Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) has selected 54 professionals as
Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America for its 2024 program and 15 individuals as
Diversity Executive Leadership Program (DELP) scholars for its 2024-2025 class. The programs kick off this week with leadership training for the participants in Washington, D.C.
“We are excited to welcome this new group of Future Leaders and DELP scholars and support the growth of these outstanding professionals,”
said Mark Parkinson, President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Their dedication and passion for improving long term and post-acute care are inspiring. These programs will provide them with the tools and knowledge to make a significant impact by enhancing care for our nation’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.”
The Future Leaders program offers a year-long training and mentorship experience designed to enhance participants' leadership skills and prepare them for pivotal roles within the long term and post-acute care sector. These 54 professionals, including the 15 DELP scholars, have been chosen for their exemplary leadership at the state level and their potential to serve in future leadership positions within AHCA/NCAL.
The 2024 Future Leaders are:- Andrea Aston, Administrator, George E Whalen Ogden Veterans Home, UT
- Helen Bautista, Administrator, Bridgeway Senior Healthcare, NJ
- Rachael Bolder, Executive Director, North Shore Healthcare, WI
- Kenneth Burnett, Area Vice President, PruittHealth, GA
- Veronica Ceaser, VP of Clinical Reimbursement, Southwest LTC LLC, TX
- Santosh Chitalia, Chief Human Resources Officer, National Health Care Associates, Inc., NY
- Monica Chopra, VP of Health and Wellness, Cascadia Senior Living, WA
- Stefanie Compton, CEO/Administrator, Princeton Health Care Center, WV
- Michael Coyne, Director of Real Estate and Development, Saber Healthcare Group, OH
- Alecia DiMario, Executive Director, Birchwood Terrace Rehab and Healthcare, VT
- Chantal Dja Konan, Administrator, Ridgewood Center, Genesis Healthcare, NH
- Dave Dunyon, Management Executive, Endura, CO
- Allan Engelauf, CEO, Vista Pacifica Enterprises, Inc., CA
- Brianne Fister, Administrator, MJ Estates Assisted Living, IA
- Karen Franklin, Senior Regional Director of Human Resources, Ardant Management Solutions, Inc., IL
- Renee Goodwin, Executive Director, Life Care Center of Sierra Vista, AZ
- Beverly Gray Mears, Senior Director of Nursing, Genesis Health Care - Lofland Park, DE
- Breanna Gregory, Executive Director, Nottingham Health and Rehabilitation Center – Axiom, KS
- Joshua Halpern, Administrator, Salem Hills Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center, NY
- Melissa Hoffman, Administrator, Good Samaritan Society, Battle Lake, MN
- Sariah Hughes, Administrator, Prestige Care and Rehabilitation of Anchorage, AK
- Breanna Jameson, Administrator, Lewiston Transitional Care of Cascadia, ID
- Tatiana Johnson, Vice President of Operations, Avantara Mountain View, Legacy Healthcare, SD
- Camille Jordan, SVP of Clinical Services, Brookdale Senior Living, TN
- Dakota Klinkefus, Executive Director, Guardian Angel Homes, ID
- Mark Klyczek, President and CEO, Virginia Health Services, VA
- Blake Kragnes, Administrator, Knife River Care Center, ND
- Christy Kruse, Vice President of Operations, Ohana Ventures, OR
- Christopher LaJoie, Operations Analyst, Michigan Veteran Homes, MI
- Natalie Largent, Regional Vice President of Operations, American Healthcare, VA
- Karen Len-Williams, Nursing Home Administrator, Diplomat Healthcare – Saber, OH
- Matthew Lewis, Administrator, Arbor Springs Health & Rehab, AL
- Celina Block, Administrator, Avantara North, SD
- Nathan Manning, Managing Partner, Beehive Homes, NM
- Lisa Meyer, Administrator, Marquis Plaza Regency, NV
- Berto Nunez, Executive Director, Trilogy Health Services, IN
