Hearts of Excellence

Warren McCreery never planned on a career in long-term care. What began as a job in the kitchen at Majestic Care’s Bloomington community became a career, a calling, and ultimately an experience Warren says made him a better person.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Warren McCreery and he shares how residents became extended family, how mentors shaped his approach to leadership, why second chances matter, and why he now challenges other leaders to find and return to their “why.”

Because sometimes understanding why you do what you do can change where you go next.

Listen to this episode of Hearts of Excellence to hear Warren’s journey and discover why excellence, to him, begins with character, humanity, caring, love, and support.

In this episode:

• How an unexpected kitchen job became Warren’s lifelong calling in long-term care
• How mentorship, second chances, and finding your “why” shaped Warren’s leadership journey
• Why caring for people, building relationships, and leading with humanity define true excellence

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Warren McCreery
(03:18) The mentor who saw leadership potential in Warren
(05:11) The resident who helped Warren find his why
(07:09) Why long-term care feels like family
(12:03) Learning that the work is about people, not money
(16:30) Leading through a facility flood during COVID
(20:23) How long-term care made Warren a better person and father
(24:25) Becoming the mentor he once needed
(26:28) Why Warren believes in second chances
(30:50) Stepping away from Bloomington after nearly two decades
(32:08) Respecting what makes every community different
(38:42) What excellence means to Warren
(40:06) Why everyone should find their why

Dave Alexander spent 25 years in senior care before stepping into a role that had never existed at Majestic Care. As the company's first-ever Chief Operating Officer, he arrived at the exact moment the organization began expanding beyond its roots into new communities, new states, and new levels of complexity.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Dave Alexander, COO of Majestic Care, alongside CEO Paul Pruitt, to hear how a career built on resident-first thinking prepared Dave for the challenge of scaling an organization without losing what makes it worth scaling in the first place.

If you have ever wondered whether a company can grow fast and still get it right, this conversation gets into that tension honestly. Dave, Chelsey, and Paul talk through what it actually takes to lead through acquisitions, why compassion is a far more complex skill than most leaders give it credit for, and what it means to build trust with care teams who have seen operators come and go.

This is a conversation about what it looks like when growth is treated as a responsibility, not just an opportunity.

In this episode:

• What walking into the West Virginia buildings for the first time revealed about the limits of what a company should take on
• Why the shift from operator to influencer is the leadership transition most people never see coming
• What Dave would tell any COO who is moving too fast to notice what they are running past

Highlights:

(00:00) Intro
(00:39) Meet Dave Alexander
(03:28) The resident story that changed how Dave sees care
(06:56) Walking into buildings and just getting it fixed
(09:12) The right people, the right seats
(15:38) The moment Dave questioned whether West Virginia was possible
(22:57) Taking off the executive director hat
(31:53) Knowing when to pause the growth
(40:14) What Dave would tell himself on day one

Laird Russell's path to long-term care started far from nursing homes. After a life-changing brain injury ended his hockey career, he spent nearly four years navigating a fragmented healthcare system as a patient, seeing more than 70 doctors while searching for answers. That experience eventually led him to leave careers at Goldman Sachs and Bain & Company to build exacare ai, a platform helping more than 2,000 long-term care communities deliver better care.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Laird Russell, Co-Founder and CEO of exacare ai, to discuss how his personal healthcare journey inspired a mission to improve the long-term care experience for residents, families, and care teams alike.

If you've ever wondered how technology can strengthen human connection instead of replacing it, this episode is for you. Laird and Chelsey explore why the future of long-term care depends on empowering caregivers, how AI helps clinicians spend more time with residents, and why the best patient outcomes always begin with compassion.

This is a conversation about resilience, innovation, and why the most meaningful advances in healthcare will always put people first.

In this episode:

• How a devastating brain injury shaped Laird's mission to improve healthcare
• How AI helps nurses and clinicians focus more on people instead of paperwork
• Why compassion, technology, and better communication create better resident outcomes

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Laird Russell
(02:35) Living through a life-changing brain injury
(04:21) Navigating a fragmented healthcare system
(07:30) Losing an athletic identity and finding a new purpose
(10:31) The caregivers who never gave up
(13:31) Why Laird chose long-term care over other industries
(19:16) The opportunity to transform the resident experience
(20:36) What families should know about AI in long-term care
(22:23) How exacare ai supports clinicians at the bedside
(26:31) Why AI should empower caregivers, not replace them
(27:43) Reducing administrative burden for nurses

David Frey grew up watching his mother attend the funerals of her patients. At 23, he is now the executive director of Majestic Care of North Vernon, leading a team through real clinical decisions, leadership transitions, and the kind of moments that never show up on a report.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with David Frey, Executive Director of Majestic Care of North Vernon, to hear how a college intern became a building leader, what it means to be the first through a door with no roadmap, and how growing up around caregiving shaped the leader he is today.

If you have ever questioned whether long-term care is a real career path worth pursuing, this conversation will challenge that. David, Chelsey, and Paul Pruitt talk through what it actually takes to lead a skilled nursing facility as a young professional, why relationships with residents matter more than any metric, and how to stay grounded when the pressure of the role threatens to pull you under.

