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Contains 32 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 11/07/2025 at 10:00 AM (EST)
The Core Synthesis is part two of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). The live virtual program will be held November 7-8, 2025.
November 7-8, 2025 | Virtual Program
The Core Synthesis is part two of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). This live interactive course is comprised of dynamic lectures, spirited role plays, case-based discussions, and small group breakouts. After completing the Synthesis course, participants will be able to integrate the tools, knowledge, and skills learned into their practice as a PALTC medical director. Emphasis is placed on implementing the use of QAPI tools, problem-solving concepts, and root cause analysis in monitoring and managing quality indicators and quality management data and incorporating systems theory, systems management, and leadership skills into the daily work of the PALTC medical director.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Develop practical skills needed to fulfill the role and responsibilities of the medical director.
- Identify the unique aspects of the PALTC environment that impact the medical director’s job.
- Describe the organizational responsibilities and dynamics of the medical director and the interdisciplinary team (IDT).
- Develop communication skills to deal with responsibilities for the IDT, residents, and their families.
- Explain the resident care responsibilities of the medical director, including emergency care, quality management, family systems, and ethical considerations.
- Enhance leadership skills and team building towards a stronger role for the medical director with the IDT.
- Develop human resource skills to deal with difficult situations and improve personal effectiveness.
- Improve the medical director’s ability to learn and practice in the evolving environment of health care delivery.
- Apply newly acquired knowledge to daily facility and practice activities.
All Times are Eastern Time Zone.
Date/Time Session Virtual Location Friday, November 7 10:00 - 10:15am Course Introduction General Session 10:15 - 10:45am Today’s Medical Director: Challenges and Opportunities General Session 10:45 - 11:15am Quality: The Big Picture General Session 11:15 - 12:30pm Breakout A | QAPI: Tools, PIPs, PDCA Small Group Breakouts 12:30 - 12:45pm Break 12:45 - 1:45pm Breakout B | QAPI: QMs/Quality Management Small Group Breakouts 1:45 - 2:30pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion: Early Session General Session 2:30 - 3:15pm Meal Break 3:15 - 3:45pm Team Dynamics and Communication General Session 3:45 - 4:45pm Breakout C | Health Care Ethics, Resident Rights, Risk Management Small Group Breakouts 4:45 - 5:00pm Break 5:00 - 6:00pm Breakout D | NOT Just Another Ordinary Day at the SNF: Survey, F841/MSO Small Group Breakouts 6:00 - 6:45pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion: Late Session General Session Saturday, November 8 10:00 - 10:30am Protecting Rights, Preventing Deficiencies: The Role of the Medical Director General Session 10:30 - 11:00am System Theory: Application in Medical Direction General Session 11:00 - 12:00pm Breakout E | Medical Leadership and Medical Staff Oversight Small Group Breakouts 12:00 - 12:15am Break 12:15 - 1:00pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion General Session 1:00 - 1:30pm Herding Cats: Medical Staff Coordination General Session 1:30 - 2:00pm Leadership: A Tool for Effective Medical Directors General Session 2:00 - 2:15pm Course Wrap-Up/Closing Remarks General Session 2:15pm Adjourn *Program is subject to change.
- 11.5 CME
- 11.5 CMD Management
- 11.5 MOC
Credit Statements
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 11.5 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
ABIM MOC: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 11.5 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Financial Disclosure Statement
The following faculty and/or planners disclosed a relevant financial relationship:
- Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD - Stock Shareholder: InnovAge; Fulltime/Parttime Employee: Independence Blue Cross
- Meenakshi Patel, MD, CMD – Speakers Bureau: Janssen, Teva and Otsuka/Lundbeck; Grant Research Support: Janssen, Eli Lilly, GSK, LMT, Acadia
- Todd Sobol, MD, CMD – Advisory Board: CareBand Inc.
- Richard Stefanacci, DO, MBA, CMD - Consultant: Active Protective (TangoBelt)
All relevant relationships have been mitigated by the Association. No one else in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Course Pricing
Early Bird Rate
Deadline August 21, 2025Regular Rate
August 22 - October 16, 2025Late Rate
October 17 - November 8, 2025Member $795 $895 $995 Non-Member $1,095 $1,195 $1,295 Become an PALTmed member and save!
Registration Cancellation
Cancellations must be submitted via email to registration@paltmed.org. Cancellations must be received two weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the course for a full refund less a $100 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than two weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the course will result in the forfeiture of all registration fees. "No Shows" also forfeit all fees. Forfeited registration fees cannot be applied to subsequent PALTmed programs.
If it becomes necessary to cancel or postpone the start date of the course, PALTmed will not be responsible for travel or hotel costs incurred by the registrant. A full refund of registration fees will be made if the course is not rescheduled, or if the registrant is unable to attend the rescheduled course.
-
Register
- Non-member - $1,195
- Member - $895
- More Information
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Contains 32 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 06/06/2025 at 10:00 AM (EDT)
The Core Synthesis is part two of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). The live virtual program will be held June 6-7, 2025.
June 6-7, 2025 | Virtual Program
The Core Synthesis is part two of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). This live interactive course is comprised of dynamic lectures, spirited role plays, case-based discussions, and small group breakouts. After completing the Synthesis course, participants will be able to integrate the tools, knowledge, and skills learned into their practice as a PALTC medical director. Emphasis is placed on implementing the use of QAPI tools, problem-solving concepts, and root cause analysis in monitoring and managing quality indicators and quality management data and incorporating systems theory, systems management, and leadership skills into the daily work of the PALTC medical director.
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:
- Develop practical skills needed to fulfill the role and responsibilities of the medical director.
- Identify the unique aspects of the PALTC environment that impact the medical director’s job.
- Describe the organizational responsibilities and dynamics of the medical director and the interdisciplinary team (IDT).
- Develop communication skills to deal with responsibilities for the IDT, residents, and their families.
- Explain the resident care responsibilities of the medical director, including emergency care, quality management, family systems, and ethical considerations.
- Enhance leadership skills and team building towards a stronger role for the medical director with the IDT.
- Develop human resource skills to deal with difficult situations and improve personal effectiveness.
- Improve the medical director’s ability to learn and practice in the evolving environment of health care delivery.
- Apply newly acquired knowledge to daily facility and practice activities.
All Times are Eastern Time Zone.
