Home Care Hall of Fame

HCAF's Home Care Hall of Fame is a prestigious honor recognizing the most distinguished leaders in the home care industry. This elite accolade is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and visionary contributions that have shaped the future of home care.

The Home Care Hall of Fame celebrates trailblazers who have made transformative impacts through their commitment to service, advocacy, and innovation. Inductees are recognized for their outstanding achievements in:

Leadership – Inspiring excellence and guiding organizations to new heights.
Service – Enhancing the quality of care and making a profound difference in the lives of those they serve.
Advocacy – Championing critical issues and driving advancements in home care policies and practices.
Vision – Pioneering innovative solutions and shaping the industry’s future.

Selection Process

Inductees are carefully chosen by the Board of Directors, who review and vote on nominations based on each candidate’s impact and lasting legacy. This rigorous process ensures that only the most deserving individuals receive this esteemed recognition.

— Hall of Fame Inductees —

Bobby Lolley

Executive Director, HCAF (2008-2024)
Past President, HCAF Board of Directors
Inducted July 15, 2024

Induction Statement

In 2024, we proudly inducted Bobby Lolley, RN, into the HCAF Home Care Hall of Fame, celebrating his remarkable career and enduring impact on the home care community. Bobby retired is after nearly 16 years as HCAF's Executive Director.

Bobby's tenure at HCAF was marked by an unwavering commitment to advocacy, education, and support for Florida’s home care providers. His exceptional leadership, heartfelt dedication, and strategic vision helped shape the association into a leading voice in the industry. Through his tireless efforts, Bobby advanced our cause, fostered professional growth, and built strong networks that empowered home care providers to excel.

Bobby’s legacy extends beyond his professional accomplishments. His infectious enthusiasm, inspiring leadership, and genuine friendship have left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege to work with him. His departure leaves a void that will be felt deeply, but his influence and contributions will continue to resonate within the organization.

Bobby's dedication to the Association remained steadfast, but he made the difficult decision to step down due to health reasons, prioritizing HCAF's future well-being. He has been candid about his condition, facing the challenges of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), logopenic variant, compounded by asymptomatic Parkinson’s which may exacerbate a frontotemporal dementia disorder. This condition has most notably impacted his speech. We are so thankful that he is in the early stages and hopeful for many well-deserved and fulfilling retirement years ahead. He remains very physically active, and looks forward to staying connected.

We are so very fortunate to be able to share a conversation Bobby and Cindy Lavoie had in early May 2024 talking about his remarkable career, the legacy he leaves behind at HCAF, and his hopes for the future.

Thank you, Bobby, for your unparalleled service, dedication, and being such a great friend to home care! Your impact on HCAF will be felt for years to come. Congratulations on your well-deserved induction into the Home Care Hall of Fame!

William A. Dombi

President, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (2017-2024)
Vice President for Law, National Association for Home Care & Hospice (1987-2017)
Inducted October 3, 2024

Induction Statement

HCAF is honored to induct William A. Dombi, Esq., into the Home Care Hall of Fame, recognizing his unparalleled contributions to the advancement of home care. As President of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC), Dombi was a tireless advocate for the industry, shaping public policy and guiding critical legislative and regulatory victories for decades.

Dombi’s influence on the home health sector was profound. Over his nearly 40-year career, he spearheaded efforts to expand Medicare’s home health coverage, played a pivotal role in implementing the prospective payment system, and led landmark litigation that broadened Medicare benefits for home health patients. His work ensured the stability and growth of the home health care system, benefiting countless providers and patients nationwide.

He was also a steadfast collaborator with HCAF, presenting federal public policy developments annually at our HomeCareCon Annual Conference & Trade Show. His willingness to partner with state associations like HCAF underscored his commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by providers and ensuring that their voices were heard at the national level.

HCAF’s induction of Dombi into the Home Care Hall of Fame celebrates not only his legacy of leadership but also his enduring dedication to the home health community. His vision and advocacy set a standard for excellence, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and paving the way for future generations of home health leaders.

Glenda Burke

HCAF Board of Directors
Chair, HCAF Education Committee
Inducted December 5, 2024

Induction Statement

HCAF is proud to posthumously induct Glenda Burke, RN, BS, into the Home Care Hall of Fame. As a founding member of the Associated Home Health Industries of Florida, Inc. (AHHIF), later renamed HCAF, Glenda’s extraordinary vision, dedication, and leadership laid the foundation for Florida’s home care community and elevated the industry to new heights.

Glenda’s 50-year career, including 32 years in home care, was a testament to her passion for improving care, supporting providers, and fostering collaboration between agencies and vendors. She served on HCAF’s Board of Directors in various roles and chaired the Education Committee for nearly three decades, making her a cornerstone of the association’s success. Her unwavering commitment to education and mentorship helped countless agencies navigate compliance challenges, achieve accreditation, and grow their capabilities.

Glenda’s service extended far beyond education. She traveled the state tirelessly, sharing her knowledge on critical topics such as Medicare compliance and reimbursement. Her hands-on approach and engaging teaching style transformed complex regulations into actionable knowledge, empowering providers across Florida.

