Charles E. Smith Life Communities Leaders Appointed To AHCA/NCAL Committees
January 12, 2026
Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) is pleased to announce that President and CEO Bruce J. Lederman, Vice President of Operations Brenda L. Rice and Senior Director of Clinical Excellence Susan Boettger, RN, MBA, have been appointed to serve on American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) committees for the 2026-2027 term. AHCA/NCAL is the nation’s largest organization representing assisted living, long term and post-acute care providers.
Lederman was reappointed to the Not-for-Profit Council, focusing on needs specific to AHCA/NCAL’s nonprofit constituency. Lederman was also reappointed to the Legal Committee, which researches and reviews legal issues that could impact AHCA and its membership and works to develop a proactive legal strategy for the organization.
Rice was reappointed to the Survey/Regulatory Committee, which focuses on how federal and state regulations, surveys and enforcement practices affect long-term care and assisted living providers. In her ongoing role on the committee, Rice will continue to provide expertise in survey and regulatory compliance, help shape AHCA/NCAL comments to federal and state agencies and support AHCA member education.
Boettger was newly appointed to the Emergency Preparedness and Life Safety Committee, where she will advocate, educate and provide feedback on emergency preparedness and life safety concerns for older adults.
Boettger was also reappointed to the Quality Improvement Committee and Clinical Practice Committee, in recognition of her ongoing commitment to continuous quality improvement in senior care.
“AHCA/NCAL plays a critical role in advancing quality care for millions of older adults across the nation,” said Lederman. “We are very proud for our leadership to serve as trusted advisors in helping create standards and approaches that will make a difference for the future of senior living.”
About Charles E. Smith Life Communities: Charles E. Smith Life Communities (CESLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Jewish faith-based organization serving more than 1,300 older adults annually, including nearly 1,200 on its 38-acre campus in North Bethesda, Maryland, and approximately 200 in-home clients throughout the Greater Washington region. Founded in 1910, CESLC is among the largest single-site senior living campuses in the nation, featuring a wide range of living options and services, including independent apartment living (Revitz House and Ring House), assisted living (Cohen-Rosen House and Landow House), and long-term and post-acute care (Hebrew Home of Greater Washington). CESLC is committed to empowering older adults by offering meaningful connections, intellectual engagement, artistic expression and cultural exploration.CESLC also provides outpatient senior-focused medical care (Hirsh Health Center) and offers the region’s only temporary shelter exclusively serving victims of elder abuse (ElderSAFE™ Center). Additionally, CESLC provides personalized care that empowers older adults in Montgomery County, Maryland and Washington D.C., to live safely and independently in the comfort of their homes (SmithLife® Homecare).