Date/Time Session Virtual Location Friday, June 6 10:00 - 10:15am Course Introduction General Session 10:15 - 10:45am Today’s Medical Director: Challenges and Opportunities General Session 10:45 - 11:15am Quality: The Big Picture General Session 11:15 - 12:30pm Breakout A | Introduction to QAPI Small Group Breakouts 12:30 - 12:45pm Break 12:45 - 1:45pm Breakout B | QAPI Took Box Small Group Breakouts 1:50 - 2:35pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion: Early Session General Session 2:35 - 3:15pm Meal Break 3:15 - 3:45pm Team Dynamics and Communication General Session 3:45 - 4:45pm Breakout C | Health Care Ethics, Resident Rights, Risk Management Small Group Breakouts 4:45 - 5:00pm Break 5:00 - 6:00pm Breakout D | NOT Just Another Ordinary Day at the SNF: Survey, F841/MSO Small Group Breakouts 6:05 - 6:50pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion: Late Session General Session Saturday, June 7 10:00 - 10:30am Protecting Rights, Preventing Deficiencies: The Role of the Medical Director General Session 10:30 - 11:00am System Theory: Application in Medical Direction General Session 11:00 - 12:00pm Breakout E | Medical Leadership and Medical Staff Oversight Small Group Breakouts 12:00 - 12:15am Break 12:15 - 1:00pm In-the-Trenches Panel Discussion General Session 1:00 - 1:30pm Herding Cats: Medical Staff Coordination General Session 1:30 - 2:00pm Leadership: A Tool for Effective Medical Directors General Session 2:00 - 2:15pm Course Wrap-Up/Closing Remarks General Session 2:15pm Adjourn *Program is subject to change.
Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD
Faculty Chair, Core Curriculum on Medical Direction
Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD, is part of Independence Family of Companies as a network medical director for Independence Blue Cross. In this role, Dr. Ramos is responsible for collaborating with primary care providers to drive improved performance in the Pennsylvania market, including primary care population health and value-based programs with health systems. As part of the clinical care transformation leadership, her cross-functional role includes initiatives that promote whole-person equitable health and advancing the quintiple aim. Dr. Ramos is a geriatrician and finished her Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare at the George Washington University.
Cynthia Kuttner, MD, CMD
Cynthia Kuttner, MD, CMD, is the medical director of the Community Living Center at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware. She is also an adjunct assistant professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed a primary care Internal Medicine residency at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York. She is fellowship-trained in Geriatrics at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to joining the Veterans Administration, she served as the medical director at several community nursing homes in Ohio.
Dheeraj Mahajan, MD, CMD
Dheeraj Mahajan, MD, CMD, is president and CEO of Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research and its associated group of companies and clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and board-certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Mahajan is a certified medical director, a certified physician advisor in utilization review and healthcare quality management, and is certified in infection control and epidemiology.
Jean Storm, DO, CMD
Jean Storm, DO, CMD, is a graduate of the Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in internal medicine. She has served as medical director of five long-term care facilities in Erie, PA, and throughout WV. She has also served as the program director for the internal medicine residency program at LECOM Health. She is currently a clinical support physician for Optum/United Healthcare and medical director for a quality improvement organization focused on improving care in long-term care facilities throughout PA and WV. Dr. Storm's interest is in developing policies and strategies that change the way providers view the care delivery process in LTC.
Meenakshi Patel, MD, MMM, CMD
Meenakshi Patel, MD, MMM, CMD, is a clinical associate professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and Ohio Heritage University of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, OH. She is also a practicing physician at Valley Medical Primary Care, a principal investigator at Valley Medical Research, and a medical director at several nursing homes. She teaches internal medicine and geriatrics to medical students, internal medicine and family medicine residents, and geriatric fellows. She has been very active with AMDA-The Society in several roles, including as a board member, member of multiple committees, and writing clinical practice guidelines on the management of diabetes in the long-term care setting. Dr. Patel has served as president of the Ohio Medical Directors Association.
John Heath MD, CMD
John Heath MD, CMD, completed his geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Cincinnati in 1988 and has since been medical director for various PALTC facilities, including experience as a multi-facility corporate medical director. Currently medical director at the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, NJ, Dr. Heath joined the Hackensack Meridian Health System in 2021. Previously, Dr. Heath was a professor and geriatric medicine fellowship director at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and then established the Geriatric Services department for the Summit Medical Group. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Geriatric Society, and a past board member of the New Jersey Geriatric Society.
Matthew Wayne, MD, CMD
Chief Medical Officer
Communicare
Matt Wayne, MD, CMD, is the former AMDA President and a long-standing member of the society. He has led traditional Accountable Care Organizations and is now the Chief Medical Officer of Communicare who is overseeing clinical operations for their iSNP, cSNP, practice group and now their new ACO REACH program.
- 11.5 CME
- 11.5 CMD Management
- 11.5 MOC
Credit Statements
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 11.5 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
ABIM MOC: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 11.5 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Financial Disclosure Statement
The following faculty and/or planners disclosed a relevant financial relationship:
- Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD - Stock Shareholder: InnovAge; Fulltime/Parttime Employee: Independence Blue Cross
- Meenakshi Patel, MD, CMD – Speakers Bureau: Janssen, Teva and Otsuka/Lundbeck; Grant Research Support: Janssen, Eli Lilly, GSK, LMT, Acadia
- Todd Sobol, MD, CMD – Advisory Board: CareBand Inc.
- Richard Stefanacci, DO, MBA, CMD - Consultant: Active Protective (TangoBelt)
All relevant relationships have been mitigated by the Association. No one else in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Course Pricing
Early Bird Rate
Deadline March 20, 2025Regular Rate
March 21 - May 15, 2025Late Rate
May 16 - June 6, 2025Member $795 $895 $995 Non-Member $1,095 $1,195 $1,295 Become an PALTmed member and save!
Registration Cancellation
Cancellations must be submitted via email to registration@paltmed.org. Cancellations must be received two weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the course for a full refund less a $100 administrative fee. Cancellations received less than two weeks (14 days) prior to the start of the course will result in the forfeiture of all registration fees. "No Shows" also forfeit all fees. Forfeited registration fees cannot be applied to subsequent PALTmed programs.
If it becomes necessary to cancel or postpone the start date of the course, PALTmed will not be responsible for travel or hotel costs incurred by the registrant. A full refund of registration fees will be made if the course is not rescheduled, or if the registrant is unable to attend the rescheduled course.
-
Register
- Non-member - $1,195
- Member - $895
- More Information
-
Contains 1 Component(s) Includes a Live Web Event on 06/04/2025 at 10:00 AM (EDT)
PALTmed’s inaugural Business of Medicine Symposium will gather clinicians and other leaders working in the PALTC continuum to learn and discuss how business trends are impacting their daily work, the quality of care for their patients, and the effectiveness of their teams.
June 4, 2025 | Virtual Symposium
PALTmed’s inaugural Business of Medicine Symposium will gather clinicians and other leaders working in the post-acute and long-term care continuum to learn and discuss how business trends are impacting their daily work, the quality of care for their patients, and the effectiveness of their teams. Using a combination of speaker presentations, panel discussions, and small group breakout sessions, participants will have an opportunity to ask questions of experts and learn from their peers.
