Learn from Industry Experts

The 2024 Annual Conference & Trade Show will feature educational programs from industry experts from across the nation, addressing critical topics in home health and hospice and offering inspirational insights. Click here to review the full agenda.

This page includes profiles on our Keynote Speakers, Breakout Session Experts, Education on the Move rooms, and our State Capital Tour & Advocacy 101 field trips. Click the links to jump to those sections or scroll down.

Dan Docherty, Day 1 Keynote
“NeuroCoaching: The Science Behind World-Class Leaders”

Katie Wehri, Day 2 Keynote
“Home Care & Hospice National Update”

Cindy Campbell, MHA, BSN, RN, CCS-HH, Senior Director, Advisory Services, WellSky

• Day 1 @ 1:30 pm:  Empowering Home Health Clinicians:  Leveraging Advance Care Planning for Optimal Performance in HHVBP

Cindy Campbell is a nationally recognized thought-leader and management consultant to the continuum of healthcare at home. Cindy and her team help providers leverage strategic thought, advancing machine learning and operational efficiency into innovative approaches to clinical modeling. A passionate advocate on behalf of patients and industry, Cindy is committed to driving methodology to best serve the needs of advancing healthcare at home.

Arnie Cisneros, PT, President, Home Health Strategic Management

• Day 1 @ 3:15 pm:  Producing Single-digit Readmissions in Home Health

Arnie Cisneros is a leading speaker in Value-Based programming for Impact Act reforms. After working across the Care Continuum in his clinical career, he works with Health systems, Hospitals, and Home Health Providers to deliver the highest quality care and outcomes. He is renowned for his adaptation of traditional care programming in response to healthcare reforms.

Jennifer Durbin, RN, MSN, CHPN, CHPCA, CADDCT, CDP, Vice President of Quality and Compliance, Hospice of Northwest Ohio

• Day 1 @ 10:30 am:  Hiking Down the Audit Response Trail:  Responding to Hospice Audit Requests and Appeals

Jennifer Durbin has worked in many roles in hospice care over the last 20 years, including case manager, educator, QAPI specialist, and clinical director. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Arkansas Tech University in 2001 and her Masters of Science of Nursing Administration and Emergency Management (MSN) in 2015. She is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator (CHPCA) and a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN), recognized as The CHPN of the Year in 2012. Jennifer is also a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer (CADDCT) and a Certified Dementia Provider (CDP). Jennifer has completed numerous military leadership courses and currently serves in the Air National Guard as the Chief Nurse of her Medical Group.

Melinda Gaboury, CEO, Healthcare Provider Solutions

• Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  Home Health RCD Focus
• Day 2 @ 3:30 pm:  Hospice Final Rule

Melinda Gaboury and Mark Cannon founded Healthcare Provider Solutions (HPS) in 2001 to provide financial, reimbursement, billing, operational and clinical consulting to the home care and hospice industries. Melinda, with more than 30 years in home care, has over 22 years of executive speaking and educating experience, including extensive day-to-day interaction with home care and hospice professionals. Melinda has profound experience in Medicare PDGM training, billing, collections, case-mix calculations, chart reviews and due diligence. UPIC, RA, ADR & TPE appeals with all Medicare MACs have become the forefront of Melinda’s current impact on the industry. She is currently serving as the Chair of the NAHC/HHFMA Advisory Board and Work Group and serves on several state association boards. Melinda is the author of the Home Health OASIS Guide to OASIS-E and Home Health Billing Answers, 2023. Melinda attended Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee and received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She began her career in 1991 with a large Tennessee-based home care chain as a staff accountant and later joined a national healthcare consulting firm as their Reimbursement Manager.

Lisa Goodlow, Director, Accreditation, CHAP

• Day 1 @ 10:30 am: The New World of Home Health Surveys in 2024: Focus on CMS State Operations Manual Appendix B Updates

Lisa Goodlow is a seasoned Registered Nurse that has worked in community-based care for almost 40 years. Her background is in home health, hospice, home infusion and home care services. She is a native of Cleveland Ohio, and most of her experience has been working in the state of Ohio providing leadership to organizations that offer Medicare, Medicaid, the Ohio waiver(s), the PASSPORT program, home care services and private pay services. She has worked as a Director of Accreditation for CHAP for the past 6 years providing regulatory support and support in interpreting the CHAP Standards of Excellence for programs across the country.

