Lashuan Bethea, Executive Director of the National Center for Assisted Living
Keynote Speaker
LaShuan Bethea is Executive Director of the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), the assisted living affiliate of the American Health Care Association. She joined NCAL in 2021 after serving in senior leadership roles at Genesis HealthCare and brings more than 25 years of long-term care experience as both a registered nurse and attorney. Bethea leads the association’s public policy and quality initiatives and advocates on behalf of assisted living providers before federal officials, regulators, and national organizations. She holds a law degree from Widener University School of Law, a master’s degree in education from American InterContinental University, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Phoenix.
Albert Ruiz, Plans Examiner III and Bureau Chief of Fire Protection Engineering for the Nevada Department of Public Safety (no photo)
Albert currently serves as Plans Examiner III and Bureau Chief of Fire Protection Engineering for the Nevada Department of Public Safety, within the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division. In this role, he leads fire protection engineering oversight and plan reviews to ensure compliance with state fire codes and life-safety standards. Albert provides technical guidance on complex fire protection systems and supports public safety initiatives that safeguard Nevada’s communities and critical infrastructure.
Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Director of Partner Education at Incite Strategic Partners
Jennifer Bruning, MS, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian, national spokesperson, and engaging speaker with more than 15 years of experience in nutrition and senior living. She serves as Senior Director of Partner Education at Incite Strategic Partners and as a National Media Spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Jennifer regularly speaks to senior living and health care audiences across the country and shares practical, evidence-based nutrition guidance through national media outlets.
Shauna Kapsner, Director of Education and Events at the Care Providers of Minnesota
Shauna Kapsner grew up around long term care, visiting nursing homes from the time she was a week old and gaining early insight into the profession through her mother’s work as an RN and LNHA. She earned a BA in political science and history from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a master’s degree in political science with a specialization in international relations from Ohio University. Since 2007, she has worked in long term care with a focus on assisted living and dementia care, taking on a wide range of responsibilities including quality improvement, training programs, operations, and grant writing. She served four years as Minnesota’s NCAL State Leader and six years on the board of Care Providers of Minnesota, and has been a Master Examiner for the American Health Care Association Quality Award Program since 2019. Kapsner is passionate about strong systems and processes and believes there is always an opportunity to improve in long term care.
- Personal Leadership and the Leadership System – A Key To Leading A High-Performing Organization
- Leadership Self-Assessment
Johna Rusch, Health Facility Inspector III, Supervisor, and Terri Buster, Health Facility Inspector III, Supervisor, for the Nevada Health Authority (no photos)
Johna Rusch is a Health Facility Inspector III and Supervisor with the Nevada Health Authority. She has been with Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) since 2011, beginning in the complaint department before becoming a surveyor in 2012 on the non-medical team. In that role, she surveyed a wide range of facilities including residential group facilities, homes for individual residential care, unlicensed homes, and personal care agencies. She became a federal surveyor in 2015, overseeing skilled nursing and outpatient facilities, and was promoted to supervisor of the non-medical team in 2022.
Terri Buster is a Health Facility Inspector III and Supervisor with the Nevada Health Authority. She has worked with HCQC since 2017 and has served the State of Nevada for 20 years. With a background in social work, she brings extensive experience supporting and assisting the public and is committed to ensuring quality and compliance across health care settings.
| 8:30 – 8:55 AM | Registration and Breakfast | |
| 8:55 – 9:00 AM | Welcome Note by Brett Salmon, President and CEO | |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Keynote – What Assisted Living Leaders Need to Know: A National NCAL Update by Lashuan Bethea, NCAL | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 AM | Understanding Fire Safety Inspections at an Assisted Living Facility by Albert Ruiz, Department of Public Safety | |
| 11:00 – 12:00 PM | Boom Goes the Dining Room: Updating Dining Programs for A New Generation by Jen Bruning, Incite Strategic Partners | |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch | |
| 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Personal Leadership and the Leadership System – A Key To Leading A High-Performing Organization by Shauna Kapsner, Care Providers of Minnesota | |
| 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Top 10 Citations, Regulatory Updates and General Q&A by Johna Rusch and Terri Buster, Nevada Health Authority |