This one-day virtual meeting will address topics such as how nursing homes make money, strategies for using technology to ease workload burdens, the role of private equity firms, working with ACOs, and understanding the value of your practice. The Symposium will also feature three “Quick Hits” breakout sessions where participants can talk with subject matter experts on a variety of timely topics.
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
All Times are Eastern Time Zone.
Time Session 10:00 - 10:05am Welcome
Moderator: Alex Bardakh10:05 - 11:00am Let’s Get to Business: How Do Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities Make Money?
Speaker: Scott Kirby, LNHA11:00 - 11:45am Embracing Technology to Ease Workload Burdens: A Look to Solutions
Moderator: Chris Darling
Panelists: Steve Buslovich, MD, CMD; Terry O'Malley; Jamie Smith, NP11:45 - 12:00pm Break 12:00 - 1:00pm Advantages of Working in Non-Private Equity versus Private Equity Backed Groups & Things to Consider in the Upcoming Industry Consolidation
Moderator: Tom Haithcoat
Panelists: Darren Swenson, MD; Stan Healy; Craig Sager1:00 - 2:00pm Industry Supported Presentation 2:00 - 2:45pm ACO Relationship Tips: When to Commit, How to Break Up, and What to Do When You Get Dumped?
Speaker: Tom Haithcoat2:45 - 3:30pm "Quick Hits" Small Group Breakouts
1. The Growing Impact of Advanced Practice Providers in the PALTC Landscape
Facilitator: Kimberly Brumfield, MSN, FNP
2. Malpractice Insurance: Challenges and Solutions
Facilitator: John Miller
3. Both Sides Now: Clinical and Technical Perspectives of EHR Selection and Integration
Facilitator: Bob Latz
3:30 - 4:30pm The Anatomy of a Transaction: Understanding the Value of Your Practice, Due Diligence, and What Happens After Sale of Your Practice
Speaker: Dr. Jennifer Rucci4:30 - 5:00pm Virtual Networking Happy Hour 5:00pm Adjourn
*Program is subject to change.Alex Bardakh, MPP
Alex Bardakh, MPP, is the Senior Director, Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships at PALTmed. Mr. Bardakh works for the assocation's extensive Public Policy agenda through Advocacy in Congress and numerous Federal Agencies. A graduate from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) in Political Science/Psychology and Master’s Degree in Public and Legal Policy, Mr. Bardakh has extensive experience in health policy with a specific focus on areas such as payment models and quality of care initiatives. He has been a recognized national speaker on healthcare policy and has spoken at national conferences throughout the country.
Kimberley Brumfield, MSN, FNP
Eventus
Kimberley Brumfield, MSN, FNP, is a dedicated healthcare professional with over 20 years of experience in long-term care nursing. Known for her compassionate, patient-centered approach, she combines clinical expertise with a deep commitment to advocacy for the aging population. Beyond the bedside, Kimberley engages in community outreach and policy conversations to elevate the standard of care for older adults.
Steven Buslovich, MD
Geriatrician
PointClickCare
Dr. Steven Buslovich is the Chief Medical Officer of Senior Care at PointClickCare, where he leads innovative strategies in senior care delivery. A practicing geriatrician and certified medical director, Dr. Buslovich brings extensive expertise from his role as CEO and Co-Founder of Patient Pattern—a comprehensive care management platform for value-based care that was acquired by PointClickCare in 2023.
With active involvement in key industry organizations, including the Advancing Excellence in Long Term Care Collaborative, the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PALTmed), and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), Dr. Buslovich is recognized for his leadership in transforming long-term care. His accolades include AMDA's Shark Tank Innovation Award, and he is currently collaborating with CMS and ONC to standardize clinical data elements across post-acute care settings.
Dr. Buslovich is an expert in operationalizing frailty risk and enhancing care outcomes within value-based care models. He continues to redefine best-practices and advocate for the future of senior care innovation.Chris Darling, MHA
R. Chris Darling, MHA is a seasoned healthcare executive with broad experience in post-acute and long-term care since 2016. He holds a Master of Health Administration from Duke University and has served in diverse leadership roles, including hospital and health system executive, medical practice manager, managed care executive, and business advisor. In 2008, Chris founded Healthcare Practice Solutions, LLC, a business advisory firm with dedicated divisions focused on post-acute/long-term care (PA/LTC) medical practice operations (Geriatric Practice Solutions) and senior living community operations (PALTC Solutions).
Tom Haithcoat
Tom Haithcoat is the President of Ceptor Consulting, LLC, a PAC Physician Practice consulting firm focused on Growth, M&A, and Value Model selection & strategy. Tom has over 25 years of senior living experience in both Nursing Home management and Post Acute Care physician practice management. In addition, Mr. Haithcoat is the Vice President of Network Development and Integration for CareConnectMD. A National PALTC aligned ACO Model. Mr. Haithcoat is also the co-founder of Geriatric Medical Specialists, LLC. GMS is a Management Services Organization for small Post Acute Care physician practices. Tom sits on the Board of Directors for AMDA-The Society for Post Acute and Long Term Care Medicine and on the Board for the AMDA Foundation. Within AMDA Mr. Haithcoat Chairs the Practice Management Section(PGN) and Co-Chairs the Chief Medical Officer Leadership Meetings.
Stan Healy
PSG
Scott Kirby, LNHA
After earning both a CPA and an MBA, Scott pivoted in his career to join the healthcare industry. He spent five years as a nursing home administrator under Ensign Group before moving to Plum Healthcare, where he became Director of Southern California Operations. Throughout his first decade in the field, Scott demonstrated a rare ability to understand both the analytical and human sides of the business, helping many leadership teams revolutionize their businesses to increase resident satisfaction and the bottom line. His passion for excellence in senior living drove him to found Bayshire Management in 2016. Under his direction, Bayshire has added 25 communities to its umbrella. Each one has quickly become one of the most highly sought-after communities in its market.
Bob Latz
HIT Collaborative
John Miller
John is the Chairman of Sterling Seacrest Partners. He has over 25 years of experience in providing risk management and commercial/professional insurance solutions to clients throughout the United States. He knows clients’ business as well as insurance and is a trusted strategic advisor to professional, commercial, and personal clients.
John speaks regularly to healthcare organizations around the Southeast and is often quoted in the media on the topic of the malpractice insurance marketplace. John is the Chairman of the Board of SecureRisk, LLC (a cooperative venture of 100+ agencies across the Southeast that is the 4th largest Agency Partnership in the U.S.).
