TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - s4story -- More than 150 health care leaders, policymakers and industry professionals gathered June 8-9 for the Florida PACE Providers Association's (FPPA) annual conference.

FPPA is a nonprofit, 501(c)(6) organization dedicated to unifying Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) providers across Florida under a shared mission to grow and advance the PACE model of care statewide. The conference provided opportunities for PACE leadership, FPPA board members and business executives to advance collaboration, discuss policy and explore solutions to improve care for Florida seniors.

The two-day conference included exhibitor speed networking sessions, as well as discussions and presentations from leaders across the PACE industry. Matt Hudson, executive director of FPPA, delivered opening remarks, led the legislative update and honored recipients during the association's inaugural awards program. AnewHealth served as the conference's platinum sponsor.

The association's inaugural awards program recognized Representative Lauren Melo with the PACE Champion Award; Betty Williams of Empath Health with the Direct Service Award; Dr. Marwa El-Menshawi of Chapters Health System with the Leadership Award; and Steve Hess of Florida PACE Centers at Miami Jewish Health with the Program Award.

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The conference featured a variety of topics, including artificial intelligence in health care, operational strategies for PACE organizations and evidence-based approaches to reducing medication-related falls among older adults.

Featured keynote speaker Shawn Bloom, president and CEO of the National PACE Association, has helped expand the reach of the PACE model nationwide since joining the organization in 2000. Today, the association represents 202 PACE organizations serving more than 94,500 participants across 33 states and the District of Columbia.

Additional speakers included Brian Meyer, deputy secretary for Medicaid, Florida Agency for Health Care Administration; Lori Likens, senior director, Post Acute East, McKesson; Lisa Hedgecock, area sales manager, McKesson; Dr. Rebecca Schreiner, chief medical officer, Collabrios Health; Ameya Ambardekar, senior vice president and head of engineering, Collabrios Health; Michelle Slade, head of claims strategy, Collabrios Health; Calvin H. Knowlton, CEO and co-founder, GalenusCare; Orsula Knowlton, president and co-founder, GalenusCare; and Carlos F. Perez, chief growth officer, GalenusCare.

To learn more about FPPA, visit FLPace.org.