Good Samaritan– the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of senior care and services – will share how innovation is the driving force behind sustained organizational success in quality in addition to population health models at the 2025 American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Quality Summit in Atlanta from April 7-9.
The AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit features education sessions with industry experts, including Heather Herlyn, MS, RN, CPHQ, director of quality and safety for Good Samaritan and AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Board member. Titled “Chasing Innovation: Strategies for Continuous Improvement and Organizational Growth,” Herlyn will be co-presenting the session with Kristin Thrun, consultant/regulatory officer with Burgess Square/JHG.
The session focuses on innovation and how, in a rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations must not only adopt best practices, but also establish a framework for evaluating and improving processes.
“Prioritizing and improving quality metrics and survey outcomes is key to achieving high standards, which translates into quality care for our nation’s seniors,” said Herlyn. “I look forward to sharing how Good Samaritan– together with Sanford Health – has unlocked innovations to improve seniors’ access to care, enhanced quality care and engaged clinical teams in new ways and how other organizations can do the same.”
The National Quality Award program uses the Baldrige Performance Framework to help long term care organizations improve outcomes through a focus on system-wide performance excellence. By working through three progressive levels, providers meet rigorous program standards to become the best in long term care. The Quality Award Board provides integral oversight and strategic development of the program.
Last July, Good Samaritan Society – Jackson in Jackson, Minnesota and Good Samaritan Society – Le Mars in Le Mars, Iowa were recognized as 2024 Silver – Achievement in Quality award recipients by the AHCA/NCAL. 23 Good Samaritan locations were also recipients of the 2024 Bronze – Commitment in Quality award. Locations will be recognized for the prestigious awards at this year’s Quality Summit.
Preventive care for seniors
Nathan Ovenden, director of Medicare programs for Sanford Health Plan, will also be co-presenting a session titled “Evaluating Long-Term Care Financials: Shifting from Fee-for-Service to Population Health Models” with Denise A. Leonard, CPA and Partner at Plante Moran.
Moderated by Martin Allen, AHCA/NCAL Reimbursement Policy SVP, the session will provide long term care providers with a comprehensive framework for evaluating the financial impact of shifting from traditional Fee-for-Service (FFS) models to more complex population health models.
“As an integrated health system, we are uniquely positioned to enhance quality and the resident experience through value-based care models,” said Ovenden. “I look forward to sharing how Good Samaritan, with Sanford Health Plan, is supporting residents’ health needs through our Institutional Special Needs Plan, which brings care directly to residents.”
Through Sanford Health Plan, Good Samaritan offers Great Plains Medicare Advantage, an I-SNP program which coordinates clinical care and provides residents with routine Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant visits. The program also offers long-term care residents access to preventive care including vision, hearing, dental and podiatry services.
Learn more
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Posted In Health Plan, Jackson, Leadership in Health Care, Senior Services
