People Worth Caring About

Zach Cram, President of Rehab Services at Rehab Strategies, and Devon Cram, Chief Financial Officer at The Strategies, share the story of building a clinician-led, family-owned long-term care organization in Indiana. They reflect on growing up in nursing homes, taking the risk to purchase facilities during COVID, and why putting patient care and community first shapes every decision they make. The conversation explores leadership, succession, culture, and the unseen people who make high-quality care possible.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:56 ChatGPT helped them identify and pursue media opportunities.04:24 A clinician-owned model shapes every care decision.06:24 Clinical experience informs leadership across the organization.07:46 Finance and operations require constant collaboration.11:28 Patient-first care guides business strategy.15:38 Staffing demands constant availability and accountability.17:11 Running facilities requires managing countless vendors.23:12 Investing in staff growth creates internal experts.27:33 Celebrating employees strengthens culture and retention.Resources Mentioned:Zach Cramhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-cram-a95881222/Rehab Strategieshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/rehab-strategiesDevon Cramhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-cram-mba-hfa-963368185/The Strategies | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/thestrategies/The Strategies | Websitehttp://www.thestrategies.netThank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

On this episode, Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter are joined by Rep. Mike Flood, Member of the United States Congress, who represents Nebraska’s First Congressional District. A lifelong broadcaster and former Nebraska state legislator, Mike brings a deeply personal and practical lens to public service, shaped by decades of listening to constituents and showing up in local communities.Mike reflects on why town halls still matter, how media can bring people together in moments of crisis, and what responsible stewardship looks like when it comes to Medicaid and public spending. From his “Quarantine Tonight” television show during COVID to difficult conversations around health care access, Mike shares why trust, accountability, and human connection remain at the center of leadership.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:16 Creative programming can sustain community connection during public crises.04:06 Nostalgic entertainment offers comfort for isolated and widowed older adults.05:40 Smart travel strategies make constant work-related flying more sustainable.07:00 In-person forums remain essential tools for civic accountability today.08:39 Targeted Medicaid reforms aim to preserve long-term funding sustainability.09:18 Work expectations increase fairness for taxpayers funding public health care.Resources Mentioned:Rep. Mike Floodhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-flood-72a5a262/United States Congress | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/u-s-house-of-representatives/United States House of Representatives | Websitehttps://www.house.gov/House Financial Services Committee | Websitehttps://financialservices.house.gov/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Nash Mahupete, President and CEO of QLI, shares a deeply personal journey that begins in Zimbabwe and leads to a 25-year career inside one organization. He reflects on arriving in the US as an immigrant, starting as a CNA with no intention of staying in health care, and slowly discovering the meaning of mission, community, and leadership. Nash opens up about grief, regret, impostor syndrome, and the moments that reshaped how he views people, work, and responsibility. His story is not about titles, but about learning when to speak up, how to serve others with dignity, and why believing in people changes everything.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.04:52 Leaving your home country to seek better opportunities requires courage.08:56 Personal connection transforms work from being transactional to deeply meaningful.11:20 A clear organizational mission attracts and connects talented team members.13:28 Self-doubt can be reframed using supportive mentors and repeated success experiences.16:00 Nash’s grandmother taught him that unconditional care creates loyal communities.19:16 Your past circumstances do not determine your future success trajectory.30:24 An organizational mission should encompass all stakeholders, not just customers.34:32 Teach children values repeatedly, like doing things right the first time.Resources Mentioned:Nash Mahupetehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mahupete/QLI | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/qlirehab/QLI | Websitehttps://qliomaha.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

In this episode, hosts Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter sit down with the heart and soul of The Grace Space, a hospice facility in Nebraska. Kelly Sparr, the founder who spent seven years bringing her vision to life, and Jace Cooley, a dedicated CNA turned nursing student, discuss the profound beauty found in end-of-life care. From the unconventional path Jace took from installing sprinklers to guarding souls, to the vital role of Pickles the therapy dog, this conversation reframes hospice as a place of deep human connection, dignity, and even joy.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:12 Documentary episodes help comfort families from long distances.07:53 Seeing oneself on screen reveals personal communication strengths.11:01 CNA work is a challenging yet rewarding career.17:40 Pickles the dog provides comfort that humans cannot.21:11 Employee retention requires personalized connection and genuine listening.25:00 End-of-life care is a raw and vulnerable privilege.27:47 Education helps normalize death as a beautiful transition.Resources Mentioned:Kelly Sparrhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-sparr-895284102/Jace Cooleyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jace-cooley-07301a389/The Grace Space | Websitehttps://thegracespace.com/Southlake Village Rehab | Website https://www.southlakevillagerehab.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #HospiceCare #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Steven Boulware, Managing Partner of Priority Management Group, shares his journey and leadership insights from the world of long-term care. As a licensed nursing facility administrator, he values the daily, hands-on satisfaction of solving problems for residents and their families. Steven discusses the unexpectedly non-boring nature of the sector, the philosophy of taking action over seeking perfection, and the essential value of putting resident happiness and safety first.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:57 The flat management model empowers administrators over corporate rules.05:46 Hard work and dedication earn respect in a family business.07:54 Long-term care stays interesting because every day brings new challenges.08:59 A good plan started today beats a perfect plan delayed.12:26 Resident happiness and safety come before everything else.Resources Mentioned:Priority Management Group | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/priority-management-group/Priority Management | Websitehttps://prioritymgt.com/Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories.For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com.#HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout