Staff

LEADERSHIP. PURPOSE. VISION.

These core values define the qualities of our team and represent the foundation for our Association.

Our leadership provides members of our Association with educational events, resourceful reimbursement navigation, quality improvement programs, and the legislative advocacy needed to make a positive impact on the lives of long-term care residents in North Carolina.

Bekka Cheek

Director of Regulatory and Clinical Services
rebekkac@nchcfa.org

In conjunction with the Senior Vice President of Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Services, Rebekka is responsible for the development and coordination of programs and systems to monitor, evaluate, and improve the regulatory and enforcement environment. This includes compliance in member facilities and services and derivative quality and clinical programming and all applicable regulations of the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (NC DHHS/DHSR) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), such as licensure, requirements of participation, and life-safety. She is also responsible for assisting members in navigating and resolving issues with regulatory compliance and for engaging in productive dialogue with the NC DHHS/DHSR and CMS in conjunction with NCHCFA’s CEO and SVP.

Samuel B. Clark, CPA

Vice President of Finance
samc@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 206

Sam is primarily responsible for issues related to reimbursement of nursing facility services. In addition to acting as an information resource on matters pertaining to reimbursement, Sam is the staff contact for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Certificate of Need and Life Safety Code. Sam is the staff liaison for the NCHCFA Payment for Services Committee.

Jenny Evans, MFA

Communications, Marketing and Events Manager
jennye@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 208

Jenny manages all communications, marketing, and events for the Association.

Eric J. Kivisto, MSW

Director of Quality Improvement Programs
Erick@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 207

Eric is primarily responsible for projects that provide members with information, resources, and direction as to how best to access various Quality Improvement Programs. In addition to acting as a resource on Quality Improvement matters, Eric is the staff contact for questions related to CMS’s Five Star Ranking System, AHCA LTC Trend Tracker, Quality Award Program, and Criminal Background Check requirements. Eric also serves as the Director of the NCHCFA Institute for LTC Leaders and the Executive Director of NCHCFA’s foundation, FutureCare of North Carolina, Inc. Eric is the staff liaison for the NCHCFA Quality Advisory Committee.

Karen Lennon

Vice President of Education and Member Services
karenl@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 204

Karen is responsible for planning and executing NCHCFA’s Annual Convention & Expo, Summer Symposium, Financial Summit, ongoing educational seminars (held in-person and virtually), and other special events and meetings. She oversees the membership database, the membership directory, and coordinates new member recruitment. She assists members daily with questions/concerns/information needed.

Karen is a contributing editor to the association’s weekly newsletter, Update Weekly, and is also responsible for the accounts receivable and accounts payable operations for the Association. She is the staff liaison to the Education and Programs Committee and the Associate Advisory Committee.

Adam Sholar

President and CEO
adams@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 205

Adam is the Chief Executive Officer, responsible to the Board of Directors for the effective conduct of the affairs of the Association. He advances the Association’s goals, objectives, and policies and apprises members of issues affecting them. He is responsible for the effective use of the physical and financial resources of the Association, and he represents the Association before governmental bodies, as well as allied groups and constituencies.

Polly G. Welsh, RN-BC, MPH

Senior Vice President of Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Services
pollyg@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 203

Polly focuses on long-term care policy, regulation, and quality issues.  She serves on many advisory committees, task forces, and other government policy collaboratives with the Division of Health Service Regulation, the Division of Medical Assistance, and the Division of Aging, within the Department of Health and Human Services. Polly conducts statewide, as well as national, educational sessions on leadership, quality, and regulatory issues. Polly is the staff liaison for the NCHCFA Council on Provider Relations Committee and the Standards and Ethics Committee.

Sarah Williams

Marketing and Events Coordinator
sarahw@nchcfa.org
Phone Extension 214

Sarah supports NCHCFA by coordinating the Association’s corporate and industry marketing, branding, digital media, member communications, website maintenance, and community outreach efforts. Sarah serves as the editor of the membership newsletter, Update Weekly. In addition to offering administrative support to the Association, Sarah assists with the planning and execution of in-person and virtual events, including the Annual Convention & Expo, Summer Symposium,  and the NCHCFA/PAC Annual Autumn Classic.