This is a conversation about what happens when the work finds you before you were even looking for it.

In this episode:

• How David went from Majestic Care's very first intern to running one of its buildings at 23
• What leading through a major clinical leadership change taught him about trust and team resilience
• Why the most meaningful parts of this work are the ones no KPI will ever capture
• What David would tell any young person who has written off long-term care without ever stepping inside one

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet David Frey
(01:46) A signed book and a lesson in kindness
(04:49) Majestic Care's very first intern
(08:43) Why universities aren't talking about this career
(13:15) Leading through a clinical leadership change at 23
(15:56) Making the hard call for a resident
(18:48) Choosing long-term care over hospital administration
(22:02) What great leadership looks like at 6 PM
(26:25) A message for anyone who has written off this industry
(33:12) How young leaders manage their day

Tim Huff spent a decade in banking before making an unexpected move into long-term care. Today, he oversees facility acquisitions at Majestic Care, but the person who has shaped his leadership most was never a boss or mentor. It was his grandmother, Mimi.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Tim Huff, Regional Director of Operations of Acquisitions, to explore his unconventional career journey, the lessons he learned from Mimi, and how those lessons continue to influence every decision he makes.

If you've ever wondered what great leadership in long-term care really looks like, this episode is for you. Tim and Chelsey discuss why every resident deserves to be treated like family, what it takes to transform struggling communities into thriving ones, and why leading people starts with understanding them first.

This is a conversation about resilience, humility, and why excellence in long-term care begins with seeing every resident as someone's Mimi.

In this episode:

• Why Tim left a successful banking career for long-term care
• The leadership lessons his grandmother Mimi taught him that still guide him today
• Why the best leaders work alongside their teams, not above them
• What every new nursing home administrator should know before leading a community

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Tim Huff
(01:55) Leaving banking for a career in long-term care
(03:11) Why Tim never wanted to be known as "the leader"
(05:21) The lasting influence of Mimi
(08:09) Why every Resident is someone's Mimi
(09:09) Turning around Majestic Care of Columbus
(11:21) The moment the team knew they had succeeded
(14:47) The hardest part of leading through change
(16:03) Advice for every new nursing home administrator
(17:29) Inspiring care teams through empathy and trust
(20:03) Keeping teams engaged during difficult seasons
(21:18) Leading with your heart
(22:50) Supporting care teams through acquisitions
(26:03) What excellence really means
(27:04) A message to every CNA who wonders if their work matters

Jordan Vinson started as a CNA. Years later, she walked back into that same facility as its executive director. Now VP of Operations at Majestic Care, she has a message for everyone working the floor right now.

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Jordan Vinson, a VP of Operations who started her career as a CNA and eventually returned to that same facility as its executive director.

If you've ever wondered whether long-term care is worth staying in, this episode is for you. Jordan and Chelsey talk about the real skill set LTC demands, why the bedside moments are what get you through the hard shifts, and how a career that starts as a CNA can take you further than you ever expected.

This is a conversation about what it actually means to care for people well and why that work deserves more credit than it gets.

In this episode:

• What Jordan noticed on her very first PRN shift that made her never look back
• Why long-term care is a clinical specialty, not a fallback
• What she'd tell every CNA working a double right now
• How she earned three degrees while raising a family and working full time
• What great leadership in LTC actually looks like from the inside

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Jordan Vinson
(01:24) Falling in love with skilled nursing care
(04:14) Challenging long-term care stereotypes
(05:34) Learning to see the whole person, not just the medical condition
(15:56) Returning as executive director to a familiar community
(19:14) Earning three degrees while working and raising a family
(23:35) First promotions and learning the importance of empowering all staff
(25:50) Including therapy and ancillary staff in care planning
(28:41) Creating culture across facilities
(33:33) Advice for CNAs and frontline staff: take your time and connect
(39:00) Why relationships and connections matter in long-term care
(44:24) Recognizing long-term care as a specialty and a career
(48:36) Making facilities feel like home for Residents
(49:04) Closing thoughts and resources for care and career opportunities

What makes healthcare leadership more than just a role?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Sarah Schacher, Chief Human Resources Officer at Majestic Care and Bluegrass Consulting Group. With over 20 years in healthcare, Sarah shares her journey from supporting vulnerable populations to leading HR initiatives that empower frontline care teams.

Together, they discuss the importance of human connection in healthcare, removing barriers for care teams, fostering a culture of excellence, and supporting both staff and residents. Sarah’s experiences highlight the heart behind healthcare leadership and remind us that effective leadership is about service, empathy, and creating meaningful moments for those who provide and receive care.

