SimiTree Health 360

Ever wondered what it takes to orchestrate a successful healthcare merger? Join us in this episode of the SimiTree Health 360 Podcast as we explore the intricacies of merging home healthcare agencies. Our host, Rob Simione, Principal, SVP Consulting, engages in a captivating conversation with Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, a seasoned healthcare executive who led the merger of multiple agencies into a unified powerhouse. Discover the critical considerations, challenges, and triumphs that shaped the journey to a unified organization. Turn in for this episode, The Art of Seamless Healthcare Mergers. 
 
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Robert Simione, CPA, Principal, SVP Consulting 
Robert Simione is a Principal at SimiTree, with more than 11 years of progressive accomplishments and leadership in finance, operations and data analytics to support the home health and hospice industry. As an experienced leader in financial and operational performance improvement with expertise in organizational assessment, budget and financial management. 
 
Theresa Santoro, President & CEO of RVNAhealth 
Theresa Santoro, President & CEO of RVNAhealth, embodies the principles of focus, discipline, and continuous learning. Beginning as a hostess in her family's Brooklyn Italian eatery, she carries these values into her role today, practicing a progressive approach called servant leadership. With a background in nursing and a dedication to healthcare education, Santoro's journey led her to lead RVNAhealth through significant growth, merging with other organizations and expanding services. Grounded by her familial roots and a strong work ethic, she remains hands-on and empathetic, fostering a culture of collaboration. 

Home health and hospice workers provide care for some of our most vulnerable patients, often in their own homes. This can be a challenging environment, but there are steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of clinical staff. In this episode hosted by Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies at Afia, a SimiTree company, and Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree, experts in home care and behavioral health are discussing the unique safety challenges faced by home health and hospice workers, and how to mitigate those risks. Join us for "Empowering Resilience: Supporting Clinical Staff in High-Risk Care."
Learn more about the Afia team: https://bit.ly/41SYgfI
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK 
 
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Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies 
With over 26 years of experience in community mental health centers, Kathy is a consultant specializing in Behavioral and Primary Health Care Integration, as well as Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) planning and implementation. Her expertise lies in developing and managing clinical and integrated health programs, allowing her to provide valuable insights to organizations seeking to improve their behavioral and primary healthcare services.
Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree  
Meet Melissa Gordon, a highly skilled and accomplished healthcare professional with an impressive 30-year track record. As a Registered Nurse (RN) and holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), she has honed her expertise in various aspects of healthcare, particularly in home health, hospice, and private duty care.

Working with high-risk individuals can be challenging, but it's important to stay calm and focused to keep yourself and others safe. We'll share de-escalation techniques, tips for working with difficult clients, and how to report incidents. This episode is hosted by Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies at Afia, a SimiTree company, and Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree. Join them to learn how to stay "Calm in Chaos: Safety in Challenging Situations for Community Workforce Safety." 
 
Learn more about the Afia team: https://bit.ly/41SYgfI
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK 
 
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Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies 
With over 26 years of experience in community mental health centers, Kathy is a consultant specializing in Behavioral and Primary Health Care Integration, as well as Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) planning and implementation. Her expertise lies in developing and managing clinical and integrated health programs, allowing her to provide valuable insights to organizations seeking to improve their behavioral and primary healthcare services.
Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree  
Meet Melissa Gordon, a highly skilled and accomplished healthcare professional with an impressive 30-year track record. As a Registered Nurse (RN) and holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), she has honed her expertise in various aspects of healthcare, particularly in home health, hospice, and private duty care.

Live from the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, Nick Seabrook, Managing Principal, SVP, Consulting, SimiTree brings an exclusive look into the recent NAHC Financial Managers Conference. Joined by a lineup of industry experts, including Bill Simione, CEO and Managing Principal of SimiTree, Rob Simione, Principal, SVP Consulting, Natalie Alexander, Senior Manager, Cost Reports, and Brian Harris, Consulting Director, RCM, the team delve into the news surrounding Medicare Advantage and the proposed rule. Discover the optimism and enthusiasm buzzing through the conference as we explore the future of home care and hospice. Tune in for this episode, Live! A Chat With Healthcare's Top Minds: SimiTree CEO and Friends. 
 
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Nick Seabrook, Managing Principal, SVP Consulting 
Nick Seabrook helps SimiTree promote excellence to home health and hospice organizations. As the Managing Principal at SimiTree responsible for the oversight of the Consulting division, he helps over 250 employees serve 500 active clients to make SimiTree the largest consulting company in home health and hospice with consultative, outsourcing and talent solutions.
 
