Our Purpose - The LTC Podcast

Our Purpose LLC
  • 3.4 (5)
  • Medicine

Our Purpose! The LTC Podcast explores the evolving world of long-term healthcare. Each episode brings together voices from across the industry—leaders, practitioners, innovators, and advocates—to share insights, experiences, and solutions that shape the future of care. Our mission is simple: to collaborate, learn, and inspire positive change. By highlighting stories, strategies, and innovations, we aim to uplift and encourage improved patient outcomes and a stronger healthcare community. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, caregiver, policymaker, or simply someone who wants to better understand the long-term care landscape, this podcast offers valuable conversations that matter.

  1. 4d ago

    The #1 Way to Prevent Hospital Readmissions Isn’t Medical with Dr. Punatar and Dr. Goodwin

    What if the biggest opportunity to prevent hospital readmissions has less to do with medicine—and more to do with people? On this episode of Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast, Dr. Punatar and Dr. Goodwin of Meridian Health Partners join Kip Kruger, James Dieter, and Chris Light for a powerful conversation about what’s really happening inside skilled nursing and post-acute care. After years of working as hospitalists, Dr. Punatar and Dr. Goodwin began following patients beyond the hospital walls and into skilled nursing facilities. What they discovered changed the way they thought about patient care. Their biggest takeaway? “The number one way to prevent avoidable RTAs isn’t medical. It’s social.” A worried daughter who doesn't understand why Mom is coughing can quickly become a 911 call. A family that doesn't know what to expect from skilled nursing may assume something is wrong. And when physicians, nurses, facilities, hospitals, patients, and families aren't communicating, preventable hospital readmissions can follow. In this episode, we dive into: Why the first 24–72 hours in skilled nursing are so critical How setting expectations can help prevent avoidable hospital readmissions Why communication with families is a clinical strategy—not just customer service The growing acuity of patients entering skilled nursing facilities Why Friday admissions create unique challenges for SNFs How weekend rounding and 24/7 provider access can change outcomes The importance of continuity of care between hospitals and skilled nursing Why physicians need to become part of the facility team The challenges of measuring RTAs and outcomes across post-acute care How value-based care could reshape skilled nursing and physician services Why better outcomes may require a return to something surprisingly simple: relationships Dr. Punatar and Dr. Goodwin also explain why they view senior care as a hospitality business, how Meridian Health Partners approaches the physician-facility relationship differently, and why treating the patient is only part of the job. For administrators, DONs, physicians, operators, nurses, and anyone working in long-term care, this conversation challenges us to think differently about what actually drives great outcomes. Because sometimes preventing the next hospital readmission doesn't start with another test, medication, or order. It starts with trust. Subscribe to Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping the future of skilled nursing, senior care, and long-term care.

  2. Aug 5

    Saving Nursing Homes Millions Without Sacrificing Quality with Matt Bishop

    Matt Bishop, president and owner of RPG Procurement Group, explains how nursing homes can save millions without sacrificing quality, service, or resident care. After spending 17 years with Medline, Matt took a leap of faith at age 48 and built a procurement business that now supports more than 500 nursing facilities. He shares how long-term care operators can uncover hidden expenses, negotiate stronger contracts, hold vendors accountable, and make smarter purchasing decisions. Matt also discusses entrepreneurship, reimbursement, staffing, healthcare technology, and why cutting costs should never mean cutting corners. At its best, procurement creates the financial breathing room operators need to reinvest in their teams, facilities, and residents. It’s a practical and inspiring conversation about betting on yourself, serving others, and improving long-term care from behind the scenes.

  3. Jul 15

    Assisted Living Before the Crisis: Plan Early, Choose Better with David Karnes

    When should a family begin planning for assisted living? The answer is simple: before a crisis limits the available choices. David Karnes, CEO of Nextphase Senior Living Advisors, joins Our Purpose – The LTC Podcast to explain how families can navigate assisted living, personal care homes, memory care, skilled nursing, and aging at home. He discusses senior living costs, levels of care, warning signs families shouldn’t ignore, and the questions to ask when evaluating a community. David also shares his journey from professional musician to assisted living owner and private pilot, revealing how preparation, attention to detail, and a calm mindset influence his leadership. This episode offers compassionate, practical guidance for anyone helping an aging parent plan the next phase of life—while protecting dignity, family relationships, and peace of mind.

