Frequently Asked Questions

Which ticket type do I purchase?
Provider tickets are for skilled nursing care providers, SNF owners, therapy providers, health systems, administrators, clinicians, nurses, government agencies and other care providers. Vendor tickets are for professionals in finance, technology, staffing, legal, sales, and marketing.

What does my ticket include?
A ticket includes access to all sessions, lunch, refreshments, as well as a networking reception. 

Will sessions be recorded?
We will not be audio or video recording any sessions. We encourage attendees to review our agenda in advance so they can attend the sessions that are of most interest.

Are there kosher and other dietary options at the event?
Please email [email protected] for more information.

What is the refund policy?
For all tickets, no refunds are available within 45-days of the event. No exceptions.

How do I contact the organizer?
Email us at [email protected].

My company or organization owns or is an active investor in a provider. Which ticket type can I purchase?
If your organization owns or invests in a provider or providers in this space, your firm is classified as a private equity investor. If you wish to get the provider pricing, you would need to use that organization's email system/domain to register for the ticket to qualify as a provider. No exceptions.

Have upcoming event dates been announced?
Click here to see all upcoming SNN Events.

Event Details

Hours
August 19 – 9:00 am - 4:05 PM CT.  Doors open at 8 am
Networking Reception 4:05 - 6:00 PM CT in the Pullman Room
August 20 – 9:00 am - 11:30 AM CT. Doors open at 8 am

Location
Loews Chicago,  455 North Park Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60611

September 1-2, 2026 • Philadelphia, PA

2024 Conference Agenda

9:00 - 9:10 AM

9:10 - 9:40 AM

9:45 - 10:00 AM

Melissa Powell
President
The Allure Group

Trip Hoffer
CEO
Optum Behavioral Health Solutions

Mark Friedlander
Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health 
Universal Health Services

11:00 - 11:15 AM

Shana Hoffman
President & CEO
New Directions

1:55 -2:25 PM

Jeremy Bischoff
Vice President of Reimbursement
Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities (KAHCF)
Kentucky Center for Assisted Living (KCAL)

John Mezzullo, DO 
Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health 
Eventus Whole Health

Jacob Berelowitz
Program Director
Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities

Sonia Garcia
COO
Amae Health

1:00 - 1:15 PM

Brian Ellsworth
Vice President, Public Policy and
Payment Transformation
Health Dimensions Group (HDG)

9:00 - 9:30 AM

Cynthia Wade
President
Lincoln Health Hospital System

11:30 - 12:00 PM

Titles

CEO
Chief Clinical Officer
Chief Managed Care and Strategy Officer
Chief Government Relations Officer
Director of Clinical Services
Head of Acquisitions
Infection Preventionist
Manager Post Acute SNF Program
SVP Strategic Finance
SVP, Growth & Development
Vice President, Population Health
VP Acquisitions
VP Clinical Operations
VP of Reimbursement

Companies

Advocate Aurora Health
Amedisys
Cambridge Realty Capital
Cascadia Healthcare
Contessa Health 
Encore Rehabilitation
Ignite Medical Resorts
Kwalu
Prestige Healthcare
ProMedica
Sabra Health Care REIT
Sterling Healthcare
Tapestry Health
TridentCare

Accommodations
Click here to access of hotel block at The Blackstone Hotel Chicago. Reservations cut-off date is August 28, 2023. 

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Steve Hart  
COO
Heritage Operations Group

12:00 - 1:00 PM

August 19

Ted LeNeave 
CEO 
Accura

10:00 - 11:00 AM

11:20 AM - 12:00 PM

Mark Friedlander
Chief Medical Officer, Behavioral Health 
Universal Health Services

3:35 - 4:05 PM

Stephanie Chedid
CEO
Luther Manor

Matthew Maurano 
CEO
Transitions Healthcare

Nicole Kaufman
Chief Transformation Officer
Genesis HealthCare

Kyle Linn
Senior Vice President of Operations
Brickyard Healthcare

Paul Pruitt 
CEO
Majestic Care

Leslie Zimmerman-Black 
Regional Director of Clinical Services, Management Division Mission Health Communities

Donna Farr  
President of Touchpoints Therapy and VP Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
iCare Health Network

Katie Hughes
Regional Nurse Consultant 
Allure Healthcare Services

Amber Kirwin
SVP of Talent Acquisition & Recruiting
Signature HealthCARE

Nancy Koha 
Chief Process Officer Principle LTC

Dr. Christopher A. Boyle, MD
Chief of Stewardship and Physician Advisor Services
North Region, NorthShore, Edward Elmhurst Health

Austin Steele
Chief Strategy Officer 
Journey Skilled Nursing

Payment models, resident acuity, staffing stability, tightening regulations, evolving technology and new consumer expectations are just some of the factors that are playing a role in shaping the nursing home of the future. Hear from leaders in the field about their top four priorities that they believe will position nursing homes for the future.