Sarah Gromek OTR/L, MBA, Assistant Rehabilitation Manager, Program Manager of 911Cellular, Cleveland Clinic-Center for Connected Care

• Day 1 @ 1:30 pm: Strategies to Combat Workplace Violence in the Home Care Setting

Sarah Gromek has 20+ years of homecare experience, working in many areas of home health including as a clinician, clinical coordinator, intake, scheduling and informatics.  Most recently, Sarah has taken on the project manager role for the agency’s partnership with 911 Cellular to provide emergency alert devices to all caregivers.  Sarah has collaborated with intradepartmental teams to develop and promote best practices and processes for successful operational and clinical outcomes. She maintains professional memberships with the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Ohio Occupational Therapy Association.

Jessica Iorio, MPH, CEHCH, CDP, Hospice Director, The LTM Group

• Day 1 @ 10:30 am:  Maintaining a Leadership Compass: Navigating Professional Boundaries in Healthcare at Home Leaders

Jessica Iorio brings over a decade of invaluable experience in the healthcare industry to her role as Hospice Director at The LTM Group. With a career spanning eight years dedicated specifically to hospice care, Jessica has honed her expertise through various pivotal roles, including intake, marketing, and administration. In her current capacity, Jessica serves as a key orchestrator of operations within the Hospice Division, playing a significant role in its establishment within The LTM Group. Jessica holds certifications as a Certified Executive of Home Care and Hospice, as well as a Certified Dementia Practitioner.

Cardale Jones, Co-Founder & General Manager, THE Foundation

• Day 1 @ 5:00 pm: Speaker and MC for the Networking Reception at the Brass Eye Rooftop Bar

Cardale Jones led the Buckeyes to the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship during the 2014–2015 season. His performances against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship game, Alabama in the college football semifinals, and Oregon in the National Championship are some of the most iconic wins in Ohio State’s coveted history. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 2017 and went on to play several seasons in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers. Cardale is a founding partner of THE Foundation and looks forward to connecting student-athletes with local charities.

Daphne Kackloudis, Member, Brennan, Manna & Diamond

• Day 2 @ 3:30 pm:  Ohio Medicaid Update for Home Care and Hospice Providers

Daphne L. Kackloudis heads BMD Columbus’ health care practice, and she was the co-founder and initial chair of BMD’s Empowerment and Opportunity (DE&I) Committee. Daphne’s success – and that of her clients – is rooted in the nexus between traditional health care legal services and health care public policy. She has broad and deep experience in health care operations, service delivery, payment systems, and compliance, as well as Medicaid, public policy, and government affairs. Daphne advises health care trade associations and health care providers as outside counsel and in-house as a member of her clients’ senior leadership teams.

Amy Magee, BS, HACP, Project Manager, Cleveland Clinic Information Technology Department

• Day 1 @ 1:30 pm: Strategies to Combat Workplace Violence in the Home Care Setting

Amy Magee has been employed at the Cleveland Clinic for twenty years, and in the last six years working with CCC (Home Care, Hospice, Home Infusion Pharmacy, and Home Respiratory Therapy). Most recently, in the last two years, she has developed a passion for Workplace Violence advocacy which includes timely reporting and preventative efforts. It has been a rewarding experience working with field-based caregivers to determine critical steps they can take to prevent harm, keep them safe, while taking care of patients.

Kimberly McCormick, RN, BSN, Executive Clinical Director, Home Health Strategic Management

• Day 1 @ 3:15 pm:  Producing Single-digit Readmissions in Home Health

Kimberly McCormick is a highly accomplished clinical consultant in the Home Health industry. Her 29 years’ experience in Home Health, 8 spent as Administrator of a Home Health Agency, has given her the experience and the knowledge to provide unrivaled insight into the home care arena. Kimberly has established herself as a national expert in Utilization Management and Operation Excellence in Home Health services. During her time as Administrator, she achieved deficiency-free surveys by The Joint Commission, deficiency-free Department of Health & CMS surveys, and a 0.42% error rate on an ADR audit. Kimberly is a contributing author on the HHSM newsletter and is presenting nationally on home care topics and care models proposed by CMS and MedPac for the future of the Home Health industry.

Bryan Meek, Partner and Co-Chair, Employment & Labor Law Group, Brennan, Manna & Diamond

• Day 1 @ 3:15 pm:  Employment Law Update

Bryan Meek is a Partner in BMD’s Health Law Department and Labor & Employment Department. Bryan counsels a wide range of health industry clients on issues such as contract disputes, government and private payor appeals and disputes, including audits, administrative appeals, and negotiations, compliance plans, credentialing, certification, Board investigations and suspensions, and fraud and abuse disputes. For those matters which warrant formal litigation, Bryan assists clients with filing or otherwise defending complaints in court or before an arbitrator. Bryan also hosts and produces a YouTube Podcast Program titled Employment Law After Hours, which boasts over 1.4K subscribers.

