AHCA/NCAL Honors Long Term Care Providers
With
Fifth Annual Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Awards
Members of Congress—Representatives English,
Kennedy, Langevin & Tierney— Join in Praising
Commitment to Improving Quality of Care and
Quality of Life for Frail, Elderly & Disabled Americans
Contact:
Donna Doneski, AHCA/NCAL, (202) 898-6301
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2007
Washington, DC –The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) were joined by leaders in Congress and at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on May 9, 2007, in presenting the fifth annual Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Awards to Larry Lane, Mary Ousley, Frank Romano, and Alfred Santos.
This year’s honorees are outstanding individuals and community leaders—each of whom has worked diligently to educate Members of Congress about the needs of long term care patients and residents. Larry Lane, Vice President for Government Relations with Genesis HealthCare Corporation, has been an advocate for the elderly for more than 40 years and specializes in health care policy and reimbursement. Mary Ousley, who is past chair of AHCA, is president of Ousley & Associates, which assists health care providers in strategic planning, operational analysis, management problem-solving, and quality program implementation. Frank Romano is president of the Essex Group Corporation, which manages family-owned and operated long term care facilities—an assisted living facility, skilled nursing facilities, adult day care programs, and a senior transportation company—in Massachusetts. Alfred “Al” Santos is president and chief operative officer for the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA), which represents the majority of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Rhode Island.
AHCA Chair Angelo Rotella remarked, “This year’s Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award honorees represent the very best our profession has to offer. Each has worked tirelessly on behalf of AHCA/NCAL, our membership, and most importantly, those we serve each day.” He added, “We were especially honored that the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and our other distinguished guests took time out of their busy schedules to join us in acknowledging our colleagues’ efforts to advance quality long term care on behalf of the millions of Americans we serve.”
Congressman Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) and Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) presented Al Santos with his award. Congressman Kennedy commented, “Al Santos has dedicated his life and career to advocating on behalf of those people who often cannot speak for themselves. He continues to work to improve the long term care industry in Rhode Island, as well as around the nation, and I value his input as I work in Congress on legislation to better these facilities.”
Congressman Langevin said, “As the president and chief operating officer for the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA), which represents the majority of skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Rhode Island, Al has gone above and beyond his duties as a nursing home administrator. His dedication to the industry and his commitment to ensuring that high quality patient care exists for all Rhode Islanders who need assistance is unmatched.”
Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA) presented the Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award to Frank Romano, and said, “The services provided by assisted living programs are invaluable resources to members of our community. Frank Romano’s work to support these programs in assisting and empowering the elderly and others overcoming challenges is truly remarkable.”
Other distinguished guests included: Representatives Jason Altmire (D-PA); Phil English (R-PA), who presented Larry Lane with his award; Tim Walberg (R-MI); and Chief Medical Officer of the Center for Beneficiary Choices at CMS Dr. Jeffrey Kelman. Dr. Kelman recognized Mary Ousley’s contributions and work with CMS, which earned her one of this year’s Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Awards.
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About the Award
Named for the late Joe Warner, the annual AHCA/NCAL award recognizes caregivers who possess the same compassion for, and commitment to, our nation’s frail, elderly, and disabled that exemplified the work of former president and CEO of Illinois-based Heritage Enterprises, Joe Warner.
Past Joe Warner Patient Advocacy Award winners include: Steve Ackerson; William “Bill” Biggs; Paul W. Goss; Delta, Keith, and Rick Holloway; and Robert J. Murphy (2006); William L. Kempiners; L. Bruce Levering; Jack A. MacDonald; and M. Keith Weikel (2005); Don Bedell; Phil Chase; Terry Kuzman; and Dixie Taylor-Huff (2004); Norman Estes; W. Heywood Fralin; and Brad Moorhouse (2003).
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) and National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) represents nearly 11,000 non-profit and proprietary facilities dedicated to continuous improvement in the delivery of professional and compassionate care provided daily by millions of caring employees to 1.5 million of our nation’s frail, elderly and disabled citizens who live in nursing facilities, assisted living residences, subacute centers and homes for persons with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. For more information, please visit www.ahca.org.