2024 Annual Meeting

Originally Published in the Fall 2024 Newsletter.

– The event underscored the vital role of home-based care in Rhode Island’s healthcare system and those that continue to advocate for the highest quality care delivery.

The event featured addresses by Rhode Island Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, State Representative Julie Casimiro and State Senator Mark McKenney, all of whom are strong advocates for home care and were central to the legislature’s decision to adopt the Medicaid rate increases within and beyond those recommended by the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner more than one year ago. The Speaker highlighted in his remarks about the decision making process for these vital rate increases, how legislators advocate for their priorities and why it is important for providers to be members of their association and advocate collaboratively at the State House. The Thomas A. Lamb Home Care Advocacy Award, the association’s highest honor to an individual outside of our membership, was presented to Speaker Shekarchi. The two legislators were each presented with the Legislative Champion Award. Warwick Mayor Frank Picozzi proclaimed the day of the 34th Annual Meeting as “Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care Day”, honoring the value of the association to the city and its citizens and recognizing each home care company that are members of the association.

Attendees were also entertained by Doreen Collins, formerly of the Ocean State Follies and the first female to be inducted into the Rhode Island Comedy Hall of Fame. Her brand of humor related to the aging process and the value of supports and services in the home provided levity and celebration on the association’s recent successes.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of awards, including the 2024 class of Heart of Home Care award recipients, which recognized the outstanding contributions of home care skilled professionals and paraprofessionals that excel in serving their patients and clients. Abigail Ward was recognized for her patient advocacy, along with her parents Nancy and Vincent Ward, the former owner of Home Care Services of Rhode Island, now retired. Naomi Cotrone, President of Nash Corp. d.b.a. Right at Home was recognized as a Rising Star within our local industry.

The 2025-2026 Board of Directors were elected at the 34th Annual Meeting with Bethany Skinner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Health Care Services elected as President. She will be joined in the coming term by Naomi Cotrone as Vice President and Kathleen Moren, RN, BSN, IBCLC, President and Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Babies, Happy Moms Inc. as Secretary-Treasurer. Kelechi Agwunobi, President and Chief Executive Officer of HomeCare Networks, Christy Driscoll, RN, MBA, Assistant Administrator for Ocean State Nursing Services, Jean-Marie Klimm, Assistant Executive Director for Capitol Home Care Network, Luz Rodrigues, Regional Director for Hope Nursing Home Care, and Stephanie Ryan, MS, RN, Administrator and Co-Owner for Home Health & Hospice Care of Nursing Placement were elected as Directors. Cheryl Levesque, Executive Director for Patient Care Services at HomeCare Advantage will transition on the Board of Directors as the Immediate Past President. These individuals represent the leading voices within Rhode Island’s home care, home health, palliative care and hospice industry. Their leadership, expertise and commitment to our industry are critical for advancing payment reform, healthcare quality, system changes and workforce conditions improvement initiatives collaborating with senior leadership at the each of the health insurance companies, federal and state elected and appointed officials and the various regulatory and accrediting organizations, all of which will specifically benefit members of the Rhode Island Partnership for Home Care.

As a keystone to the evening, Mary Barry, RN, ICCM of Capitol Home Care Network, was honored with our Lifetime Leadership Award for her over 40 years of contributions as a leader, mentor and advocate within our industry. Mary offered sage advice within her remarks about the importance of unifying our message, collectively advocating in the hearing rooms at the State House, the halls of Capitol Hill and the board rooms of each health insurance company.

The 34th Annual Meeting served as a platform to foster collaboration and drive forward the mission of “Advancing quality healthcare at home” across the state, leaving participants inspired and ready to address the challenges ahead.