Katherine Morrison, MSN, RN, CHPN, CCS-HH, Director Hospice Consulting Operations, WellSky

• Day 1 @ 10:30 am:  Maintaining a Leadership Compass: Navigating Professional Boundaries in Healthcare at Home Leaders
• Day 1 @ 1:30 pm: Empowering Home Health Clinicians: Leveraging Advance Care Planning for Optimal Performance in HHVBP

Katherine Morrison is an RN and holds a Master of Science in Nursing with a major in Nursing Informatics. She has served in advancing levels of hospice leadership within large, multi-site health systems both in the Midwest and on the eastern seaboard and has extensive expertise in regulatory, compliance, and operational issues. Ms. Morrison holds a certificate in hospice compliance from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse (CHPN) and an End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) trainer. Katherine serves on the National Association for Home Care and Hospice and National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization committees. Ms. Morrison brings high credibility to her efforts to advance hospice practice and patient/family advocacy across the country.

Sara Nigro, Director of Channel Partnerships, BetterRX

• Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  HOPE is on the Way!

Sara Nigro infuses her expertise and compassion into the heart of hospice care, propelling the industry forward through tech innovation. She is devoted to educating care teams about the cost-saving benefits and simplicity of BetterRX’s medication ordering and management technology. Her passion for the industry is a catalyst for change, reshaping the delivery of hospice care to be more efficient, empathetic, and patient-centered.

Jennifer Osburn, RN, HCS-D, COS-C, Clinical Consultant, Healthcare Provider Solutions

• Day 2 @ 3:30 pm:  Looking Into CMS’ Crystal Ball: Tying GG Items, Quality Measure and VBP to a Goal of Unified PAC Payment

Jennifer Osburn is a credentialed OASIS and ICD-10 expert with over 30 years of home health experience. Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise which includes education and training, agency management, quality, clinical case management, and software technology. Jennifer has led numerous seminars for state and national associations, accrediting bodies, and agency clients for the past 12 years. She frequently authors industry publications and has assisted home health software companies with Medicare compliant solutions. Jennifer enjoys translating technical guidance into easily deployed information to facilitate quality care delivery and payment. Her areas of expertise include OASIS, ICD-10-CM Coding, Case Management, Medicare Home Health Conditions of Participation, Billing Requirements, Documentation Compliance for Quality and Payment, Emergency Preparedness, Agency Operations, and PDGM.

Kristy Pyles, Senior Consultant, In Your Corner Consulting

• Day 1 @ 3:15 pm:  Optimizing Your Operations in the New Ohio EVV Landscape

Kristy Pyles is a passionate advocate for quality and compliance in the home health care industry. As the of founder of In Your Corner Consulting, she leverages her extensive experience to empower Medicaid homecare providers, technology vendors, and state Medicaid payers. At the Ohio Department of Medicaid, Kristy spearheaded the implementation of the EVV program, managed a multi-million-dollar contract, and established the groundwork for successful EVV operations. Kristy has a distinguished career in public service serving at the state, county, and local levels which included investigating fraud in home healthcare, pharmacy, and other sectors. Kristy holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University.

Cindy Rushing, CAPM, MHAHM, MBA, Healthcare Implementation Consultant & Specialist, Alora Healthcare Systems

Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  Impactful Leadership for Home Health Care Organizations

Cindy Rushing is a well tenured homecare consultant, analyst, and implementation manager, holding a wealth of knowledge and experience in the health care field. As a Certified Associate Project Manager and Process mapping specialist, Cindy has led hundreds of successful consultations and implementation projects for healthcare organizations of all sizes. She also holds an MBA and has more than a decade of experience as a consultant for independent providers seeking revenue diversification and organizational growth. Cindy has hosted and served as subject matter expert in multiple professional healthcare webinars and presented instructional courses at numerous homecare organization conferences and special events.

Jeana Singleton, Member and General Counsel, Brennan, Manna & Diamond

• Day 1 @ 3:15 pm:  2024 CMS Hospice Special Focus Program (SFP) Updates
• Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  AI in Healthcare – The Intersection of Employment Law and Healthcare Compliance Regulations

Jeana Singleton has a national healthcare law practice focusing on healthcare operational matters, including state and federal regulatory compliance, healthcare transactions, healthcare policy, public health initiatives, corporate law, and business-legal strategy. Jeana’s depth of experience on a wide range of healthcare matters provides the knowledge and skill necessary to help her clients navigate complex legal issues in a highly complex industry on matters that impact their business performance. Jeana is licensed in Ohio, Michigan and Tennessee.

