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2018 AANAC Annual Conference Highlights Recap

Last month, AANAC hosted its 2018 annual conference in Las Vegas. The AANAC Annual Conference is a two-and-a-half-day event full of learning, connecting with other MDS professionals, and tons of fun! If you were unable to attend or would like a chance to look back on all of the good times and important information you learned, below are some highlights.

 

Regiception

AANAC’s registration area was packed with fun games like oversized Operation and Connect Four, a bling-your-badge station, Elvis and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, and a What’s Next graffiti wall – where attendees let us know “What’s Next” for the NAC, for LTC, for their careers, or on their bucket list!

 

Opening Keynote

Allison Massari nearly brought all of us to tears with her inspiring message of healing and hope. Her deep appreciation for healers and everyone in the healthcare field and her positive outlook was exactly what we needed to remind ourselves that we are doing amazing and life-changing work every day.

 

Opening Reception

The finest vendors in the long-term care field presented their products and services to MDS professionals to help make their jobs easier. A big thanks to all of our exhibitors and sponsors who made this event possible!

 

Also, don’t forget to review the Facebook Live Video of what else was happening at the Opening Reception!

 

Outstanding Breakout Sessions by LTC Experts

Attendees participated in breakout sessions that covered everything from important CMS updates, QAPI, Drug Regimen Review, Medicare audits, person-centered care plans, SNF QRP, and more!

 

We recorded short Facebook Live videos of select sessions for you to review, too!

·         A Tectonic Change from PPS Reimbursement: Are You Ready for the Shift? with Jessie McGill, RN, RAC-MT

·         The Sounds of Silence – No Alarms! With Jane Belt, MS, RN, RAC-MT, QCP

·         When Compliance Meets Quality in the Survey Process—NACs to the Rescue! with Judi Kulus, MSN, MAT, RN, NHA, DNS-CT, RAC-MT, QCP

 

SimpleLTC Ignite™ Theater

Seven brave LTC nurses got up on stage to present a topic they were passionate about at the SimpleLTC Ignite Theater, which was hosted by Ken Bell of our presenting sponsor, SimpleLTC.

You can watch the Facebook Live videos of each Ignite presentation below and look out for the YouTube videos on the AANAChannel soon. 

·         “A Tale of 3 Children” with Callie Larson

·         “Lessons in LTC Lingo or SAY WHAT?” with Barb Bates

·         “Change Is Inevitable…Data and Otherwise” with Sherry Anderson

·         Improv Presentation with Sarah Riggin

·         “Empty Your Cup” with Jillian Martin

·         “Medication Reconciliation” with Colleen Toebe

·         “Nurse Alphabet Soup” with Betsy Hardy

 

2018 Award, Grant and Scholarship Winners

We recognized eight outstanding nurse professionals who exemplify the best and brightest in long-term care at the 2018 AANAC Awards, Grants, and Scholarships Celebration. Congratulations again to all of our well-deserving winners!

Best Practice of the Year Award – Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation

Outstanding Contributor of the Year Award – Robin Hillier, CPA, STNA, LNHA, RAC-MT

NAC of the Year Award – Sarah Motta, BSN, RN, RAC-CT

Cerner CNA of the Year Scholarship – Caitlin Atkinson, CNA

Carter-Elmblad Family Scholarship – Gina Faye Stevens, BSN, RN, RAC-CT

President’s Professional Development Grant – Stacy Willard, RN

Founder’s Professional Development Grant – Tracey Robinson, LPN, RAC-CT

Rena R. Shephard Professional Development Grant – Ginnette Wise, PhD, RN

 

Farewell to Diane Carter, AANAC’s Founder and CEO

A true leader, visionary, and pioneer in long-term care, AANAC’s founder and CEO, Diane Carter gave her farewell speech to AANAC at this year’s conference. We wish her well in the next step of her career and thank her for her leadership and all she has achieved over the past 19 years.

Her farewell speech is a must-watch if you haven’t seen it yet.

 

Closing Keynote

Finally, with so many changes happening in long-term care, our closing keynote alleviated our fears as AANAC’s Vice President of Curriculum Development, Judi Kulus, showed us that the NAC plays a very important role in the LTC future.

 

Watch a Facebook Live segment of the closing keynote below.

In Changing Times, What’s Next for the NAC? with Judi Kulus, MSN, MAT, RN, NHA, DNS-CT, RAC-MT, QCP

 

Also, keep an eye out for more information coming soon about the Resident Assessment Coordinator—Certified Advanced (RAC-CTA), AANAC’s new advanced certification for MDS professionals, which was announced during the closing keynote!

 

Look back on more of the fun memories in our 2018 AANAC Annual Conference Flipbook and be sure to save the date for the 2019 AANAC Annual Conference in Orlando, FL, April 3 – 5!

We can’t wait to see you again next year!