People Worth Caring About

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks to Sean Baessler, Assistant Executive Director of Elk Ridge Village. Sean shares how a part-time job at 17 grew into a two-decade career in senior care, the mentors who shaped his path, and the small daily actions that make a big difference in community life. From pranks with residents to board-level leadership in Nebraska, Sean reflects on the people...

On this episode, we’re joined by Kyle Benesch , Director of Business Development at QRM . From mortician to long-term care advocate, Kyle shares a raw, emotional, and often hilarious journey through grief, growth, and deep purpose. He reflects on the lessons learned from managing people, surviving burnout, and finding belonging in the world of senior care. For Kyle, advocacy isn't a marketing...

On this episode, hosts Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter talk to Traci Haglund, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator of Wakefield Health Care Center. She shares an unfiltered look at the realities of rural long-term care — balancing limited beds, unpredictable Medicaid rates, and staff recruitment with deep community commitment. From leveraging association leadership to shaping workplace cult...

On this episode, we’re joined by Tim Craig , Managing Director of LTC 100 at Lincoln Healthcare Leadership . Tim shares the groundbreaking insights behind LTC 100’s consumer perception initiative and why the long-term care field urgently needs to rethink how it communicates its value. From the importance of storytelling and social media to the danger of clinging to outdated terminology, Tim challe...

On this episode, we’re joined by Don Woods, Senior Living Advisor at Valley Lakes Assisted Living. Don shares how a single opportunity in a small-town care community shaped his life-long commitment to senior care. From washing dishes to becoming a trusted leader, his journey is rooted in compassion, connection, and a desire to leave every team better than he found it. Key Takeaways: (00:00) Introd...

In this episode, Aimee Middleton , Chief Operating Officer at Good Samaritan , shares stories from her journey into long-term care, lessons learned through leadership transitions, and her vision for the future of senior care. From evacuating an entire campus during a hurricane to reducing agency reliance by over 40%, Aimee offers insight into what it takes to lead with heart, grit, and clarity in...

On this first episode of “People Worth Caring About," hosts Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter talk to Tracy Lichti , President and CEO of New Cassel Retirement Center . Tracy shares her journey and opens up about the emotional depth, purpose, and leadership required in the long-term care industry. She reflects on launching the Nebraska LEAD Program, the power of planting seeds in others...

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...

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, inc...

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 ind...

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 r...

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 generation...

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...

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, s...

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...

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 enco...

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, particula...

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 hi...

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’...

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...

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 resu...

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...

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...

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...

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...