John received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Furman University. Prior to Furman, he attended The Baylor School in Chattanooga and graduated from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.With a dedication to giving back to the community, John has coached football, basketball, baseball and softball through the Northside Youth Organization and serves on its Board of Directors. He was also the Chairman of the Board of The Schenck School (an elementary school dedicated to students with dyslexia). John is also on the Board of the Westminster Schools’ Catbackers. An Eagle Scout, John enjoys his service as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 232 in Atlanta (a troop his grandfather founded over 55 years ago in service to Atlanta’s youth).
Terry O'Malley
Dr. O'Malley is a retired geriatrician, served on the ONC HITAC, and co-chaired the USCDI Taskforce. Currently, he co-chairs the PACIO Project Transitions of Care Workgroup which is developing role-based content standards for post-acute care transitions. He also co-chairs the Moving Forward Coalition HIT Committee which is developing standards for an individual's goals, preferences, and priorities and refining an HIT maturity model for SNFs to help guide HIT adoption. He serves on the NCQA Geriatric Measurement Advisory Panel (GMAP), is a member of the LTPAC HIT Collaborative, and is a Corresponding Member of the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard University.
Jennifer Rucci
President, Eventus Institute of Strategic Thought & Innovation
Dr. Jennifer Rucci is a board-certified Psychiatrist with extensive experience across hospital systems, community mental health, and long-term care, with a focus on the geriatric population. She developed and scaled an integrated care model that combines primary care, mental health, and medical specialties to improve outcomes in post-acute and long-term care settings. With a deep understanding of both clinical delivery and operational strategy, Dr. Rucci works to align high-quality clinical delivery with the realities of today’s healthcare business landscape
Craig Sager
Providence Health Partners
Craig has over 12 years of healthcare M&A experience via principal investing, corporate development, and sell-side advisory. He has executed over 40 transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side, in addition to other strategic initiatives across a wide range of healthcare industries. At Provident, he focuses on all phases of the advisory process, including sector identification, origination, negotiations, and deal execution. Craig began his career in the assurance and transaction advisory practices at EY, and has held roles at Thrive Skilled Pediatric Care, Optum, and Council Capital
Jamie Smith, FNP-C, CPMA
Clinician Development Specialist
Eventus Wholehealth
Jamie Smith, FNP-C, is a Clinician Training Specialist for Eventus Wholehealth. She has served as an educator and nurse practitioner for a total of eleven years. Her passion for educating extends beyond just to those in the organization. She is an advocate for education to all those involved in the care of patients. She has served as an author of Geriatric Notes alongside Dr. Brad Goad with Premier Geriatric Solutions (now a part of Eventus WholeHealth), and served at PGS in the capacity of Chief Education Officer.
Darren Swenson, MD, MSHQSM, CPE
TeamHealth
Darren Swenson, MD, MSHQSM, CPE, president of TeamHealth Post-Acute Care, is a highly accomplished physician executive, healthcare entrepreneur and clinical educator who specializes in post-acute care delivery, and value-based care programs.
As president of Post-Acute Care, Dr. Swenson leads the development, execution, oversight, and management of TeamHealth's Post-Acute Care business unit across 33 states. He is responsible for developing, implementing, and advancing TeamHealth's strategy to invest and expand the Post-Acute Care service line opportunities while identifying and enhancing health outcomes in innovative ways. In 2023, CMS approved TeamACO and Dr. Swenson serves as the President.
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Register
- Non-member - $175
- Member - $125
- More Information
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Register
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Contains 50 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 05/13/2025 at 7:00 PM (EDT)
The Online Core is part one of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). The course is designed to help you become a successful medical director.
The Online Core is part one of the two-part Core Curriculum on Medical Direction in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC). The course consists of a series of 30 interactive on-demand modules that provide comprehensive instruction on the medical director role within the PALTC setting. The Online Core also includes live monthly facilitator-led virtual forums, allowing you to discuss the course material in real time with faculty and other participants. Learners can complete the course at their own pace and on their own schedule. Upon completion of the Online Core, participants will be able to effectively fulfill the roles, functions, and tasks of the PALTC medical director.
View the Online Core syllabus.
Course Access
Once registered, learners will have access to the course for six months after the date of initial registration. PALTmed recommends completing the course in 12 weeks; the recommended schedule is outlined in the course syllabus.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of this activity, learners should be able to:
- Develop practical skills needed to fulfill the role and responsibilities of the medical director.
- Identify the unique aspects of the PALTC environment that impact the medical director position.
- Describe the organizational responsibilities and dynamics of the medical director and the IDT.
- Develop communication skills to deal with responsibilities for the IDT, residents, and their families.
- Explain the resident care responsibilities of the medical director, including emergency care, quality management, family systems, and ethical considerations.
- Enhance leadership skills and team building towards a stronger role for the medical director with the IDT.
- Develop human resource skills to deal with difficult situations and improve personal effectiveness.
- Improve the medical director’s ability to learn and practice in the evolving health care delivery environment.
- Apply newly acquired knowledge to daily facility and practice activities.
Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD
Faculty Chair, Core Curriculum on Medical Direction
Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD, is part of Independence Family of Companies as a network medical director for Independence Blue Cross. In this role, Dr. Ramos is responsible for collaborating with primary care providers to drive improved performance in the Pennsylvania market, including primary care population health and value-based programs with health systems. As part of the clinical care transformation leadership, her cross-functional role includes initiatives that promote whole-person equitable health and advancing the quintiple aim. Dr. Ramos is a geriatrician and finished her Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare at the George Washington University.
Barbara Tommasulo, MD, CMD, LNHA, CWSP
Faculty Vice-Chair, Core Curriculum on Medical Direction
Barbara Tommasulo, MD, CMD, CWSP, LNHA, has devoted her career to caring for older adults, particularly in PALTC. She is certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine, is a certified wound specialist physician, and is a licensed nursing home administrator in NY. Medical education has been a mainstay throughout Dr. Tommasulo’s career. Her many years of experience in medical direction have included a variety of settings with various medical staff models. Currently, she is medical director of Northwell Orzac Center for Rehabilitation and assistant professor of medicine at Hofstra North Shore – LIJ School of Medicine.
Rebecca Ferrini, MD, MPH, CMD
Rebecca Ferrini, MD, MPH, CMD, is a full-time medical director for the County of San Diego 192-bed distinct part skilled nursing facility serving a younger, safety net population for 18 years. Her facility is five stars (CMS 20/20), has been named a top nursing home in U.S. News and World Report for six years, and received the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living 2017 Gold -- Excellence in Quality Award. Dr. Ferrini received the 2009 AMDA Medical Director of the Year Award and was honored for her leadership in the AMDA monograph on younger adults. Dr. Ferrini received the California Association of Long-Term Care Medicine Leadership Award in 2019. She has a specialty in hospice and palliative medicine and general preventive medicine.
