Meet the Speakers

Denise Bellville

Executive Director, Home Care Association of Florida

Denise Bellville, RN, BS, is HCAF's Executive Director. She has been a registered nurse for 45 years, working in critical care, emergency care, open heart surgical intensive care, and neonatal intensive care before transitioning to the home care industry as an executive for 30 years. Her home care clinical experience ranges from pediatric and adult ventilator cases, infusion therapy, and in-home peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line placements. Her favorite aspect has always been teaching elderly patients information that helps them reach their potential and remain at home.

“My love of nursing has allowed me the opportunity to enter a stranger's home and leave as a friend. Even after all these years, those new friends still invite me to family affairs. It has been a career that has already lasted a lifetime.”

Melinda A. Gaboury

Co-Founder & CEO, Healthcare Provider Solutions

Melinda A. Gaboury, with more than 35 years in home care, has over 25 years of executive speaking and educating experience, including extensive day to day interaction with home care and hospice professionals. She routinely conducts Home Care and Hospice Reimbursement Workshops and speaks at state association meetings throughout the country. Melinda has profound experience in Medicare PDGM training, billing, collections, case-mix calculations, chart reviews and due diligence. UPIC, RA, ADR & TPE appeals with all Medicare MACs have become the forefront of Melinda's current impact on the industry. She is currently serving on the National Alliance HHFMA Advisory Board and Work Group and is currently serving on the Board of Directors for both the Home Care Association of Florida & Tennessee Association for Home Care. Melinda is also the author of the Home Health OASIS Guide to OASIS-E2 and Home Health Billing Answers, 2025.

J'non Griffin

Senior Vice President, Coding & OASIS, SimiTree

J'non Griffin, RN, MHA, HCS-D, HCS-C, HCS-H, COS-C, is a 39-year veteran of home care as a registered nurse. She earned her Master of Health Care Administration degree in 2005. Her experience includes roles as a field nurse, director, and executive with both large and small home health and hospice agencies. She has served as Director of Staff Development and Appeals and has extensive experience conducting mock surveys, preparing agencies for accreditation, and supporting organizations through regulatory challenges. J'non has been directly involved in accreditation surveys, acquisitions, and complex interactions with state survey agencies and intermediaries. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) Board of Directors.

Patti Heid

Senior Director of Best Practices & Compliance, Home Care Association of Florida

Patti Heid, MSPT, COS-C, is HCAF's Senior Director of Best Practices & Compliance. She has been a physical therapist for over 30 years and has worked in the home care setting for 27 of those years. She believes that nothing can compare to the rapport that one develops with a patient while working with them and their families, in their own homes, helping overcome the real-life day-to-day challenges that they face. Over the years, Heid has gained valuable experience by fulfilling many key roles within the home care arena, from field clinician through the management level. All these roles have given her a deep, abiding respect and admiration for the good that home care providers can achieve. Patti graduated from St. John's University in New York in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and obtained her Master of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 1993.

Susan Lowery

Government Analyst, Agency for Health Care Administration

Susan Lowery is a seasoned registered nurse with over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience, including more than two decades in home health care. Her career began in direct patient care as a field nurse and evolved into leadership roles in home health management. For over 12 years, she has served within the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), where she has held a range of positions including Registered Nurse Specialist Surveyor, Registered Nurse Consultant in the Complaint Unit, Informal Dispute Panel Member, and OASIS Education Coordinator for the state. She currently serves as a Government Analyst in the Office of the Chief of Field Operations, contributing to statewide healthcare oversight and policy implementation. Her work reflects a deep commitment to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and the advancement of public health standards.

Kimberly McIntyre

Senior Management Analyst Supervisor, Agency for Health Care Administration

Kimberly McIntyre, RN, is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of clinical and managerial experience. She currently serves as a Senior Management Analyst Supervisor, overseeing a team of nurses specializing in home health, with a particular focus on aides serving medically fragile children. She also serves as the Home Health and Hospice Independent Dispute Resolution Coordinator. Her career includes hands-on care in surgical settings, home health, and hospice, as well as experience as a clinical educator guiding students. Kimberly notes that her most valued role is serving as an advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Kimberly Smoak

Deputy Secretary, Agency for Health Care Administration

Kimberly Smoak has been with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) since August 1995. She serves as Deputy Secretary of the Division of Health Quality Assurance, which licenses, certifies, and regulates more than 40 provider types, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. Smoak also serves as the State Survey Agency Director for Florida. She holds a Master of Science in Health with an emphasis in Aging Studies and is a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP). In 2009 and 2017, she received Survey and Certification Achievement Awards from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for her work in survey and certification.