People Worth Caring About

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

Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene Carpenter are joined by Philip Scalo, Founder and Chairman of Bartley Healthcare and Chairman of Preferred Care Management. An attorney who began his career representing health-care clients, Phil pivoted in the 1980s to build a better model for long-term care, founding Bartley Healthcare in 1984. He has grown it into one of New Jersey's most awarded senior living organizations, spanning skilled nursing, rehab, assisted living, memory care, hospice, and home care. Phil shares his perspective on the industry's big wins, the fight for regulatory relief, and the formative moments that have shaped his leadership philosophy. He discusses the critical role of the AHCA in supporting its members and the importance of changing the public perception of the entire long-term care sector.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.03:24 Building a better care model was the best way to argue for better care.06:08 Quality senior care is found even in rural communities across the country.08:20 Representing long-term care professionals is a great honor for leadership.11:00 Industry-wide legal action requires uniting diverse state perspectives.13:28 Surviving existential threats requires unity around a great mission.16:16 Documentary storytelling effectively portrays the reality of long-term care.19:08 The care profession must combat the feeling of being "just a" worker.23:56 Cautious optimism for more appropriate regulations.27:40 Success in any field is built on hard work, passion, and humble aspiration.37:52 Every team member makes a difference and has great, valued potential.Resources Mentioned:Philip Scalohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-scalo-3350b210/Bartley Healthcare | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/bartley-healthcare-nursing-rehabilitation/Bartley Healthcare | Websitehttps://bartleyhealthcare.com/Preferred Care Management | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/preferred-care-health-centers/Preferred Care Management | Websitehttps://preferredcarehc.com/“Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher and William Uryhttps://www.amazon.com/Getting-Yes-Negotiating-Agreement-Without/dp/0143118757Thank 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

Peggy Abels, Director of Health Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, joins Peter to share her 30-year journey guiding students into health care careers. She discusses her rural roots, the growing needs across Nebraska, and the programs UNK and UNMC have built to strengthen the state’s health care workforce.Peggy walks through the creation of Health Science Explorers and the Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP), explaining how these initiatives spark interest early, support first-generation students, and help rural communities build long-term access to care.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:48 Seeing rural roots shape her path toward health care service.02:50 Nebraska’s rising need for a stronger rural health care workforce.05:29 Health care education remains hands-on despite industry shifts.07:17 KHOP supports rural students from college to eventual practice.08:24 Nebraska builds a uniquely comprehensive health care workforce pipeline.Resources Mentioned:Peggy Abelshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-abels-396557162/University of Nebraska at Kearney | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearneyUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney – Health Sciences | Websitehttps://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/Kearney Health Opportunities Program (KHOP)https://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/kearney-health-opportunities-program.phpThank 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