Rachel Stermer, Associate Attorney, Brennan, Manna & Diamond

• Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  AI in Healthcare – The Intersection of Employment Law and Healthcare Compliance Regulations

Rachel Stermer is a healthcare attorney in BMD’s Akron office. She is working to develop and expand her health law practice and has experience in healthcare transactions, healthcare operations, and state and federal regulatory compliance.

Courtney Tonks, Director of Nursing, BetterRX

• Day 2 @ 1:45 pm:  HOPE is on the Way!

I worked as a CNA putting myself through school and finally graduated with my RN from Provo College in 2015.  Since becoming a nurse, I’ve worked in many different settings including: Emergency Room, Med/Surg, Pediatrics, Cardiac ICU, Home Health and Hospice, Assisted Livings and even Plastic Surgery for a minute. I always find myself drawn back to Geriatrics, and most specifically Hospice. This time, I have to thank my grandpa for bringing me back “home” after he passed away last year on hospice and I had the privilege to care for him, I was reminded of what my passions in this industry are.  Hospice patients open their homes, their lives, and their most vulnerable moments to us as caregivers, and they deserve to feel safe, respected and loved in their final moments.

Darthula Young, MBA, CEO & Founder, Rooted in Dignity

• Day 1 @ 1:30 pm:  Exploring Why African Americans Tend Not to Use End-of-Life Hospice Care

Darthula Young is a certified End-of-Life Coach and Doula-certified by the Conscious Dying Institute. In this capacity, she provides invaluable support to individuals and their families during life’s most challenging moments, ensuring they navigate the end-of-life journey with dignity, peace, and comfort. She is the founder and CEO of Rooted in Dignity (RID), a nonprofit organization established to bring compassion, support, and understanding to the profound journey of end-of-life. RID’s range of services include end-of-life seminars and workshops that foster open conversation and informed decision making. RID also offers individual consulting services providing emotional/spiritual support, and end-of-life planning and preparation. RID’s end-of-life planning, preparation, care and grief and grieving seminars and workshops are conducted for underserved, overlooked, marginalized and BIPOC communities. These seminars  raise awareness of what is required to plan and prepare for the end-of- life, respond to questions, and educate participants.

Take an educational tour through three interactive rooms to learn about the latest innovations in clinical care, value-based care, and technology to support your agency’s best practices! This experience will allow you to interact in small groups and learn more about innovation in our industry. The Tour features 3 rooms, with groups of 10 attendees rotating every 30 minutes. Each session is identical – please sign up for only one time slot.

At chkup, we revolutionize the landscape of home healthcare by seamlessly connecting home healthcare agencies and discharge planners with experienced nurse practitioners and physicians. Our advanced software platform is designed to facilitate the creation of precise care teams, ensuring tailored care plans and superior patient outcomes. With chkup, we bridge the gap between healthcare agencies and providers, ushering in a new era of efficient and effective care delivery.

Powered by millions of records, Enzo Health transforms your referrals into bulletproof OASIS by utilizing state of the art AI-driven models through every step of documentation. We understand the financial pressures that Home Health Agencies face. Enzo is designed to offer significant cost savings by reducing the time spent on documentation, allowing your team to focus on what truly matters – the patients.

@Home is a network dedicated to enhancing the quality of care through our extensive partnerships. Whether you need social workers for SDOH assessments, nurses to alleviate overburdened staff, or therapists to deliver customized rehabilitation plans, we have you covered. Our goal is to maximize independence and potential for all individuals in your care.

@HomeConnex is an online marketplace for contracted services connecting you with a wide array of healthcare professionals. @HomeConnex Simplifies the process of finding and hiring the right experts for your needs.

Value of Virtual Care Room

Learn about value-based care models, pilot programs, and how payer sources, agencies, and technology are working together to create positive outcomes for all involved. Featuring:  CareSource, QurHealth, and Ohio Community At Home Network (OCHN).

CareSource is a nationally recognized, nonprofit managed care organization serving over 2 million members. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the largest Medicaid managed care plans in the U.S. The organization offers a variety of health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare and Health Insurance Marketplace products. As a mission-driven and member-centric organization, CareSource is transforming health care by providing innovative programs to members in a growing number of states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia.

At QurHealth, our goal is to take a highly proactive approach to saving lives. We specialize in conversational AI technology, offering personalized care on a broad scale. Our technology ensures a smooth experience for patients, providers, and payers, bridging gaps in personalized care across home and inpatient settings, leveraging Real-World Data/Real-World Evidence.

