Speaker Directory

Angel Abrego

 Chief Executive Officer, Elite Premier Nursing Services/Elite Infusion Services

Angel Abrego is the Owner and CEO of Elite Premier Nursing Services and Elite Infusion Services, serving Palm Beach, Naples, and Florida’s Treasure Coast. A visionary leader and healthcare innovator, Angel is at the forefront of transforming patient care as the head of one of the nation’s first AI-integrated home care and home health agencies. Through cutting-edge technology, compassionate clinical excellence, and a relentless drive for progress, Angel and Elite are revolutionizing the way healthcare is delivered—setting a new standard for personalized, proactive, and intelligent care across the industry. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• Solving the Caregiver Crisis: How AI & Automation Are Redefining Recruitment in Home Care
• • Thursday, July 24, 10:35 AM-11:55 AM, Salon 1-2

Chris Attaya

 Vice President of Product Strategy, Strategic Healthcare Programs

Christopher Attaya, MBA, joined Strategic Healthcare Programs (SHP) in 2014 after spending 28 years in executive and consulting positions within the home health and hospice industry. He is responsible for product development and client relationships to help organizations achieve enhanced operational and financial performance by utilizing SHP’s industry-leading analytics platform and benchmark data. Prior to SHP, Chris was the Chief Financial Officer at the VNA of Boston and worked at Partners Health Care at Home as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Health from Tufts University and an MBA from the Graduate School of Management at Boston University, concentrating in health care finance.

Workshops/Sessions:

• HHVBP Moonshot: Strategizing for Success in the 2025 Measure Set
• • Wednesday, July 23, 1:50 PM-3:10 PM, Salon 3-4
• Powering Home Health Outcomes: Leveraging CAHPS to Launch Agency Success
• • Thursday, July 24, 9:00 AM-9:50 AM, Salon 3-4

Kim Banker

 Product Manager and Home Health/Hospice Subject Matter Expert, Strategic Healthcare Programs

Kim Banker, RN, BSN, is a seasoned Product Manager and Home Health/Hospice Subject Matter Expert with 24 years of experience in the home health industry. Kim's extensive background in home health care informs her role in overseeing products designed to help customers achieve clinical and operational success in both home health and hospice settings. Her expertise ensures that these products meet the highest standards and support the unique needs of her clients. Prior to joining SHP in 2023,  Kim served as a Director of Operations for Amedisys.

Workshops/Sessions:

• HHVBP Moonshot: Strategizing for Success in the 2025 Measure Set
• • Wednesday, July 23, 1:50 PM-3:10 PM, Salon 3-4

Julio Barea

​ Vice President of Sales, Ally/Caretime

Julio Barea is a seasoned sales leader with over a decade of experience focused on the home care industry. As Vice President of Sales for CareTime, AllyMS, and affiliated brands, he helps agencies streamline operations and scale their Medicaid and private pay services. Julio is passionate about empowering providers to deliver higher quality care by removing operational roadblocks and embracing technology. His insights are grounded in years of working alongside agencies navigating the evolving home care landscape.

Workshops/Sessions:

• The Expansion Era: Exploring New Medicaid Opportunities for Your Home Care Agency
• • Thursday, July 24, 1:30 PM-2:20 PM, Salon 5
• Cleared for Launch: EVV Success Strategies for the Whole Crew
• • Friday, July 25, 9:00 AM-10:20 AM, Salon 6

Victoria Barron

 Clinical Consultant, Healthcare Provider Solutions

Victoria Barron, MBA, BSN, RN, COS-C, joined Healthcare Provider Solutions (HPS) in December 2021 as a Clinical Consultant. As part of the HPS clinical consulting team, Victoria provides support and solutions to home health and hospice agencies nationally to achieve regulatory compliance. As a nurse and health care professional with more than 40 years of experience, Victoria has primarily worked in the home health, hospice, and home infusion fields in various roles including as an administrator, surveyor, mock surveyor, and consultant. Victoria is a licensed multistate registered nurse and an ACHC- and CHAP-certified home health and hospice consultant.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Emergency Preparedness: Building a Stellar Plan for Uncharted Crises
• • Wednesday, July 23, 1:50 PM-3:10 PM, Salon 5

