Southern Region (Region I) Directors of Nursing
Meeting & Educational Sessions
Next Meeting: May 12, 2026
(**please note new location**)
Who are we? We are a relaxed group of DON’s who collaborate with other DON’s in our survey region about hot topics in long-term care. We meet bi-monthly at Kasieta Center in Verona, Wisconsin. Our meetings last from 9:30 AM until 3 PM with lunch provided. A typical meeting is broken into 4 sessions. During the first session, we discuss recent survey issues, regulatory changes, and other issues important to our membership. Our group is collaborative and DON’s in our group often share ideas and resources with other DON’s who are facing challenges. The regional RFOD and RFOS are usually present at the meeting and typical provide us with a regulatory update. They are willing to step out of the room if the group has an issue that they would like to discuss in their absence. The morning and afternoon sessions are presentations given by industry experts.
Our group is an independent non-profit group that is not affiliated with WHCA, Leading Age, Wisconsin DON Education Forum Inc., etc. We support the excellent work that these other groups are doing in our state, but your membership in any other group does not cross over with the Region I DON group. All memberships are renewed in September of each year and will be due at the September meeting.
There are two options for attendance:
1. Facility Membership - Paid for all 5 meetings. $300 per facility per year. (Best option)
This choice includes a facility membership and one paid admission to each of the 5 programs. The paid admission to the program can be used for any employee of that facility/organization if the DON is unable to attend. Any additional staff that the facility would bring will be charged $100 per person. The only time you would need to contact us would be if your paid slot will not be used by anyone or if you are bringing additional people. This option is only available through September 30, 2025, and all payments must be received by that date to qualify for this plan.
2. Guest—No membership purchased in September. The fee will be $100 per person per meeting. You will have to email before each meeting that you plan to attend. Should you decide to bring additional members from your staff, the fee will be $100 for each additional person.
Checks are to be made out to Region I Directors of Nursing. They may be mailed directly to Sarah Buroker, 3749 Wilson Road, Dodgeville, WI 53533 or brought with you on the day of the program. We can provide a receipt if your facility requires it.
This season’s meetings will be: *September 9, 2025, *November 11, 2025, *January 13, 2026, *March 10, 2026 and *May 12, 2026.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
9:30 a.m. Registration
10:00-11:00 a.m. Doug Engelbert, pharmacist
Wisconsin DHS
11:00 a.m.- How to use your pharmacy partner
12:00 p.m. Jenelle Camara, RN, Dave Kessen, RPH and John Jest, RPH
Health Direct
12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch/networking
1:00-2:00 p.m. DON as Risk Leader
Sara Kekula, Director of Senior Living and Social Services Practice Partner
2:00-3:00 p.m. Survey updates/trends-DONs
3:00 p.m. Adjourn
**New Location: Kasieta Center 1200 E Verona Avenue, Verona, WI
RSVP/Confirmation By: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Contact: sjburok96@yahoo.com
*RSVP are appreciated as we will be ordering/catering lunch this year. This will ensure accurate numbers for meal counts*