Board of Directors
IHCA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of members who serve as the policy-making body of the Association. Board members chair IHCA standing committees and constituency steering committees, which oversee specific IHCA issues. Each member of the Board of Directors is elected by the IHCA membership.
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Chair – Thomas Annarella
Administrator • Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab • Woodstock, IL
Tom Annarella has been a dedicated member of the long term care profession for more than a decade. He currently serves as the administrator of Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab in Woodstock, IL—a county owned facility. For most of his career he has been a member of IHCA, serving on various committees including the Nursing Facility Constituency Steering Committee, which he currently chairs, and the Administration and Finance Committee. Mr. Annarella joined the IHCA Board of Directors in 2011. He has been recognized as one of Provider magazine's "20 to Watch" and has completed the AHCA/NCAL Future Leaders program. He is currently the chair of IHCA's Illinois Leaders program.
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Vice Chair – Steve Miller
Owner • Bridgemark Healthcare • St. Louis, MO
Stephen Miller has owned and operated Bridgemark Healthcare, LLC since 2001. In that time, the company has grown from three intermediate care facilities (ICFs) to 13 long term care communities, 11 of which are located in Illinois.In the decade prior to starting Bridgemark Mr. Miller acquired and sold one nursing facility in St. Louis and held senior management positions with three long term care multi-facility groups. He regularly participates in advocacy work both in Springfield and in Washington D.C. He has served on several association committees, including the IHCA Public Policy Committee, Nursing Facility Constituency Committee, the Administration/Finance & Operations Committee and the Political Action Committee.
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Treasurer – Sam Thompson
President • Southgate Nursing & Rehabilitation Center • Metropolis, IL
Sam Thompson has been a member of the long term care profession since the early 90s, working in various capacities. He is currently the President and CEO of Southgate Health Care Center in Metropolis. He also serves on the board of NHRMA Mutual and MPIC Professional Liability Insurance Company and has a lengthy and active history within IHCA as well. Mr. Thompson currently acts as the Treasurer of the IHCA Board of Directors, a position he previously held from 1995 to 2005.
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Immediate Past Chair – John Vrba
CEO • Burgess Square Healthcare & Rehabilitation Centre • Westmont, IL
IHCA President John Vrba has more than 20 years of experience in long term care. After working his way up through the ranks with HCR ManorCare, obtaining both the Eagle Award and Presidents Award, he moved on to purchase, and operate, Burgess Square Healthcare & Rehabilitation Centre in Westmont, IL in 2008. Over the years Mr. Vrba has been a very active member of IHCA, serving on a variety of committees and task force groups, as well as participating in member events and educational opportunities. He has been a member of the IHCA Board of Directors for more than 10 years.
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Nursing Facility Independent Owner Representative – Scott Stout
Owner • WLC Management Firm, LLC • Harrisburg, IL
Scott Stout has been working in long term care since his early 20s, starting out as the business office manager in a local skilled nursing center. He quickly discovered a love for the profession and taking care of people. After later being promoted to administrator of Enfield Healthcare Center, he stayed with the organization for several years and worked his way through the ranks, eventually being named as the regional director of operations for 12 long term care facilities. Prior to becoming owner and operator of WLC Management firm, LLC, Scott worked for RDK Management for a number of years. He is an active member of the IHCA serving on several committees.
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ID/DD Representative/CDDACS President – Michael Bibo
Director of Public Policy • LTC Support Services, LLC/RFMS, Inc. • Galesburg, IL
Michael Bibo brings a wealth of information to the IHCA Board of Directors. He has more than 37 years of experience in long term care, dealing with both skilled nursing facilities and programs and facilities for the intellectually/developmentally disabled. Throughout his career he has been a proactive member of the profession and a strong advocate for those that they serve, helping to shape the development of policies at local, state and federal levels. He has served on a number of Illinois state regulatory agencies advisory committees, as well as committees within IHCA. He has been a member of the Board for more than 10 years and has been leading The Center for Developmental Disabilities and Community Supports (CDDACS) since its inception in 2008.
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Associate & Individual Representative - Andrew Cutler
Managing Director of Healthcare • FGMK, LLC • Deerfield, IL
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Nursing Facility Multi-Facility Representative – Tim Blythe
VP of Operations • Tutera Senior Living & Health Care • Kansas City, MO
Tim Blythe is a long term care advocate with more than 20 years of experience in managing facilities. He has held various positions, such as Staff Assistant to the Administrator of Medical Programs Illinois Department of Public Aid, Legislative Assistant Illinois Speaker of the House, Nursing Home Administrator, Regional Director of Operations, Vice President of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Director of Operations, Committee Member New York Healthcare Association, Illinois Healthcare Association, American Healthcare Association, which makes him a good fit for the IHCA BOD.
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Secretary – Gregory Douglas
VP of Development and Advocacy • Gardant Management Solutions • Bourbonnais, IL
Greg has served in leadership roles both within a community setting and a regional capacity. In his current role as Director of Community Leadership with Gardant, he provides impact across the portfolio. Greg's experience as a senior living leader has transcended both primary regulatory bodies in Illinois, IDPH and HFS. His knowledge of the regulatory landscape and its direct impact on the communities has led to achieving optimal results. With the nickname of "Coach", Greg further demonstrates with team members that he has a deeper understanding of each individual providing compassionate care to residents each day. This knowledge, coupled with a commitment to quality, allowed Greg to lead Heritage Woods of McHenry into being a recipient of the AHCA/NCAL Bronze Quality Award in 2021 and the Silver Quality Award in 2022.
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LTCNA Representative – Michelle Stuercke
Administrator • Transitional Care Management • Arlington Heights, IL
Michelle Steurcke is the chief clinical officer for Transitional Care Management. She is responsible for clinical programs and outcomes of facilities as well as policy development, survey updates and education and training. Stuercke has experience as a director of nursing, clinical educator and chief nursing officer. She currently serves as the President of the Long Term Care Nurses Association and has presented at several IHCA/LTCNA events.
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