Strapped for cash, struggling to find workers, and contending with a host of other challenges, many nursing home operators have been forced to make difficult decisions in recent years. Hear from leaders with three providers about the pivots that their companies have made, their visions for next steps, and their takes on the future of skilled nursing.

While it’s assumed a Republican administration means lessened regulatory scrutiny, nothing about Trump’s second term has ended up being conventional between a funding freeze, communications halt and unlikely candidates to lead HHS and CMS, not to mention the potential for heavy cuts to Medicaid. Get the latest insights into the action in Washington and how providers can be prepared.

Implementation of survey changes began April 28, after multiple delays at the beginning of the year. Learn how nursing home operators are faring and gain insight into best practices for complying with new guidance on admission agreements, medication management, infection control and health equity considerations.

Hospitals across the country have been unable to transition patients to post-acute settings, prompting creative new approaches to SNF partnerships.

Toni Headstream
e
Elmbrook Managment Company

Ticket Prices
Provider: $775
Vendor: $3,000

Toni Headstream 
Dir. of Clinical Education
Elmbrook Management

Mike Nickolaus
CEO and Partner
EF Senior Care

Every nursing home provider is in a constant quest to improve fall prevention and response, and reduce pressure ulcers and nosocomial infections. Gain practical strategies for achieving improvement in these areas through a variety of approaches, including operational practices, staff education, technological assistance and more.

10:35 - 11:05 AM

Kimberly Green 
COO
Diakonos Group

Tim Fields
CEO 
Ignite Medical Resorts

Deke Cateau  
CEO
A.G. Rhodes

9:35 - 10:05 AM

Stephanie Parks
Chief Development Officer
Reliant Rehabilitation

J. Lynn Bauknight
Corporate Dir. of Client Success
Reliant Rehabilitation

Renee Anderson
Chief Operating Officer
Trinity Healthcare

Jennifer Robinson
President
SanStone Health and Rehab

Marybeth O'Connor
VP of Corporate Development American Health Plans

Elizabeth McLaren, Sr.  
Vice President of Revenue-Cycle Reimbursement and HCBS
Covenant Living

2:25 - 3:00 PM

From the creation of a data-focused “retentionist” role to hyper-personalized approaches to orientation, learn about approaches that nursing home providers are taking to address the most pressing challenge they face: building a strong team with low turnover and high engagement.

4:05 - 6:00 PM

Assisted living is hot among investors, with 50% of respondents to a JLL survey identifying AL as the top senior living opportunity in 2025. Meanwhile, some of the largest recent deals have focused on skilled nursing. Get more perspective on what is driving investor interest in both types of assets and how the demand for higher-acuity care is shaping portfolios and value-creation strategies.

The rise of managed care has put SNFs under financial and operational pressure, with challenging payment rates, mounting denials and appeals, and a host of other challenges. Learn how providers are adapting to secure their margins and keep their operations from being overwhelmed by mounting demands.

11:45 - 12:15 PM

Matt Nieukirk
Director of OSF SNF Practice
OSF HealthCare

Kevin Pascoe
Chief Investment Officer
National Health Investors (NHI)

Despite ongoing operational, regulatory and economic headwinds, real estate investment trusts have expressed bullish outlooks on the skilled nursing sector and are pursuing investments in the space. Hear from REIT leaders about the scope of the SNF opportunity, their investment strategies, and their perspectives on hot-button issues like the staffing mandate, managed care growth, labor pressures, interest rates and more.

The aging population means that demand for post-acute and long-term care is building, but market competition, staffing strains and other challenges can impede efforts to drive census. Learn best practices for creating competitive differentiation, crafting an effective marketing strategy, driving the right payer mix, developing strong referral partnerships, improving the admissions process, and other key factors in building strong, stable occupancy.

