Seventy Years of Caring: A Message from NCHCFA Immediate Past Chair Paul Babinski  

For our members not able to attend our recent NCHCFA Convention & Expo celebration, as the Immediate Past Chair, I wanted to provide a bit of perspective and recap.

Most of all, this reminder of thanks goes to all our members spanning these 70 years for your dedication and commitment to caring. Those entrusted to us for their recuperation, recovery, and safekeeping have relied on the teams we lead.  Likewise, at Convention we shared appreciation to current and past NCHCFA staff for their support and dedication to serving as a foundation and catalyst that sustains our ability to care for seniors and many of the most vulnerable North Carolinians.

With nearly 425 skilled nursing communities across NC, NCHCFA membership exceeds 400 locations. Our Association is the vital support infrastructure that allows our 40,000+ workforce to focus on quality care and progressive person-centered outcomes. Our Association concentrates on regulatory balance, legislative advocacy, sufficient reimbursement, workforce training, and increasing technological advances. Leadership development within a compassionate culture has also taken a paramount role in our journey of continuous quality improvements. All these efforts support the core of what we do—providing daily excellence in care to the 100,000+ residents we serve annually.

• Quality Care is the foundational pillar of successful providers. Thankfully, NCHCFA works very sincerely to “remember our members.”  For 70 years our Association has continued to inspire compassion among the individuals in this profession, and the difference each person makes in their care and help for others. Such a testimony was exemplified by our NCHCFA Annual Award winners across the five districts of our state—April Blevins, Angela White, Pamela Thompson, Mary Jones, and Pecolia Lassiter—plus Annie Quick received the Riley W. Clapp Outstanding Service Award. These award presentations are truly a keystone event of our Convention and what we aspire to achieve every day. 
• We recalled last year’s Pirates Voyage to discover hidden treasures within the person-centered care of our residents or hidden talents within ourselves. This year we reflected on an amazing 70 years for NCHCFA, showing resolve to overcome continuing challenges across regulations and fighting for fair reimbursement payments. Leadership and a purposeful culture along with progressive recruitment and retention initiatives continue to gain visibility and momentum. Our Convention and Association efforts continue to highlight employee engagement and embracing technologies across AI and expanding robotics in our future. Great presenters brought practical examples and illustrations of how our profession has matured while retaining the core quality of care to those we serve. 
• Lastly, I want to welcome and offer best regards to our newly elected chair, Max Mason. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed healthcare leader embracing this very honorable role and responsibility. 

Great thanks again to all those in attendance and to all for your great service each and every day.

Thanks for the journey,  

Paul Babinski, LNHA
Immediate Past Chair, NCHCFA