Karen Goldsmith currently serves as Florida Health Care Association's Regulatory Counsel and previously served as the association's Legal Counsel since 1980. She represents a number of providers of nursing home and assisted living facilities. She is active on the American Health Care Association Legal Committee and served as its chairman for two terms. She is active in the American Health Lawyers Association. She speaks often on health care and legal issues and has written numerous articles.

Michelle Dillehay BSN, RN, GERO-BC has been employed with the Agency for Health Care Administration since 1999. Currently, she enjoys working in the Survey and Certification Support Branch to provide training and quality assurance in Field Operations. She served as a supervisor and preceptor for the Orlando office that includes Orange, Seminole, Brevard and Osceola counties. Michelle was also a Registered Nurse Specialist surveyor and a Quality-of-Care Monitor for nursing homes and assisted living facilities from Daytona Beach to Miami. Michelle received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Kent State University in Ohio in 1988 and has her Certification in Gerontology from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She has enjoyed being a Registered Nurse for 35 years with over 30 years of experience in long term care."

Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC , has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which in long term care. Robin's passion is teaching and training with a focus on risk management as a means to help improve quality and resident outcomes while increasing long term care professional's work satisfaction. Robin worked as a nursing assistant, LPN, RN, DON, regional nurse, CCO, and COO. She now owns and operates RB Health Partners, Inc. (RBHPs) a long term care consultancy firm for the past 20 years. RBHPs employs an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and consultants to support long term care providers meet their quality improvement goals.

Kim Broom has been a Registered Nurse for 37 years with 24 years in long term care as a Director of Nursing, Regional Nurse Consultant, and other roles. She is a risk manager and for six years was the administrator of a 68-bed assisted living center with an Extended Congregate Care license. She came to FHCA in May of 2017 and is the liaison to Senior Clinicians Council, Risk Compliance Council, Infection Prevention Council, and the Florida Center for Assisted Living (FCAL) Committee.

Robin received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Florida State University in Speech Pathology.  Robin’s career has focused on post-acute care initially in Therapy Services.  In 2002, Robin became a Healthcare Risk Manager and has focused her efforts on proactive and response driven Risk Management. Robin is the Vice Chair of the FHCA Risk and Compliance Council.  Robin is currently the Chief Risk Officer for Lilac Health Group supporting 38 Centers across Florida. 

Hazel Mahoney has been a Registered Nurse since 1978, training originally in England, working in the Middle East and then moving to Florida in 1990. She has worked in hospitals, long term care centers and physician provider organizations in various capacities. Hazel completed her BA in Health Administration through the University of Dundee distance learning program in 2012. Hazel has developed, implemented and monitored clinical risk management programs for three long term care companies in Florida, moving into Compliance in 2013. In 2014, Hazel achieved certification in Health Care Compliance and Health Care Privacy Compliance. She has developed, implemented, and now oversees comprehensive Ethics and Compliance Programs for different operating companies which meet OIG guidelines.

Brandi Byrd has been with Agency for Health Care Administration since January 2016. She is a General & Operations Manager for the Complaint and Intake Management Unit within the Division of Health Care Policy and Oversight. The unit oversees every facility reported incident submitted to the Agency from multiple providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, and abortion clinics. Prior to her current role, she was a surveyor with Agency for several years. Ms. Byrd is a Registered Nurse with 15 years of professional experience providing direct care and risk management oversight for multiple provider types.

Robin received her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Florida State University in Speech Pathology.  Robin’s career has focused on post-acute care initially in Therapy Services.  In 2002, Robin became a Healthcare Risk Manager and has focused her efforts on proactive and response driven Risk Management. Robin is the Vice Chair of the FHCA Risk and Compliance Council.  Robin is currently the Chief Risk Officer for Lilac Health Group supporting 38 Centers across Florida. 

Kim Smoak has been with the Agency for Health Care Administration since August 1995. She is the Deputy Secretary of the Division of Health Quality Assurance. The Division licenses and/or certifies and regulates 40 different providers, including, hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Ms. Smoak is also the State Survey Agency Director for the State of Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Health with the program emphasis in Aging Studies and is also a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP). In 2009 and 2017, she received Survey & Certification Achievement Awards, presented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for her work in Survey and Certification.

Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC , has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which in long term care. Robin's passion is teaching and training with a focus on risk management as a means to help improve quality and resident outcomes while increasing long term care professional's work satisfaction. Robin worked as a nursing assistant, LPN, RN, DON, regional nurse, CCO, and COO. She now owns and operates RB Health Partners, Inc. (RBHPs) a long term care consultancy firm for the past 20 years. RBHPs employs an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts and consultants to support long term care providers meet their quality improvement goals.

Karen Goldsmith currently serves as Florida Health Care Association's Regulatory Counsel and previously served as the association's Legal Counsel since 1980. She represents a number of providers of nursing home and assisted living facilities. She is active on the American Health Care Association Legal Committee and served as its chairman for two terms. She is active in the American Health Lawyers Association. She speaks often on health care and legal issues and has written numerous articles.

Hazel Mahoney has been a Registered Nurse since 1978, training originally in England, working in the Middle East and then moving to Florida in 1990. She has worked in hospitals, long term care centers and physician provider organizations in various capacities. Hazel completed her BA in Health Administration through the University of Dundee distance learning program in 2012. Hazel has developed, implemented and monitored clinical risk management programs for three long term care companies in Florida, moving into Compliance in 2013. In 2014, Hazel achieved certification in Health Care Compliance and Health Care Privacy Compliance. She has developed, implemented, and now oversees comprehensive Ethics and Compliance Programs for different operating companies which meet OIG guidelines.

Bob Asztalos is a Navy veteran and the Deputy Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He previously served as: Chief Operating Officer for Medical Equipment and Supplies of America, a disabled veteran owned company that contracts with the Veterans Administration; Chief Lobbyist for the Florida Health Care Association; Senior Congressional Affairs Representative for the American Health Care Association; and Associate Director of Government Affairs with the American Physical Therapy Association. 

Marlies Sarrett is the Administrator of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Land O’ Lakes. She has over 30 years of experience in long term care including Director of Nursing, multi-facility Clinical Nurse, Risk Management, and Nursing Home Administrator. She currently is with the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs for 11 years. Marlies is a native of Florida and was raised in the Land O’ Lakes area. She studied at Hillsborough Community College, where she became a Registered Nurse and later graduated from St. Leo University with a bachelor’s in Health Care Administration. Currently, she is seeking a Master’s in Gerontology at the University of South Florida. She holds current Florida Licenses as a Registered Nurse and Nursing Home Administrator.

Roy Ward serves as Veterans’ Claims Examiner II for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Ward retired from the United States Army after more than 33 years of service. He served in more than 20 countries including combat tours in Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. His awards include the Distinguish Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Bronze Star. Ward is a graduate from the Glen R. Jones College of Business with a M.B.A.

Ms. Barton has worked at the Orlando VA for 12 years and has been in the Coordinator position for the Community Nursing Home Program since 2014.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Qualified Supervisor for Registered Interns in the state of Florida.  Ms. Barton has served in numerous committees and workgroups on the facility, regional and national level and was named Supervisor of the Quarter in Summer 2022 for the Orlando VA and the VISN.  Ms. Barton earned her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Central Florida and earned her Bachelors of Science degree from Troy University where she was a member of the volleyball team.

Wendy Lovejoy has worked for the North Florida/South Georgia VHA since April 2014 and has been in the Coordinator position for the Community Nursing Home Program since August 2015.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and earned her Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University. Prior to working with the VA, Wendy was a Social Worker at a nursing home in Jacksonville for 12 years.

Clinton Slier is a Life Safety and Environment Specialist and has been with Integrity Health Care Systems since August of 2017. Clinton holds a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) certification from the International Board for Certification of Safety Managers, as well as a Certified Health Safety Professional for Health Care (CLSS-HC) certification from the NFPA. He provides clients in Florida, Texas, Indiana, and Tennessee with comprehensive Life Safety pre-surveys, along with continued support in interpreting and compliance with the regulatory rules, codes, and standards. His areas of focus include the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, NFPA 25 and NFPA 13 for Sprinkler System standards, NFPA 110 for Emergency Power Systems, NFPA 70 for Electrical Codes, NFPA 72 for Fire Alarm Codes, NFPA 96 for Commercial Kitchen Standards, NFPA 80 and 105 for compliant Fire and Smoke Door inspections, NFPA 10 for Fire Extinguisher Standards, OSHA regulations, Emergency Preparedness documentation and preparation, and Water Systems Management and Legionella prevention program development. 

