The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Vice President of Education and Communication, Michella Sybesma, recently attended the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) item writing review event. NAB is the impartial organization advancing public protection along the senior living and health services continuum through enhanced professional standards for Health Services Executives. NAB’s members are the 50 states and the District of Columbia’s boards and agencies that license long term care administrators.
In 2016, NAB introduced the Health Services Executive qualification, a broad-based credential which will allow administrators to practice along the continuum of health services and supports. One of the major changes that resulted from this expanded qualification was including lines of services beyond skilled nursing, including assisted living and home and community-based services (HCBS). In creating the service line exams, leading experts and educators from across the country were selected to serve on the exam writing committees. In 2013, Sybesma was selected as an HCBS exam writer/subject matter expert for NAB. This commitment includes writing exam questions for the HCBS exam, referencing test questions and standard setting current exams. Earlier this month, Sybesma participated in this review of exam questions, along with other subject matter experts across the country. For more information on the Health Services Executive qualification, click here.
Michella is a graduate of the University of South Dakota with a BBS-HSAD degree and is a licensed nursing home administrator. She started her career as a nursing home administrator in Tripp, South Dakota and continued working for the Good Samaritan Society as a Home Care Director, supporting home care agencies with operational support, education, and regulatory guidance. Michella spent nine years in home care before transitioning to Avera eCARE as their Partner Relations Manager where she worked with executive leadership on developing key messages and preparing leadership for national speaking engagements. Michella has been part of the SDAHO team since 2019, where she has bolstered education and professional development opportunities for members.
