IL—a county owned facility. For most of his career he has been a member of the Illinois Health Care Association, serving on various committees including the Nursing Facility Constituency Steering Committee, which he currently chairs, and the Administration and Finance Committee. Tom joined the IHCA Board of Directors in 2011. He has been recognized as one of Provider magazine’s “20 to Watch” and has completed the AHCA/NCAL Future Leaders program. He is currently the chair of IHCA’s Illinois Leaders program.

Terran Salbego is the Regional Director of Operations for Spectrum Retirement Communities. With a decade of experience in senior care management, he is known for results. Having overseen 12 communities in five states, Terran has a list of accomplishments that includes successfully opening several new communities, restructuring leadership throughout his region, achieving profitability goals, and attaining occupancy targets. Terran holds a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr Johnson Abraham has worked in pharmacy for the past 15 years, having spent the last decade in long-term care. Dr Abraham is responsible for managing Forum’s clinical programs and consultant services. In his role he works directly with facility management to ensure that services meet facilities’ clinical needs and align with desired outcomes. He joined Forum in 2007 as a Consultant Pharmacist from Enloe Drugs of Northern Illinois/Omnicare and was promoted to Director of Clinical Services in 2014. A Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist, Dr. Abraham received his Doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago after Pharmacy and Business Management internships with Walgreens. He is a former President of the Illinois Chapter and member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.

This program has been approved for one hour and fifteen minutes of continuing education by the National Continuing Education Review Services (NCERS) of the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) – Approval # 20211011-1.25-A69592-DL.

Administrators, if you have NOT registered with NAB you will NOT receive credits.
If an administrator does not already have an account, they will need to set one up. Instructions on setting up both a regular NAB account and CE Registry account can be found in NAB CE Registry Handbook for Administrators found here: Click Here
Login page for the NAB CE Registry: Click Here

Important note to individuals with licenses other than nursing home administration:
While these programs are approved through NAB/NCERS for nursing home administrator credits, Forum Extended Care Services suggests that those who hold licenses in other healthcare disciplines such as: nursing, social work, physical therapy, etc. inquire with their respective state licensing board to ensure that the board will accept the credits. All state licensing boards have final say on what credits they accept.