Eddie Alday has been with the Agency for Health Care Administration since December 2012. Currently, Eddie is the Bureau of Field Operations Life Safety Code Lead. He is responsible for providing oversight, instruction and development of quality assurance activities for the life safety code program within the Bureau of Field Operations. Eddie served 24 years in the US Army as a Combat Engineer; he has degrees in Business and Construction Management. Certifications: Florida Fire Safety Inspector I, II, Pro Board Fire Safety Inspector I. II, and International Code Fire Inspector II, Master Certification in Code Enforcement, Plans Reviewer, Building Official, ICC Building Inspector and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Technical Committee Member.

John Altherr joined the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in September 2013. Currently he serves as a Life Safety Code Lead within the Division of Health Quality Assurance. As the Agency’s Life Safety Code Lead, he is responsible for providing oversight, instruction and development of quality assurance activities for the Agency’s Life Safety Code Survey program. Prior to joining AHCA, Mr. Altherr was a General Manager with Northwest Airlines Inc., ground operations division and retired after 20-years of service. He has a degree in Business Management with a focus in aviation. Certifications include Florida Fire Inspector I, Pro Board Fire Safety Inspector, and Plans Reviewer.

ScottJ. Allen has been a licensed N.H.A. for over 30 years. Starting his career inthe Tampa Bay area, he has successfully run several five-star, Joint Commissionaccredited facilities. Becoming a preceptor has been a highlight of his career,allowing him to train 12 AIT’s over the years. In 2012, he became president ofFHCA and spent the next five years working as a Lobbyist in Tallahassee andWashington DC. He has a long-standing relationship with the University of SouthFlorida, advising them on their long-term care administration program.

Daniel Coggins brings over 30 years of operational and compliance experience through a variety of healthcare settings.  These include skilled rehabilitation, assisted living, psychiatric hospital services, and behavioral healthcare.  Mr. Coggins currently works as the Corporate Compliance Officer for Avante Group Inc., Avante Physician Services, and Avante Home Care Services.  Mr. Coggins is a licensed nursing home administrator and is certified in healthcare compliance (CHC & CPCO). Mr. Coggins received his Master’s in Health Administration from Ohio University, MBA from the University of Dayton, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Wheeling University.  

Risty Smith, OTR/L, CHC, is a Corporate Compliance Officer. His experience includes building compliance programs for multi-state rehabilitation, skilled nursing, home health, hospice, private duty nursing, assisted living, and durable medical equipment providers. He is a contributing member of the Florida Healthcare Association Risk & Compliance Council. He has placed a special emphasis on establishing and maintaining HIPAA/HITECH complaint privacy and security practices, including the incorporation of telehealth into clinical practice.

Cary Smith is a graduate of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN with a degree in long term care administration. Mrs. Smith has been a licensed nursing home administrator since 1989 in various States including Florida. Her breadth of experience in long term care includes marketing, customer service, training, program development and facility operations. She brings great passion and commitment to the aging population and the long term care profession.

Karen Goldsmith currently serves as Florida Health Care Association's Regulatory Counsel and previously served as the association's Legal Counsel since 1980. She represents a number of providers of nursing home and assisted living facilities. She is active on the American Health Care Association Legal Committee and served as its chairman for two terms. She is active in the American Health Lawyers Association. She speaks often on health care and legal issues and has written numerous articles.

Zechariah Legendary is a Nursing Home Administrator licensed in Florida and Georgia, who has built a reputation of leading teams of healthcare professionals to higher standards in Long-Term Care. His philosophy is to give what you expect. “I mentor and educate my staff to be leaders no matter what the position or title is, while holding myself accountable first.”

Vern Zeger has been in long term care as a leader since 1997. He has led teams to receive Baldrige Quality awards, five star ratings and small business of the year for the community. Vern is Chair of the Survey and Regulatory Committee and has been actively engaged in FHCA as a board member, district president and other committees as needed. Vern has impacted many nursing home administrators as a mentor and preceptor.