People Worth Caring About

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

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Jessica Guerrero, Administrator of Emerald Nursing and Rehab Lakeview, whose journey from a teenage dietary aide to a respected health care leader is as inspiring as it is heartfelt. Jessica shares her path from working at Subway to building a culture of compassion and belonging within her facility. She opens up about overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, leading through vulnerability, and transforming a once-struggling workplace into a true home for residents and staff alike.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:24 A coworker’s encouragement sparked passion for a health care career path.03:01 Imposter syndrome nearly cost Jessica her administrator position twice.03:57 Perfectionism as a manager can scare employees away.05:08 Building a team with aligned values fills organizational gaps automatically.06:34 Creating a genuine culture can transform the workplace environment and satisfaction.10:32 Therapy can help leaders recognize their accomplishments and overcome self-doubt.12:52 Having amazing energy can bless other people in long-term care.Resources Mentioned:Jessica Guerrerohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-guerrero-lnha-744b83160/Emerald Nursing and Rehab Lakeview |Websitehttps://emeraldlakeview.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

On this episode, host Peter Murphy Lewis talks with Benjamin VanDiest, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Kearney and Certified Nursing Assistant at Mount Carmel Home. Benjamin shares his journey from a high school CNA class to discovering a deep passion for caregiving. He reflects on lessons learned from the elderly residents he serves and the personal inspiration he draws from his own family’s experience with caregiving.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.01:16 Taking a CNA class in high school sparked an early interest in health care.03:00 Overcoming first-day nerves and gaining confidence through mentorship.04:20 Discovering the deeper purpose behind caregiving and connection.05:32 Learning wisdom from residents who lived through major historical moments.06:36 Becoming more patient and gentle through daily interactions with elders.07:32 Drawing inspiration from his grandmother’s compassion as a lifelong caregiver.Resources Mentioned:Mount Carmel Home | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/mountcarmelhome/Mount Carmel Home | Websitehttps://mountcarmelhome.org/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, Victoria Arrowsmith, a Certified Nursing Assistant of Brookestone of Papillion, shares her inspiring journey from high school science teacher to health care professional. Her career transition during the COVID-19 pandemic led her to discover profound purpose through patient care and human connection in long-term care settings.Key Takeaways:00:00 Introduction.02:40 Career transitions can open unexpected paths to purpose.03:00 Global crises can catalyze meaningful personal transformations.03:52 Genuine human connections form health care’s most powerful foundation.04:44 Small compassionate gestures create lasting impacts on patients.06:12 True leaders inspire others to pursue growth opportunities.06:40 Thoughtful acts of kindness matter most during grief.07:52 Confronting mortality reminds us to cherish loved ones.08:40 Early exposure to compassionate care can shape vocations.Resources Mentioned:Brookestone of Papillion | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/papillion-manor/Brookestone of Papillion | Websitehttps://www.brookestonepapillion.comThank 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 #WasteManagement #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout