News Release FHCA 2013Annual Conference

FHCA Annual Conference to feature top-notch speakers, timely education, celebration of quality

For Immediate Release - August 1, 2013
Contact: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 510-4389 or kknapp@fhca.org

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida Health Care Association’s (FHCA) 2013 Annual Conference & Trade Show will kick off Monday, August 5, at The Westin Diplomat in Hollywood, Fl. with nearly 1,000 long term care professionals expected to attend. Collectively providing quality care for over 71,000 seniors and persons with disabilities every day, attendees will share information and receive training and education on the latest trends and developments impacting long term care at the state and national level. A 276+booth Trade Show will also give attendees access to a variety of products and services available to support their facility operations and quality care initiatives.

Featured keynote presenters will include American Health Care Association Chair Neil Pruitt, who will speak on Tuesday, August 6, sharing insight into what is on the horizon for the long term and post-acute care profession, including changing payment models such as managed long term care and the impacts of current and pending national legislation. Pruitt will also provide an update on the profession’s quality initiatives to reduce hospital readmissions and the use of antipsychotic medications and increase workforce retention and customer satisfaction levels.

FHCA’s 2013 Annual Conference brings together CEOs, long term care executives, skilled nursing (nursing home) and assisted living facility administrators and others working in the profession. Fifty continuing education sessions will focus on topics related to Medicaid managed care, the Affordable Care Act, clinical practice, survey readiness and regulatory compliance, financial and legal aspects, state legislative issues and grassroots advocacy, workforce recruitment and retention, leadership development and the latest trends and technologies in health care. Other invited special guests include Reps. Daniel Davis (R – Jacksonville), Katie Edwards (D – Sunrise), Eddy Gonzalez (R – Hialeah Gardens), Bill Hager (R- Boca Raton), Mark Pafford (D – West Palm Beach) and Cary Pigman (R – Sebring), as well as Sens. René Garcia (R-Hialeah),Denise Grimsley (R – Sebring), Joe Negron (R – Palm City) and Jeremy Ring (D – Margate), who will be honored as FHCA’s 2013 Legislative Champions for the Elderly.

“Professionals who want the latest information about long term care will find it at this conference,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director. “The event offers so much more than a chance to earn continuing education credits; it allows these professionals to come together, learn from and network with one another and increase their knowledge base so they can continue improving upon their ability to deliver the highest quality of care to our state’s frail elders.”

Attendees are encouraged to share their thoughts and questions via social media using the official Conference hashtag, #fhca2013.

For more information about the FHCA 2013 Annual Conference & Trade Show, and how to register, visit the Conference website at www.fhcaconference.org, or call the FHCA headquarters at (850) 224-3907. For information about obtaining a press pass, contact Kristen Knapp at (850) 510-4389 or kknapp@fhca.org.

ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit www.fhca.org.

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