Denise Bellville

 Executive Director, Home Care Association of Florida

Denise Bellville, RN, BS, COS-C, is HCAF’s Executive Director. She has been a registered nurse for 45 years, working in critical care, ER, and open heart surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) before transitioning to the home care industry as an executive for 30 years. Her home care clinical experience ranges from pediatric/adult ventilator cases, infusion therapy, and in-home peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line placements. Her favorite aspect has always been teaching elderly patients information that helps them reach their potential and remain at home. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• Navigating Florida’s Medicaid Frontier: Hot Topics & Critical Issues in Managed Care
• • Wednesday, July 23, 1:50 PM-3:10 PM, Salon 1-2
• Mission Upgrade: Strengthening the Family Home Health Aide Program for Medically Fragile Children
• • Friday, July 25, 10:35 AM-11:55 AM, Salon 6

Michael Bibbins

 Senior Provider Relations Representative, Palmetto GBA

Michael Bibbins has more than eight years of experience working in the health insurance industry. He joined the Provider Outreach and Education team after spending three years in the Palmetto GBA Provider Contact Center. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication from the University of Delaware. Michael currently serves as a Senior Provider Relations Representative for the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD). As part of his responsibilities, Michael conducts workshops, educational exhibits, and web-based training for providers concerning RCD coverage and billing guidelines. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• Updates & Insights From Palmetto GBA: Navigating the Cosmic Compliance Landscape
• • Tuesday, July 22, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Grand A-B

Justin Birt

 Vice President of Development, MissionCare Collective

Justin Birt is the Vice President of Development at MissionCare Collective, where he leads strategic growth initiatives to advance workforce solutions in care. Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Birt brings a background in technology-driven business development, with previous strategic consulting roles at Salesforce, IBM, and eSage Group. He has deep expertise in aligning client needs with innovative technologies to drive operational success. Passionate about empowering care organizations, Birt envisions a future where technology and human-centered solutions work together to strengthen the workforce and deliver exceptional care. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• We Have Lift Off! Charting a Course to a Sustainable Culture Beyond Employee Rewards
• • Thursday, July 24, 9:00 AM-9:50 AM, Grand A-B

Elizabeth Brogdon

​ Senior Education Consultant, Palmetto GBA

Elizabeth Brogdon has over 20 years of nursing experience. She is a graduate of Forsyth Technical College. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from Columbia Southern University. She has a background in emergency medicine in nursing, occupational health and home health care. Her educator experience includes Instructor for the American Heart Association and several other organizations. She previously worked for Palmetto GBA as a Medical Reviewer on the Pre-Claim Review Demonstration. Elizabeth is currently a Senior Provider Education Consultant with Provider Outreach and Education for the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD). Her duties include providing education for the home health and inpatient rehabilitation RCD programs through one-on-one and group setting sessions. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• Updates & Insights From Palmetto GBA: Navigating the Cosmic Compliance Landscape
• • Tuesday, July 22, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Grand A-B

Melinda Chmielarz

 Partner, Disability Insurance Law Group

Melinda Chmielarz, Esq., a founding partner of Disability Insurance Law Group, has 20 years of experience representing individuals across the country in their claims for private and group disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and life insurance benefits. She has considerable expertise in many areas of insurance law, having been in practice for over 25 years, and has represented both individuals and insurance companies. However, as a partner at Disability Insurance Law Group, she now focuses solely on the vigorous representation of insureds in their claim for the benefits to which they are rightfully entitled under the terms of their insurance policies. She has been instrumental in getting Congress to consider an amendment to the federal statute (ERISA), which will provide claimants with more protection and hold insurance companies accountable for the damages caused by their delay and denial tactics. Additionally, Chmielarz worked with the Department of Labor (DOL) to facilitate the changes recently made to the DOL regulations, which guide how ERISA disability claims are handled. The recent changes provide additional protections for claimants and took steps to make insurance companies and plan administrators more accountable for their actions and decisions. Chmielarz has also spoken at several disability insurance conferences and written numerous articles about the disability and long-term care insurance claims process.