William J. Simione III, CEO 
Bill is dedicated to home care and hospice business improvement, heading SimiTree’s consulting product and service delivery efforts in those essential categories. He previously managed Simione’s Financial Consulting division, and he has been actively involved in the home care and hospice industry for more than 25 years.
 
Robert Simione, CPA, Principal, SVP Consulting 
Robert Simione is a Principal at SimiTree, with more than 11 years of progressive accomplishments and leadership in finance, operations and data analytics to support the home health and hospice industry. As an experienced leader in financial and operational performance improvement with expertise in organizational assessment, budget and financial management.
 
Natalie Alexander, Senior Manager 
Natalie is a highly skilled and experienced healthcare consultant, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the intricate world of healthcare accounting. With a passion for the healthcare industry, she has dedicated her career to unraveling the complexities of financial management within the healthcare sector.
 
Brian Harris, Consulting Director 
Brian Harris is an experienced professional in the post-acute healthcare community, and an active member in industry-wide thought leadership & education. Serving as a Consulting Director on the SimiTree team, which helps post-acute organizations raise performance levels and realize revenue potential in a complex market. 

Community-based workers are on the frontlines of providing care to some of our most vulnerable populations. In this episode, we discuss the unique safety challenges faced by the community-based workforce, who provide support and services to high-risk individuals or visit individuals' homes. We'll explore how to assess risks, develop safety protocols, and manage challenging situations. Hosted by Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies at Afia, a SimiTree company and Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree. Join these experts to learn the "3 ways to prioritize safety for community-based workforce on the frontlines." 
Links from this episode: 
Learn more about the Afia team: https://bit.ly/41SYgfI
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
Follow us on social media! 
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3AKyKxp
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3LQqemV
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3Lt4goj
Kathy Polasky-Dettling, Vice President of Clinical Strategies
With over 26 years of experience in community mental health centers, Kathy is a consultant specializing in Behavioral and Primary Health Care Integration, as well as Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) planning and implementation. Her expertise lies in developing and managing clinical and integrated health programs, allowing her to provide valuable insights to organizations seeking to improve their behavioral and primary health care services. 
Melissa Gordon, RN, BSN, MBA, Senior Manager at SimiTree
Meet Melissa Gordon, a highly skilled and accomplished healthcare professional with an impressive 30-year track record. As a Registered Nurse (RN) and holder of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), she has honed her expertise in various aspects of healthcare, particularly in home health, hospice, and private duty care.

In this episode, Charles Breznicky, Senior Clinical Consulting Manager, J'non Griffin, Principal, SVP, Coding, and John Rabbia, Director, Operations Consulting discuss claims-based, OASIS-based, and survey-based measures, all of which contribute to the total performance score. Learn what determinants contribute to the final score and how your home health or hospice agency can get ahead of any quality issues. Join these experts for “Beyond Star Ratings: What Impacts Patient Satisfaction Scores (HCAHPS).” 
Links from this episode:
Learn more about J’non: https://bit.ly/43zdTcQ 
Learn more about our Coding and OASIS-E solutions: https://bit.ly/3WHGtq7 
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
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J'non Griffin, RN MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C, COS-C Principal, SVP, Coding   
J’non Griffin is a registered nurse with 30+ years of clinical and leadership experience as a field nurse, agency director, regional director, executive, and consultant for home health and hospice agencies. She is an accredited ACHC and CHAP consultant and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM trainer/ambassador with certifications in home care coding (HCS-D), OASIS competency (COS-C), hospice coding (HCS-H) and home care compliance (HCS-C). A frequent national speaker, she is a collaborator for Decision Health’s The Diagnosis Coding Pro, has published several manuals, and assisted with online coding/OASIS instruction modules. J’non earned a master’s degree in health care administration in 2005.
Charles M. Breznicky Jr, RN, MSN, MBA, HCS-DSenior Clinical Consulting Manager
Charles M. Breznicky Jr is Senior Clinical Consulting Manager at SimiTree, specializing in enhancing Quality, Clinical, and Operational processes within Home Health Agencies. With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from La Salle University, he brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic business acumen to drive positive transformations in the home health and hospice industry.
John Rabbia, PT, DPT, MBA, MS, COS-C Director, Operations Consulting
John Rabbia is a dynamic and patient-focused Home Healthcare Executive known for his exceptional leadership in driving comprehensive quality and performance improvements while ensuring the highest standard of care. With a proven track record of skillful change management, operational acumen, and a talent for building high-performing teams, he consistently enhances productivity, efficiency, and employee engagement. Armed with a range of educational qualifications, including an MBA in Healthcare Management, advanced study certificates, and industry certifications, John combines his expertise with strong communication skills to foster organizational growth, compliance, and outstanding outcomes for patients in the home healthcare sector.

