I am incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to serve as President of LEADER in 2016. I received my license as a Nursing Facility Administrator when the first group of Administrators were licensed in Louisiana. My experience in health care expands over forty-eight years as a nursing home, retirement, assisted living facility administrator, social worker, and owner of Cornerstone Village South, Inc. I have seen dramatic changes in the way we view care of the residents and the physical environment that is their home. We have moved from four bed units to semi-private rooms with many facilities transitioning to private rooms and household models. Culture change is not just about renovations, new furniture, or new buildings. The goal is to transform communities and enrich the lives of the residents with person- centered care.
I would like to acknowledge the leadership of the Past Presidents of LEADER, KaraLe Causey, Barbara Anthony, and Dr. Jolie Harris. They and the LEADER board members have worked to promote, educate, and train staff of facilities and consumers about person-centered care. The Louisiana Enhancing Aging with Dignity through Empowerment and Respect (LEADER) was founded in 2004 to encourage nursing homes to create a care center that honors the dignity and value of each individual. Our mission is to champion person-centered communities in all types of settings where aging adults are valued, respected, and honored.
Dr. Jolie Harris has done an "awesome" job with providing leadership to LEADER with the dramatic changes occurring in the evolving health care industry and delivery system. We appreciate her initiatives and efforts to expand person-centered care participation to all health care facilities and provide technology for an updated and a "friendly user" web site. She will continue to serve on the Executive Leader board and be a valued asset to the organization. She is on the program for the LEADER Summit (March 16, 17) and will present "How Culture Change and Survey Deficiencies Relate."
Please save the date and register for the 7th Annual LEADER Summit. The dates are March 16-17, 2016 at the Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, LA. Jerri Shread, Education Chairperson, and the Education Committee have worked to offer excellent opportunities for educational experiences and knowledge with person-centered care topics.
Barbara Anthony will provide a brief update on the Dementia Partnership Coalition. In a panel format, success stories will be presented by nursing home representatives who have used non-pharmacological interventions to reduce antipsychotic use. Barbara Anthony, Dr. Wanda Spurlock, Margie Huguet, and William Day have served as educators and representatives of initiatives and interventions to reduce the percentage of use of antipsychotics. We have several nationally recognized speakers which include Dr. Brian Steeves, Bruce Wilkinson, and Dr. Susan Nelson. The sessions will offer educational, practical, and realistic programs to implement in facilities. Jerri has a detailed article regarding Summit in the newsletter.
As we begin the new LEADER year, we are seeking involvement of members with one of the LEADER committees. Opportunities to serve are Outreach, Education, and Communications. Please let us know your interest to help create change as we deliver care to aging persons in Louisiana.
The Pioneer Network has selected KaraLe Causey as its new President effective January 1, 2016. Congratulations are extended to her from LEADER. KaraLe served as the founder and first President of LEADER and continues to be an inspiration to others with her continuous work with Culture Change. The Pioneer Network is the national organization for Culture Change. The Pioneer Network Conference will be July 31-August 3, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency in New Orleans. Please save this date! This will be an opportunity to receive education from national speakers in our state which makes it easily accessible to all. We will need volunteers to assist as greeters, monitors, and work in registration. We also have the opportunity for residents to make the luncheon centerpieces for the conference. Please let us know if you can volunteer or have residents assist with the centerpieces.
The LEADER board and I would like to express our sincere thanks to outgoing board member Michele Veillon. She has served on the board as Communication Chairperson and on the Executive Board as Vice-President. We appreciate her efforts with our our web site, newsletter, and Summit.
The 2016 LEADER Board is as follows:
President - Lance Linscombe
Past-President - Jolie Harris
Vice President - Wanda Spurlock
Treasurer - William Day
Board Member - Lisa Deaton
Board Member - Ed Smith
Board Member - Randall Meyers
Board Member - Andrew Muhl
Board Member - Fayron Epps
Board Member - Dr. Elizabeth Curtis, M.D.
Board Member - Kim Buyers
Board Member - Luke Langlinais
Board Member - Joan Vogel-Tapp
Board Member - Vanessa Houck
Board Member - Rosie Kiper
Board Member - Jamie Shelton
Board Member - Charles Campbell
Advisory Board Member - Julie Kueker
Advisory Board Member - Karen Price
Advisory Board Member - Catherine Williams
We look forward to seeing you at the LEADER Summit and serving you in 2016.
Sincerely,
Lance Linscombe
LEADER President
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