ADHCC 2019 Board of Directors Election

Ballot for 2019 ADHCC Executive Committee and Regional Representatives

Dear ADHCC membership,
Below you will find our Adult Day Health Care Council (ADHCC) ballot for the 2019 Board of Directors election. ADHCC by-laws require that the executive committee and the regional representatives be elected by the full membership. The positions of chairperson and immediate past chairperson are already established for 2019 and will be filled by Mackenzie Bellinger and Jeraldine Fedoriw, respectively. Each program gets to vote once. Please choose the outstanding executive officers and vote ONLY for your specific regional representative. Please be careful not to vote for representatives outside of your own region. Please complete the survey by December 21st. Thank you for your continued participation in ADHCC.

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* 1. Please indicate the region in which your program is located. Vote only for the regional representative in your region. If you are unsure of your region, please contact ADHCC at 518-867-8836.

Region 1 (Buffalo area)

Region 2 (Rochester area)

Region 3 (Syracuse/Binghamton area)

Region 4 (Utica area)

Region 5 (Capital Region/North Country

Region 6 (Hudson Valley)

Region 7 (New York City and Westchester)

Region 8 (Long Island)

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* 2. Region 1 - Regional Representative- ONLY Region 1 members may vote.

Kelly Amedick, LPN, program coordinator, Premiere Genesee ADHC

I would like to nominate Ms. Kelly Amedick as Regional Representative. Ms. Amedick has shown me leadership and excellent representation of our program here at Premiere Genesee. With her strong communicating skills and organization she has transitioned our ADHC program to an unbundled services payment option model. Her practice of advocacy is also very present within our Genesee Region as she takes pride in her program and provides the best care for our registrants and their needs. I feel she can do the same for other regions too. I have seen Ms. Amedick go above and beyond for most, if not all our registrants in regards with medications set ups, medical care and over all medical management. She has been known to go to pharmacies to pick up medications that the registrant or supports were not able to pick up, bring them back to program and complete the ‘med set up’ for the week. Her relationship with the local doctor offices is strong and she is able to communicate with them in good standing when there is ever a question. At times, we know Doctors Office tend to be ‘busy’ or wait until the next day to response, Kelly respects this, but tends to let it go too long (haha).

Kelly not only looks at the registrants but everyone who surround the registrant. From Family, to doctors, to home they may live in and family. She connects all of these inputs and provides the best support for the registrant. With Kelly’s dedication and passion for the ADHC community I feel she would be an essential part of Adult Day Health Care Council as the Regional Representative Position.

-Amy Mazerbo, BSW, Premiere Genesee ADHC program

Jamie Ridout, rehabilitation manager, Schofield ADHC

Today I nominate Jamie Ridout for Region 1 Rep. I have known Jamie for the last 20 years.

Jamie graduated from Daemen College in 1993 with a BS in Physical Therapy. She moved to South Carolina where she took a position at Professional Rehab Services. She moved back to the Western New York area after 2 ½ years and took a position with Diversified Rehab and continued to work in home care. She then worked at the Episcopal Church Home in Long term and short term rehab as well as ADHCP. She has been the Rehab manager at the Schofield ADHCP for the past 11 years.

Jamie has extensive working knowledge of ADHC. She works closely with me as a manager on planning, implementing and overseeing the day to day operations of the largest ADHCP in upstate NY. Jamie is a strong leader with good communication skills. She is a strong advocate for the Registrants and families and has worked on marketing and PR for the program. I know Jamie would be a great addition to the board.

-Candice Duffy, director, Schofield ADHC program

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* 3. Region 2 - Regional Representative- ONLY Region 2 members may vote

Amanda Bement, program director, Jewish Home of Rochester

I would like to submit my letter of interest in serving on the Board of Directors for ADHCC as the Regional 2 Representative. My knowledge, work experience and passion for ADHC would be a great asset to this team. I present with a different scope of qualities to offer. I have my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Public Administration with an emphasis in Non Profit Management along with 20 year’s of experience in the OPWDD world. I began my career in ADHC in 2016 as the Director of Day Services at Jewish Home of Rochester. While governed by DOH, I found that this service is very similar to the experience I had already gained in my career.

I come to the table with a perspective of Strategic Planning, Advocacy and Process Improvement that will assist the Board in moving forward with initiatives already set in motion and new ideas to come. Region 2 is comprised of a great group of leaders that I would like to ensure communication of changes, trainings, solutions and issues regarding ADHC.

I am a single Mom with two beautiful children. Olivia who is 18, in her first year of college, has a job and plans to intern with her Aunt in Los Angeles who own a Public Relations Firm. My son Nehemiah is 6, in First grade and is involved in anything that allows him to get all his energy out. They both keep Mommy very busy and are such blessings.

Thank you for your consideration in serving Region 2 as their Regional Representative with the Adult Day Health Care Council.