John Heath MD, CMD
John Heath MD, CMD, completed his geriatric medicine fellowship at the University of Cincinnati in 1988 and has since been medical director for various PALTC facilities, including experience as a multi-facility corporate medical director. Currently medical director at the Hunterdon Care Center in Flemington, NJ, Dr. Heath joined the Hackensack Meridian Health System in 2021. Previously, Dr. Heath was a professor and geriatric medicine fellowship director at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and then established the Geriatric Services department for the Summit Medical Group. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Geriatric Society, and a past board member of the New Jersey Geriatric Society.
Cynthia Kuttner, MD, CMD
Cynthia Kuttner, MD, CMD, is the medical director of the Community Living Center at the Wilmington VA Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware. She is also an adjunct assistant professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a graduate of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City and completed a primary care Internal Medicine residency at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York. She is fellowship-trained in Geriatrics at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to joining the Veterans Administration, she served as the medical director at several community nursing homes in Ohio.
Lee Lindquist, MD, MPH, MBA, CMD
Lee Lindquist, MD, MPH, MBA, CMD, is chief of geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. She is medical director and sees patients at the Clare, a 55-story, five-star CMS, continuing care retirement community in downtown Chicago. Dr. Linquist is federally funded by PCORI, NIH, AHRQ, and CMS, and her research focuses on long-term care decision-making.
Thomas Lawrence, MD, CMD
Thomas Lawrence, MD, CMD, is a geriatric medicine specialist with a career focus on practicing in the long-term care setting. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine and has served as medical director of 12 nursing facilities in Pennsylvania. Dr. Lawrence is currently the system medical director of geriatric medicine and long-term care for the Main Line Health System, a four-hospital health system in suburban Philadelphia. Dr. Lawrence is a past president of the Pennsylvania Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine and is a member of the Board of the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
Dheeraj Mahajan, MD, CMD
Dheeraj Mahajan, MD, CMD, is president and CEO of Chicago Internal Medicine Practice and Research and its associated group of companies and clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and board-certified in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Mahajan is a certified medical director, a certified physician advisor in utilization review and healthcare quality management, and is certified in infection control and epidemiology.
Meenakshi Patel, MD, MMM, CMD
Meenakshi Patel, MD, MMM, CMD, is a clinical associate professor at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and Ohio Heritage University of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, OH. She is also a practicing physician at Valley Medical Primary Care, a principal investigator at Valley Medical Research, and a medical director at several nursing homes. She teaches internal medicine and geriatrics to medical students, internal medicine and family medicine residents, and geriatric fellows. She has been very active with AMDA-The Society in several roles, including as a board member, member of multiple committees, and writing clinical practice guidelines on the management of diabetes in the long-term care setting. Dr. Patel has served as president of the Ohio Medical Directors Association.
Toby Smith, DO, CMD
Toby Smith, DO, CMD, is a current practicing geriatrician and medical director in Hawaii. He serves in multiple roles for nursing facilities, hospice organizations, and insurers throughout the state of Hawaii. He has provided expertise in his role as chief medical officer and vice president for provider groups and is the current vice president of the Hawaii chapter of AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. He earned his doctorate degree in osteopathic medicine from Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, and has a Master of Science degree in Kinesiology from California State University Northridge. Dr. Smith did his internship and residency at the University of Hawaii and is board-certified in internal medicine, geriatric medicine, and hospice & palliative medicine. Dr. Smith is an assistant professor at the University of Hawaii’s Department of Geriatric Medicine.
Todd Sobol, MD, CMD
Todd Sobol, MD, CMD, has 26 years of private practice experience as a general internist specializing in geriatric medicine. During his tenure, he served as a medical director in long-term care facilities, assisted living, managed care, and hospice. Dr. Sobol served as an enthusiastic educator for students and residents, including recognition as a Preceptor All Star by The Ohio State University College of Medicine. He has supported the Ohio Medical Directors Association as Program Chairman for their annual conference, Board of Directors member, and President. Dr. Sobol is currently senior medical director for Optum Complex Population Management in Ohio.
Richard Stefanacci, DO, MBA, CMD
Richard Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD, a practicing internist/geriatrician, has a long-standing interest in and commitment to the frail elderly as his clinical practice solely focuses on nursing home eligible older adults through the PACE program (Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). He is currently engaged with a large health system in developing a preferred skilled nursing home network of providers. He also continues medical direction for managed care plans, especially involved in medication management. He received his BA in economics at Boston College, his medical degree and MGH from AT Still University, and his MBA from Keller. In addition, Dr. Stefanacci is a fellow of the American Geriatric Society and College of Physicians of Philadelphia.
Jean Storm, DO, CMD
Jean Storm, DO, CMD, is a graduate of the Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in internal medicine. She has served as medical director of five long-term care facilities in Erie, PA, and throughout WV. She has also served as the program director for the internal medicine residency program at LECOM Health. She is currently a clinical support physician for Optum/United Healthcare and medical director for a quality improvement organization focused on improving care in long-term care facilities throughout PA and WV. Dr. Storm's interest is in developing policies and strategies that change the way providers view the care delivery process in LTC.
Matthew Wayne, MD, CMD
Matthew Wayne, MD, CMD, is an experienced chief medical officer with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry. He is currently chief medical officer for CommuniCare Family of Companies and CEO of Personalized Health Partners. He has skills in population health, disease management, Medicare and Medicaid, and physician relations. He is a long-time active AMDA member and served as president in 2012-2103.
- 17.5 CME
- 17.5 CMD Management
- 17.5 MOC
Release Date: 01/02/2024 | Expiration: 12/31/2026
Credit Statements
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 17.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 17.5 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
ABIM MOC: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 17.5 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
Financial Disclosure Statement
The following faculty and/or planners disclosed a relevant financial relationship:
- Luz Ramos-Bonner, MD, MBA, CMD - Stock Shareholder: InnovAge; Fulltime/Parttime Employee: Independence Blue Cross
- Meenakshi Patel, MD, CMD – Speakers Bureau: Janssen, Teva and Otsuka/Lundbeck; Grant Research Support: Janssen, Eli Lilly, GSK, LMT, Acadia
- Todd Sobol, MD, CMD – Advisory Board: CareBand Inc.
- Richard Stefanacci, DO, MBA, CMD - Consultant: Active Protective (TangoBelt)
- Michael Wasserman, MD, CMD – Advisory Board: Merck Manual; Stock Shareholder: Sanolla
All relevant relationships have been mitigated by the Association. No one else in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Faculty Forums offer an opportunity to discuss course material in real-time with course faculty and peers, and how it applies to situations medical directors face daily. Virtual forums are held monthly on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:00 PM ET.
Discussion topics include regulations, infection prevention and control, leadership, transitions of care, and working with families. Participants can ask questions during the live forum or submit questions beforehand.
Participation in one Faculty Forum is required to complete the Online Core. You will have access to the Faculty Forums for up to six months from your course registration date. Participants are encouraged to attend multiple faculty forums during the access period.