Chmielarz practices in both state and federal court and has recovered millions of dollars in insurance benefits for her clients. She has successfully litigated claims against most of the large insurance carriers and she and her law partner, Alicia Paulino-Grisham, Esq., recently won a lawsuit against the NFL on behalf of a player who was wrongfully denied disability benefits under the organization's disability plan. She has also been an effective advocate for clients seeking long-term care and home health benefits from insurance companies who either delay and wrongfully deny benefits to insureds who need these benefits for daily living.

Chmielarz is a member of both the Florida and Washington, D.C. bars and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida. Before co-founding Disability Insurance Law Group, she developed and led the disability insurance department at a national law firm, which has since grown into one of the largest such practices in the southeast. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, graduating magna cum laude and serving as an assistant editor for the Law Review and a Dean’s Fellow.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Houston We Have a Problem! Navigating the Vast Expanses of Long-Term Care Policy Issues
• • Friday, July 25, 9:00 AM-10:20 AM, Salon 5

Arnie Cisneros 

 President, Home Health Strategic Management

Arnie Cisneros is the President of Home Health Strategic Management; he has 30+ years of experience as a Physical Therapist across the care continuum, and he serves as a Post-Acute Consultant for multiple Health Systems and HH Providers.  He is renowned for his adaptation of traditional Healthcare operations to address ongoing CMS reforms. 

Workshops/Sessions:

• The Gravity of Operations: How They Impact VBP-Level Outcomes
• • Friday, July 25, 9:00 AM-10:20 AM, Salon 1-2

Christina Crumbley 

 Chief Executive Officer, Tidal Healthcare Consulting, LLC

Christina Crumbley, RN, MSN, HCS-D, HCS-O, is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Tidal Healthcare Consulting, LLC. Established in 2015, Tidal's mission is to assist agencies in creating efficient processes and practices while providing agency support services to allow agencies to focus on patient care. Rooted in education, Tidal specializes in building a strong foundation for agencies to grow while providing quality and compassionate care. 

Christina is a registered nurse with over 30 years of broad-based expertise in home health operations, clinical management, quality assurance-performance improvement, compliance standards, and process improvement. Her experience includes single-site home health agencies as well as multi-site and multi-state operations. She is a high-integrity, energetic hands-on leader known for her ability to envision and create successful outcomes in the home health domain with strategic planning. Christina is also a contract surveyor for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC). 

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Home Care Association of Florida as well as sits on the Board of Medical Specialty Coding & Compliance Committee for Home Care Coding Specialist Certification.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Leadership: May the Force Be With You
• • Tuesday, July 22, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Salon 5

Kim Davis-Allen 

 E-PLUS Education and Training, Agency for Health Care Administration

Kim Davis-Allen has over 30 years experience in working with healthcare providers including state Medicaid programs, managed care systems, Health IT projects and federal incentive programs supporting the use of electronic medical records.  Kim has worked alongside the Agency for Health Care Administration for over 14 years joining the E-PLUS Program in 2021 primarily focusing on end user engagement and training.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Boundless Possibilities: Propelling Health Care Forward With Health IT Innovation
• • Thursday, July 24, 1:30 PM-2:20 PM, Salon 6

Sue & Enock Denis 

 Owner & Co-Founder, Seeds Home Care

Sue and Enock Denis are celebrated experts in homecare agency growth, renowned for their innovative approach to using storytelling to drive sales and build sustainable businesses. Together, they co-founded a successful homecare agency and a distinguished homecare consulting firm, transforming the way homecare businesses connect with their clients and achieve remarkable growth.

Sue Denis is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science in Nursing Education. Her extensive experience in nursing provided her with deep insights into the challenges faced by homecare agencies, inspiring her to seek innovative solutions to improve care delivery and business operations. Enock Denis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership. His expertise in finance and leadership complements Sue’s clinical background, creating a powerful synergy that drives their business strategies.