This conversation offers a deep dive into leadership, people-first management, and the unique rewards of supporting care teams in long-term care.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How strong relationships shape healthcare culture
• Strategies for supporting frontline staff and preventing burnout
• Why healthcare leadership is more than policy and process

Highlights:
(00:00) Meet Sarah Schacher
(02:00) Supporting vulnerable populations and finding purpose
(05:00) Balancing operations and direct care experiences
(08:00) Connecting administration with clinical teams
(11:00) Building a people-first culture in large organizations
(14:00) Intentional rounding and human connection with care teams
(18:00) Removing barriers to simplify staff workflows
(22:00) Using technology to empower care team members
(25:00) Navigating competing needs of staff and residents
(29:00) Joining Majestic Care and Bluegrass Consulting Group
(32:00) Serving staff with empathy and recognizing contributions
(36:00) Lessons on vulnerability, leadership, and accountability
(40:00) Defining excellence in healthcare leadership

What makes long-term care more than just a job?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara and Majestic Care CEO Paul Pruitt sit down with two leaders in the senior living industry, Shannon Ammerman and Sarah Davis. With decades of combined experience in long-term care, Shannon and Sarah share their insights into the rewarding yet challenging work of supporting seniors and their families. Shannon, Vice President of Senior Living at Majestic Care, started her career as a CNA, while Sarah has spent over 13 years shaping high-performing sales teams and helping families navigate life-changing decisions. 

Together, they discuss the importance of creating meaningful experiences for seniors, building connections with residents and care teams, and overcoming the emotional hurdles of working in this field. Their stories showcase the heart behind the work and remind us why senior care is more than just a job, it’s a calling. 

This conversation offers a deep dive into leadership, empathy, and the unique rewards of senior living care.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The impact of strong relationships in senior living communities
• How to support families through tough transitions
• Why long-term care is more than just providing care

Highlights:
(01:50) The emotional impact of working in senior care
(04:00) How working with seniors filled Shannon’s life
(07:00) The challenges and rewards of leading in senior living
(10:00) The importance of having strong support systems
(12:30) Stepping into leadership roles with confidence
(14:00) Navigating daily challenges in senior care
(17:00) Advocating for seniors and creating lasting connections
(20:00) The role of relationships in successful senior living communities
(22:30) Why senior living can be misunderstood
(24:00) Advocating for keeping families together
(27:30) Creating vibrant and personalized activities for seniors
(30:00) The importance of finding purpose in senior living
(32:30) Advice for those entering the senior care field
(35:00) Defining excellence in senior living care

What makes long-term care more than just a job?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Payton Nienaber, Director of Nursing Services at Majestic Care of Newburgh. From starting as a CNA in 2014 to becoming a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Payton’s journey is rooted in resilience, growth, and a deep commitment to people.

Alongside Majestic Care CEO Paul Pruitt, they explore what it really means to lead in long-term care: from navigating overwhelming challenges to building meaningful relationships with Residents and Care Team members. Payton shares powerful stories of connection, advocacy, and the moments that remind her why this work is so much more than a career.

This is a conversation about heart, leadership, and why the best care starts with seeing people as people.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why long-term care is truly a people business
• How strong support systems shape great leaders
• The importance of treating staff and Residents with humanity

Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:40) Long-term care vs. hospital life: “DC vs. Marvel”
(01:13) From CNA to Director of Nursing and Nurse Practitioner
(03:00) A Resident who felt like family
(06:00) Falling in love with long-term care
(10:20) Balancing leadership, life, and education
(11:00) The power of support systems
(12:30) Stepping into leadership before feeling ready
(16:30) Navigating daily challenges in long-term care
(22:40) Why long-term care is misunderstood
(23:20) Advocating to keep a Resident and spouse together
(26:30) Why long-term care is a people business
(30:15) Advice for new healthcare professionals
(32:00) Leading with humanity and empathy
(37:10) Payton’s definition of excellence

How do you carry the heart of patient care into leadership and operations?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, hosts Chelsey Gheyara and Paul Pruitt sit down with Brittany See, Enterprise Reimbursement Strategist at Majestic Care, to explore how clinical experience can shape stronger leadership, better systems, and more meaningful outcomes in long term care.

Brittany shares her unique journey from occupational therapy to becoming an EMT and firefighter, and ultimately stepping into a strategic leadership role. Her story reveals what it means to see the full continuum of care, from emergency response to rehabilitation and independence, and how those experiences built her passion for serving the geriatric community.

Together, they dive into the intersection of clinical care, documentation, reimbursement, and leadership, highlighting how data and systems should always reflect the real people behind them. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink how they approach operations, emphasizing empathy, adaptability, and the importance of supporting teams where they are.

This episode highlights the power of maintaining a clinical lens, building strong team cultures, and using innovation to enhance care without losing the human connection at its core.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Brittany’s experience as an EMT and therapist shaped her leadership perspective
• Why documentation and data are critical to delivering quality patient care
• How leaders can balance operational demands with empathy and connection

Highlights:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Brittany’s background in therapy, EMT, and firefighting
(05:00) Discovering a passion for geriatric care
(08:00) Transitioning into a leadership role early in her career
(10:00) Balancing patient care with operational responsibilities
(14:00) Joining Majestic Care and stepping into strategy
(17:00) Connecting clinical insight with reimbursement and data
(20:00) Improving care through documentation and team alignment
(23:00) Leading teams through challenges and mindset shifts
(27:00) The role of support systems and organizational culture
(31:00) How technology and AI are shaping the future of care
(36:00) Why every resident has a story
(39:00) Advice for clinicians moving into leadership roles
(41:00) Final reflections on purpose and impact