Completing the Online Core and at least one Faculty Forum is a prerequisite for participating in the Core Synthesis weekend. Participants access the live Faculty Forums through the Online Core course.
Course Pricing
Member Price Non-Member Price Physician $1,795 $1,995 NP/PA/Student $995 $1,195
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Once registered, participants will have access to the course for up to 6 months after the date of initial course registration.
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Contains 1 Component(s)
Presented by PointClickCare, this webinar discusses how practice groups can successfully transition to VBC, including strategies for aligning with risk-bearing entities, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and optimizing financial performance.
The shift from Fee-For-Service (FFS) to Value-Based Care (VBC) is transforming how practice groups deliver and are reimbursed for patient care. As healthcare increasingly prioritizes outcomes over volume, practice groups must adapt by embracing care coordination, proactive intervention, and financial risk-sharing models. During this webinar, our panelists will discuss how practice groups can successfully transition to VBC, including strategies for aligning with risk-bearing entities, leveraging data-driven decision-making, and optimizing financial performance.
By the end of the session, attendees will:
- Understand key behavioral shifts for value-based care, including care coordination and patient risk stratification.
- Explore value-based reimbursement models like shared savings and downside risk.
- Learn to assess and negotiate partnerships with risk-bearing entities and ACOs.
- Identify key metrics for success, including reduced hospitalizations and cost savings.
Steven Buslovich, MD
Geriatrician
PointClickCare
Dr. Steven Buslovich is the Chief Medical Officer of Senior Care at PointClickCare, where he leads innovative strategies in senior care delivery. A practicing geriatrician and certified medical director, Dr. Buslovich brings extensive expertise from his role as CEO and Co-Founder of Patient Pattern—a comprehensive care management platform for value-based care that was acquired by PointClickCare in 2023.
With active involvement in key industry organizations, including the Advancing Excellence in Long Term Care Collaborative, the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (PALTmed), and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS), Dr. Buslovich is recognized for his leadership in transforming long-term care. His accolades include AMDA's Shark Tank Innovation Award, and he is currently collaborating with CMS and ONC to standardize clinical data elements across post-acute care settings.
Dr. Buslovich is an expert in operationalizing frailty risk and enhancing care outcomes within value-based care models. He continues to redefine best-practices and advocate for the future of senior care innovation.Anthony Laflen
PointClickCare
Anthony Laflen serves as Vice President of Senior Care Value-Based Care at PointClickCare, the leading provider of electronic health record (EHR) software for post-acute care facilities and the largest care collaboration network in the United States.
With a unique blend of operational experience in senior care and executive leadership in healthcare IT, Anthony combines strategic vision with hands-on expertise to advance value-based care models that drive better patient outcomes, provider efficiency, and financial sustainability.
Previously, Anthony served as Senior Vice President of Business Intelligence, where he led the development of Copilot, an industry-first multi-system population health and post-acute analytics tool. His work in system integration and business intelligence transformed complex data into actionable insights, enhancing care quality and operational performance across the senior care landscape. With over 18 years of experience, Anthony is a passionate advocate for value-based care, known for his ability to navigate health plan negotiations and forge partnerships that deliver mutual benefits for patients, providers, and payers. His leadership ensures that innovation and technology translate into measurable improvements in healthcare deliver
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Contains 51 Product(s)
PALTC25 Annual Conference Recordings
PALTC25 Annual Conference Recordings
Pricing:
- Member - Physician: $875
- Member - HCP: $575
- Non Member - Physician: $1,175
- Non Member - HCP: $625
Recorded sessions include:
- Audio synced to slides for most 60 and 90-minute sessions delivered during the conference
- Ability to download session handouts
Please note that the following sessions were not recorded:
- CME100 Therapeutic Joint Injections: Workshop for Practitioners
- CME111 Optimizing Care Transitions Involving Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia
- CME116 Sepsis in Long-Term Care Facilities: From Public Health to Bedside
- CME132 Leading with Purpose: A Framework to Grow and Strengthen the PALTC Careforce
- CME152 Build Your Own Machine Learning Models Without Coding: Hands-on Workshop
- 60.00 CME
- 36.5 CMD Management
- 23.5 CMD Clinical
- 51.00 MOC
- 3.0 NP Pharmacology Hours
Release Date: 04/01/2025 | Expiration: 03/31/2028
Credit Statements:
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 60.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ABIM MOC: Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 51.0 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 36.5 management hours and up to 23.5 clinical hours toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org
Financial Disclosure Information:
The Association requires the disclosure of all speaker/faculty/planner’s relevant financial relationships; presence of off-label use of a device or medication; and discussion of any experimental, new or evolving topic prior to each accredited education activity.
If the learner perceives any bias toward a commercial product or service, advocation of unscientific approaches to diagnosis or therapy, or recommendation, treatment, or manners of practicing healthcare that are determined to have risks or dangers that outweigh the benefits or are known to be ineffective in the treatment of patients please report this to the Association's staff.
The following speakers disclosed a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company:
- Muhammad Ashraf (Speaker): Merck & Co. Inc: Grant Research (ended)
- Susan Huang (Speaker): Xttrium Laboratories: Other (in-kind product contribution for research study) (ongoing)
- Rebecca O'Dwyer (Speaker): UCB Pharma: Advisory Board (ongoing); SK Life Sciences: Consultant (ongoing)
- Sandeep Pagali (Speaker): Humana: Stock shareholder (ongoing); Pfizer: Stock shareholder (ongoing)
- Daniel Parker (Speaker): Eisai: Advisory Board (ongoing)
- Elizabeth Sobczyk (Speaker): Sanofi, Moderna, GSK: Advisory Board (ongoing)
- Todd Sobol (Speaker): CareBand Inc: Advisory Board (ongoing)
- Karl Steinberg (Speaker): Enanta: Consultant (ended)
- Barbara Zarowitz (Speaker): Merck Inc: Consultant (ended); Merck Inc: Honorarium (ended); Eli Lily & Co: Consultant (ended); Eli Lily & Co: Honorarium (ended)
No one else in control of content disclosed a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company. All relevant relationships have been mitigated.
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Contains 5 Component(s), Includes Credits
Developed in collaboration with the American Heart Association, this webinar focuses on strategies for effective communication and seamless transitions of care for patients with heart failure. Participants will explore evidence-based assessment tools and operational processes designed to improve patient outcomes during transitions between care settings.
