The 2025 NC DONA LTC annual conference left us all feeling energized, full of ideas, and—dare we say—still riding a little post-conference high. If you weren’t able to make it this year, you missed more than just continuing education hours—you missed laughter, connection, costumes, and heart. (But don’t worry… we’ll see you at the next one.)
Here’s a peek behind the scenes, a walk through the days, and a few favorite moments. Let’s relive it (or preview it for next time)!
Setting the Stage: Why This Conference Matters
First, a bit of context. NC DONA LTC (the North Carolina Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care) is all about elevating quality in long-term care, supporting nursing leadership, and fostering professional growth in the LTC world. Our annual conference is a chance for nursing leaders, administrators, clinical staff, and vendors to come together, share insights, and push the field forward.
The 2025 gathering was held September 10–12 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort. Over three days, attendees could earn up to 11 contact hours/NABs through carefully curated sessions. And as always, meals (breakfast & lunch) were included and the dress code favored business casual. But beyond the logistics, the magic was in how each session, social event, and hallway chat wove into a bigger story: one of shared challenges, innovation, and caring leadership.
Day 1 (Wednesday, Sept 10): Opening, Deep Dives, and a Dash of Whimsy
The conference kicked off early—breakfast at 6:30 a.m.—and by 8:00 the room was buzzing. After opening announcements, we were treated to a presentation by the NC Nurse Honor Guard, a stirring tribute to the dedication and service of nurses across the state.
From there, presenters led us into foundational topics:
- Navigating Survey and Regulatory Trends in NC (1.5 CH) — presented by Rebekka Cheek from the NC Healthcare Facilities Association.
- Quality Updates (1.0 CH) with Jewel Coleman of Constellation.
- Infection Control Updates with Alice Brewer (MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC)
After lunch (which included a Product Theater session sponsored by Acadia), we explored dementia care in depth through “Improving Dementia Capability with the CARES Dementia 5-Step Method” (1.0 CH) with Andy Hobday. Then, after a short break, the afternoon closed with Quality Measures & Star Ranking (1.5 CH) led by Anna Sue Moody.
Then the evening brought the fun. From 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., attendees gathered on the top floor at “The Dunes” for a welcome reception. The twist? Come dressed as your favorite Wizard of Oz character. (Yes—some folks showed up as Glinda, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and more.) Sponsored by NCDONA and Neil Medical, this reception blurred the line between formal and festive. We’ll never forget chatting with colleagues over cheese and punch while a “yellow brick road” playlist played in the background.
Day 2 (Thursday, Sept 11): Empowerment, Risk, and the Vendor Floor
Thursday opened again with breakfast (and a Product Theater moment sponsored by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals) before diving into:
- Empowering Frontline Staff (1.0 CE) — Jamie Smith, FNP, CPMA, and Dr. Ethan Levine challenged us to think about how strong leadership uplifts everyone.
- Survey Prep & Risk Management (1.5 CE) — Cheryl Geddie, DNP, RN, LNHA led us through current trends and pitfalls in compliance.
- Reducing Hospital Readmissions (1.0 CH) with Betty Brunner, RN, NHA, CDONA, FACDONA.
After lunch (with Product Theater, though no CE this time), the afternoon was dedicated to the Vendor Exhibits—a lively hall full of companies, product demos, networking, giveaways, and new ideas.
What we love about that vendor hall is that it’s not just about selling—it’s about discovery. You might stop by a booth and walk away with a new tool, a connection, or a question that sparks your next improvement project.
Day 3 (Friday, Sept 12): Wrapping Up with Vision and Motivation
Friday morning’s finale kicked off with Breakfast & Vendor Finale (with door prizes—must be present to win!). Then:
- Staying Ahead: Emerging Trends in Nursing Home Regulation & Enforcement (1.0 CH) — presented by Hawley Hunt, AHCA’s Senior Director of Regulatory & Quality Services.
- The final session: “The Honor and Privilege of Being a Director of Nursing” (1.5 CH) with Betty Brunner returned, offering a capstone reflection on the role, responsibilities, and heart of the DON.
We closed with remarks, a few thank-yous, and, we must admit, a bit of wistfulness that the gathering was coming to an end. Total CHs/NABs available: 11.
What Made It So Memorable (Beyond the Sessions)
- Community & camaraderie. It’s one thing to sit through a session; it’s another to walk into the breakfast hall and bump elbows with someone doing the very same job in another county. The shared stories, “you’ve got to try this” tips, and mutual encouragement made the conference feel like a family reunion of nursing leadership.
- Balance of depth + variety. The agenda struck a great balance: regulatory trends, quality measures, dementia care, risk management, staff empowerment. Whether your interest was clinical, operational, or leadership-focused, there was something for you.
- Fun touches. The Wizard of Oz costume reception? Brilliant. It showed that even in serious work, we can play, connect, and laugh. And those after-hours hallway chats often led to more learning than some formal sessions.
- Vendor hall as innovation lab. Many of the newest tools, products, or ideas in long-term care were on display there—not just pamphlets, but demos, hands-on showcases, and direct conversations with creators.
What We’re Taking Home—and What You Should, Too
You don’t need to be a presenter or a “superuser” to benefit. Here are a few takeaways we’ll be putting into practice (and encourage you to, too):
- Make room for reflection. In busy healthcare settings, we rarely pause to ask: What’s working? What’s not? What do we need to rethink? Use a few moments—or a full meeting—to revisit conference insights with your team.
- Lean into cross-facility learning. Connect with fellow DONs or administrators in nearby counties. Share what’s working, what’s not, and maybe even visit each other (if possible) to see ideas in action.
- Don’t hide from “soft” topics. Staff empowerment, morale, and professional development aren’t “extras.” They’re essential for retention, safety, and quality. The sessions on frontline staff and the DON’s role were reminders of that.
- Explore vendor ideas early. If something piqued your interest in the exhibit hall, don’t wait. Start the internal conversation back home while the momentum is fresh.
Save the Date: See You Next Year!
If you’re reading this and saying “I wish I had gone”—don’t let that be the story next year. Mark your calendar, polish your business casual, and bust out your best Wizard of Oz character if you’re feeling adventurous.
To all who attended in 2025—thank you for your expertise, your questions, your willingness to share, and your spirit. To future attendees—come ready to learn, connect, laugh, and grow.
See you at the next one! Visit NC DONA LTC – NC Directors of Nursing Administration LTC to learn more.