In this episode, SimiTree coding and OASIS-E experts explore the impact of outcomes on value-based purchasing (VBP), the measures involved, and the challenges faced by agencies in improving patient outcomes. Learn the role of social determinants of health, the significance of community resources, and the need for a holistic approach to patient care on healthcare outcomes. Tune in and join these experts for “From Good Publicity to Good Money: Successful Patient Outcomes Matter.”
Links from this episode:
Learn more about J’non: https://bit.ly/43zdTcQ 
Learn more about our Coding and OASIS-E solutions: https://bit.ly/3WHGtq7 
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
Follow us on social media!
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3RR6KPy 
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3DAXiM 
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3LrB40Q 
J'non Griffin, RN MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C, COS-C Principal, SVP, Coding   
J’non Griffin is a registered nurse with 30+ years of clinical and leadership experience as a field nurse, agency director, regional director, executive, and consultant for home health and hospice agencies. She is an accredited ACHC and CHAP consultant and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM trainer/ambassador with certifications in home care coding (HCS-D), OASIS competency (COS-C), hospice coding (HCS-H) and home care compliance (HCS-C). A frequent national speaker, she is a collaborator for Decision Health’s The Diagnosis Coding Pro, has published several manuals, and assisted with online coding/OASIS instruction modules. J’non earned a master’s degree in health care administration in 2005.
Charles M. Breznicky Jr, RN, MSN, MBA, HCS-DSenior Clinical Consulting Manager
Charles M. Breznicky Jr is Senior Clinical Consulting Manager at SimiTree, specializing in enhancing Quality, Clinical, and Operational processes within Home Health Agencies. With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from La Salle University, he brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic business acumen to drive positive transformations in the home health and hospice industry.
John Rabbia, PT, DPT, MBA, MS, COS-C Director, Operations Consulting
John Rabbia is a dynamic and patient-focused Home Healthcare Executive known for his exceptional leadership in driving comprehensive quality and performance improvements while ensuring the highest standard of care. With a proven track record of skillful change management, operational acumen, and a talent for building high-performing teams, he consistently enhances productivity, efficiency, and employee engagement. Armed with a range of educational qualifications, including an MBA in Healthcare Management, advanced study certificates, and industry certifications, John combines his expertise with strong communication skills to foster organizational growth, compliance, and outstanding outcomes for patients in the home healthcare sector.

In this episode, SimiTree experts delve into the world of home health operations and explore the latest trends and challenges in the post-acute space. From discussing the impact of OASIS-E on agencies to navigating staffing shortages and optimizing case management models, we cover it all. With decades of experience in physical therapy, nursing, compliance, and coding, our hosts provide valuable insights and practical tips for agencies seeking to thrive in today's evolving healthcare landscape. Join these experts for “Crack the Code: Mastering OASIS-E for Improved Patient Care.”
Links from this episode:
Learn more about J’non: https://bit.ly/43zdTcQ 
Learn more about our Coding and OASIS-E solutions: https://bit.ly/3WHGtq7 
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
 
Follow us on social media!
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3RR6KPy 
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3DAXiM 
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3LrB40Q 
J'non Griffin, RN MHA, HCS-D, HCS-H, HCS-C, COS-C Principal, SVP, Coding   
J’non Griffin is a registered nurse with 30+ years of clinical and leadership experience as a field nurse, agency director, regional director, executive, and consultant for home health and hospice agencies. She is an accredited ACHC and CHAP consultant and an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM trainer/ambassador with certifications in home care coding (HCS-D), OASIS competency (COS-C), hospice coding (HCS-H) and home care compliance (HCS-C). A frequent national speaker, she is a collaborator for Decision Health’s The Diagnosis Coding Pro, has published several manuals, and assisted with online coding/OASIS instruction modules. J’non earned a master’s degree in health care administration in 2005.
Charles M. Breznicky Jr, RN, MSN, MBA, HCS-DSenior Clinical Consulting Manager
Charles M. Breznicky Jr is Senior Clinical Consulting Manager at SimiTree, specializing in enhancing Quality, Clinical, and Operational processes within Home Health Agencies. With a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from La Salle University, he brings a unique blend of clinical expertise and strategic business acumen to drive positive transformations in the home health and hospice industry.
John Rabbia, PT, DPT, MBA, MS, COS-C Director, Operations Consulting
John Rabbia is a dynamic and patient-focused Home Healthcare Executive known for his exceptional leadership in driving comprehensive quality and performance improvements while ensuring the highest standard of care. With a proven track record of skillful change management, operational acumen, and a talent for building high-performing teams, he consistently enhances productivity, efficiency, and employee engagement. Armed with a range of educational qualifications, including an MBA in Healthcare Management, advanced study certificates, and industry certifications, John combines his expertise with strong communication skills to foster organizational growth, compliance, and outstanding outcomes for patients in the home healthcare sector.

