Haglund Selected Future Long Term and Post-Acute Care Leader for National Organization

July 18, 2023
Contact: Lindsay Kant, Director of Membership

Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA) announced that Traci Haglund, administrator of Wakefield Health Care Center has been chosen by American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a national, future leader in long term and post-acute care. Haglund will join AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders program, a year-long program that offers training and guidance to industry professionals.

“I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to Traci and our new class of Future Leaders,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “These individuals have distinguished themselves with the potential to guide long term care into the future, and I am excited to watch this class grow into the profession’s leaders of tomorrow.”

“Growing the workforce of Nebraska’s nursing homes and assisted living communities starts by growing strong leaders,” said Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of NHCA. “Traci cares deeply about our state’s seniors and, as the administrator of a rural, city-owned facility, truly understands the urgent need to recruit and retain team members who will care for this growing population. She will represent Nebraska well.”

In her role as Administrator, Haglund works to ensure the residents and staff of Wakefield Health Care Center feel safe and that they are a vital part of the community. Haglund received a master’s in nursing from University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she followed an executive leadership track. She served as a nurse manager at a critical access hospital for three years before beginning in long-term care administration. Haglund also served on Wakefield Health Care Center’s board of directors prior to becoming the facility’s administrator.

AHCA/NCAL developed the Future Leaders program in 2004. Selected participants demonstrate leadership potential and represent the interests of state and national long term care providers. The program covers the latest theories and practical applications in quality management, customer satisfaction, and leadership. The year-long program kicks off with the Future Leaders of Long-Term Care in America Symposium held each year in Washington, D.C.

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,500 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, visit www.ahcancal.org.

Nebraska Health Care Association is the parent to Nebraska Nursing Facility Association (NNFA) and Nebraska Assisted Living Association (NALA), as well as Nebraska Health Care Learning Center and Nebraska Health Care Foundation. NNFA and NALA collectively represent approximately 425 nonprofit and proprietary skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities in Nebraska