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.

Takeaways

• Build a talent pipeline and smarter scheduling with high-school CNAs
• Soft skills = hard results: de-escalation, empathy, and a “this is their home” mindset
• Morning meeting structure that catches small changes before big events
• Practical aging-in-place tactics to lower RTAs
• Lead by example: “If we see it, we fix it.”

Guest: Kierstan Diefenderfer (Medina Valley)

Hosts: Kip Krueger with CEO James Dieter & COO Chris Light

Recorded at THCA’s 75th Anniversary