Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.

Few in the world of long-term care have more of a presence in the halls of power than Kathy Gallin, although you wouldn’t know it based on her humility. Gallin has spent the past 25 years advocating for the sector, including the last 18 as vice president of legislative affairs and health policy for Louisville, KY-based provider Signature HealthCARE.

“Senators and representatives alike, on both sides of the aisle, know Kathy Gallin,” her nominator told McKnight’s. “Kathy’s impactful voice has been heard and acted upon at the local, state and federal levels, and she is highly regarded and respected by not only her colleagues but also by legislators in multi-state and federal government venues, as she has proven to be a leader in healthcare advocacy and policy-making.”

Gallin is a prolific speaker and educator as well. Beyond her work on Capitol Hill, she has spoken at numerous conferences, summits and talks shows, and she has contributed her expert perspective to articles. She also has been a key member of several state provider associations, including the Florida Health Care Association, of which she was vice president. Her expertise also has been invaluable in associations across the South and Midwest in states such as Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. She has been active in post-acute and legislative matters with the American Health Care Association.

More about Gallin: 

  • Gallin spearheaded the “Save Our Nursing Homes March on Washington” in 2017 with Signature HealthCARE. 
  • She is a recipient of Florida Health Care Association’s Arthur B. Harris Government Services Award for contributions to long-term care advocacy.
  • Gallin has taken her advocacy online, posting under the username “The Legislative Lady.”

The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.

Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.