Our Purpose - The LTC Podcast

In this special National Activity Director Week episode of Our Purpose Podcast, Hosts James Dieter and Kip Kruger feature Jackie Johnson, a 37-year Activity Director at Springtown Park.Jackie shares how long-term care activities have transformed across generations — from big band and World War II veterans to baby boomers with iPads and livestreamed church services.She discusses:The evolving role of technology in senior engagementHow to respond when activities failSurvey preparation tips for activity professionalsWhy administrators must support activitiesAnd the deeply moving “Memorial Walk” tradition that brings dignity to a resident’s final chapterThis conversation is a powerful reminder that long-term care is not the end of the story — it’s an opportunity to write a meaningful one.

Crystal Quintero (2025 HMG Administrator of the Year) joins Our Purpose Hosts, James Dieter, Kip Kruger and Christ Light to break down what actually builds a strong skilled nursing culture—beyond the buzzwords.From her start as a CNA to leading a 5-star facility, Crystal shares the real-world leadership moves that drive retention, reduce burnout, and keep operations survey-ready—without losing the heart of the mission: taking care of people.In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Crystal sets expectations in orientation (and why it works) • The leadership habits that create trust, accountability, and momentum • Preventing burnout while still moving fast and executing daily • Eliminating silos between admin and clinical teams • Survey strategy: readiness systems, speed, and “optics” that matter • Empowering managers so issues get solved before they escalateWhether you’re a new administrator, a DON, or an operator building multi-site leadership, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can use immediately.👍 If this episode helped you, like, subscribe, and share it with a leader in long-term care.

GLP-1 medications are transforming healthcare—but what happens when they enter skilled nursing and post-acute care?In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast Host James Dieter, Kip Kruger and Chris Light sit down with Dr. Norberto Vargas, a board-certified physician in physical medicine & rehab, pain management, addiction medicine, and obesity medicine, to unpack the real-world impact of GLP-1s in long-term care settings.We discuss: • Why GLP-1–driven weight loss can become dangerous muscle loss (sarcopenia) in SNFs • How dehydration, reduced intake, and therapy setbacks can create facility risk and F-tag exposure • Who the right and wrong candidates are for GLP-1s in post-acute and long-term care • The expanding science behind GLP-1s: cardiometabolic benefits, dementia risk reduction, and addiction “noise” • Why obesity meets many real-world criteria for addiction—and why DSM-5 doesn’t classify it that wayThis episode is essential listening for LTC administrators, medical directors, clinicians, and operators navigating GLP-1 use while protecting outcomes, compliance, and patient safety.

Skilled nursing has a story problem—and Cantex is working to change it.In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, Kip Kruger, James Dieter, and Chris Light sit down with Armando Guzman (Chief Strategy Officer, Cantex) to break down the strategy and culture behind Cantex’s momentum—including 15 facilities reaching 100% occupancy in 2025.Armando shares his path from managed care into LTC, why the industry needs new voices, and how strong accountability cultures attract elite talent. The conversation dives into “hospitality + medical” as the future of skilled nursing, aligning Sales and Nursing with a “start with yes” mindset, and how vertical integration (including Cantex’s I-SNP) creates better outcomes, visibility, and operational control.They also unpack a standout innovation: bringing blood transfusions into the SNF to reduce avoidable transfers and help residents age in place—plus the realities of rural specialty access, telehealth, fraud prevention, and the road toward value-based care.

Hosts James Dieter, Kip Kruger and Chris Light joined by Chuck Moody, Senior VP of Clinical Services at Creative Solutions, for a leadership-forward conversation on what’s reshaping skilled nursing. We cover staffing through a “help-first” culture, PDPM documentation and cross-team alignment, the impact of I-SNPs on rehospitalizations, survey pressure, and how AI could eliminate duplication and return time back to the bedside. Chuck also shares what makes a good nurse, why LTC can be surprisingly fun, and how purpose-driven leadership changes outcomes.

In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, Hosts James Dieter and Kip Kruger are joined by Gary Blake, CEO of Creative Solutions in Healthcare, for a candid conversation on what it takes to lead in long-term care with conviction, clarity, and accountability.Gary explains why great leaders “run to the fire,” how he builds culture across 186+ facilities, and why he believes excellence isn’t complicated: clean buildings, great food, strong clinical systems, and leaders who show up—on every shift.We also unpack what’s coming next: the “silver tsunami” in Texas, advocacy and coalition strategy in Austin, reimbursement realities, and how Creative Solutions is using AI and innovation to streamline departments, improve performance, and elevate resident care.This episode is packed with practical leadership takeaways for administrators, DONs, executives, and anyone building the future of LTC.

Manual workflows in long-term care are a dinosaur—and Kelly Roberts, Senior VP at CoreCare, explains why AI is the tool that can finally unburden teams without replacing the human side of care. Kelly shares her 30-year LTC journey, breaks down what MDS is and why it matters, and paints a picture of an “MDS assistant” powered by responsible AI: faster chart review, better accuracy, real-time insight, and more time for staff education and resident-centered care. We also unpack PDPM complexity, documentation integrity, and why facilities that aren’t adopting AI will fall behind.