DeeAndra Sandgren 
Chief Nursing Officer
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

Eric Gillis
SVP, Investments
CareTrust REIT

DeeAndra Sandgren
Chief Nursing Officer
Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society

The RETHINK Conference is the premier skilled nursing event that brings executives together for content and networking that addresses trends, challenges, and the future of the nursing home industry. Join skilled nursing, therapy, health system, post-acute care executives, investors and professionals, as well as vendors, developers, and consultants for a one-of-a-kind event.

Topics include:

• C-suite outlook on the future of the industry
• Skilled nursing investment trends
• Regulatory & reimbursement trends
• Staffing challenges and opportunities
• M&A outlook
• Data, analytics and technology
• And more...

Haley F. Paley
Chief Operations Officer
MPAC Healthcare

J. Lynn Bauknight PT, MSPT, CWS, RAC-CTA
Corporate Clinical Consultant 
Caring Healthcare

Stephanie Parks, MBA, MS CCC-SLP
Chief Development Officer
Reliant Rehabilitation

The delivery of higher-acuity care for older adults is transforming. Nursing homes are under intense operational and financial pressure, leading to closures across the country, yet their services remain a crucial part of an increasingly integrated health care continuum. Assisted living, meanwhile, is a hot asset class for investors and a growth sector for many operators, yet they are seeking innovations to deliver more advanced care and participate in new payment models. Hear from leaders who know both the skilled nursing and assisted living markets about their visions for the future and how those visions are translating into business strategies.

While demographics drive demand for skilled nursing services, facilities continue to close down due to cost pressure, staffing shortages and other issues. Meanwhile, more sophisticated care is being delivered in the home. Hear from leaders about what these trends mean for the future of SNFs and how they are strategizing to create organizations that can weather headwinds and flourish.

The complexities of the MDS and PDPM mean that keeping up with best practices is a constant challenge, and every skilled nursing provider can benefit from a review of common errors that can lead to missed reimbursements. This session will cover clinical conditions and operational practices that often are associated with documentation errors, undercoding and other problems, and tips for how to address these challenges to capture proper reimbursement levels.

The trend of nursing home closures across the country has raised questions about where older adults with serious conditions will receive the services they need, with assisted living being one answer. Meanwhile, evolving payment models and technology have enabled more advanced care in assisted living. Hear from leaders about the role that AL plays in the continuum and gain insight into their AL strategies.

The rise of value-based models and the growth of MA special needs plans, uncertainty around the future of Medicaid, and opportunities created by enhanced assisted living programs in some states are among the trends reshaping assisted living. Hear about how providers are evaluating these models amid the backdrop of rising acuity and the need to serve the middle market.

A strong tech platform is the backbone of a strong assisted living organization, but the best providers recognize they need to keep pace with rapid advances across a range of technologies. Learn more about how providers are breaking new ground with tech, including harnessing systems to capture a greater array of data around resident health and lifestyle goals, and leveraging the information to drive better outcomes and increased resident engagement.

A strong tech platform is the backbone of a strong assisted living organization, but the best providers recognize they need to keep pace with rapid advances across a range of technologies. Learn more about how providers are breaking new ground with tech, including harnessing systems to capture a greater array of data around resident health and lifestyle goals, and leveraging the information to drive better outcomes and increased resident engagement.

August 20

Traditional ways of operating assisted living are no longer adequate. Hear how leading providers are adopting more sophisticated models to address more complex clinical needs, heightened consumer expectations, pressing workforce challenges, and other trends shaping the future of AL.

Jillian Fessler
National Director of Clinical Reimbursement
CareRite Centers 

Dan Strittmater
VP of Innovation and Bench Strength
Monarch Healthcare Management

Dusanka Delovska-Trajkova
Chief Information Officer
Ingleside

Jennifer Robinson
President
SanStone Health and Rehabilitation

Steve Hart
COO
Heritage Operations Group

Sam Bechthold
Chief Investment Officer
Eduro

Laurel Lingle
Vice President of Talent Acquisition
Journey

Becky Anderson
Chief Clinical Officer
Focused Post Acute Care Partners

Joe Kiernan
Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President of Network Development
Ocean Healthcare

Shawna Rainey
Senior Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement
Ignite Medical Resorts 

Phil Chuang
SVP, Healthcare Services
HumanGood 

Stephanie Boreale
SVP, Health Strategy and Wellness 
Watermark Retirement

Dr. Andrew McNamara
Chief Medical Officer 
Trilogy Health Services

Marlena Hemenway
Chief Experience Officer
The Geneva Suites  

Joel Theisen
Founder and CEO
Lifespark

Lori Strubbe
CEO
Focused Post Acute Care Partners (FPACP)

