Nancy Istenes, DO, CMD
Candidate - Representative, State Presidents Council
Candidate Bio
Dr. Nancy Istenes has over 20 years of experience working in geriatric medicine and long-term care. She is board certified in both Geriatric Medicine and Internal Medicine. She has been a certified medical director and active member of PALTmed for more than 20 years. She has served on the clinical issues subcommittee for public policy, chaired the workforce development committee, currently chairs the annual gifts committee for the PALTmed Foundation and is on the membership committee. She has been active with the CMO special interest group and is currently helping to rewrite the white papers on the medical director’s role in facilities, QAPI and with value-based programs.
Dr. Istenes has had an active role in the Ohio affiliate of PALTmed, OMDA. She has been on the OMDA board of directors since 2017. She has helped to lead the chapter through many challenges. She served as the OMDA president from 2020 till 2022 and continues to serve as the chapter’s membership chair.
Currently, Dr. Istenes is the Chief Medical Officer for Saber Healthcare Group, which operates over 126 long-term care facilities in six Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states. She prides herself on working with all levels of the company and bridging the gaps between executive leadership, facility and regional teams, providers, vendors, pharmacy, and other key industry participants. Her teamwork and approachability have helped lead the company to improve resident care and clinical outcomes.
When Nancy is not working you will find her relaxing with her husband at their home in Hudson, Ohio or traveling. She loves to explore unfamiliar places, hike, cook, bake, and drink a glass of wine. She is an avid knitter and usually has a pair of knitting needles in her bag.
Candidate Statement
I am honored to have been nominated for a position on the PALTmed Board of Directors and am eager to serve as a Representative to the State President’s Council. As a past state chapter president, I know how important it is to have each chapter’s voice heard by PALTmed’s leadership. I feel that this position will allow me to amplify the voice of PALTmed’s state chapters. In doing so, I can help to make sure that their needs, concerns and challenges are heard and addressed by the board. I will also help to ensure that the state affiliate chapters are supported by PALTmed and the board and have an avenue to seek support and assistance.
I have extensive experience serving the PALTmed Ohio affiliate, OMDA and have seen the challenges that face state chapters. Our chapter has been able to stay active, grow membership and support PALTmed and the PALTmed Foundation despite these challenges. It would be my honor to be able to work with other chapters, represent their needs to the PALTmed board and help them to grow in their support of the PALTC workforce and PALTmed.
I have been a certified medical director and member of PALTmed for more than 20 years. I have served on the clinical issues subcommittee for public policy, chaired the workforce development committee and currently chair the annual gifts committee for the PALTmed Foundation and am on the membership committee. I have been active with the CMO special interest group and am currently helping to rewrite the white papers on the medical director’s role in facilities, QAPI and with value-based programs.
Board service is a natural next step in my leadership within PALTmed. Board membership would allow me to support PALTmed, its state affiliate chapters and continue to grow my understanding of the organization, and how to be help the organization effect change in our industry.
Our state chapters are varied and serve different roles and missions. We have areas of the country that are not represented or supported by state or regional chapters. Developing a better network of chapters, with a clear mission will help to ensure that the work of PALTmed is then translated to state practice and advocacy.
It would be my honor and a privilege that I would value to serve as the Representative to the State President’s Council on the PALTmed board of directors.
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