Thank you to our Event Sponsors:
Mount Tallac (Title Sponsor) and Photobooth Sponsor:
Lanyard Sponsor:
Attendee Packet September 10 (Wed) - Speakers
Mike Willden with Brett Salmon – “83rd (2025) Legislative Session Report and Medicaid Reimbursement Update”
Mike Willden is a highly respected leader with over 45 years of experience in Nevada state government. He served 13 years as Director of the Department of Health and Human Services under three governors and played a key role in expanding Medicaid in the state. Mike later served as Chief of Staff to Governor Brian Sandoval, where he helped shape historic budgets and led Nevada’s response to the opioid crisis. A proud Nevada native, he brings deep expertise in public service, policy, and health care administration.
Craig Zablocki – “Synergy in Action: Building Collaboration and Communication”
Craig Zablocki is an internationally recognized speaker who has inspired over 1.5 million people across all 50 states and multiple industries over the past three decades. Known for his humor-infused “simple wisdom,” Craig has made a powerful impact in healthcare—working with organizations like the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and numerous state long-term care associations. His highly interactive and authentic style helps individuals and organizations break through barriers and unlock their full potential. Craig is celebrated as a catalyst for change, helping teams thrive by tackling what keeps them stuck—with heart, humor, and insight.
- No PowerPoint presentation
Donna Thorson, MS, CPHQ, CPPS – “Partnering with HSAG for Quality Through the CMS QIN-QIO Program”
Donna S. Thorson, MS, CPHQ, CPPS, is a healthcare quality improvement professional with more than 24 years of experience. Ms. Thorson works with providers in various settings and in the community to improve the quality and safety of health care. She convenes and facilitates collaborative groups to identify and implement evidence-based strategies that improve healthcare processes and systems using human factors science to enhance the effectiveness of identified interventions. She excels at training and providing technical assistance on quality improvement methodology to improve clinical outcomes, quality measures, and safety across the health care continuum. Ms. Thorson has made numerous presentations about quality improvement (including human factors concepts) to quality improvement professionals and healthcare providers nationally, regionally, and in Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Washington D.C.
Ms. Thorson received her Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University in 1981 and her Master of Science degree from the University of Utah in 1987. She has been a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) since 2004 and maintains membership in the National Association for Healthcare Quality. Ms. Thorson became a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) in 2016. In 2019, she completed certification as a coach in Conversational Intelligence®.
Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG – “Partnering with HSAG for Quality Through the CMS QIN-QIO Program”
Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG, serves as the Senior Executive Director for Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau (West CMS QIN-QIO Region 7). With over 20 years of experience in healthcare quality improvement, she has spent 17 years at HSAG supporting providers, such as nursing homes and hospitals. She currently provides oversight and direction to the tasks associated with the QIN-QIO Statements of Work contracts aimed at improving quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries. She works closely with stakeholders and providers to implement data-driven interventions focused on infection prevention, immunizations, readmissions, emergency preparedness, patient safety, and workforce stability. She holds a master’s degree in gerontology from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Cornell University.
Mike Dean, MBA – “Responsible Food Procurement for Changing Times”
Mike Dean holds an MBA in Healthcare Administration and brings over a decade of experience in healthcare management, spanning both nursing home and assisted living settings. His deep industry knowledge enables him to deliver strategic, results-driven solutions in senior living. Mike is passionate about improving care outcomes and operational efficiency across the continuum of long-term care.
Amy Miller is a registered nurse and certified professional coder with over 25 years of experience in skilled nursing and long-term care. Amy has her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Misericordia University in Pennsylvania and is also a certified resident assessment coordinator.
Hawley Hunt, MBA, MHA, LNHA – “Infection Control in Focus from Regulatory Foundations” and “Preventing Common Citations in Today’s Regulatory Climate”
Hawley Hunt is the Director of Regulatory and Quality Services for AHCA. Prior to joining AHCA, she was an Administrator for many years in a skilled nursing facility in Raleigh, North Carolina. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Management, and a dual Master’s in Health Care Administration and Master’s in Business Administration from Pfeiffer University. Hawley has a passion for the long-term care, especially quality improvement and caring for residents with dementia diagnoses.
