From Regulations to Practice: Implementing DNR Orders and Advance Directives in Skilled Nursing Centers

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 over 30 years of experience in long term care.

Karen Goldsmith is Florida Health Care Association's Regulatory Counsel and previously served as the association's Legal Counsel since 1980. She represents several providers of nursing homes 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.

Robin A. Bleier RN, HCRM, LNC, is President/CEO of RB Health Partners, Inc. She has 40 years of health care experience, 30 of which are 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.

Hazel Mahoney is Executive Risk Compliance Advisor at RB Health Partners, Inc. She has been a nurse since 1975 and remains excited about working in health care. Throughout her career, she has worked in acute care in nursing, case management and risk management before coming to long term care in approximately 2000. Since that time Hazel has served three companies in risk roles adding compliance in 2018. During Hazel's long term care career, she has engaged in risk and compliance-related committees, subgroups and the promotion of professionals pursuing these important areas. She has been the Chair of the Florida Health Care Association Risk and Compliance Counsel and remains active and in a leadership role today. Hazel has experience in guiding facilities under corporate integrity agreements through the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  Hazel is well known for her skills in developing risk and compliance programs, education and training and mentoring those who wish to further develop in these areas. Hazel is passionate about resident safety in the long-term care environment and recommends innovative approaches to help solve difficult challenges.

Dr. Kendra Ferrero is currently the Vice-President of Administrative Services for Onyx Care Centers. Dr. Kendra Ferrero is a multi-state licensed RN board certified in Gerontology She also holds an active Nursing Home Administrator license in several states. She earned her MBA from Warner University and her Doctorate with a specialty in Health Care Administration from Northcentral University. She has worked in the post-acute environment since 1977. She has been involved in the delivery of educational presentations in skilled nursing since 1984. She sits on numerous FHCA and AHCA/NCAL committees. She is a Senior Examiner for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Program.