In this episode, we have a thought-provoking conversation with Jill Vitale-Aussem , President and CEO of Christian Living Communities . Jill provides a refreshing perspective on senior living. She shares her insights on redefining the approach toward aging and senior care, with a specific focus on dignity, purpose and the well-being of residents. Key Takeaways: (03:16) Discovering your passion can significantly influence your career path and professional journey. (10:12) Jill’s journey to leader...
Oct 23, 2023•30 min
On this episode, we speak to Claudia Blumenstock , Founder and CEO at Copernicus. Key Takeaways: (1:04) Feedback from staff and leaders on challenges they face. (3:29) The need for leadership training at all levels of the organization. (6:55) Addressing communication challenges among leaders and staff. (7:47) Strategies for improving communication skills. (11:08) Unique recruitment approaches, including hiring for personality fit. (12:22) Challenges faced by leaders who are constantly putting ou...
Oct 16, 2023•31 min
On this episode, we speak to Christina Devlin , Corporate Director of Rehabilitation at AbleHearts *. Topics discussed include: - Her role as Corporate Director of Rehabilitation at AbleHearts. - Her reasons for attending the Florida Health Care Association convention and her passion for the industry. - The importance of in-house therapy programs and the growth of this model in the healthcare industry. - Her personal connection to the motto “Love without limits, safety first, family always” and ...
Oct 09, 2023•8 min
On this episode, we speak to Jennifer Swain , VP of Clinical Reimbursement at AbleHearts *. Topics discussed include: - Jennifer’s introduction to long-term care and her journey in the healthcare field. - Volunteering experiences, including working in skilled nursing and emergency areas. - Jennifer’s transition into long-term care after working in the hospital’s ICU. - Wanting a more meaningful role in patient care. - Embracing the culture of long-term care and recommitting to the field. - Honor...
Oct 02, 2023•9 min
On this episode, we speak to Brittney Tyler , Senior Executive Director at Apopka Health & Rehabilitation Center . Topics discussed include: - Brittney’s passion for long-term care and her role as a servant leader. - Her initial interest in nursing and her mother’s influence. - The importance of making a difference in the community, impacting the industry and engaging with younger generations interested in healthcare administration. - Her role in healthcare policies, lobbying and advocating ...
Sep 25, 2023•12 min
On this episode, we speak to Liz Borer , Chief Nursing Officer at Millennial Healthcare Services . Topics discussed include: - Liz’s role. - The nickname "Covid Queen" and Liz’s response to the challenges of the pandemic. - Organizational challenges in the last year and future focuses. - Liz’s unconventional entry into long-term care and nursing. - Working with the geriatric population and lessons learned. - Liz’s passionate leadership style and fostering connection and vulnerability. - The orig...
Sep 18, 2023•10 min
On this episode, we speak to Mikki Meer, Regional Vice President of Operations at Clear Choice Health Care Topics discussed include: - Mikki’s journey from being a social worker with a passion for gerontology to her dedicated career in long-term care. - Her early exposure to long-term care through her mother, an RN in nursing homes. - Making a positive impact on people’s lives, be it residents, staff, visitors or vendors. - The significance of making a difference in both individual lives and the...
Sep 11, 2023•16 min
On this episode, guest host Jalene Carpenter speaks to Peter Murphy Lewis , Vice President of Marketing at Experience Care , Podcast Host of LTC Heroes and Television Host of Aqui Te Las Traigo Peter , in the first-ever LTC Heroes takeover. Topics discussed include: - Peter’s diverse background as the founder of LTC Heroes, a docu-series host and VP of Marketing at Experience Care. - Peter’s CNA role, which deeply impacted him and prompted his passion for long-term care. - The upcoming Innovatio...
Sep 05, 2023•15 min
On this episode, we speak to Zechariah Legendary , Nursing Home Administrator at Lion Care Services. Topics discussed include: - Zechariah's journey into long-term care, inspired by his mentors and personal experiences. - Focusing on leading by example and staying calm amid chaos. - The role of vulnerability in leadership, influenced by Zechariah's mother and grandmother. - A chance encounter that led Zechariah to pursue a career in Long-Term Care Administration. - The profound sense of purpose ...
Aug 28, 2023•11 min
On this episode, we speak to Julie Morris , Board of Directors Sr. Vice President at Florida Health Care Association . Topics discussed include: - Julie’s 18-year involvement in the association and her journey to becoming Senior VP. - Expanding the conference to include various disciplines that support the industry. - The importance of continuous learning and education at the conference, particularly related to clinical reimbursement and therapy services. - Influence and guidance from mentors an...
