Founder/Owner: Lisa Morell, LPN, RAI-C, MDS Coordinator
Lisa Morell LPN, RAI-C, is an MDS Coordinator in Bridgeport, Connecticut with 29 years experience in the LTC Industry in the position of Charge Nurse in various Facilities. While learning the MDS Process and becoming certified, the American Association of Nurse Assessments Coordinators (aanac) became an invaluable resource for all unanswered questions. Throughout her learning experience, she became aware of the lack of locally available resources, others willing to share their knowledge, and facilities not offering support or ongoing training. SoCoMDS was the end result, and hopes to bring together a place where Coordinators and all disciplines involved in the MDS process can network and share information with each other.
Co-Founder / Advisor: Gail Feldman, RN, B.S., RAC-C, MDS Coordinator
Gail Feldman RN, B.S, RAC-C has been involved with the MDS Process since it's inception in 1989, where she began her career as an MDS Coordinator in Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelors degree in Psychology, and in addition to MDS Coordinator, her job experience has been in Psych / Geri-Psych Nursing, Infectious Disease, IV Therapy and LTC Supervision. Gail's enthusiasm and support of this Association has been instrumental in it's founding.
Consulting Advisor: Maureen McCarthy, RN, B.S.; Celtic Consulting
Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS is the President of Celtic Consulting, LLC, which specializes in clinical reimbursement. She has been a Registered Nurse for 20 years with experience as MDS Coordinator, Medicare Specialist, and Director of Nursing. Maureen combines the clinical documentation with the financial reimbursement piece in order to provide guidance to her clients on how to document accurately and gain increased reimbursement as an end product. Ms. McCarthy is a member and a Director at Large for the Association of Long Term Care Financial Managers (ALTCFM). Her own company, Celtic Consulting, provides training on Medicare billing, the medical record review process (ADR) as well as the MDS and Care Planning. Maureen has been instrumental in providing teaching and reviews for MDS Coordinators and their Facilities throughout Connecticut.
Special
Events Chair:
Betsy
Olsavsky, RN, DNS
Betsy Olsavsky, RN is currently the Director of Nursing of a 150 bed Long Term Care facility in Connecticut. She has
been a Registered Nurse for 13 years with experience in the acute care setting
on the Cardiac-Telemetry Team. Her experience in the Long Term Care
setting for the past 8 years includes Supervision, Unit Management,
and the Director of Staff Development. As Director of Nursing, Betsy oversees the day to day operation of the Nursing Department which includes Long Term Care, Short Term
Rehabilitation, Alzheimers/Dementia Unit,
Infectious Disease Unit, Wound Care and IV Therapy. She is affiliated with and
sits on the Board of the Connecticut Chapter of the Infusion Nurses Society.
Betsy believes that ongoing nursing education is key to a successful nursing career, and
is sure that the SoCo Association of MDS Coordinators will be an invaluable
resource to Coordinators and their Interdisciplinary Teams, and their
associated Facilities.
David Blaise is the owner and operator of PC Service Technologies, located in Milford Connecticut. He is a self-taught computer technologist, and the creator / web master of our site. Dave is a former member of the United States Air Force, where his expertise was F-16 and FB-111 Aircraft weapon systems. Mr. Blaise can meet all your computer needs, including hardware diagnostics, software instillation and application, computer upgrades, web servers, networking, and security systems. He has installed and currently manages many office systems in the local area. We here at socomds.com are very appreciative of his association with us, and highly recommend Dave for all your computer needs; give him a call at PC Service Technologies, 554 Boston Post Road, Milford, Connecticut. (203) 882-1088.
FUTURE GOALS:
Provide educational web-based seminars (webinars) with associated CEU’s
Provide educational materials and testing for MDS Coordinator Certification
On-line store
Possible expansion to other specialties; i.e. IV Therapy, Wound Care, Infection Control