Dan Willliams
CEO and Partner
OneLife Senior Living

Joe Kiernan
Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President of Network Development
Ocean Healthcare

Mark Dubovick
CEO/Executive Director
The SelfHelp Home

Carl Hirschman
President
Longevity Senior Living

Matthew Trammel
COO
Journey

Joel Theisen
Founder and CEO
Lifespark

Joe Weidt
Managing Director, Senior Living & Healthcare
Northwind Group

Gary Blake
CEO
Creative Solutions in Healthcare 

Joel Van Eaton
Executive Vice President of Post-Acute Care Regulatory Affairs and Education
Broad River Rehab

Melonie McManus
Chief Nursing Officer
 Infinity Health Care Management 

Dr. Robert Russell
Chief Medical Officer
Majestic Care 

Lisa Chubb
Chief Clinical Officer
Brickyard Healthcare 

Dr. Geraldine Luna
Chief Medical Officer
ALIYA Healthcare 

Andy Frasure
COO
Larry H. Miller Senior Health

Aubrey Simmons
Vice President of Clinical Reimbursement
Champion Care 

Melissa Evraets, RN
VP of Resident Care & Chief Nursing Officer
Vi Living

Andrea Thayer
Vice President
Senior Management Inc
Care & Rehab

Phil Kayden
Chief Investment Officer
Health Wave Partners

1:20- 1:50 PM

Maureen M. Maloney
President & Chief Operating Officer
GuideStar Eldercare

Stephanie Neely, RN
Vice President of Clinical Operations
Lionstone Care Management

Innovative talent drives the aging and post-acute care industries forward, forging a path with limitless potential and transformative thinking. The future leaders are already within our ranks, and the companies at the forefront of success are the ones retaining them at all levels. Join us in congratulating the Complex Rehab Technology & Skilled Nursing Future Leaders Class of 2025!

3:00 - 3:30 PM

10:05 - 10:35 AM

11:05 - 11:35 AM

Charlotte Smith, M.D., FAAPMR
SVP of Clinical Care
Medrina

Matthew Cowling, D.O., FAAPMR
Chief Clinical Officer
Medrina

Ari Shabat
CEO
Reside Admissions

Fall prevention is no longer just a clinical concern—it’s a systems issue. This panel brings together leading voices from the frontlines of care and the forefront of advocacy to explore how coordinated, top-down and bottom-up strategies can meaningfully reduce falls in older adults. Experts will examine clinical best practices, policy and reimbursement levers, community-based initiatives, and the power of advocacy in shaping scalable prevention efforts. Attendees will gain insight into how unified action—from bedside to big-picture strategy—can drive better outcomes and elevate fall prevention as a national priority.

Stephanie Wakeman
Clinical Director
OneStep

Patrick Tarnowski
Chief Commercial Officer
OneStep

Nick Patel
Executive Director
Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation (APTQI)

Holly Hester
Senior Director, Client Experience
Net Health 

Janine Savage
Division President, Value-Based Care Solutions
Net Health

Keavy Murphy
Vice President, Security
Net Health

Jennifer Dinehart Swain
VP of Clinical Reimbursement
Aston Health

Joanie Antico
Director of Clinical Services
Wachusett

Dr. Itai Schalit
CMO
SAIVA AI

Tim Tarpey
Executive VP of Growth
SAIVA AI

Admissions is not commonly considered in VBC discussions. But the admissions process is your organization’s first opportunity to deliver on the VBC promise, and is critical to key goals such as reduced hospitalizations and high patient satisfaction. Learn more about how a streamlined, resident-focused admissions process is a strategic asset in value-based care.

Explore how quality behavioral health is critical to clinical, regulatory, and operational success amid evolving CMS regulations. This timely panel will address new survey risks, including psychotropic medication use, documentation, and diagnostic accuracy. Learn strategies for improving compliance, reducing staff burnout, and enhancing operational success through better behavioral health practices. Gain insights from real-world experiences and discover how reimagining behavioral health can drive excellence across your organization. Don’t miss this essential discussion for navigating today’s regulatory landscape and delivering safer, more effective care.

Steve LaForte
Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs
Cascadia

Kevin Murphy
Theoria Medical

Lauren Kaufmann
Senior Marketing Manager
Smartlinx

John Duckworth
National Director of Sales
CECA Foundation

Arthur Cooperberg
Vice President of Finance/HR Cassena Care