A pivotal moment in their lives occurred when Sue and Enock almost lost their son due to the demanding nature of Sue’s work as a nurse. This life-threatening experience motivated them to create a homecare business that was less physically taxing yet continued to provide compassionate care. Determined to make a meaningful impact without compromising their well-being, they leveraged their combined expertise to develop a unique business model centered around storytelling.

Sue and Enock Denis are on a mission to empower homecare entrepreneurs to discover and connect with the individuals they are called to serve through the transformative power of storytelling. Over the years, they have successfully generated over $3.5 million in sales. Their approach helps clients enhance their sales strategies, build deeper client relationships, and create businesses that are both profitable and impactful.

Workshops/Sessions:

• From Liftoff to Landing: Converting Opportunities Into Leads
• • Thursday, July 24, 2:50 PM, 3:40 PM, Salon 1-2

Jessica devine 

 Director of Membership Growth & Retention, Home Care Association of Florida

Jessica Devine has worked in home care since 2014 across various provider types, including Medicare-certified home health, nurse registry, and private duty home care. Prior to joining HCAF, she served as the Director of Private Care for a Visiting Nurse Association, overseeing a multi-region business in conjunction with the organization's home health and hospice services. She strongly believes that home care, more than any other form of health care, enhances patient well-being by promoting independence and preserving dignity, regardless of their living situation. Jessica is a proud alumna of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Home Health Fundamentals Workshop: Preparing for Liftoff in Home Care Excellence
• • Tuesday, July 22, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Salon 1-2
• Creating Re-Entry Protocols: Bringing it All Back Down to Earth
• • Friday, July 25, 10:35 AM-11:55 AM, Grand A-B

Lindsay Doak 

 Director of Research, BerryDunn

BerryDunn's Director of Healthcare Research and Education, Lindsay Doak, MBA, is a seasoned leader in the industry, with 15 collective years of experience leading strategic direction and growth initiatives for the health care education, business intelligence, and patient satisfaction markets. Lindsay’s role with BerryDunn includes spearheading the 2021 National Healthcare at Home Best Practices and Future Insights Study. She has extensive experience working on national studies, and has served as co-chair of the Phillips National Telehealth Study.

Lindsay has a passion for industry education, and she currently serves on the Education Committee for the National Association for Home Care and Hospice (NAHC). Her past experience includes the creation of education platforms and certification programs, providing strategic direction to align programs and content offerings with current industry needs.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Powering Home Health Outcomes: Leveraging CAHPS to Launch Agency Success
• • Thursday, July 24, 9:00 AM-9:50 AM, Salon 3-4

Colby Ellis 

 Associate Attorney, Littler Mendelson, P.C.

Colby J. Ellis, Esq., represents and advises employers across many sectors, including several home care agencies, involving a wide range of state and federal employment and labor laws. He has experience representing employers in federal and state courts and before various administrative agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Legal Update: Avoiding Employment Law Asteroids and Staying on Course in a Shifting Legal/Political Universe
• • Tuesday, July 22, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Salon 3-4
• 2025 Employment Law Updates: Steering Through Florida’s and America’s Changing Employment Law Nebula
• • Wednesday, July 23, 3:30 PM-4:20 PM, Grand A-B

Dawn Fiala 

 Director of Sales and Operations, Approved Senior Network®

Before joining Approved Senior Network®, Dawn Fiala worked for Devoted Guardians Home Care and Home Health as Director of Marketing, where she increased revenue by 84% ($3.5 million) in three years by developing and building high-performing teams and a stellar brand. Dawn has also worked for Home Instead Senior Care in sales, as Director of Marketing, and Director of Operations.

Dawn brings with her a wealth of knowledge and understanding of the current home care space, from online marketing to in-person direct referral marketing. She is also intimately familiar with the challenges of recruiting and retention in the home care market and comes to us with a plethora of ideas to share with their clients.

Workshops/Sessions:

• Home Care Marketing: Building Your Brand's Orbit in the Home Care Galaxy
• • Tuesday, July 22, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, Salon 3-4
• Charting a Path to Success in Home Care Marketing and Sales: The Impact of Tailored Training
• • Wednesday, July 23, 11:20 AM-12:20 PM, Salon 1-2