2004 President's Message

Message from the President

NCCNHR’s 29^th Annual Meeting – Spotlight on Quality-Focus on Residents, was a marvelous event.  Having attended 13 annual meetings since 1989, I can honestly say that this year’s meeting was one of the best I can remember.  The session topics were interesting, diverse and timely, the speakers were wonderful, the attendees were enthusiastic and energized and the whole atmosphere of the conference was positive and empowering.  It was a meeting chock full of communication, education, and motivation!  Alice Hedt and the entire NCCNHR staff did a remarkable job of putting this meeting together.

I am delighted and humbled to have been elected to serve as NCCNHR’s President for the next two years.   As NCCNHR approaches its 30^th year, we should all look back with pride at our many accomplishments on behalf of long term care residents.  But our work is far from done.  We are still facing enormous challenges  – inadequate staffing, Medicaid cuts, retaliation, tort reform, physical and sexual abuse in facilities, and weak enforcement of regulations just to name a few.  As we move forward, NCCNHR will continue to assist ombudsman program s, citizen groups, families and advocates by providing information, leadership and support.  Please let us know how we can help you.

Barbara Hengstebeck