HomeCare Association of Louisiana

06/01/2026

Welcome HCLA's New Southeast Regional Representative!

Anna Marie Burgess, BSN, RN, is the Regional President of Operations for VitalCaring Group, where she leads multi-state home health operations with a focus on quality outcomes, operational performance, and strategic growth.

With over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse, Anna Marie brings a deep clinical foundation paired with executive leadership expertise. She is passionate about developing strong teams, driving operational excellence, and advancing patient-centered care in the home health setting.

She is proud to serve on the HCLA Board of Directors, supporting the advancement of home care across Louisiana.

Outside of her professional role, Anna Marie enjoys traveling with her husband, Brock, spending time with her three children, gardening, and being on Lake Martin.

05/27/2026

05/25/2026

Welcome HCLA's New Northwest Regional Representative!

Charity Nyswaner RN, COS-C, CCS-HH, is an experienced registered nurse bringing twenty plus years of nursing experience, with 10 plus years being in leadership roles. In her current role as regulatory coordinator/educator for Willis Knighton Home Health and Hospice, she is dedicated to quality improvement, regulatory compliance, strengthening healthcare services and advocating for patients, and healthcare professionals.

She is married to an amazing husband, has two wonderful daughters who are her greatest gifts and best accomplishments, two super stepsons that proudly serve in the Louisiana National Guard, and the three best grandkids ever.

05/24/2026

From Erick Viquez
CMS MORATORIUM STRATEGIC BRIEFING

Due to the strong interest and discussion generated during our recent sessions, I will host another strategic briefing on:

📅 Thursday, May 28
🕖 7:00 PM CST
💻 Virtual Session. Registration: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/d4eGgElAS2aJqQ6LsF52yg

Topics include:
• Why CMS is taking action
• Industry shifts affecting healthcare organizations
• Operational and compliance considerations
• Strategic implications for founders and operators
• Change of Ownership (CHOW/CIMO) considerations

Designed for healthcare founders, operators, administrators, consultants, and industry professionals.

05/19/2026

HCLA Names Interim Executive Director

Dear HCLA Members, Partners, and Leaders,

Having had the privilege of serving alongside Warren Hebert and our dedicated Board of Directors for over a decade, I am deeply honored to step into the role of Interim Executive Director.

I hold immense respect for the foundation built by so many incredible industry leaders over HCLA’s 38-year history. As we enter this next chapter, the Board and I pledge to honor that rich legacy while focusing squarely on the future we must now shape together.

The landscape facing home and community-based care providers has never been more complex. Regulatory pressures are mounting, workforce challenges persist, and financial sustainability requires a sharper, more agile strategy. In a moment like this, merely maintaining the status quo is not enough - we must be willing to take bold steps into the future.

Over the next 90 days, we are laser-focused on three core priorities:

• Amplifying Advocacy: Strengthening our legislative engagement to protect and support our industry.
• Elevating Member Value: Increasing our responsiveness and delivering tangible benefits to you.
• Ensuring Stability: Implementing disciplined governance and financial strategies to secure our future.

Moving forward, you can expect a renewed cadence of communication, measurable objectives, and visible forward momentum. We are here to listen, recalibrate, and actively re-engage with our members, providers, partners, caregivers, and the families who rely on us.

We are excited to join the celebration of our friends at Louisiana Mississippi Hospice and Palliative Care Organization's 25 anniversary conference this July in New Orleans. Watch for registration information: https://lmhpco.org/page/Events

HCLA will continue to be the unified, powerful voice of home and community-based care—not only across Louisiana, but wherever families need care at home. We will do so with renewed clarity, energy, and unwavering accountability.

As a clinician, I am a dedicated advocate for continuous learning, believing that professional evolution is the key to effective leadership. I look forward to working alongside you and learning from each of you in this new era.

Respectfully,
D’ McCoy, RN, BMin
Interim Executive Director
HomeCare Association of Louisiana
[email protected]
Direct Contact: Phone 318-453-4525

05/18/2026

Welcome HCLA's New Southwest Regional Representative!

Ashley Franciol, BSN, RN, COS-C. I am a Louisiana native and have been working as a nurse for 18 years; the last 14 in Home Health. I am the Co-Owner/Assistant Administrator of Complete Home Health in Lafayette, La which has been family owned and operated since 1992. I am a wife, a mother of three and I have a passion for caring for our Acadiana residents; especially our pediatric population. I am an avid golfer, a practicing doula, and my favorite animal is the sloth.

I am proud to represent the Southwest Region and I am committed to advocating for the best interests of our agencies, clinicians, and most importantly, the patients that we serve.

05/15/2026

A very special thank you to all who came and celebrated with us as we honored Warren Hebert 28 yrs of dedicated service to HCLA.
A huge shout out to our friends at WellSky for sponsoring the evening.

05/13/2026

Join us tomorrow evening as we celebrate with Warren Hebert

05/11/2026

Welcome HCLA's New Central Regional Representative!

Heather Creamer, has over 17 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, she has dedicated her career to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, with the past 15 years focused on home health. For the last six years, Heather has proudly served as an Administrator/Director, where she combines leadership with her deep passion for clinical excellence. Home health is more than a profession to me it is truly where my heart lies.

She is driven by a commitment to improving patient outcomes and supporting both my team and the communities we serve. While valuing leadership, her true passion remains rooted in the clinical side of care, where she makes a direct and meaningful impact.

Outside of her professional life, she cherishes time with her family. Heather is a proud mother of two daughters one currently a senior at LSU and the other a senior at St. Mary’s High School. Supporting them and being present in their lives is my greatest joy. She also enjoys giving back and staying actively involved in her community whenever possible.

05/04/2026

Welcome HCLA's New Northeast Regional Representative!

Colby Gill is the part-owner and Director of Nursing (DON) at Mangham Home Care Incorporated, a family-owned and operated home health agency serving rural Northeast Louisiana. With over 15 years of experience as a registered nurse, Colby brings a diverse clinical background that includes 1.5 years in medical-surgical nursing, 5 years in the intensive care unit (ICU), and 8.5 years in home health care.

Colby remains actively involved in patient care and is deeply committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered services to the communities he serves. His hands-on approach and leadership reflect a strong dedication to improving outcomes and supporting both patients and healthcare professionals in the home health setting.

In addition to his clinical and leadership roles, Colby will serve his first year as a board member of the Home Care Association of Louisiana (HCLA). He is enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute as a new voice in the home health industry and advocate for the needs of providers and patients across the state.
Outside of work, Colby enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Kaylie and Kyndall. He takes pride in supporting their involvement in softball and basketball and values quality time with family, especially during hunting season.