Speakers

Mark Parkinson is the Principal of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), which represents more than 14,000 nursing homes, assisted living communities, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with disabilities. Previously, Parkinson was the association’s President and CEO for 14 years. Prior to his role as President and CEO, Parkinson served as the 45th Governor of the State of Kansas. He was also the owner and operator of long term care facilities in Kansas and Missouri.

Since February 2025, Parkinson has served as CEO of Park Place, a comprehensive resource dedicated to supporting success in the long-term care profession.
Under Parkinson’s leadership, AHCA/NCAL focused on delivering policy solutions to the Hill and the Administration, with a special emphasis on quality care. During his tenure, AHCA/NCAL remained the largest association in long term care and enjoyed record membership.

Parkinson’s vision and leadership has brought him recognition. He was named a top lobbyist for 12 consecutive years (2013-2024) by The Hill, a leading Capitol Hill newspaper. Parkinson also had the distinction of being selected as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare in 2015, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Parkinson was named Top CEO in the small-employer category by The Washington Post 2019 Top Workplace survey, and Top Association CEO by CEO Update in 2013. Washingtonian selected Parkinson as one of Washington, DC’s 500 Most Influential People in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2024, Parkinson was named as the recipient of the McKnight’s Pinnacle Career Achievement Award and was awarded the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing LTPAC Lifetime Impact Award.