'The Power of Association'

HCA Community Gathers for Three Days of Learning, Networking and Motivation at 30th Anniverary Annual Conference

The HCA community gathered for a full slate of insightful education sessions, social events and networking opportunities at HCA's 30th Anniversary Annual Conference on June 1-3 in Rye Brook, New York.

The Conference was also an important occasion for HCA members to regroup, reflect on the past year, and collaborate toward a unified direction for the future — what HCA President Joanne Cunningham referred to as the "Power of Association" in her June 2 address to the membership.

What follows is an HCA Annual Conference Daybook, chroncling day-by-day some of the highlights of this year's signature HCA event.

June 1, 2008

HCA Honors Exceptional Service to Home Care on Annual Conference Opening Night

June 2, 2008

Afterburner Keynote Launches Day Two of HCA's Annual Conference

In the afterburner debriefing room, it doesn't matter if you're a top commander or the new recruit — you better be able to take the heat, and learn from it.

Afterburner Jim Demarest, a keynote speaker on day-two of HCA's Annual Conference on June 2, deployed this bit of Air-Force wisdom — along with other quality-control strategies employed by top military brass — in his multimedia presentation "Plan, Execute, Debrief, and Win," a maxim that also applies to the task of ensuring quality patient care in the world of home care. 

His lesson? Even the best-laid plans can have disastrous results if goals aren't clear from the outset, and if formalities like rank impede communication within an operation.

Demarest, who answers to the nickname "Boots," noted that several elite military units undergo a unique system of debriefing after each mission where name tags are removed from uniforms, along with the accompanying identifiers of rank. This policy creates an open, deliberative environment where everyone — from the top general down to the new recruit — is allowed to speak from the same perspective about what went right, and what went wrong, in the execution of a just-completed mission.

Boots' presentation, which launched the day's activities on June 2, was followed by HCA President Joanne Cunningham's overview of the many exciting changes that have occurred at HCA during the past year in her presentation entitled 'The Power of Association.' She described HCA's power and resolve in achieving legislative, policy, advocacy and organizational successes over the past year and her vision of the challenges and opportunities ahead. Ms. Cunningham called for the continued energetic and enthusiastic participation and creative leadership of all HCA members in pursuing the crucial mission of the Association and in navigating the dynamic environment ahead for the home care field.

Attendees also heard keynote speaker Jo Manion's insights on organizational leadership and an array of other educational and instructional offerings from presenters during several concurrent sessions on customer service, strategies for navigating the managed care environment, public relations opportunities and challenges, and corporate compliance.

Beatlemagic!

Following dinner, Conference-goers morphed into concertgoers, dancing with the vigor of Liverpool's youth on a hard day's night at the Cavern Club back in '62.

Some of the evening's revelers took this transformation a bit further by donning Beatles-era apparel while all tuned in to live entertainment courtesy of Beatlemagic, the Fab Four tribute band.

June 3, 2008

Former CEO of Hearst Publications Closes Conference with Inspiring Stories of Triumph Over Adversity

If nurtured and cultivated, leadership is a quality that grows ably at any climate within the human condition.

Bob Danzig knows.

Mr. Danzig spent much of his childhood in the foster care system. After a modest start in the newspaper business as an office boy at the Albany Times Union, the Capital Region native climbed the company ladder, eventually landing in the publisher's chair, and then, later, at the helm of the paper's parent company, Hearst Newspaper Group. Mr. Danzig attributes his success to the support and encouragement of others who recognized his unique abilities and inherent potential.

HCA's Annual Conference came to a close on June 3 with the inspiring stories of Mr. Danzig's Horatio Alger-like journey to success in two closing presentations "The Leader Within You" and "Softer Values of Success" where he told of the many people who played instrumental roles in helping him achieve leadership status within his profession — valuable lessons for nurturing the home care leaders of tomorrow.

The final day of HCA's Annual Conference also included a discussion from a panel of home care policymakers on "Strategies for Home Care Delivery — Making State Policies Work." Many thanks to Jo-Ann Costantino, CEO of the Eddy, for her role as moderator of this session. Thanks also to our panelists Lana Earle, Director of the State’s Bureau of Long Term Care Reimbursement, and Mark Kissinger, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Health's Office of Long Term Care, for providing an overview of the Governor's Long Term Care program bill, home care-related data, and reform proposals for 2009. HCA members also provided their own insights on these matters, and we appreciate our panelists' reception to these perspectives going forward.