The Ohio Community at Home Network (OCHN) is a dedicated non-profit organization representing a wide array of home health care agencies. Our mission is to support our member agencies by fostering collaboration, advocating for excellence in home health care, and ensuring that our services meet the highest standards of quality and professionalism. Whether you are a current member, a prospective member, or an insurance provider, our network is committed to providing the resources and support needed to navigate the complexities of home health care. Join us in our mission to enhance the lives of those we serve.

Wound Care Room

Medicare guidelines, managing wound supply cost, ordering appropriately, new rules in lymphedema care and management. Featuring:  Archangel, Hartmann USA, Innovative Wound Solutions, and Balance at Home Advanced Wound Services.

Archangel is a part of the Mercy Supply Collaborative, a wound, ostomy, urology, and skincare supply organization that has served the healthcare industry for over 25 years. Through our comprehensive education, consulting, technology, and supply management capabilities we are transforming wound care for post-acute care providers.

As a leading manufacturer of high-performance products in the areas of advanced and traditional wound management, incontinence management and sports medicine, HARTMANN USA is committed to partnering with healthcare professionals across the continuum of care to go further for health. The HARTMANN Group has been developing and implementing novel product solutions to promote healing, increase efficiencies and improve quality of life for nearly 200 years.

Innovative Wound Solutions is a nurse-owned DME and we are experts in wound care and lymphedema. We always put the patient first. Our focus on patient outcomes is the perfect match for any Wound Clinic or Lymphedema Treatment plan. We know that each situation is unique and thus requires an innovative approach. Our wound care line of products includes hundreds of options. We carry Collagens, Calcium Alginates, Hydrogels, Foams, Super Absorbents, and more.

Balance Foot & Ankle is a patient-centered, state-of-the-art practice led by highly trained and experienced surgeons who specialize in reconstruction and trauma of the foot and ankle with an emphasis on education, health and wellness. From medical and surgical treatment options to aesthetics and wellness, our clinic offers a well-rounded and comprehensive approach for women, men, children and seniors. We strive to exceed patient expectations by fostering an environment of excellence, hospitality and compassion.

Tony Brigano, Senior Director, State Government Relations, Hicks Partners

Tony Brigano, serving as the Senior Director of State Government Relations at Hicks Partners, specializes in lobbying and strategic planning across various sectors including energy, pharmaceuticals, and education. His role involves helping clients define and prioritize legislative issues, navigating them through the legislative process, and representing their interests before various governmental bodies such as the Ohio General Assembly and the Office of the Governor. Brigano’s extensive background includes positions such as the Director of Public Inquiries for the Governor of Ohio and various policy aide roles, where he dealt with policies related to public utilities, agriculture, and more. He has also been involved in significant legislative reforms in Ohio’s electricity and energy policy. A native of Warren County and a Wright State University alumnus, Brigano is actively involved in the Ohio Lobbying Association as a board member.

Zach Holzapfel, Vice President, Hicks Partners

Zach Holzapfel is a highly experienced professional in government relations with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in creating legislative strategies for clients in both the public and private sectors and representing their interests to various government bodies. Holzapfel has held positions in the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the Ohio Governor’s office, and the Ohio Department of Health. He has also worked as a Government and Legislative Affairs Consultant at two prestigious law firms. His expertise lies in analyzing proposed laws and regulations, developing capital budget items, implementing policies, and negotiating compromises. Holzapfel holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. He is an active member of the Ohio Lobbying Association and serves on the Education and Outreach Committee. Additionally, he is a Board Member of the Delaware Public Health District.

Erik Mikkelson, Esq., Senior Director of State Government Relations, Hicks Partners

Erik Mikkelson is the Senior Director of State Government Relations at Hicks Partners and has a strong background in both the executive and legislative branches of government. He has experience in various policy areas and primarily focuses on energy, budget, and state issues. Mikkelson’s responsibilities include developing legislative strategies and representing clients before various government entities. He began his career as a Senate Page and has since formed excellent relationships with members of the legislative and executive branches. Most recently, he served as the Legislative Liaison for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, where he helped develop and implement policy and negotiate compromises on legislation and proposed rules. Mikkelson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate. He currently lives in Dublin with his wife.

Lauren Strope, Manager, State Government Relations, Hicks Partners

Lauren Strope attended Miami University where she received a master’s degree in political science with a concentration in policy analysis with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. During her time at Miami University, she spent a semester in Luxembourg studying and volunteering at Luxembourg Refugee Center. While attending Miami she spent her breaks working for Fairfield County Commissioners and Fairfield County Regional Planning and Building Department. Lauren completed a fellowship studying pretrial justice policy in Cincinnati and D.C. After graduation she worked on a county-wide campaign before joining the Ohio House of Representatives. Lauren worked as a legislative aide overseeing constituent communications and assisting in managing legislation.