Events/Calendar/Media

2004
Sixth Annual SIH/SIU Health Policy Institute
Improving the Long-Term Care System: What is the Role of Legislation? (May 20 and 21, 2004)

Improving the Long-Term Care System: What is the Role of Legislation?
This program will explore the potential and limits of the role of various forms of regulation to improve the quality of resident care and quality of life in nursing homes in the United States. This topic will be addressed from the perspective of the nursing home industry, consumer advocates, medical care providers in long term care, government regulators, and hospital personnel who interact with nursing facilities. As a result of attending this program, participants will be able to better understand the present shortcoming of nursing home quality in the United States and intelligently identify, evaluate, and implement various legal and non-legal strategies for improving the quality of care and the quality of life for nursing home residents.

Rebecca Elon, M.D.
North Arundel Senior Care
Presentation: Biting the Hand that Feeds: A Clinician’s View of the Enforcement Regulations

Rebecca Elon, M.D.
North Arundel Senior Care
In 1997 Dr. Elon left her position as the medical director of the Johns Hopkins Geriatrics Center in Baltimore to establish a community-based geriatric medicine practice in her home community. As medical director of North Arundel Senor Care, she manages a busy primary care practice serving seniors through the outpatient office, through visits in patients’ homes, and in selected assisted living and nursing facilities.

Jennifer Hilliard, J.D.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Presentation: Quality Nursing Home Care: What’s Regulation Got to Do With It?

Jennifer Hilliard, J.D.
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
Hilliard has been serving as the public policy attorney for the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) since June 2000 and as AAHSA’s corporate compliance officer since October 2002. In her capacity as public policy attorney, she researches, analyzes, and provides guidance to AAHSA members about legal issues affecting the provision of senior housing and aging services.

Donna R. Lenhoff, J.D.
Former Executive Director of the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
Presentation: Long-Term Care Regulation

Donna R. Lenhoff, J.D.
Former Executive Director of the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
Donna Lenhoff is a public-interest attorney with more than 25 years of experience in advocacy on behalf of consumers and employees in Washington, D.C. From 2001 through 2003, Lenhoff served as the executive director of the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, a coalition of consumers and advocates whose mission is to achieve quality care for people with long-term care needs through public education, promotion of best practices, and advocacy for public policy that is responsive to consumer needs.

Susan Nedza, M.D., M.B.A.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Region V
Presentation: The Regulator’s Perspective: Driving Improvement Through Quality Initiatives

Susan Nedza, M.D., M.B.A.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Region V
Dr. Nedza is the chief medical officer, Region V, for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Chicago. She is a graduate of the Stritch School of Medicine and is board certified in emergency medicine. Until 2002, she served as the medical director in the Division of Emergency Medical Services for the Illinois Department of Pubic Health. She holds a faculty position at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University.

Olga Cotera, R.N., B.S.N., M.H.A., L.N.C.
O. Cotera and Associates
Surviving the Long-Term Care Maze: Understanding Regulatory Compliance

Olga Cotera, R.N., B.S.N., M.H.A., L.N.C.
O. Cotera and Associates
The president of the consulting firm O. Cotera and Associates, Cotera has an extensive background in establishing discharge planning/case management programs in hospitals, home health agencies, and long-term facilities. She currently serves on the faculty of Academy Medical Systems.