2026 CALTCM Summit for Excellence 

Friday, September 25, 2026

7:00 AM

Registration & Exhibits Open

7:00 AM

Wellness Activity

8:00 AM

Breakfast Product Theater (45 MInutes) (No CME)

9:00 AM

Welcome & Introductions

Barbara Hulz (Executive Director), Ashkan Javaheri, MD, CMD (President)
& Rebecca Ferrini, MD, MPH, CMD (Education Committee Chair)

9:10 AM

Keynote: Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare:
Implementation, Challenges, and Lessons Learned

Speaker: Jared Silberlust, MD, MPH

Learning Objectives:

1. Summarize the role of clinical informatics in identifying and solving problems using technology.

2. Explain the key components of defining a healthcare problem before selecting or designing an AI solution.

3. Apply several applied informatics/AI techniques including "user stories," the “magic wand,” and 
“creating tension for change” to move projects forward.

10:10 AM

Break/Exhibits (20 Minutes)

10:30 AM

Building a High-Performing Skilled Nursing Facility

Moderator: Can Chen, MD, CMD

Panel: Denise L. Johnson, MSN, RN and Walter Hekimian, NHA

Learning Objectives:

1. State three components of CMS Five-Star Rating system and the
underlying conditions impacting them.

2. Define effective interdisciplinary team (IDT) collaboration strategies 
to align day-to-day practice with improving SNF performance goals.

3. Develop small set of outcome, process, and balancing measures 
to improve and sustain facility performance.

12:15 PM

Break/Exhibits

12:20 PM

Lunch Product Theater (45 Minutes) (No CME) 

1:05 PM

Break

1:10 PM

Strengthening Clinical Practice Through Bias Awareness and Cultural Humility

Speaker: Kemi Reeves, DNP, MBA, GNP-BC

Learning Objectives:

1. Define cultural and linguistic competency (CLC) and implicit bias and explain 
their relevance to care delivery in post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) settings.

2. Recognize how implicit bias may influence clinical decision-making, communication, 
and patient outcomes in skilled nursing and post-acute care facilities.

3. Apply at least one practical self-reflection strategy to identify and mitigate implicit bias
in daily clinical interactions with residents and care teams.

1:40 PM

Federal Regulatory Updates

Speaker: Alex Bardakh, MPP, PLC

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss the latest federal legislative and regulatory developments affecting 
post-acute and long-term care clinicians and practices.

2. Describe key policy, clinical, and operational considerations for succeeding in 
value-based care models.

3. Identify strategies for aligning value-based care participation with quality 
improvement, care delivery, facility partnerships, and patient outcomes.

2:30 PM

Break/Exhibits (25 Minutes)

2:55 PM

CAHF Wrap Session: California Nursing Homes

Speaker: Cassie Dunham

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe current industry trends by understanding the key drivers shaping the skilled nursing sector, 
such as evolving patient demographics, regulatory changes, and the growing emphasis on value-based care. 

2. Financial and Operational Challenges: Insights into financial pressures, staffing shortages,
and reimbursement challenges impacting the industry's sustainability and quality of care.

3. Focus on Quality & Compliance: The ongoing commitment to regulatory compliance, high-quality care,
and patient satisfaction as a cornerstone of industry reputation and operational excellence.

3:30 PM

HSAG’s QAPI Bundle: A Playbook for Meaningful Improvement

Speaker: Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe CMS’s current quality improvement priorities and explain how HSAG is partnering with 
nursing homes to support performance improvement efforts.

2. Explain key elements of an effective QAPI program and recognize common gaps that prevent 
QAPI from driving meaningful outcomes.

3. Introduce HSAG’s QAPI Bundle tools to enhance QAPI documentation, strengthen QAPI meetings, 
and develop actionable PIPs.

3:50 PM

Q & A Session

Moderator: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC, HEC-C
Speakers: Alex Bardakh, MPP, PLC, Cassie Dunham, and Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG

4:00 PM

Break/Exhibits (20 Minutes)

4:20 PM

In-The-Trenches: Topics and Speakers

1.) Artificial Intelligence to Solve Your Problems; Jared Silberlust, MD

2.) Communication Skills for Inclusive and Culturally Responsive Care; Kemi Reeves, DNP, MBA, GNP-BC

3.) The Triad of Power: DON, Admin, and Medical Director; Can Chen, MD, CMD

4.) Regulations in PALTC; Alex Bardakh, MPP, PLC, Cassie Dunham, and Jennifer Wieckowski, MSG

5.) Best Practices for Geriatric Disease: Renal, Heart Failure, & Diabetes; Meenakshi Patel, MD , FACP, MMM, CMD

4:25 PM

In-The-Trenches: Round 1

5:05 PM

In-The-Trenches: Round 2

5:45 PM

Leading the Future of PALTC: CALTCM 2026-2028 Board of Directors (Includes Award Presentation)

6:00 PM

Poster Session & Cocktail Reception (Sunset Terrace)

7:00 PM

Adjourn