Upon completing this session, participants will be able to:
- Explain strategies for and the value of effective communication between clinicians at various settings of care when transferring a patient with heart failure
- Summarize examples of evidence-based assessment tools used to facilitate a transition between settings for patients with heart failure
- Describe the benefits of integrating operational processes for transitioning patients with heart failure between settings of care
- Recognize how the integration of facility processes around transitions of care for patients with heart failure can reduce hospital re-admissions and other adverse outcomes
Sharon Huerta
Sharon Huerta is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with a drive for improving patient outcomes and compassionate patient care. She is a Clinical Nurse Specialist with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Johns Hopkins University and a specialization in Heart Failure Program Management. Currently, she serves with an exceptional multidisciplinary team at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee as the leader of the Heart Failure Program.
Under Sharon's leadership, Baptist Memorial Hospital was awarded the prestigious Get with the Guidelines-Heart Failure Gold Plus award and achieved Heart Failure Accreditation through the American College of Cardiology.
Outside of her professional life, Sharon spends her spare time training for running races, traveling, and reading as much as possible.
Nicole Orr, MD, FACC
Nicole Orr, MD, FACC, is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Cardiology at Tufts University School of Medicine, and the founder/president of Post-Acute Cardiology Care, LLC. Her work is dedicated to developing heart failure disease management programs in SNFs with a high burden of HF patients, with an emphasis on educating staff and residents about the complexity of treating this high risk demographic. She serves both as a staff cardiologist and consultant, and provides weekly bedside rounds to several facilities in the Northeast region. She speaks nationally about the need to optimize strategies for treating geriatric cardiology patients admitted to post-acute care, and has published her work and insights regarding best practices for post-acute HF management.
Sing T. Palat, MD, CMD
Sing T. Palat, MD, CMD, is a medical director for Optum Senior Community Care. She works with advance practice clinicians in long-term care settings and precepts medical students, residents and fellows. Dr. Palat is the President of the Colorado chapter of PALTmed and a House of Delegates Representative to the PALTmed Board.
- 1.0 CME
- 1.0 CMD Management
Credit Statements
Release: 3/7/2025 | Expiration: 3/6/2027
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 1.0 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
Financial Disclosure Statement
No one in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits
Learn how to engage PALTC residents and their families in effective conversations about medication deprescribing with this 30-minute, interactive course.
Learn how to engage PALTC residents and their families in effective conversations about medication deprescribing with this 30-minute, interactive course, Deprescribing Communication Techniques. Building on the foundational concepts introduced in Module 1, Design Your Deprescribing Intervention, this second module of the series offers a framework and practical strategies to foster trust, promote shared decision-making, and address common concerns around changing or stopping medications.
Areas of Focus
1. Barriers to Deprescribing
2. Residents’ Potential Perceptions When Discussing Changes to Drugs
3. How Willing Are Residents and Family Caregivers to Deprescribe?
4. FRAME Deprescribing Communication MapLearning Objectives
At the completion of this module, learners will be able to:
• Explore the psychological connections residents, family caregivers, and clinicians have with medications
• Apply the five steps of the FRAME Deprescribing Communication Map
• Implement strategies to manage cognitive dissonanceBackground and Development
This module was designed by the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) and the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) as part of the Drive to Deprescribe initiative to optimize medication use in PALTC. Funding for this module was generously provided by the Foundation for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
Arif Nazir, MD, CMD
Arif Nazir, MD, CMD, currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for BrightSpring Health Services, Primary Care, a large, value-based, geriatric practitioner organization, and the Chief Medical Officer for Signature HealthCARE. He is Past President for AMDA, founding member for the Society’s Innovation Council, and Co-chair of Society’s Drive to Deprescribe initiative. As a healthcare leader, researcher, entrepreneur, and an implementation champion, he continues to focus his efforts on finding practical solutions for solving care coordination gaps and on enhancing leadership and teamwork in the PALTC frontlines.
Jennifer A. Pruskowski, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCGP
Assistant Professor and Director of Geriatric Pharmacy Research and Education
University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Pruskowski is an Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the Director of Geriatric Pharmacy Research, Division of Geriatrics, in the School of Medicine, as well as the Associate Director for Education and Evaluation within the Pittsburgh Veteran Affairs Technology Enhancing Cognition and Health Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (TECH-GRECC).
Sabine Von Preyss-Friedman, MD, FACP, CMD
Sabine Von Preyss-Friedman, MD, FACP, CMD, is an Internist and Geriatric Medical Specialist and has practiced in Skilled Nursing Facilities since her fellowship at the University of Washington in 1988. She first became a certified Medical Director in 1992 and has since been enthusiastically engaged in Medical Direction of Skilled Nursing Facilities. In 2011, she was honored by AMDA/Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine as Medical Director of the Year. She is Associate clinical Professor Emerita at the University of Washington and Chief Medical Officer of Avalon Healthcare. As a Medical Director and Chief Medical Officer she is involved in Quality improvement, developing standards and outcomes measures in our facility and the successful translation of medical evidence into clinical care. Her mission is to support the best care possible medical care for all of our patients. Dr. von Preyss-Friedman currently serves as the president of the Washington State Society of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.
Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP
Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP is Chief Executive of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) in Alexandria, Virginia, the only international professional society devoted to optimal medication management and improved health outcomes for all older persons. ASCP's senior care consultant pharmacist members manage and improve quality of life for geriatric patients and other individuals residing in a variety of environments, including nursing facilities, subacute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, hospice programs, and home- and community-based care. Dr. Worz received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in Ohio, and he is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist. His career has focused on the medication management of older adults. Dr. Worz developed an innovative clinical practice in a long-term care setting in Ohio and directed the pharmacy practice of a regional, independent pharmacy serving 10,000 long-term care residents. Dr. Worz established a nation-wide, geriatric-based consulting company to educate and serve nursing facility residents, nursing facility administration, long-term care pharmacies, and the public through a comprehensive knowledge of medication use. He is a national thought leader, presenting on pharmacy- and medication-related topics, and he has served on a number of national boards related to pharmacy and medication utilization.
- 0.5 CME
- 0.5 CMD Management
Release Date: 12/16/2024 | Expiration Date: 12/16/2026
Credit Statements
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 0.5 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
Financial Disclosure
The Association requires the disclosure of all speaker/faculty/planner’s relevant financial relationships; presence of off-label use of a device or medication; and discussion of any experimental, new, or evolving topic prior to each accredited education activity.If the learner perceives any bias toward a commercial product or service, advocation of unscientific approaches to diagnosis or therapy, or recommendation, treatment, or manners of practicing health care that are determined to have risks or dangers that outweigh the benefits or are known to be ineffective in the treatment of patients, please report this to the Association's staff.
None of the planners, faculty, speakers, or anyone else in control of content disclosed a relevant financial relationship with an ineligible company.
- Member: $19
- Non-Member: $25
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Leading with Purpose: Session 8 | Age-Friendly Health Systems is a Careforce Strategy (October 2024)
This session is part of the Leading With Purpose: Eight Practical Strategies for Engaging Your Careforce eight-part series on leadership strategies that can help facility leaders assess their strengths, lead change, cultivate a positive work culture, and ultimately retain and recruit new members to their teams.
