In the very first episode of Last Visit First, Tom Maxwell sits down with longtime friend and industry leader David Curtis, Founder and CEO of Graham Healthcare Group and a pioneer in home health and hospice.

Together, they unpack:

-David’s journey from Princeton rower to turning around struggling agencies and building one of the nation’s largest care-at-home providers.

-The leadership practices that have helped him retain teams for decades in an industry known for high turnover.

-How technology and AI—from Homecare Homebase to predictive tools—are reshaping clinical workflows and patient outcomes.

-The personal story of his son’s early health challenges and how that experience shaped his perspective on caregiving.

-What the future of home health, hospice, and Medicare Advantage looks like in the next 5–10 years.

This conversation goes beyond strategy. It’s about culture, legacy, and the very real impact leaders can have on patients, families, and the teams that serve them.

People of the Episode:

-Guest: David Curtis

-Host: Tom Maxwell

-Producer: Cole Sorensen

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Last Visit First Podcast Links:

-Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-visit-first/id1830051182

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-Website: https://www.lastvisitfirst.com

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Contact the Last Visit First Team:

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Keywords:

home health, hospice, care at home, Medicare Advantage, healthcare leadership, patient outcomes, healthcare innovation, AI in healthcare, OASIS documentation, nurse retention, team culture, David Curtis, Tom Maxwell, Residential Healthcare, Last Visit First podcast, home healthcare technology, hospice benefit, recruiting nurses, future of care at home, care transitions, healthcare podcasts

Outline:

00:00 Introduction and Background of David Curtis

04:52 Career Journey and Home Health Agency Growth

09:56 Leadership and Employee Retention Strategies

15:51 The Role of Technology and AI in Home Health

22:07 Patient Advocacy and Caregiver Challenges

27:16 Future of Home Health and Hospice Care

31:29 Future of Post-Acute Care Payment Models

31:55 Collaboration in Home Health and Joint Ventures

32:52 Understanding Hospital at Home vs. SNF at Home

35:11 The Rise of Medicare Advantage in Home Health

36:39 Patient Preferences and Cost-Effectiveness of Home Health

37:42 The Value of Hospice Care

40:29 Recruitment and Retention Strategies in Home Health

44:06 Adapting to Industry Changes and Growth

48:31 Legacy and Impact in Home Health and Hospice

59:00 Thanks for listening!