Aug 21, 2023•15 min
On this episode, we speak to Scott Berube , Nursing Home Administrator at De Luna Health and Rehabilitation Center. Topics discussed include: - Scott’s journey to long-term care – from working in the Navy to becoming a nurse after a force reduction in 1994. - His transition into long-term care and the realization of the importance of caring for residents. - The desire for career growth that led him to branch into administration. - How his attendance at the FHCA annual conference allows him to le...
Aug 14, 2023•16 min
On this episode, we speak to Dean Fernandez , Executive Director at At Home Hospice. Topics discussed include: - Dean’s connection and passion for hospice care, inspired by family experiences. - The focus of hospice on living, and empowering patients and families to have control over their end-of-life experience. - Touching and meaningful experiences in hospice care, including fulfilling patients’ last wishes and connecting with loved ones and pets. - The importance of effective admissions, unde...
Aug 07, 2023•22 min
On this episode, we speak to Patrick Stapleton , CEO at Sherrill House , an independent, not-for-profit, skilled nursing and rehabilitation center located near Boston. Topics discussed include: - The history of the Sherrill House tagline, “We’re here for you, not for profit.” - The importance of being able to work well with women in the LTC industry. - Surviving the challenges of Covid thanks to a loyal staff and strong culture. - The ways that his relationships in the community helped during Co...
Jul 31, 2023•34 min
On this episode, we speak to Andrew Banoff , President of Mozaic Senior Life (formerly Jewish Senior Services). Topics discussed include: - Andrew’s background and career path. - The differences between a hospital setting and a long-term care setting. - The importance of treating everyone in the facility as a family member. - Moving 300 seniors to a new facility and the positive outcomes that resulted. - Andrew’s book, “5200 Sundays.” - The lessons learned from some of the stories in the book. -...
Jul 24, 2023•35 min
On this episode, we speak to Robin Arnicar , Director of Infection Prevention at Erickson Senior Living and President at NADONA LTC , a professional organization dedicated exclusively to nursing and nurse leaders in the Post-Acute Care and Assisted Living professions. Topics discussed include: - The challenges post-pandemic in filling LTC nursing vacancies. - Connecting NADONA to business leaders who aren’t aware of the organization. - The leadership qualities needed in the Director of Nursing r...
Jun 20, 2023•35 min
On this episode, we speak to Chad Tuttle , SVP of Hospital and Post Acute Operations at Corewell Health , a $15 billion-a-year organization that is the largest employer in the state of Michigan with over 61,000 team members. Topics discussed include: - The importance of value transformation in healthcare. - Getting people out of the hospital faster and into a rehab facility. - The history and size of Corewell Health. - The learning curve of going from long-term care into senior management at a l...
May 22, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 95
On this episode, we speak to Leslie Pedtke , Founder and Consultant at Dignity Quotient , author, and Company Owner of Trenton Village Assisted Living and Memory Care. Topics discussed include: - The elder shadowing program she implemented — where staff members live on-site for 24 hours. - The importance of honoring the residents’ choices and their dignity. - The sacrifices her staff make in order to be better at their jobs. - Examining staff journals from their time living at the facility. - Le...
May 15, 2023•27 min
On this episode, we speak to Dr. Priti Jindal , Chief Medical Officer at Transitional Care Physicians of America , the largest post-acute care practice in Georgia. Topics discussed include: - Dr. Jindal’s journey from working in acute care to being a CMO in long-term care. - The difficulty of the learning curve when she made the transition. - A typical day as a CMO. - The importance of speaking to families with relatable language. - How to keep up with continuing education and the importance of ...
May 08, 2023•25 min
On this episode, we speak to Jessicia Smith , Quality Assurance Director at Santa Fe Place, an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) located in Norman, Oklahoma. Topics discussed include: - The purpose of an ICF - The history of ICFs and the stigma that surrounded them for years. - Not doing things for people, but doing things with people. - Where most patients come from in an ICF - The impact of the Olmstead Act on the history of ICFs. - The differences in ICFs from state to state in the U.S. - Jess...
Apr 02, 2023•21 min
On this episode, we speak to Emmett Reed, Chief Executive Officer at Florida Health Care Association , an organization that represents 86% of Florida's nursing centers — facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, as well as short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and other services to the elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. Topics discussed include: - The impact of the new website, qualitycaredashboard.org . - The ways the organization tells the ...