Special Thanks

HCA would also like to extend a very special thanks to our many sponsors and exhibitors at this year's Annual Conference for helping to make this year's event a resounding success. Their support was a critical part of HCA's ability to provide such a blockbuster lineup of speakers, events and social activities this year.

Feedback Sought

So that HCA can extend this year's success into the future, we e-mailed Conference attendees earlier this week seeking their participation in an online survey evaluating this year's Conference. Your feedback is of great value to HCA as we begin planning next year's event, scheduled for May 19-21, 2009, in Saratoga.

The survey can be accessed online at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=3UEitiHp9tgaDo1wXYDNng_3d_3d.

2008 Annual Conference Sponsors HCA would like to thank the following Titanium, Gold and Silver Sponsors for their support:
Titanium
Gold
Silver

Misys Healthcare Systems

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 3
8529 Six Forks Road
Raleigh, NC 27615
John Broadhurst, Account Executive
Phone: (860) 684-0621
Fax: (860) 684-2193
john.broadhurst@misys.com
www.misyshealthcare.com
Attendee: John Broadhurst

Misys Healthcare delivers integrated, comprehensive solutions that improve results for healthcare practitioners. We deliver innovative software and services that enable physicians, caregivers, and a connected healthcare community.

Mobile Health Management Services, Inc.

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 44
252 West 37th Street, 8th Fl.
New York, NY 10018
Tricia Shackel, President
Phone: (212) 695-5122
Fax: (212) 695-2260
tshackel@mobilehealth.net
www.mobilehealth.net
Attendees: Michael Rosenfeld, Tricia Shackel

Mobile Health is an Occupational Health Practice that provides employment assessments, comprehensive evaluations, and other services that will meet all of your human resources needs.

NDSI Healthcare, Inc.
Booth Number: 53
804 Omni Blvd. Suite 101
Newport News, VA 23606
David Cole, Director of Business Development
Phone: (757) 896-9389
Fax: (757) 223-1457
dcole@ndsihealthcare.com
www.ndsihealthcare.com
Attendees: David Cole, Hank Hernly

NDSI Healthcare, Inc. produces HomeComplete and HomePro, leading agency management offering complete clinical, financial and operational functions for certified and private duty agencies.

Panasonic Computer Solution Company
Booth Number: 52
Three Panasonic Way, 2F-S
Secaucus, NJ 07094
John Moderack, Manager, Shows & Events
Phone: (201) 393-4688
Fax: (201) 392-7191
John_Moderack@us.panasonic.com
www.panasonic.com/toughbook
Attendees: Bill Rutan, Greg Davidson

Panasonic Toughbooks, are the leading ruggedized and wireless notebook PCs for mobile healthcare professionals.

Philips Home Healthcare Solutions

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 20
3000 Minuteman Road M/S 24
Andover, MA 01810
Kristen Giblin, Sales & Marketing
Phone: (978) 659-2556
Fax: (978) 659-3456
kristen.giblin@philips.com
www.lifelinesys.com/philips-telehealth-solutions

Attendee: Heather Kowalski

Philips Remote Patient Monitoring portfolio offers patient-friendly, home measurement devices, a clinical decision-support application, risk assessment surveys and patient education for effective chronic care management. Philips Lifeline, America's #1 medical alert company extends our reach in keeping individuals safe at home. www.lifelinesys.com/philips-telehealth-solutions Philips Contact: Heather Kowalski (978) 659-4486

Philips Lifeline

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 21
111 Lawrence Street
Framingham, MA 01702
Joe Prasad, Vice President, Amers Lifeline
Phone: (516) 250-2336
Fax: (508) 309-1064
joe.prasad@philips.com
www.lifelinesys.com
Attendees: Joe Prasad, Gopi Shah, Stephanie Maddalone

Philips Lifeline cannot only protect a life...it can preserve a cherished way of life by giving seniors the confidence to continue living in their own homes. When it comes to experience, capabilities, and that special caring touch, no other medical alert service lives up to the reputation of genuine Lifeline. Since 1974, Lifeline has served over 6 million seniors in our 34 years of business and is available throughout the United States. There are approximately 25,000 calls to our Response Center every day and we are capable of communicating in over 100 different languages with our subscribers. Our notification service assures that designated family, friends, or healthcare providers are alerted whenever the Lifeline subscriber requires emergency assistance. The service costs little more than a dollar a day, there are no hidden costs, no long-term contracts, and you may discontinue Lifeline at any time. For further information please call 1-800-865-4398.

