LTCCC’S FIRST ANNUAL COCKTAIL PARTY

HONORING THE MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT OF THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

HUGE SUCCESS!

On October 7, 2009 the Long Term Care Community Coalition honored MFCU at the Federal Hall in downtown Manhattan.  Accepting awards were Charles J. Hynes, the first Special State Prosecutor to investigate nursing home fraud and whose leadership led to enactment of MFCUs across the country, William J. Comiskey, the first Deputy Director to use hidden cameras for nursing home investigations and Heidi Wendel, the current Deputy Director, under whose watch the New York MFCU was given the Inspector General’s State Fraud Award for 2008 as the top Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the country.

After the presentation of awards, each honoree gave a presentation.  Joe Hynes spoke passionately about the beginning of MFCU which began with the terrible nursing home scandals of the 1970s in New York State. Click here to read his presentation. Bill Comiskey spoke elegantly of his mission to protect nursing home residents by trying new and innovative ways of holding providers accountable and how he tried to live up to the accomplishments of Joe Hynes.  Heidi Wendel spoke of the close relationship MCFU has with LTCCC and how important she believes it is to make sure that the office sees the larger picture of protecting residents as well as just winning cases. All spoke of the dedication of the MFCU staff, many of whom were in attendance.  Thanks to our sponsors: PHI, pattiedesign, Bernstein Real Estate, Ostroff, Hiffa & Associates, SigmaCare, AARP, Omnicare, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, Deborah Truhowsky and the New York State Nurses Association. The food was great and conversation lively. A great time was had by all.

Richard Mollot, Executive Director, welcoming guests

Enjoying food                                                       Hillie Hoffman, Heidi Wendel,       Cynthia Rudder, Director of Special Projects
Cynthia Rudder and Richard Mollot

                                                                 
              
Joe Hynes presenting

Lisa Wickens                                             Bill Comiskey                                           Attendees

              
Deborah Truhowsky                                Attendees                                     Heidi Wendel

Joe Hynes and Cynthia Rudder                                              Cynthia Rudder, Joe Hynes, Richard Mollot, Heidi Wendel and Bill Comiskey

      Richard Mollot wraps up and says goodbye