2022 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Steve Stanisa. Before his retirement in 2015, Steve was a highly-respected financial and strategic adviser to many Ohio post-acute and long-term care providers. He also was involved deeply with OHCA through the Payment for Services Committee, now called the Reimbursement Committee, by speaking at OHCA events, and by lending his expertise to OHCA leadership and staff.
Steve, a certified public accountant, graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, in 1977. Four years later, he became a CPA in Ohio. He joined the Cleveland accounting firm of Howard, Wershbale & Company, now known as HW&Co., the same year, and spent his entire 35-year career there. From inception, the firm from the beginning had a strong focus on health care and in particular, post-acute and long-term care, which remains intact to this day. Steve served as Director of Howard Wershbale’s Health Care Advisory Services for 20 years and as CEO and President for 10 years, working with John Fleischer and his other partners to cement the firm’s reputation as one of the leading health care advisory practices in Ohio. He advised countless clients in the industry and frequently lectured on health care financial topics.
Under the leadership of Harvey Wershbale, the Howard Wershbale initiated and maintained a close relationship with OHCA. Steve Stanisa, John Fleischer, and other firm partners have been key contributors to OHCA. Steve was a member of OHCA for his entire career, and the firm was and is a Champion Partner of the association. Steve was an important member of the Payment for Services Committee, contributing vital insights on reimbursement topics and their impact on providers, and chaired the group for a number of years. Steve also participated at the national level with the American Health Care Association, serving on their Payment for Services Committee.
Post-retirement, Steve tells us he is a traveler, drinker of beer, grandpa, and available for lunch.