PALTtalk

PALTtalk: Advocacy in Action | July 2025

In this episode of PALTtalk: Advocacy in Action, hosts Alex Bardakh and Dr. Timothy Holahan share the latest developments in PALTC advocacy. Topics this month include the passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA); the recent dissolution of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and what it means for vaccination guidance moving forward; and a new Florida law requiring all medical directors to be certified or in the process of becoming certified by January 1, 2026.
Don’t Miss the 2025 Advocacy SummitRegistration is now open for the 2025 Advocacy Summit, taking place October 27–28 in Washington, D.C. Join us on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers, share your stories, and help shape the future of post-acute and long-term care. Register now or learn more at paltmed.org/summit.
Hosts: Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE; Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD
Date Recorded: July 11, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
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PALTtalk with JAMDA | June 2025, with Special Guest Shawn Doss, BA, on Transitional Care and Early Hospital Discharge through the Care at Home Program

Episode: PALTtalk with JAMDA | June 2025, with Special Guest Shawn Doss, BA, on Transitional Care and Early Hospital Discharge through the Care at Home Program
Host: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC
Guest(s):  Shawn M. Doss, BA; Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP (Co-Editor-in-Chief)
In This Episode:
In this episode, host Dr. Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC, and co-editor-in-chief Dr. Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, are joined by Shawn Doss, BA, to explore the latest research in post-acute and long-term care. Topics include transitional care and early hospital discharge through the Care at Home Program, factors influencing staff turnover in long-term care, mechanisms leading to sedentary behavior among older adults in residential care homes, and the relationship between staffing levels, quality measures, and resident experience. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on improving care delivery and outcomes across settings.
Featured Articles:
Transforming Transitional Care: Early Hospital Discharge through the Care at Home Program
Turnover Contemplation in Long-Term Care: Examining Personal and Structural Variables in Canada
Mechanisms Leading to Sedentary Behaviors among Older Adults in Chinese Residential Care Homes: The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior Model Guided Structural Equation Modeling
Long-Term Care Staffing: Associations with Facility Characteristics, Residents’ Experience, and Quality Measures
Date Recorded: June 27, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
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PALTtalk with Caring | June/July 2025, with Special Guests Susan Mullaney, DNP, and Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, on Advanced Practice Nursing Roles in Gerontology

In this episode, host Dr. Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, and editor-in-chief Dr. Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, discuss our June/July issue of Caring for the Ages. Special guests Susan Mullaney, DNP, CNP, GNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN, FAANP, and Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN, join to discuss advanced practice nursing roles in gerontology, including the new Gerontological Specialist Certification supported by the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA).
Drs. Steinberg and Galik also discuss stories from our Special Section on the PALTC25 conference. These include coverage of a session called "Breakthrough or Bust" on the new urine PCR test and pharmacogenomic testing and a session on negotiation skills to use with patients/families, staff, and providers. This month, Dr. Galik's own column considers the costs and benefits of consistent staffing assignments in long-term care facilities.
Host: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC
Guests: Susan Mullaney, DNP, CNP, GNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN, FAANP; Marianne Shaughnessy, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, GS-C, FAAN; Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP
Featured Articles:
What Providers Need to Know About New Urine PCR and Pharmacogenomic Testing
Negotiations: Going From Trouble to Teamwork
Consistent Staffing in PALTC
Demonstrating Proficiency in Advanced Nursing Roles in Gerontology: A New Path Forward
Date Recorded: May 27, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
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PALTtalk with JAMDA | May 2025 with Guests Richard Stefanacci, DO, and Zain Pasat, MSc, on Fall Management and Home Care Needs

Join Dr. Karl Steinberg and Dr. Paul Katz as they highlight three articles from the May 2025 issue of JAMDA. In this episode, they speak with Dr. Richard Stefanacci about a new paradigm in fall management that emphasizes injury mitigation over fall prevention alone. They also chat with Zain Pasat, MSc, about a study conducted by his research team examining the alignment between home care needs assessments and actual changes in older adults' health. Lastly, they explore a systematic review of dyadic psychosocial education for individuals with cognitive impairment and their caregivers.
Host: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC
Guests: Richard G. Stefanacci, DO, MGH, MBA, AGSF, CMD; Zain Pasat, MSc; Paul Katz, MD, CMD
Featured Articles:Shifting Paradigms in Fall Management for Long-Term Care: From Prevention to Injury MitigationCare Needs and Self-Sufficiency Assessment of Home Care ClientsEffects of Dyadic Psychosocial Education on People Living with Cognitive Impairment and Their Informal Caregivers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
These studies are from JAMDA’s upcoming June issue and are currently accessible online.
Date Recorded: May 14, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
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PALTtalk: Advocacy in Action | May 2025 with Special Guest Leslie Eber, MD, CMD

Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE, PALTmed's Senior Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, and Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD, Chair of the Public Policy Steering Committee, explore how new federal policy developments could shape the future of post-acute and long-term care. From physician payment updates and budget negotiations to CMS’s “Make America Healthy Again” plan, they discuss both the challenges and the opportunities ahead. While pointing out where nursing home care deserves greater focus, they also emphasize the field’s potential to engage and lead. Dr. Leslie Eber joins to share her passion for advocacy and how her mother’s remarkable career in the U.S. Senate continues to inspire her work today.
Hosts: Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE; Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD
Guest: Leslie Eber, MD, CMD
Date Recorded: May 14, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!

