LTCCC HOLDS THIRD ANNUAL EVENT
HONORING AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS WORKED TO IMPROVE THE LIFE OF NURSING HOME RESIDENTS FOR OVER 22 YEARS
Karen Schoeneman,
Technical Advisor for the Nursing Homes Division
at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
A true advocate at heart, Karen began her career as a social worker, first employed at a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities and then at a Veteran’s home. After receiving her master’s degree in Public Administration she went to work for CMS. Her last 22 years at CMS has been spent on the nursing home survey process with a focus on resident quality of life. She was one of the small group of innovators who began meeting in 1997 to form the culture change network, and its gathering place, the Pioneer Network, and she remains active in the movement, speaking on how the long term care federal regulations support culture change. She is the CMS agency lead for culture change. She has executive-produced several CMS satellite broadcasts including shows on the activities requirements, the Pioneer Network, person-centered care and others. Karen was the CMS lead for the 2008 environment symposium and the 2010 dining symposium, which gave innovators, providers, and the interested public a forum to discuss culture change and regulations. She has revised several regulatory guidelines to highlight resident rights and quality of life in areas of dignity, visiting rights, homelike environment and resident choice. She is the recipient of the 2010 Picker Philanthropy lifetime achievement award and the public service award from the American College of Health Care Administrators. Currently she is working on a 6 part nurse aide training program in person-centered dementia care and prevention of abuse.
Karen’s passion for the elderly and their right to a quality life no matter where they reside is known throughout the country. In a profile printed by McKnight’s last year, Karen is quoted as saying about a deceased nursing home resident whose picture is on Karen’s desk: “We all work for Mamie. The only important thing is that she has a good day, good life. Somebody knows about her, cares about her, even loves her.”
Karen’s optimism is catching, her commitment to improve the lives of the elderly is always evident, whether she is presenting at a Federal Basic Facility Surveyor Training course or if she is speaking to an audience about Culture Change. Her energy and passion is palpable. As Karen said in the McKnight’s profile, “I remain enthusiastic. You cannot dampen me down no matter what you do. Things will definitely keep on getting better.”
A founding member of the Pioneer Network, we honor Karen for her life-long career and commitment to improve the lives of the elderly and frail citizens that reside in nursing homes across the United States.
Enjoying the food, drink
and conversation
Richard Mollot, Executive Director Karen Schoeneman receives the LTCCC "apple."
welcomes everyone.
Karen, Lisa Wickens, Board Member The honoree discusses her career.
and Cynthia Rudder, Director, Special Projects
Click here for a copy of our program
Click here for a list of our sponsors and individuals who donated and gave in-kind donations.
Thank you to all of our sponsors:
Grand Hosts:
AARP
Anonymous
New York State Nurses Association
PHI
Verizon
Benefactors:
Bernstein Real Estate
The GreenHouse Project
Ostroff, Hiffa & Associates, Inc.
PharmScript
Pioneer Network
Jay M. Sackman Consulting Services
Sherburn Electronics, Inc.
Lisa Wickens, Board Member
Donations:
Clinical Psych Associates/Eric Garfinkel
Arlene Germain
Lani and Roger Sanjek
Sarah Wells/The Consumer Voice
Judith Wirkula
Rockafella Cleaning
In-Kind:
Flowers: Blondie's Treehouse
Design of Invitations: Pattiedesign
Tiffany Award:
Law Firm of
D.F. Truhowsky
Framed, signed photograph: Dr. Jeffrey Levine