- Nathaniel Oriol, Director of Finance, Oriol Health Care, MA
- Gwynn Ryder, Vice President of Operations, Aspire Regional Partners, OH
- Emily Saucier, Administrator, Springbrook Center, ME
- Brandy Scheer, Executive Director, Heritage Woods of Minooka, Gardant Management, IL
- Patricia Spears, FL Regional Administrator and Government Relations Director, Topaz Fiscal Services, FL
- Glenda Stewart, Vice President of Quality Assurance & Compliance, NextStep Care, GA
- Tony Stewart, Executive Director, Silver Birch of Kokomo, IN
- Frederick Taylor, Jr., President, F.A. Taylor & Associates, Inc., FL
- Philip Travis, Executive Director, Wellington Parc, KY
- Chris Ulven, Executive Director, Rose Blumkin Jewish Home, NE
- Brandon Vincent, Administrator, NHC of Dickson, TN
- Lisa Williams, Regional Director of Operations, Maplewood Senior Living, NJ
- Tony Wilson, Administrator, Blumenthal Nursing and Rehabilitation - CenterChoice Health, NC
- Billie Wingfield, VP of Management Services, Senior Housing Managers, OR
- Josh Wood, Regional Director of Operations, Bridges Health, OK
- Jacquelyne Woodard, Quality Director, Providence Extended Care & Providence Transitional Care Center, AK
- Rob Wooley, Chief Operating Officer, Apple Rehab, CT
- Rebecca Zimmerman, Administrator in Training, Saint Anne's Communities, Fort Wayne, IN
The incoming DELP class recognizes 15 individuals committed to fostering diversity in long term and post-acute care. These scholars will participate in a two-year leadership development program, including specialized training and mentorship, to prepare them to serve in key roles within the sector. The program was launched by AHCA/NCAL in 2022.
“These leaders are the vanguard of a movement toward a more inclusive and equitable long term care environment,” said LaShuan Bethea, Executive Director of NCAL and DELP leader. “Their diverse backgrounds and perspectives will undoubtedly lead to innovative solutions and improvements in care for all residents.”
The 2024-2025 DELP Scholars are:
- Veronica Ceaser, VP of Clinical Reimbursement, Southwest LTC LLC, TX
- Santosh Chitalia, Chief Human Resources Officer, National Health Care Associates, Inc., NY
- Karen Franklin, Senior Regional Director of Human Resources, Gardant Management Solutions, Inc., IL
- Tatiana Johnson, Vice President of Operations, Avantara Mountain View, Legacy Healthcare, SD
- Camille Jordan, SVP of Clinical Services, Brookdale Senior Living, TN
- Dakota Klinkefus, Executive Director, Guardian Angel Homes, ID
- Natalie Largent, Regional Vice President of Operations, American Healthcare, VA
- Karen Len-Williams, Nursing Home Administrator, Diplomat Healthcare - Saber, OH
- Berto Nunez, Executive Director, Trilogy Health Services, IN
- Glenda Stewart, Vice President of Quality Assurance & Compliance, NextStep Care, GA
- Tony Stewart, Executive Director, Silver Birch of Kokomo, IN
- Frederick Taylor, Jr., President, F.A. Taylor & Associates, Inc., FL
- Lisa Williams, Regional Director of Operations, Maplewood Senior Living, NJ
- Billie Wingfield, VP of Management Services, Senior Housing Managers, OR
- Jacquelyne Woodard, Quality Director, Providence Extended Care & Providence Transitional Care Center, AK
“DELP is more than a leadership program,”
said Clif Porter, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and incoming President and CEO of AHCA/NCAL, who advocates for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion representation across health care. “It is a catalyst for genuine transformation in our sector. By empowering these leaders, we are paving the way for policy and practice that truly reflect the diverse needs of our communities.”
For more information about AHCA/NCAL's dedication to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the long term and post-acute care sector, please visit the
DELP website.