by CALTCM Executive Office

It is with immense pride that we announce the nomination of our very own CALTCM President, Dr. Janice Hoffman-Simen, for a prestigious position as a House of Delegates Representative for AMDA.

Janice has been an exemplary leader within our chapter, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment to our organization's values. Janice’s passion to promote quality patient care across the long-term care continuum, combined with her tireless efforts in advancing our goals have not gone unnoticed.

This nomination is a testament to Janice's exceptional leadership qualities and ability to inspire positive change within our community. If elected, Janice will undoubtedly represent us with integrity, professionalism, and a deep understanding of the issues that matter most to our members.

Congratulations Dolly!

CALTCM is thrilled to announce and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dolly Greene for being awarded the CALTCM Excellence in Education Award. 

Throughout the COVID pandemic, Dolly was a beacon of resilience, dedication, and expertise. She did not hesitate to join CALTCM in our efforts to educate post acute and long term care facilities - saving countless lives. Dolly extended her reach beyond training and directly into the realm of public advocacy. She penned insightful letters to editors at prominent publications like the New York Times and the LA Times, dispelling misinformation about mask usage in Long-Term Care institutions.

In addition, Dolly's unwavering support for education was underscored as she collaborated with CALTCM to spearhead the Infection Preventionist Orientation Training Program, a program developed to provide all the foundational information an Infection Preventionist needs to get started in their role. Her actions are a testament to her passion, intelligence, and dedication.

Please join us in congratulating Dolly for this well-deserved honor. We look forward to celebrating her accomplishments!

Join us to celebrate Dolly on Saturday, November 4th, register today for the CALTCM Summit for Excellence November 2-4, 2023 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

About Dolly Greene

Dolly Greene RN, BSN, CIC is a successful infection control consultant educator with 25 years of experience in the long-term care (LTC) environment. Dolly organized large and small trainings for nurses, administrators and physicians on a variety of topics from Surveillance management, to creating an antibiotic stewardship program with trainings for all facility staff on infection control practices. She works closely with LA County Public Health, Acute Communicable Disease Program as well as Orange County Public Health and California Department of Public Health, Health-care Associated Infection Program. Dolly has conducted teachings for individual nursing home organizations as well as for Health Services Advisory Group (the QIO for CMS in California, Arizona, Ohio and Florida) and CALTCM. Dolly has been invited to speak at conferences and meetings across the country. 

Congratulations Dr. Harrington!

Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., RN

CALTCM is thrilled to announce and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Charlene Harrington for being awarded the Dan Osterweil Outstanding Leader in Post Acute and Long Term Care Award. Dr. Harrington is a respected worldwide expert whose name is synonymous with appropriate staffing and quality nursing home care. Over that past four decades she has worked tirelessly not only to advocate, but to publish evidence-based research on this incredibly important topic. 

Dr. Harrington has devoted endless service to local, state, national, and international organizations and government entities. She is selfless in her commitment to the needs of nursing home residents and the frontline staff who care for them. Her dedication to education has empowered countless healthcare professionals, shaping the future of long-term care medicine. Her advocacy efforts have championed the rights and well-being of long-term care residents, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Charlene Harrington for this well-deserved honor. We look forward to celebrating her accomplishments and learning from her continued leadership as she paves the way for the future.

Join us to celebrate Dr. Harrington on Friday, November 3rd, register today for the CALTCM Summit for Excellence November 2-4, 2023 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

About Dr. Harrington

Charlene Harrington, Ph.D., RN, is Professor Emerita of Sociology and Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. As a gerontologist, she is one of the nation’s leading experts on nursing homes and long-term care. She was elected to the American Academy of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine. She has served on Institute of Medicine 1986 committee report on “Improving the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes” that led to major federal nursing home reform legislation in 1987.

Her research has focused on long term care consumer information systems; home and community-and service programs and policies; nursing home quality, staffing, regulation, ownership and financing; and international nursing home research. She has published over 250 articles in professional journals on long term care. Recently she has published articles of the positive relationship between staffing and COVID-19 infections and deaths, on California nursing home profits, and on US nursing home finances.

She served as an advisor to the government’s Nursing Home Compare website, called the 5-star rating system, and as advisor on many other government projects. She has provided testimony many times to various governmental bodies and agencies, including the US Senate and Congress and the California legislature.

About Janice Hoffman-Simen, Pharm.D., EdD, APh, BCGP, FASCP

CALTCM: What is the background of your training, practice setting, and how many years have you been in practice?

Dr. Hoffman-Simen: I obtained my PharmD from USC and completed a postdoc residency at the University of Maryland at Baltimore in Clinical/Administrative Psychiatric Practice with an emphasis in geriatrics. In 2018 I completed my EdD in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne. My practice setting is the Los Angeles Jewish Health Grancell village where I am a consultant for the pharmacy and the Geropsych Unit. I have been a practicing pharmacist for over 30 years and a Board-certified geriatric pharmacist for almost 15 years. 

CALTCM: What are you passionate about in long term care?  How are you pursuing your passion? 

Dr. Hoffman-Simen: I believe the very old are receiving many unnecessary meds. Daily, I work towards improving monitoring of medications, reducing and discontinuing medications such that medication therapy is optimized.  

CALTCM: What advice would you give to a new graduate contemplating a career in long term care?

Dr. Hoffman-Simen: Communication skills are of essence. Knowing how to say things to family members and staff can make all the difference in patient care. Being able to motivate people to embrace their jobs and do great things for our patients is heartwarming.

CALTCM: What additional training do you wish you had that may help with your current practice?

Dr. Hoffman-Simen: I wish I had more financial training – I think business skills are an added bonus for healthcare. 

CALTCM: How has CALTCM impacted your practice?

Dr. Hoffman-Simen: CALTCM has helped me to be a better team member. In particular, CALTCM has improved my comfort and communication with prescribers.