The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care today presented Mitzi McFatrich, Executive Director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care with the Elma Holder Founder’s Award. The Award was established in 2002 as a lifetime achievement award to honor a person whose life work exemplifies leadership in the field of long-term care reform, the award is also a tribute to Elma Holder, the Consumer Voice founder and friend. Elma’s personal commitment, integrity, and vision shaped the organization and its commitment to residents’ rights and quality care in long-term care.

Lori Smetanka, Executive Director of the Consumer Voice stated, “The lives of individuals receiving long-term care services and supports in Kansas and across the country have been improved thanks to Mitzi’s advocacy and leadership of Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC). Through her work at KABC she has influenced state and federal policy by educating legislators and providing testimony and comments to ensure the rights of long-term care consumers are protected, improve the quality of care, and strengthen the regulatory and enforcement systems. Under her leadership KABC has provided long-term care residents, their families, and other advocates with vital information, resources, and reports that help inform their decisions regarding long-term care and empower them with tools to advocate for quality care.”

The award was presented at a luncheon during the 40th Annual Conference of the Consumer Voice in Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, November 3, 2016.

McFatrich has been the Executive Director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care since 2007. KABC was founded as a non-profit, charitable organization to advocate for the rights of and better care for adults using long-term services in care facilities and at home. KABC’s advocacy has resulted in better care for hundreds of thousands older adults and adults with disabilities over the last 41 years.