Pain management isn’t just about comfort — it’s about outcomes.In this episode of Our Purpose Podcast, we’re joined by Daniel Hatmaker, NP, a pain management specialist working directly inside skilled nursing and long-term care facilities. Daniel explains how properly addressing pain impacts rehab participation, wound care tolerance, sleep quality, mental health, staffing workflows, and hospital readmissions.We explore the realities of managing pain in SNFs, including the risks of under-treatment, the fear of overprescribing, and why pain control is often the missing link in successful therapy and recovery. Daniel also shares practical insights on communication with nursing teams, continuum of care from hospital to SNF, and how facilities can responsibly implement pain management services.This episode is especially valuable for LTC administrators, DONs, clinicians, and operators focused on improving quality of care and resident outcomes.

Welcome to Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, where we bring forward the stories, challenges, breakthroughs, and heart behind long-term care.In this episode, we sit down with Matt Linker, President & CEO of SonderBloom, to uncover the deeply personal story that led to the creation of a rapidly growing company redefining housekeeping and dining services in long-term care settings.Matt opens up about:💔 A traumatic accident involving his daughter💔 The unexpected loss of his best friend➡ And how those moments reshaped his purposeOut of that journey came SonderBloom, built on a belief that:“Everyone you encounter is living a life as complex as your own.”Inside this episode:🔹 How SonderBloom built a purpose-first culture🔹 What facilities REALLY need to support frontline workers🔹 Why investing in staff creates better patient outcomes🔹 How flexible food programs and tailored services improve census🔹 Leadership lessons from someone who started at $9/hrWhether you’re in healthcare leadership, operations, dining services, or simply exploring how purpose drives people—this one will move you.👉 Subscribe for more real conversations around LTC innovation, leadership, culture, and purpose.

On this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, co-hosts Kip Kruger and James Dieter welcome Christian Reinarz, Senior VP of Operations at HMG Healthcare, for an in-depth conversation on leadership, culture, and the future of long-term care.Christian unpacks what it’s like to take over a facility after a beloved administrator, how that experience reshaped his view of leadership, and why being present, visible, and genuinely engaged with staff and residents changes everything.Together, they explore:Moving from burnout to purpose as a leader in LTCThe unseen sacrifices long-term care staff made during COVIDHow media and regulation shape public perception of skilled nursingThe role of programs like HMG U Academy and HMG Cares Foundation in developing and supporting staffWhy organizations must rethink hiring, training, and promoting leaders—beyond just technical skillsThe power of social media and storytelling to attract talent and change the narrative around nursing homesThis episode is a must-listen for administrators, DONs, regional leaders, and anyone passionate about skilled nursing, long-term care, and building better workplaces for the people who care for our most vulnerable.

In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, host Kip Kruger, along with co-host and Principal Health Systems CEO James Dieter, sits down with Garrett King, owner and CEO of Valor Hospice, to explore what it truly means to help people die with dignity.Garrett shares his journey from growing up in a hospice family, to working in large corporate hospice systems, to launching a family-owned hospice built around compassion, flexibility, and values-driven leadership. He explains why Valor staffs for need instead of rigid matrices, how they equip families for the dying process, and why he sees hospice as a calling—not just a business.In this episode, we cover:What hospice really is (and isn’t)“Quality of life” when a prognosis is six months or lessThe art of death and dying and preparing families for the transitionCultural differences in how families show up at the end of lifeHow Valor builds a team that aligns with its mission and valuesThe emotional weight and purpose of hospice workThe impact of Medicaid delays and reimbursement challenges on family-owned hospicesEntrepreneurship, resilience, and building an “all-star team” in healthcareIf you’re in long-term care, hospice, nursing home administration, or supporting a loved one through end-of-life, this conversation offers both practical insight and deep encouragement.

In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, hosts Kip Kruger, James Dieter, and Chris Light sit down with administrator Eric Wood to uncover what it really takes to lead in long-term care.From small-town roots to building five-star facilities, Eric shares his journey of caring for his own community, navigating turnover, and finding purpose in a role that demands both heart and resilience. You’ll hear powerful insights on leadership, empowering staff, and why hiring the right people changes everything.Whether you’re an administrator, caregiver, or industry partner, this conversation highlights the challenges, blessings, and lessons that come with building trust, growing leaders, and making long-term care better for patients and staff alike.

