Norfolk, Virginia - December 17, 2003 - Mary L. Blunt, President of Sentara Healthcare's 'Life Care' division, has been elected Region 3 Representative to the American Hospital Association's Council for Long Term Care and Rehabilitation.
The Council addresses policy issues involving Skilled Nursing Care, Rehabilitation Services, Home Health Care, and Long Term Acute Care Hospitals (L-TACHs).
Blunt's Life Care division encompasses Sentara's seven nursing centers and three assisted living centers, The Hospital for Extended Recovery at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, and the PACE program for adult day care.
In her new post, Blunt will represent health care institutions in a region that includes Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware, and the District of Columbia.
"This is a great opportunity to have some input into the government policies that affect our services," says Blunt. "These policies have a direct effect on our rehabilitation patients and long-term care residents," Blunt adds. "The Council leads the way in advocating for our interests and theirs, and I'm excited to be a part of that process."
Blunt will assume her post in January, 2004, at the same time that Sentara CEO David Bernd assumes his new role as Chairman of the American Hospital Association.
"I'm delighted that Mary Blunt will join me in advocating for rehabilitation hospitals, nursing centers and their patients through the AHA," Bernd says. "Mary is a great administrator for Sentara, and I'm sure she'll be a great advocate."