Mar 27, 2023•23 min
On this episode, we speak to Buffy Lloyd-Krejci , Chief Executive Officer at IPCWell , the top infection control consultant and disease prevention expert in the United States. Topics discussed include: - The inspiration for Buffy’s book, “BROKEN, How the Global Pandemic Uncovered a Nursing Home System in Need of Repair, and the Heroic Staff Fighting for Change.” - How she had to change some names in the book because the industry can be very punitive. - Her surprise at how the industry reacted to...
Mar 20, 2023•22 min
On this episode, we speak to Paul Smiley , Executive Director at Gilpin Hall , a non-profit organization with a long tradition of care for the elderly since 1824. Topics discussed include: - Paul’s longtime family background in long-term care. - The impact the first interaction with a nursing home can have for a lifetime. - The impact that being a Marine had on Paul’s leadership style. - How to think globally and share locally. - The way Paul would describe his leadership style. - How a good lea...
Mar 13, 2023•27 min
On this episode, we speak to Rebecca Adelman , Founder/Attorney at Adelman Law Firm , a firm that has expertise in multiple areas of insurance defense litigation, professional malpractice, business and employment and healthcare law. Topics discussed include: - Rebecca’s career path that led to representing LTC providers in lawsuits and risk management. - Her development of the Guide Path certification program for senior living communities. - Development of the Guide Path survey that focuses on t...
Mar 06, 2023•32 min
On this episode, we speak to Claudia Blumenstock , Founder and CEO at Copernicus, Inc. , an organization that is dedicated to strengthening the delivery of long-term care services through the development of staff relationships at all levels of an organization. Topics discussed include: - How staff looks at leadership and what leaders need to be like to be effective. - How a horrible event made Claudia self-aware and showed her that openness is critical in LTC. - How being supportive of people wh...
Feb 20, 2023•31 min
On this episode, we welcome Ron Nunziato , Senior Director of Policy and Regulatory Affairs at the Health Care Council of Illinois , a non-profit advocacy group that represents more than 300 licensed Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) in Illinois. Topics discussed include: - How he started as a provider and operator for 29 years before moving to his current position. - The lessons he learned in his time as a CEO. - The importance of leading by example in a management role. - How the Health Care C...
Feb 13, 2023•26 min
On this episode, we speak to Jay Hayston , President & CEO at Cedarcrest Center for Children with Disabilities , a specialized medical facility and school in Keene, New Hampshire. Topics discussed include: - The mission of Cedarcrest as a home and a school for children with developmental differences. - Jay’s beginnings in LTC for people with developmental differences. - The way Cedarcrest works as a step-down facility for a transition between the hospital and home care. - Jay’s mentors and h...
Feb 06, 2023•22 min
On this episode, we speak to Thomas Annarella , Licensed Nursing Home Administrator at Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab , a long-term care facility in Illinois. Topics Tom discusses include: - Through several different internships, Tom entered the LTC industry directly out of college. - The evolution of Tom’s leadership style over the years. - The demographic makeup of the residents at Valley Hi, a county-owned facility. - The obvious differences between five-star facilities and facilities that don’t...
Jan 30, 2023•24 min
On this episode, we speak to Nichole Claiborn , Executive Director at Terrace Health . Topics Nichole discusses include: - Her personal story and how she ended up in long-term care. - The learning curve involved in home health care. - Recent cuts in payments by the government. - Being flexible with staff in today’s market. - Recruiting through community engagement. - Personal mentors she has met throughout her career. - The future of home health and hospice. Nichole Claiborn - https://www.linked...
Jan 23, 2023•24 min
On this episode, we speak to Jason Cronk , President and COO at Immanuel Lutheran Communities . Topics Jason discusses include: - Developing Western-style lifecare communities in mainland China. -The learning curve involved in working in China versus the US. -Their approach to talent acquisition and recruitment to their facility in Montana. -The focus on RNs and CNAs in their recruiting. -Jason’s leadership style and relationship with his team. -Making data-driven decisions through focus groups ...
Jan 16, 2023•27 min
On this episode, we speak to Matthew Lessig , Associate Executive Director at Cypress Cove at HealthPark Florida . We discuss: - Matthew’s career journey and how he got into LTC. - The speed of change on the clinical side of the business vs. the back office. - The importance of understanding the reimbursement model he brought to the clinical side. - His company’s recent expansion of service lines. - The emphasis on using data to make operational decisions on a daily basis. - Tracking specific me...
Jan 09, 2023•26 min
