Ms. Milanovich is the President of UPMC/Jefferson Regional Home Health, LP. Ms. Milanovich welcomed participants to the 2008 Long Term Care Symposium which has been sponsored by the home health organization for the past five years.

Ms. Thearle is a certified Diabetes Educator at UPMC South Side Hospital. Ms. Thearle addressed the topic of controlling diabetes in the aging adult by covering areas such as the prevalence of diabetes, factors that affect diabetes management, and the role of health care team members in providing diabetes care.

Dr. Towers is the Medical Director of the Health Information Management Department of UPMC Presbyterian/Shadyside. She is also an Associate Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Towers presented information on improving the transition from acute to long-term care. The well-received presentation covered topics such as a review of reported events and current methods to address these issues with emphasis on transitions to home, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing facilities.

Mr. Longenecker serves as the Director of the Division of Licensing in the Office of Long Term Living. Mr. Longenecker provided timely information on proposed assisted living regulations. He covered such topics as the key differences between existing personal care homes and proposed assisted living residences along with a discussion of the licensure process.

Ms. Fukas is currently employed as a Case Manager at UPMC Passavant. Ms. Fukas, along with Barbara Woodruff, presented on the topic of improving communication through the continuum of care.

Ms. Woodruff is the team lead for Social Services, a division of the Care Management Department at UPMC Passavant and UPMC Passavant Cranberry. Ms. Woodruff and Fukas discussed topics such as transitions to alternative levels of care, identifying important information, and understanding current and future expectations of an Emergency Room Care Management Program.

Ms. Priestley is a Clinical Specialist for Behavioral Health for UPMC/Jefferson Regional, L.P. Home Health. Ms. Priestley presented techniques to combat the emotional and physiological effects of everyday stress. The presentation included recognizing maladaptive stress responses and presented how to develop positive coping mechanisms.

Ms. Allen is currently a Casework Supervisor of the Allegheny County Agency on Aging Ombudsman Program. Ms. Allen, along with Mr. Emmerling, presented on the topic of Geriatric Intimacy.

Mr. Emmerling is the Bureau Chief of Advocacy Protection and Care Management for the Allegheny County Area agency on Aging. Mr. Emmerling and Ms. Allen covered topics such as the fallacy of sexuality and aging, communication with the elderly on sexuality, and elder sexuality and resident rights issues in long term care facilities.