DON of the Year Kierstan Diefenderfer shares the playbook behind a CNA-first culture: training pipelines with local schools, de-escalation that prevents crises, daily systems that keep providers in sync, and aging-in-place strategies that reduce avoidable hospitalizations. We dig into morale builders (yes—dance parties), “fair and firm” leadership, and the faith that fuels resilience in long-term care.TakeawaysBuild a talent pipeline and smarter scheduling with high-school CNAsSoft skills = hard results: de-escalation, empathy, and a “this is their home” mindsetMorning meeting structure that catches small changes before big eventsPractical aging-in-place tactics to lower RTAsLead by example: “If we see it, we fix it.”Guest: Kierstan Diefenderfer (Medina Valley)Hosts: Kip Krueger with CEO James Dieter & COO Chris LightRecorded at THCA’s 75th Anniversary

In this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, hosts Kip Kruger, James Dieter, and Chris Light sit down with Marjorie Dorrow, President and COO of Cascade Health Services, to explore what it truly means to lead with heart in the long-term care industry.From her beginnings in social work to running award-winning facilities, Marjorie shares how a simple philosophy — “Always Be Kind” (ABK) — transformed her team culture, improved retention, and strengthened resident care.She opens up about: • How kindness and hospitality shape stronger teams • The balance between business, care, and compassion • Empowering administrators and DONs to lead with trust and transparency • Lessons from mistakes, growth, and the pursuit of purpose in LTCWhether you’re a leader, clinician, or anyone passionate about people-centered care, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and real-world strategies to elevate your team and mission.🎧 Listen now and discover how purpose and kindness can redefine leadership in long-term care.

Family-owned. Purpose-driven. Momentum Skilled Services VP of Finance Forrest Threadgill breaks down how a mission-first approach can still win on operations and the bottom line. From acquisition strategy to why building layout can save millions in staffing, we dig into the real levers of successful SNFs.In this episode:Growing from 1 to 10 communities without “growth for growth’s sake”How facility design (K-plan vs. circular/two-story) drives staffing levels & costMedicare Advantage realities: denials, delays, and factoring cash-flow solutionsManaging Medicaid pending risk and AR processesWhere expenses swing most (labor, transportation/ambulance), and KPIs that matterThe state survey climate, fines, and staff moraleTHCA board insights: unity across operators to negotiate better termsEarly AI use cases (risk lists) and back-office opportunitiesForrest’s purpose: creating communities where residents, families, and staff feel lovedIf this episode helps you, please like, subscribe, and share with your LTC network.

Inside the Heart of Long-Term Care: Ashlea Ondrusek on Purpose & GrowthExecutive leader Ashlea Ondrusek (Avir Health Group) explains how her team scaled rapidly across Texas while protecting the essentials: patient dignity, staff culture, and measurable outcomes. We cover higher-acuity care in SNFs (in-house dialysis, vent units, NP coverage), PDPM adoption and documentation, survey/regulatory readiness with a former state surveyor on staff, and why THCA unity is accelerating positive change statewide. Ashlea also shares practical playbooks for recruiting during a nursing shortage, preventing leadership burnout, and celebrating wins so teams want to stay and grow. She closes with an inspiring personal purpose statement.Topics: culture-first growth, PDPM, survey strategy, THCA unity, recruitment & retention, special focus turnarounds, staff appreciation, burnout prevention, patient outcomes.Subscribe for more conversations elevating long-term care and skilled nursing.

Texas Long-Term Care at a CrossroadsTHCA President & CEO Travis Clardy joins us at THCA’s 75th convention to break down the state of Texas long-term care: funding progress (PDPM, QIPP), a troubling rise in Immediate Jeopardy citations despite improving quality metrics, the day-to-day realities of HHSC/CMS oversight, and the urgent need to recruit and retain a bigger, better-prepared workforce. We also dig into due-process wins in ADR/appeals, why a single, unified industry voice matters, and how operators can prepare for the coming “silver tsunami.”HighlightsTHCA’s renewed energy and what’s different in year 75IJ trends vs. quality data: reconciling the gapADR/appeals reform and protecting fair outcomesWhere Texas Medicaid rates now stand—and why it mattersPractical workforce pipelines and training strategiesCoordinating advocacy to speak with one voice across TexasGuest: Travis Clardy, President & CEO, Texas Health Care Association (THCA)

Welcome to Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, where the people behind skilled nursing and long-term care share their stories. In this episode, hosts Kip Kruger, James Dieter, and Chris Light open up about the real challenges inside the industry—stress, staffing, patient outcomes, culture shifts, and the day-to-day details that make the difference.From handwashing and wound care to navigating Medicaid cuts and staffing struggles, we explore how small actions, leadership, and collaboration can transform patient experiences. This is the start of a bigger conversation—a movement to shine light on the incredible people and solutions driving change in long-term care.If you’re an administrator, caregiver, policy maker, or family member wanting to understand the heart of LTC, this episode is for you.

We’re excited to introduce Our Purpose! The LTC Podcast—a new space dedicated to conversations that matter in the long-term care industry.In this short trailer, you’ll learn:What inspired this podcastWho should tune in (healthcare professionals, administrators, caregivers, and anyone passionate about improving patient outcomes)The kind of voices and stories you’ll hear in upcoming episodesHow this show will bring collaboration, insight, and encouragement to the long-term healthcare communityOur mission is simple: to uplift and strengthen the future of care by sharing real-world experiences, innovative strategies, and purpose-driven perspectives.👉 Subscribe now so you don’t miss our first full episode!