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* 4. Region 3- Regional Representative - ONLY Region 3 members may vote

Jackie Tier, RN, program director, Cortland Regional Nursing & Rehabilitation Center ADHC

Jackie is currently the director of the Cortland Regional Nursing & Rehabilitation Center’s ADHC program. In November 1994, Jackie started her career in ADHC as the RN coordinator of the Cortland Memorial Nursing Facility’s ADHC program having no knowledge of what ADHC was all about. She had worked for the previous 10 years as a psychiatric nurse working her way into the assistant nurse manager of that unit. In June of 1994, there was talk of a new program that was designed to keep individuals out of nursing homes, and the goal was to maintain them in their own homes with services provided within the facility during the day. Jackie saw this as a challenge and a concept that she wanted to work with. In March of 1995, the then-current director of ADHC left the program, and Jackie saw this as an opportunity to make a difference and was promoted to the director’s position in March of 1995.

Jackie is very committed to the goals of ADHC and feels that continuing her role as Regional Representative will allow her to have increased contact with others who have the same interest in caring for people and assisting them to remain in the environment which is best for them. Her involvement will, in turn, allow her to gain knowledge in the field and, hopefully be able to help the ADHCC and the other directors in her region in any way that she possibly can. Jackie has served as Region 3 Representative since 2008.

Angelina Blasich, LMSW, program director, Golden Days ADHC

Angelina has been an ADHC Director for the past 4 years. She holds an LMSW, and is an out of the box thinker, offering opportunities to challenge status quo and look into new strategies for growth. Angelina focuses her work energy on program development, innovative in-person and social media marketing, and staff training/morale. She holds the distinction of being the most successful Director in the history of Golden Days, doubling the daily census and increasing staffing to provide the highest quality of care. Angelina is committed to impacting legislation, Medicare access, and developing/adapting programming to work address the concerns raised by HCBS.

“I am Angelina Blasich. I wear tutus to work, and I approve this message.”

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* 5. Region 4 - Region 4 Representative- ONLY members in Region 4 may vote

Susan Spina, LCSW-R, program director, MVHS ADHC

Throughout her career, Sue has had diverse healthcare experiences that contribute positively to the mission and function of the Board. She has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. She started working at Rome Hospital in 1990 as a Medical Social Worker and left in late 1995 after she acquired her Masters in Social Work degree to become the Director of Social Work at Broadacres Skilled Nursing Facility. In 2004, she became employed by Pfizer Inc. as a Professional Healthcare Representative. In 2012, she returned to Mohawk Valley Health System as the Director of Social Work at St. Luke’s Hospital, providing guidance to Social Workers throughout the system with focus on post-acute care services and transitional care initiatives. This lead her to the opportunity of becoming the Program Director for Adult Day Health Care. Presently, she provides social work consultation and social work supervision to social workers at St. Luke’s Home, Visiting Nurse Association of Utica and Oneida County and Senior Network Health. Sue also works on DSRIP initiatives for the Mohawk Valley Health Care post-acute service line.

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* 6. Region 5- Regional Representative- ONLY members in Region 5 may vote

Donna Hervieux, RN, C, program director, Eddy DayBreak Cohoes

Donna has been the director of the Cohoes DayBreak in Cohoes, NY, one of three Eddy DayBreak ADHC programs, since 1996. Prior to adult day, she worked in different aspects of long term care for 17 years, including being the Director of St. Louise House, a facility for the Daughters of Charity for 13 years. She received her certification in gerontology during this time. With her various nursing experiences and working with the elderly, Donna has embraced the mission of medical adult day programs and has seen firsthand the critical services they offer to families and participants in the community. Donna has been the manager of the Eddy Cohoes DayBreak for 22 years. Her favorite saying is “We can make all the difference.”

Donna began her role on the board of directors as the Region 5 Representative in the spring of 2011. She served as Regional Representative during 2012 as well. Following that, Donna served as Chairperson- Elect, Chairperson and Immediate Past Chairperson. She enjoys working with the other program directors and fostering relationships in her region and statewide in an effort to build a support network for sharing ideas and problem solving in our changing ADHC climate.

Carole Mosher, RN, program director, Plattsburgh Rehabilitation and Nursing Center ADHC

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Carole Mosher, RN for the position of Region 5 Representative. Since assuming her position as the Director of Plattsburgh Rehabilitation and Nursing Center ADHC nine months ago, Carole has demonstrated a commitment to the program through community outreach and participating in ADHCC workgroups for upcoming regulatory changes.

Carole has over twenty years of experience in working with the elderly in a community setting. Carole was a home health LPN and pursued her degree as an RN, she is currently working on her BSN with an expected graduation in the spring of 2019. Carole has embraced the challenges of a rural setting with minimal services by establishing working relationships with our local transportation providers, home health agencies, mental health, and housing agencies, as a result Carole has increased the program’s census and quality of care for our registrants.