Session 8 | Age-Friendly Health Systems is a Careforce Strategy
Speakers: JoAnne Reifsnyder, PhD, MSN, MBA, FAAN; Taylor McMahon, RN, CNDLTC
Date Recorded: October 17, 2024
This session is part of the Leading With Purpose: Eight Practical Strategies for Engaging Your Careforce eight-part series on leadership strategies that can help facility leaders assess their strengths, lead change, cultivate a positive work culture, and ultimately retain and recruit new members to their teams.
For more information and additional resources, visit paltmed.org/goodthing.
Generously supported by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation and The John A. Hartford Foundation.
JoAnne Reifsnyder, PhD, MSN, MBA, FAAN
JoAnne Reifsnyder is a seasoned nurse executive with more than 35 years of experience in clinical practice, administration, consulting, education and research. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in psychosocial oncology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, and holds a PhD in nursing from the University of Maryland, a Master’s Degree in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from George Washington University.
Taylor McMahon, RN, CNDLTC
Taylor McMahon, RN, CNDLTC, serves as the Director of Nursing at The Willows Presbyterian Senior Care Network in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, while also pursuing further education at Chatham University. McMahon’s love of geriatrics nursing began when she started her career at Presbyterian Senior Care Network in 2014. Engaged in the Pennsylvania-based "Revisiting the Teaching Nursing Home" initiative, currently in Phase II as the Pennsylvania Teaching Nursing Home Collaborative (PA TNHC). Through the PA TNHC, The Willows is actively involved in implementing Age-Friendly Health Systems. As part of a broader organizational strategy, they are working to extend the AFHS approach beyond their facility, fostering its adoption in other areas within the Presbyterian Senior Care Network. The Willows is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing to establish a “teaching” environment where students, academics, and healthcare workers collaborate to improve care for residents and foster nursing careers in nursing homes and geriatrics. She is passionate about engaging student nurses in post-acute care and has led guest lectures at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, focusing on neurocognitive disorders. She supported the nursing home team in quality improvement efforts to decrease hospital readmissions in the development and implementation of COPD/CHF clinical pathways, risk assessment tools, and education. Currently, she is participating in the American Delirium Society’s Borten Nursing Fellowship and recently completed the American Hospital Association Next Generation Leadership Fellowship with a project focus on embedding the Age-Friendly Framework in the affordable housing sector and aid in personal and professional development to better serve her team and residents.
This course is not for credit.
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This on-demand course is structured around the five elements of QAPI and will equip nursing home leaders with the tools necessary to design, implement, and monitor a QAPI program within their facility.
As part of the Conditions of Participation, nursing homes will be challenged to improve not only basic quality improvement skills but also their ability to make Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) the foundation of their work. QAPI significantly expands the level and scope of facility quality improvement activities, mandating adoption of advanced, systematic data-driven quality improvement methodologies to sustain and improve the quality of care and quality of life of nursing home residents. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identified five key elements for QAPI: (1) Design and scope; (2) Governance and leadership; (3) Feedback, data systems, and monitoring; (4) Performance improvement projects (PIPs); (5) Systematic analysis and action.
This interactive on-demand course is structured around the five elements and will equip nursing home leaders with the practical skills needed to make QAPI how “work gets done” rather than seen as a separate “program.” Participants will learn and practice approaches to analyze, initiate, implement, and monitor evidence-based performance improvement projects. Key skills include problem identification, flow diagraming, data collection and trending data, root cause analysis, and monitoring. At the conclusion of the course, participants will have the tools necessary to design, implement, and monitor a QAPI program within their facility.
Target Audience
This course is designed to provide training for the entire interdisciplinary team, including administrators, attending physicians, practitioners (APN, PA), pharmacists, nurses (DON, RN, LPN), and medical directors.
Course Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
- Discuss the five key elements of effective QAPI programs.
- Identify a strategy to design and implement a QAPI program within their nursing home.
- Apply fundamental quality improvement skills, including problem identification, flow diagramming, and root cause analysis to performance improvement projects.
- Describe the importance of monitoring in quality improvement and strategies to develop monitoring systems in their QAPI programs.
Dallas Nelson, MD, CMD, FACP
Dallas Nelson, MD, CMD, FACP, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of the Rochester in the Division Geriatrics and Aging. She is medical director of the UR Medicine Geriatrics Group, a group that serves about 3000 patients across the spectrum of long term care in the Rochester, New York. Dr. Nelson serves as a leader of Telehealth sub-committee for Society of Post-Acute and Long Term Care Medicine. Dr. Nelson has published clinical trials on the use of Telemedicine to reduce Emergency Department Use by Geriatric Homes. She has a passion for improving the care of the geriatric community.
Suzanne Gillespie, MD, RD, CMD
Suzanne Gillespie, MD, RD, CMD, is Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics/Aging and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Hospice & Palliative Medicine. Dr. Gillespie is Associate Chief of Staff for Geriatrics Extended Care and Medical Director of two Community Living Centers in the VA Fingerlakes Healthcare System. She is proud to be the current president of AMDA the Society for PALTC Medicine.
Andrea Moser, MD, MSc, CMD
Andrea Moser, MD, MSc, CMD, is as family physician with a focus practice in care of the elderly and is the Corporate Medical Director for the City of Toronto Seniors Services and LTC Homes Division. She is an Associate Professor, DFCM, University of Toronto, VP of the Canadian Society for Long Term Care Medicine (CSLTCM), board member of American Board of Post Acute and LTC (ABPLM) and a member of AMDA’s education, membership and telemedicine committees. She is former president of OLTCP and has been involved in numerous educational activities most significant as the co-developer of the Ontario Medical Director Curriculum which is now mandatory for all Medical Directors in Ontario Long Term Care Homes.
Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD
Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, is a Senior Medical Director with UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions. In this role, Dr. Sanders-Cepeda provides oversight and direction for multiple clinical programs and initiatives as well as creating and designing innovative solutions to meet the demands of the retirees she serves. Dr. Sanders-Cepeda serves at a national level and presents clinical results to private and public sector business entities throughout the country.
- 3.75 CME
- 3.75 CMD Management
Release Date: 12/01/2024 | Expiration: 12/01/2027
Credit Statements
Accreditation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CME Designation: Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association designates this enduring material for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CMD Credit Hours: This CME activity has been pre-approved for up to 3.75 management hour(s) toward certification or recertification as a Certified Medical Director (CMD) in post-acute and long-term care medicine. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent on the activity. The CMD Program is administered by PALTmed. For further information, contact PALTmed at 410-992-3115 or at certification@paltmed.org.
Financial Disclosure Statement
No one in control of content disclosed any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
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