Press Ganey Associates, Inc.
Booth Number: 26
404 Columbia Place
South Bend, IN 46601
Lori Gordon, Conference & Events Manager
Phone: (800) 232-8032
Fax: (574) 246-4924
lgordon@pressganey.com
www.pressganey.com
Attendee: Tiffany Phillips

As the largest vendor of performance measurement and improvement services, Press Ganey's home health survey and solutions are designed to assist home health agencies succeed in attracting and retaining loyal patients, improving employee morale, and increasing revenue. Press Ganey offers actionable data, solution resources, and unparalleled consulting and customer service.

Professional Placement Associates, Inc.

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 29
287 Bowman Avenue, Suite 309
Purchase, NY 10577
Laura Schachter, President
Phone: (914) 251-1000
Fax: (914) 251-1055
lschachter@ppasearch.com
www.ppasearch.com
Attendees: Laura Schachter, Sheila Sweet, Yolanda Harris, Marilyn Weintraub

Search firm specializing in the health care industry with a large concentration in certified home care, licensed home care, home infusion and DME/HME. We place mid and senior level professionals in nursing, administration, finance and rehabilitation.

Progresa Health Systems
Booth Number: 39
4516 South 700 East, Suite 160
Murray, UT 84107
Vicky Louw, Marketing Manager
Phone: (888) 338-6444
Fax: (801) 261-9330
vlouw@goprocura.com
www.progresahealthsystems.com
Attendee: Marge Greenisen

Progresa's comprehensive home health practice management system integrates clinical and financial patient data to promote regulatory compliance and optimize your effectiveness.

Quality Assured Services, Inc.
Booth Number: 46
70 South Keller Road
Orlando, FL 32810
Debby Dominguez, Communications, Marketing
Phone: (407) 563-2540
Fax: (407) 902-2767
ddominguez@qasmail.com
www.qualityassuredservices.com
Attendee: Steve Simon

Quality Assured Services, Inc. provides easy-to-use medical diagnostic devices and consumables for use in the physician's office or patient's home (in contrast to a remote laboratory site). This is not a simple shift on location, but rather positive change in the end user's experience.

RBC Limited

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 28
48 West Pine Road
Staatsburg, NY 12580
Barbara Citarella, President
Phone: (845) 889-8128
Fax: (845) 889-4147
rbc@netstep.net
www.rbclimited.com
Attendees: Barbara Citarella, Patricia Tulloch

Healthcare and management consultants specializing in home care. Expertise in administrative operational services, JCAHO accreditation, quality assurance and OSHA standards.

S C Health Care Consulting, LLC

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 2
51 Maryland Street
Dix Hills, NY 11746
Leo D'Sa, Principal
Phone: (631) 539-2437
Fax: (631) 667-3837
schealthcare@yahoo.com
www.schcare.com
Attendees: Leo D'Sa, Lavo D'Sa

Cost Reporting, Billing Reviews, Operational and Financial Analysis, Mergers and Acquisition, we at S C Health Care Consulting are your specialist. Call us today for a profitable tomorrow. Come visit our booth for an intriguing event.

Sandata Technologies, Inc.

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 22
26 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Tracey Abernethy, Marketing and Implementation Coordinator
Phone: (516) 484-4400 x345
Fax: (516) 626-5640
tabernethy@sandata.com
www.santrax.com
Attendee:Akil Shabazz

Santrax is America's #1 telephone-based time and attendance solution, which automatically collects visit management data. We process over 80 million home care calls per year.

Simione Consultants, LLC

(HCA Member)
Booth Number: 1
4130 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06518
Jennie Perrelli, Director of Marketing
Phone: (800) 949-0388
Fax: (203) 287-1309
jperrelli@simione.com
www.simione.com
Attendees: Mark Tsiames, Robert Simione

Dedicated to homecare and hospice, our unequalled expertise in all areas of finance, operations, mergers and acquisitions, and information technology makes Simione Consultants the leaders.

