Facilitators
Vanessa Ricchiazzi, LVN
Facilitator
Vanessa Ricchiazzi, is a wife, mother, nurse, RCFE administrator, RCFE instructor, published author, public speaker and entrepreneur.
She is a healthcare professional with expertise and knowledge in clinical assessment, client management, RCFE/LTC, Medicare and hospice sales and marketing for Hospice for over 20 years. While working as a Licensed Administrator/ Wellness director for a reputable Assisted Living, she discovered her passion in caring for seniors and often found herself educating and discussing the beneficial services and choices of quality end of life care options. She transitioned to her role to Hospice Liaison shortly after her personal experience of her grandmother's passing with one of the largest leading hospice providers.
During her tenure she was awarded a National Leadership Council Award and became a subject matter expert for hospice in Long Term Care and Assisted Living communities.
Through her leadership style and influence she has gained respect as a professional end-of-life educator, mentor, and coach to her colleagues and healthcare community. She has experience in educational public speaking, clinical training to various LTC/RCFE staff, and sales team coordination for end-of–life care. She is passionate about transforming senior care, not only professionally but personally.
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Her newly published book "The Gift of Grief", is about her personal journey caring for and losing her parents, grandmother and sister.
Paul Ricchiazzi Facilitator
Paul is an active police officer and a Certified Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) Administrator Instructor. In his prior careers he has been fortunate to gain experience in a few of his ambitions and on his journey found his passion in training, instructional design, adult learning, and overall thinking processes involved in risk management.
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After an eight year career as a commercial pilot and flight instructor, he began looking to do something that makes a difference post 9/11, and decided to change careers to law enforcement as a police officer. Working with a large agency he has had a broad range of assignments including: Patrol, Major Events Planning, Command Post, Emergency Operations, Risk Management, Commercial Crimes, and helped to create the Data Integrity Unit.
Looking to challenge himself personally and continue his professional development, he recently completed California Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Master Instructor Certification Course, the Project Management Certificate Program at CalTech, followed by the Strategic Decision and Risk Management Certificate from Stanford.
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Applying the skills of instructional design learned through California POST Master Instructor Certification he has helped to create the curriculum for the Data Integrity Unit and Police Science & Leadership program in addition to designing Alzheimer's awareness and other dementias for first responders with the Alzheimer's Association.
Elizabeth Nadeau
Facilitator
Elizabeth holds a Masters degree in Geriatrics, and brings extensive experience in memory care planning, clinical assessment, program development, treatment planning, team management, support group facilitations, leadership, grant writing etc. She currently the Administrator and Program director for one of the largest Adult Day care programs in Southern California.
Avraham Panahi
Facilitator
Avraham brings over 7 years experience of hospice care services to those in need in times of crisis and end-of-life care. He works closely with assisted living's throughout the San Gabriel Valley and understands compliance of Title 22 requirements for hospice. Avraham guides his staff development from admission to discharge to provision of care ensuring ethical clinical and business standards are consistent with his approach to care.
Guest lecturer at Universities, wellness events, and facilitator of various education seminars across the Greater Los Angeles area.
Cynthia Edwards, LVN
Facilitator
Cynthia brings over 30 experience as an Executive Director of many National Assisted Livings. She shares and teaches on managing staff, regulatory compliance, quality standards, strategic planning, quality improvement, and the realistic business operations of large assisted living.