Mark Parkinson, president and chief executive officer of American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) is one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare”​ for 2021. This is Parkinson’s second consecutive year on the list.

Parkinson was recognized for his efforts leading the charge to “fund and protect the 14,000 skilled-nursing facilities and assisted-living centers his organization represents during the pandemic.”

A quote from Parkinson was featured in the piece:

“The key is for leadership to not panic. Instead, we need to assess the real damage, what can be done to repair it and develop a plan to move forward. Leaders who articulate that plan, work it and stay steady while reassuring their team that there is a way out will shine during a crisis.”

Parkinson was previously the governor of Kansas as well as owner/operator of multiple long term care facilities. He also appeared on the list in 2015.