The Boon Group
Booth Number: 6
6300 Bridgepoint Parkway, Building 3, Suite 500
Austin, TX 78730
Matt Libby, Senior Sales Representative
Phone: (212) 918-4532
Fax: (212) 918-4829
mlibby@boongroup.com
www.boongroup.com
Attendee:Matt Libby

Work with companies subject to Living Wage laws, tailoring health insurance plans specific to Living Wage requirements. Our plans require limited administrative responsibilities on our client's behalf, and reduce operating costs.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company
Booth Number: 45
95-25 Queens Blvd.
Rego Park, NY 11374
Joe Kevin LaFleur, Financial Representative
Phone: (917) 750-6312
Fax: (718) 776-1302
jjklafleur@hotmail.com
Attendees:Joe Kevin LaFleur, Jacques Zephirin

Financial Services, Pension Plan, Life Insurance and Disability Insurance

The Healthsearch Group
Booth Number: 5
109 Croton Avenue
Ossining, NY 10562
Alan Gordon, President
Phone: (914) 941-6107
Fax: (914) 941-1748
agordon@healthsearchgroup.com
www.healthsearchgroup.com
Attendees:Alan Gordon, Alan Bankhalter

The Healthsearch Group is a full service search firm that specializes in home care recruitment. Established in 1961, we are the largest healthcare recruiting company in the metropolitan New York area.

Thornberry Ltd.
Booth Number: 60
2148 Embassy Drive
Lancaster, PA 17603
Ed Bowersox, Sales Manager
Phone: (724) 516-0816
Fax: (814) 443-1113
edb@thornberryltd.com
www.thornberryltd.com
Attendees:Ed Bowersox, Tom Peth

Thornberry Ltd offers NDoc, the clinical documentation and point-of-care system for home care and hospice. Visit our booth to discover why our great software and outstanding customer support attract more New York agencies to NDoc each year.

Tri-State Healthcom
Booth Number: 23

(HCA Member)
133 Sharon Valley Rd, PO Box 1493
Sharon, CT 06069
Roberta D'Onofrio, Services Coordinator
Phone: (860) 364-7442
Fax: (860) 201-1006
robertad@healthcominc.com
www.healthcominc.com
Attendees: Roberta D'Onofrio, Gary Cassidy, John Strucke

Tri-State Healthcom's Senior Health Advantage Program offers "Tools for independence." A series of educational resources, systems, technologies, and 24 hour support that can make a huge difference in your approach to and success in maintaining independence for your patients and their families. We provide Telehealth, Telemedicine (MD2), PERS, 24 hour support for these programs. Our products give Patients/Seniors the power to live longer, healthier and more independent lives at a price that is affordable.

ViTel Net
Booth Number: 18
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 600
McLean, VA 22102
Dotty Fazenbaker, Account Executive
Phone: 703-448-0999
Fax: 703-749-9559
fazenbaker@vitelcare.com
www.vitelnet.com
Attendee: Dotty Fazenbaker

ViTelCare offers progressive in-home video messaging/monitoring, messaging/vital sign monitoring, education on specific disease states, and wound care management solutions for chronic disease management and health status assessment to home care agencies, senior living residences, and disease management companies. Real-time prioritized patient-centric reporting is achieved through the web-enabled clinician interface. ViTelCare provides the client clinical and technical training on the use of the product line along with the training of our clients marketing team as to how to promote telehealth to doctors and hospital discharge planners, as well as potential patients and their families.

Viterion TeleHealthcare
Booth Number: 50
555 White Plains Road
Tarrytown, NY 10591
Myra DiBlasio, Business Manager
Phone: (201) 750-8276
Fax: (914) 333-6470
myra.diblasio@viterion.com
www.viterion.com
Attendee:
Myra DiBlasio

Winston Resources
Booth Number: 40
122 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10168
Janet Martens, Vice President
Phone: (212) 557-5000 x229
Fax: (212) 661-7897
jmartens@winstonstaffing.com
www.winstonresources.com
Attendees: Susan Scherr, Cornelia Wright

Winston Resources is a full service recruitment firm providing recruitment advertising, contingent search, executive search and temporary staffing services. The health care division specializes in placement of clinical professionals including Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Practical Nurses, Physician Assistants and related Allied Health Professionals in the home care, long term care and acute care industries. Our searches are tailored to the specific needs of the clients and their corporations.

WoundEducators.com, LLC
Booth Number: 57
123 Woodhollow Road
Great River, NY 11739
Laurie Swezey,
Phone: (800) 637-5526
Fax: (631) 277-5537
lswezey@woundeducators.com
www.woundeducators.com
Attendees: Laurie Swezey, Berk Swezey

WoundEducators.com is a provider of Online Wound Education courses which assist health car organizations in educating and facilitating WOUND CERTIFICATION of caregivers in the field of wound management. Our cost-effective Wound Education programs are approved by the New York State Nurses Association for CE credit.