Carole is aware of the responsibilities of the Regional Representative, she is a great communicator, facilitator and advocate. As an employer I recognize and support Carole’s participation as a regional representative. I am aware the commitment includes facilitating regional meetings and attending/ communicating with the ADHC board and participating in workgroups.

-Elena Vega-Castro, MSHM, LNHA, Administrator, Plattsburgh Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

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* 7. Region 6 - Regional Representative- VACANT

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* 8. Region 7 - Regional Representative- ONLY members in Region 7 may vote

Josephine Tramontana, program director, Sunrise ADHC

Josephine Tramontana has been Program Director of the Sunrise Adult Day Health Care Center in Brooklyn since 1996. Josephine enjoys working in the field in a number of capacities. She is an active member of the ADHCC, the Region 7 legislative body, and Four Seasons’ senior leadership. She enjoys working with ADHC managers and staff, vendors and community groups and has held positions and leadership roles such as Corporate Compliance Officer; Region 7 Treasurer, and Conference Planning Committee Member. Josephine was the winner of ADHCC’s Christine M. Fitzpatrick Advocacy Award in 2016.

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* 9. Region 8- Regional Representative- ONLY members in Region 8 may vote

Anne Marie Sarich, CTRS, program director, Orzac ADHC

Anne Marie Sarich is a certified recreation therapist who graduated with honors from St. Joseph’s College in 2000 with four young children. A feat that no other accomplishment could compare to. Anne Marie began her career in adult day health in 2006 when she worked as program manager for John J. Foley Adult Day Health Program in Yaphank, NY. After leaving Foley in 2010 she took a position as Director of Recreation Therapy for Northwell Health Orzac Center for Rehabilitation. In February 2012 she was asked by her administrator to cover the adult day health program until a replacement could be found. Once she returned to adult day health care, she realized this was her true calling!

Over the past few years her program has grown and stabilized under her direction. Orzac ADHCP celebrated their 20-year anniversary recently devoted staff. Six team members have been part the Orzac ADHCP for more than 15 years. She continues to credit her ADHC Council/Region 8 for their continued support and assistance throughout the years. She would welcome an opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. Anne Marie lives in Patchogue, NY.

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* 10. Treasurer- ALL members may vote for Treasurer

Kathryn Cocciole, MS, program director, Seneca Hill Manor

Kathy has a Master’s in Health Care Administration as well as 40 years of experience in health care. Throughout her career, she has worked as a hospital social worker (10 years), as a Director of Resident Services at a SNF (21 years), a Social Work Consultant (8 years), and currently as the Director of Seneca Hill Manor’s Adult Day Program (10 years) in Oswego. Her adult day health care program has routinely had successful DOH and VA surveys, positive annual participant/family feedback, and maintained enrollment and fiscal goals in an ever changing budget arena. She has also been fortunate to facilitate an Alzheimer’s support group for the last few years and is a volunteer for Francis House, a home for terminally ill people.

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* 11. Secretary - ALL members may vote for Secretary

Mary Beth Heinicke, LMSW, program director, Cold Spring Hills ADHC

Mary Beth has been the director of Cold Spring Hills Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation Adult Day Health Care Program (Woodbury) for the past six years. She is happy to report that everything she knows about ADHC came from the monthly meetings for Region 8 at Broadlawn and the yearly conferences upstate. Mary Beth simply showed up and said she knew little to nothing about ADHC and everyone was eager to help. The support from Region 8 gave Mary Beth the confidence to do the job.

Mary Beth has worked in long term care in skilled nursing facilities – in subacute units, dementia units, behavior units – prior to her position at Cold Spring Hills for 14 years. She ran monthly support groups for the Alzheimer’s Association and ADRC in Bayshore for 5 years. But none of those experiences compare to running a medical model adult day health care program in 2016-2017. Mary Beth states, "I would be honored to represent ADHC professionals statewide as secretary to the Council.”

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* 12. Chair-elect ALL members may vote for chair-elect

Kelly VanDeMar, BSW, MPA, CCM

Kelly has been the manager for the DeMay Friends For The Day adult day health care program for two and half years. This past year she added to her responsibilities and was promoted to the Senior Manager over all 7 adult days cares within Rochester Regional Health. She is responsible for oversight of operations and compliance for each of these locations. She has over 20 years of experience working in long term care with varying populations. This experience has given her a broad perspective of the needs of the population served by adult day.

Kelly has earned a Bachelors of Social Work, a Masters in Public Administration, and is a Certified Case Manager through the Commission of Case Management. “I purposely chose this pathway of education to foster my advocacy and critical thinking skills. It is my desire to continue to foster best practices within ADHC, as well as become an expert in regulations and their application to our setting.” Kelly has served as the Region 2 representative for the Adult Day Health Care Council this past year and has participated in legislative advocacy for Adult Day Health Care. She also has experience sitting on a national committee that worked to develop best practices for families going through the organ donation process.

It is Kelly’s desire to continue to be an active member of the ADHCC Executive Board and believes she can add value to the board as well as be a liaison at the local level.