- Infection Control in Focus From Regulatory Foundations to Real World Compliance NV
- From Trends to Tactics
David M. Posner, MBA – “A Referee’s Guide to Leadership in Healthcare”
Rachel Reeves – “Communicating in Crisis”
As Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Rachel develops and implements AHCA/NCAL’s strategic communications efforts. She is responsible for the association’s media relations, social and digital media, and multimedia communication. Rachel provides advice and counsel to executive leadership on communications, as well as cultivating and managing the Public Affairs team in the association. Rachel serves as a spokesperson for AHCA/NCAL, representing the association and speaking on behalf of the long term care profession. She also seeks to increase stakeholders’ engagement with the association through effective member communications while also helping to inform policymakers and members of the public about long term care.
Rachel has worked at AHCA/NCAL since 2011 and, for six years, served as the director of communications for its sister organization, the National Center for Assisted Living. Prior to AHCA/NCAL, Rachel was the deputy director of communications for the former governor of Kansas, Mark Parkinson, and a communications assistant for former Congresswoman Nancy Boyda.
Rachel has a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Affairs from Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas.
Dr. Monica Tsai – “Harnessing the Power of Augmented Intelligence”
Dr. Monica Tsai is the co-founder of CloudMind, an innovative AI platform redefining how we care for aging loved ones. With 18 years of leadership experience in HR and operations at tech companies, she has developed deep expertise in scaling organizations, driving innovation, and managing growth challenges. Monica holds a Master of Arts in Leadership and a Doctorate in Social Science, where her research focused on Artificial and Augmented Intelligence, highlighting her commitment to people-centered technology.
M. Jeanne Hesterlee – “Most Cited SNF Regulations and Current Federal Guidance”
M. Jeanne Hesterlee is currently the Health Facilities Inspection Manager at the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Health Care Quality and Compliance.
Marie Coe – “Navigating Power of Attorney in Nevada Long-Term Care”
Marie is the Nevada State Long Term Care Ombudsman. She is analytical, energetic, and detail-oriented advocate with extensive experience in long-term care advocacy. She advocates at the local, state, and national levels to promote policies and consumer protections to improve residents’ care and quality of life.
Kirstin Hudson and Mark Freitas (no photos) – “Navigating Nevada’s Workplace Violence Prevention Statues”
Kirstin Hudson and Mark Freitas are Safety Specialist-Trainers with the Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations, Safety Consultation and Training Section. Both are OSHA Authorized General Industry Safety and Health Trainers through the OSHA Training Institute Education Center at the University of California, San Diego, and serve as instructors for Nevada’s Safety and Health Practitioner Certificate Program. In addition, Mark Freitas is also an OSHA Authorized Construction Safety and Health Trainer.
| DAY 1 – September 10 (Wed) | |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST |
| 8:00 – 8:05 AM | Welcome Note by Brett Salmon, President and CEO |
| 8:05 – 8:10 AM | Mount Tallac Sponsor (Title) by Bill Treese, Behavioral Health Solutions’ CEO and Founder |
| 8:10 – 9:10 AM | 83rd Nevada Legislative Session Report and Medicaid Reimbursement Update by Mike Willden |
| 9:15 – 10:15 AM | KEYNOTE: Building Collaboration and Communication by Craig Zablocki |
| 10:15 – 10:30 AM | BREAK |
| 10:30 – 11:30 AM | Partnering for Quality Through the CMS QIN-QIO Program by Amy Schmidt and Jennifer Wieckowski |
| 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM | TRADE SHOW LUNCH |
| 1:15 – 2:15PM | Responsible Food Procurement for Changing Times by Mike Dean |
| 2:15 – 2:30 PM | BREAK |
| 2:30 – 3:30PM | Infection Control in Focus from Regulatory Foundations by Hawley Hunt |
| 3:35 – 4:35 PM | Preventing Common Citations in Today’s Regulatory Climate by Hawley Hunt |
| DAY 2 – September 11 (Thu) | |
| 7:00 – 8:00 AM | REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST |
| 8:00 – 9:00 AM | KEYNOTE: A Referee’s Guide to Leadership by David M. Posner |
| 9:05 – 10:05 AM | Communicating in Crisis by Rachel Reeves |
| 10:05 – 10:20 AM | BREAK |
| 10:20 – 11:20 AM | Harnessing the Power of Augmented Intelligence by Dr. Monica Tsai |
| 11:20 AM – 12:20 PM | LUNCH |
| 12:20 – 1:20 PM | Changes with Regulations and the TOP 10 Citations by M. Jeanne Hesterlee |
| 1:20 – 2:20 PM | Navigating Power of Attorney in Nevada Long-Term Care by Marie Coe |
| 2:20 – 2:35 PM | BREAK |
| 2:35 – 3:35 PM | Navigating Nevada’s Workplace Violence Prevention Statutes by Kirstin Hudson and Mark Freitas |