PALTtalk with Caring | May 2025, with Special Guest Ameera Chakravarthy, PhD, RN, on Sarcopenia

In this episode, host Dr. Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, and editor-in-chief Dr. Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP, discuss our May issue of Caring for the Ages. Special Guest Ameera Chakravarthy, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE, joins to discuss her cover story on managing sarcopenia in long-term care.
Drs. Steinberg and Galik also discuss our cover story on how immigrant staff can ease the workforce crisis, Dr. Galik's article on compassion in healthcare, and the new emphasis on psychotropic medications and informed consent in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services State Operations Manual.
Host: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC
Guest(s): Ameera Chakravarthy, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNE; Elizabeth Galik, PhD, CRNP (Editor-in-Chief)
Featured Articles:Immigrant Staff in Long-Term Care Help Ease the Workforce ShortageGetting a Grip on Sarcopenia: A Practical Guide for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care TeamsThe Power of Providing Compassionate CareNew Emphasis: Medications and Informed Consent
Date Recorded: April 21, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!

PALTtalk with JAMDA | April 2025 with Special Guest Victoria Winogora on Live Hospice Discharge of Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities

Join Dr. Karl Steinberg and Dr. Barbara Resnick as they highlight four articles from the April 2025 issue of JAMDA. In this episode, Victoria Winogora discusses her systematic review on live hospice discharges in individuals with cognitive disabilities. Plus, they explore the latest research on fall-risk medications, the impact of social engagement in dementia care, and how exercise is proving to be an effective treatment for depression in older adults.
Host: Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC (Associate Editor)
Guest(s): Victoria M. Winogora, MSN, NP, BS, RN, BA; Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP (Co-Editor-in-Chief)
Featured Articles:Live Hospice Discharge of Individuals with Cognitive Disabilities: A Systematic ReviewFall Risk–Increasing Drugs and Fall-Related Injuries among Older Adults in Ontario: A Population-Based Matched Case-Control StudySocial Engagement is Associated with Location-based Digital Markers on a Dementia Care UnitEffectiveness of Exercise-Based Interventions on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Date Recorded: April 18, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!

PALTtalk with JAMDA | March 2025

In this episode, host Dr. Paul Katz, MD, CMD, and co-editor-in-chief Dr. Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, explore the latest research in post-acute and long-term care. Dr. Madeline Sterling, MD, discusses how unions affect direct care workers’ employment conditions, economic outcomes, and well-being. Dr. Lillian Hung, RN, PhD, shares insights on the joy of caregiving and its impact on workforce well-being. Dr. Katz rounds out the discussion with a review of a study on dementia specialty care units in U.S. nursing homes, examining their availability and impact on care quality.
Host: Paul Katz, MD, CMD (Co-Editor-in-Chief)
Guest(s): Lillian Hung, RN, PhD; Madeline Sterling, MD; Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP (Co-Editor-in-Chief)
Featured Articles:What Do Unions Do for Direct Care Workers? Assessing Employment and Economic OutcomesExploring the Sources and Experiences of Joy in Caregiving: Insights From Formal Caregivers in Long-Term CareDescribing Dementia Specialty Care Units in US Nursing Homes: Leveraging National Survey Data From HARBORS and LTCfocus
Date Recorded: April 2, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!

PALTtalk: Advocacy in Action | April 2025 with Special Guest William Mercer, MD, CMD

Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE, PALTmed's Senior Director of Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships, and Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD, Chair of the Public Policy Steering Committee, share the latest news from the nation’s capital. This month, they are joined by special guest William Mercer, MD, CMD, PALTmed's 2025 Medical Director of the Year, who shares his inspiring journey from practicing medicine in rural West Virginia to becoming a dedicated advocate for long-term care policy in his home state.
Hosts: Alex Bardakh, MPP, CAE; Timothy Holahan, DO, CMD
Guest: William Mercer, MD, CMD
Date Recorded: April 2, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!

PALTtalk with Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda | Staying Survey-Ready: A Medical Director's Guide to Implementing CMS Updates

Host Dr. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, is joined by Dr. Victoria Walker, MD, CMD, FAAFP, Carolyn Kazdan, MHSA, NHA, BCPA, and Dr. David Siskind, MD, CMD, to discuss the latest CMS surveyor guidance and what it means for medical directors in post-acute and long-term care. They break down key changes, including increased expectations around QAPI, facility assessments, and psychotropic medication oversight, and share practical strategies to stay prepared and support quality resident care.
Note: At the time of this recording, the revised CMS long-term care surveyor guidance was set to take effect on March 24, 2025. However, CMS has since revised the implementation date to April 28, 2025, to allow additional time for training. Be sure to check CMS for the latest updates.
Host: Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD
Guest(s): Carolyn A. Kazdan, MHSA, NHA, BCPA; David H. Siskind, MD, CMD; Victoria Walker, MD, CMD, FAAFP
Resources:Your Role as Medical Director in the Survey Process: Tips for Leading the Team (PALTmed)
Date Recorded: February 24, 2025
Available Credit: CMD credit for select PALTtalk podcast episodes are issued as follows:
Coming May 2025: PALTmed is introducing a convenient new form to submit CMD credits for PALTtalk podcast episodes. Stay tuned!