A tireless advocate, Glenda worked closely with state and federal legislators to champion home care issues. She played an instrumental role in fostering relationships with regulators and ensuring the industry’s voice was heard in policy discussions. Her contributions to regulatory reforms and the establishment of the Home Care Political Action Committee reflect her visionary approach to strengthening the home care sector.

Glenda’s transformative impact continues to shape the home care industry. Her innovative compliance programs, strategic growth initiatives, and unwavering dedication to excellence remain benchmarks for success. By honoring Glenda with this induction, HCAF celebrates her legacy as a trailblazer who profoundly shaped home care in Florida and inspired generations of providers to follow in her footsteps.

Glenda Burke’s contributions will forever serve as a guiding light for the home care community, embodying the values of leadership, service, advocacy, and vision that define the Home Care Hall of Fame.

2024 Florida Home Care Salary & Benefits Survey

Theresa (Terri) Santangelo

President, HCAF Board of Directors (2011-2013)
Vice President, HCAF Board of Directors (2008-2011)
Inducted December 5, 2024

Induction Statement

HCAF is proud to posthumously induct Theresa “Terri” Santangelo into the Home Care Hall of Fame. Terri was an exceptional leader, a tireless advocate, and a cherished member of the home care community. Her 26-year career exemplified service, leadership, and vision, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.

Terri’s contributions to home care were transformational. As Vice President of Clinical Operations at FirstLantic Healthcare, she led with compassion and strategic insight, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Her unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality of care earned her the admiration and respect of colleagues, staff, and industry peers.

Terri’s service to HCAF was equally profound. She joined the Board of Directors in 2008 and served as Vice President from 2008 to 2011 before becoming President from 2011 to 2013. These years were pivotal for HCAF, as the organization transitioned to new leadership. Terri’s steady guidance ensured stability and growth during this critical period. Her ability to unite members and foster camaraderie strengthened HCAF as an organization and the home care community as a whole.

Terri’s advocacy was driven by a deep compassion for patients, staff, and providers. She championed policies that improved patient outcomes and elevated the standard of care across Florida. Her collaborative approach, paired with her genuine warmth and kindness, made her an effective and inspiring advocate for the home care industry.

Her impact is forever memorialized in HCAF’s Terri Santangelo Outstanding Leader Award, which continues to honor individuals who exemplify her extraordinary qualities of leadership, dedication, and service.

Terri’s legacy also holds a special place in HCAF’s history, as her husband reached out to request this posthumous recognition. His heartfelt request underscores the profound impact she made not only professionally but also personally, touching the lives of everyone she worked with.

By inducting Theresa “Terri” Santangelo into the Home Care Hall of Fame, HCAF celebrates her remarkable contributions, honors her memory, and ensures her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of home care leaders. Terri’s spirit of service, leadership, and compassion remains a guiding light for all who strive to make a difference in the lives of others.

Gene Tischer

Founding Member, Associated Home Health Industries of Florida (1989)
Executive Director, Associated Home Health Industries of Florida (1993-2008)
Executive Director, HCAF (2008-2009)

Induction Statement

HCAF is honored to induct Gene Tischer into the Home Care Hall of Fame. Gene’s foundational contributions, steadfast leadership, and unwavering commitment to ethical excellence have profoundly shaped Florida’s home care industry, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and guide providers across the state.

Gene played an instrumental role as a founding member of the Associated Home Health Industries of Florida, Inc. (AHHIF) in 1989, which later became HCAF. His vision for uniting home care providers into a collaborative and accountable community established a vital platform for advocacy, education, and industry advancement. As AHHIF’s Executive Director from 1993 to 2009, Gene’s leadership helped solidify HCAF’s reputation as the trusted voice of Florida’s home care providers.

A passionate advocate for ethical practices, Gene worked tirelessly to combat fraud and abuse within the home care industry. His efforts not only safeguarded patients and providers but also elevated the industry’s reputation, ensuring that ethical providers could thrive in a transparent and accountable environment. As both an attorney and a home care administrator, Gene’s rare combination of legal expertise and compassionate leadership was instrumental in navigating complex regulatory challenges and fostering collaboration between providers and regulators.

Gene’s visionary contributions extended far beyond his tenure. He co-founded the Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Certificate and Competency Board (OCCB), creating a benchmark for excellence in OASIS data accuracy that continues to elevate care standards nationwide. His work laid the foundation for an industry committed to integrity, innovation, and patient-centered care.

By inducting Gene Tischer into the Home Care Hall of Fame, HCAF recognizes his transformative impact, celebrates his extraordinary legacy, and honors his relentless dedication to fostering a thriving, ethical, and unified home care community. Gene’s leadership and vision remain an enduring example for all who strive to advance the home care profession.

Home Care Hall of Fame

Selection Process

— Hall of Fame Inductees —

Bobby Lolley

Induction Statement

William A. Dombi

Induction Statement

Glenda Burke

Induction Statement

Theresa (Terri) Santangelo

Induction Statement

Gene Tischer

Induction Statement

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