Building an aggregate data warehouse now, several years before it's needed, is the future of home health, behavioral health, and hospice real-time reporting. In this episode, brought to you by Afia, A SimiTree company, Chris Akerley, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner and Melanie Elliott, Vice President, Analytics Strategy, explain the growing trend of creating large-scale data insights based on individual behavioral health (BH) providers' data. Join our experts for this episode, “It takes a Village: Aggregating Data Across Providers.”
Learn more about the Afia team: https://bit.ly/41SYgfI
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
 
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Chris Akerley, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner
In 2007, Chris Akerley co-founded Afia Inc, on a mission to revolutionize health care.  He has helped organizations across the country improve care, reduce costs, and improve engagement by thoughtfully integrating technology and data into their daily operations.
Melanie Elliott, Vice President, Analytics Strategy
Melanie’s expertise is creating leading business strategies and operational excellence for successful organizations. With a track record of success in developing strategies for new revenue streams and improved customer experiences, as well as internal process improvement and efficiency, Melanie has a unique combination of strategic vision, authentic leadership, and healthcare industry expertise.
About Afia
Are you tired of navigating the complex and confusing world of healthcare on your own? Look to the behavioral health experts at Afia, a SimiTree Company. Our team of experienced healthcare consultants will guide you through the process of finding and managing the technology and service your organization needs to deliver exceptional care. Our services include healthcare consulting, IT management and optimization, data analytics, and more. No matter the size of your organization, we are committed to creating custom-tailored solutions so you can make data-informed decisions, drive growth, provide purpose, and predict the future.
At Afia, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality healthcare. Let us help you create streamlined and optimized processes to give your patients the highest quality of care. Visit us at afiahealth.com to learn more about how we can help your organization thrive.

Knowing the critical elements of successful optimization can make all the difference between a costly mistake and better delivery of care when considering whether to pursue a new EHR selection. In this episode brought to you by Afia, A SimiTree company; Melanie Elliott, Vice President, Analytics Strategy and Elizabeth “Liz” Kern, Principal Consultant, share insights into successfully optimizing EHR systems to obtain more meaningful data insights for your organization. Join our experts for this episode, “How to Optimize Your EHR to Obtain Meaningful Data Insights.”
 
Learn more about the Afia team: https://bit.ly/41SYgfI
View our free on-demand webinars on this topic: https://bit.ly/3JVWjIK
 
Follow us on social media!
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3AKyKxp
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Elizabeth “Liz” Kern, Principal Consultant
Liz has been a principal consultant at Afia for 7+ years. She leads EHR vendor selections and implementations, as well as data-driven optimizations, for behavioral health and I/DD providers throughout the US.
Melanie Elliott, Vice President, Analytics Strategy
Melanie’s expertise is in creating leading business strategies and operational excellence for successful organizations. With a track record of success in developing strategies for new revenue streams and improved customer experiences, as well as internal process improvement and efficiency, Melanie has a unique combination of strategic vision, authentic leadership, and healthcare industry expertise.
About Afia
Are you tired of navigating the complex and confusing world of healthcare on your own? Look to the behavioral health experts at Afia, a SimiTree Company. Our team of experienced healthcare consultants will guide you through the process of finding and managing the technology and service your organization needs to deliver exceptional care. Our services include healthcare consulting, IT management and optimization, data analytics, and more. No matter the size of your organization, we are committed to creating custom tailored solutions so you can make data-informed decisions, drive growth, provide purpose, and predict the future.
At Afia, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality healthcare. Let us help you create streamlined and optimized processes to give your patients the highest-quality of care. Visit us at afiahealth.com to learn more about how we can help your organization thrive.