Building the Path: Creating Careers in Long Term Care

Dalton Freeman is from Anderson, SC.  Growing up in Pelion, SC, Dalton was a high school All-American and the first division 1 football player to ever graduate from Pelion High School. He went on to play at Clemson University where he earned 2 degrees and started on the offensive line for 4 years under Coach Dabo Swinney. While at Clemson, Dalton earned many accolades, including being named an All-American on the field, in the classroom, and in the weight room. He is only the 4^th Tiger in history to be named an All-American on the field and in the classroom in the same academic year. He held the record for the most snaps ever played in a single game and for an entire season. After graduating with honors from Clemson, Dalton went on to play in the NFL for the NY Jets, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills where he started in over 20 games.

While at Clemson, he developed a heart for “Serving Those Who Served” – the Veterans of this great country. While completing multiple internships with HMR Veterans Services, Dalton’s passion for Long Term Care grew and knew his calling was to return to the healthcare field when his football days were over. He has been intrinsically involved in many different areas at HMR, including Human Resources, Operations, Government Relations, and Marketing. He is currently the PAC Chairman for the South Carolina Health Care Association and serves on the Auxiliary Income and Education Committees. Dalton also serves on the National Workforce Committee for the American Health Care Association. In 2021, he was one of only 42 professionals selected to participate in the Future Leaders of Long Term Care program, hosted by the American Health Care Association, where he credits much of his recent success.

Dalton and his wife Sarah have been married for 10 years and have 2 wonderful children, Reese and Luke.

She is responsible for company- wide CNA training, career advancement and workforce development.  She was awarded the Genesis HealthCare Talent Acquisition and Development Remarkable Achievement Award and Leadership Award and was honored to attend The White House Upskill America Summit. 

As a registered nurse for 41 years, Deborah has been involved with Maryland Association Health Care Recruitment, Maryland Board of Nursing/Nursing Assistant Advisory Committee Vice Chair, Baltimore County Workforce Development Board, Community College of Baltimore County, Pennsylvania Health Care Association Workforce Committee and AHCA (American Health Care Association) Workforce Committee and past Towson University School of Health Professions Advisory Committee Chair.

 Deborah serves as former Chair on the Executive Board of the Baltimore Alliance for Careers in HealthCare (BACH), past president of the National Association for Health Care Recruitment and member of the Executive Committee at CareerSTAT.

 Deborah has a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Health Care Administration from Towson University. She has a Supervisory Leadership certificate from Loyola University and is certified in human resources and recruitment. 

Since January 2020, Mark has served as the President & CEO of Virginia Health Services.  Prior to joining VHS, Mark spent 25 years in Health Systems in Upstate New York, serving in roles within Long Term Care, Home Care, Oncology, Hospital Administration and Physician Practice Management.   Mark graduated from D’Youville College with a M.S. in Health Services Administration, and Canisius College with a B.A. in Psychology and a certificate in Gerontology.  He is also a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives.  Mark is a member of the Virginia Health Care Association (VHCA/VCAL) Board, currently serving as Vice Chair.  Mark believes Leadership's role is to grow our people and support the patients we serve.