  4. Jul 1

    Why Relationships Still Win in Long-Term Care with Stephanie Sogga

    Stephanie Saga Crook joins Our Purpose hosts Kip Kruger and Chris Light to talk about what really drives success in long-term care: relationships, trust, follow-through, and service. From her role as VP of Business Development at MasVita to her reputation as a “super connector,” Stephanie shares how vendors can bring true value to operators, support residents at the bedside, and build partnerships that last. In this episode, Kip, Chris, and Stephanie discuss the vendor side of long-term care, why doing what you say you’ll do still matters, how to handle hard conversations when things go wrong, and why the future of skilled nursing depends on collaboration, innovation, and people who genuinely care.

  5. Jun 17

    Grayson Blake on Growing Up in Long-Term Care and Earning Your Own Name

    What’s it like growing up in one of the most influential families in long-term care? In this episode of Our Purpose, Kip Kruger and Chris Light sit down with Grayson Blake, Brand Ambassador at Creative Solutions in Healthcare and son of long-term care industry leader Gary Blake. Grayson shares what it was like growing up around skilled nursing facilities, learning from his parents Gary and Melissa Blake, and navigating the pressure of carrying a well-known family name while working to earn his own place in the industry. The conversation dives into leadership, mentorship, company culture, family legacy, attracting young talent to healthcare, and why long-term care needs the next generation of leaders now more than ever. You’ll also hear Grayson discuss: * Lessons learned from Gary and Melissa Blake* Building credibility instead of relying on a last name* Why follow-through and trust matter in leadership* The future of long-term care and healthcare innovation* How AI is changing operations and patient care* Recruiting young professionals into healthcare* The importance of recognition, culture, and purpose* Faith, family, and finding your calling Whether you’re a healthcare leader, administrator, caregiver, entrepreneur, or someone looking to make an impact through service, this episode is packed with insight, perspective, and inspiration. 👇 Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping skilled nursing, senior care, and long-term care.

  6. Jun 3

    How AI, Strategy & Purpose Are Changing Long-Term Care with Ron McGaughy

    In this episode of Our Purpose - The LTC Podcast, Kip Kruger and Chris Light sit down with Ron McGaughy, Senior Vice President of Strategy at HMG, to discuss how AI, strategy, leadership, and purpose are changing the future of long-term care. Ron shares how HMG is using AI to improve admissions, streamline workflows, support clinicians, and create more time for meaningful resident care. The conversation also explores managed care, Medicare Advantage, shrinking margins, calculated risk, company culture, employee appreciation, and why long-term care leaders must do a better job telling the positive stories happening inside skilled nursing facilities. This episode is a must-listen for LTC operators, administrators, admissions leaders, clinicians, and anyone passionate about the future of skilled nursing.

  7. May 20

    How to Survive State Survey & Lead Through Compliance with Stacia Boeckstiegel

    State survey can make or break a nursing home — and in this episode of Our Purpose - The LTC Podcast, Hosts James Dieter and Kip Kruger sit down with Stacia Boeckstiegel to talk about what it really takes to survive survey, lead through compliance, and support nursing home teams during some of the toughest moments in long-term care. Stacia shares her journey from second-generation nursing home administrator to Assistant Director of Regulatory Compliance at Avir Healthcare, overseeing more than 60 skilled nursing facilities across Texas. From F-tags and infection control to immediate jeopardy situations, fall prevention, staffing challenges, and family communication — this conversation dives deep into the realities administrators and DONs face every single day. Topics Covered: * How to prepare for state survey before surveyors walk in* The importance of family communication in long-term care* Reducing Immediate Jeopardies (IJs) and compliance risk* Why infection control remains the #1 cited deficiency* Fall prevention strategies in skilled nursing facilities* Leadership lessons for nursing home administrators* Building strong teams and promoting from within* Managing stress during state survey investigations* Why regulatory compliance ultimately protects residents If you work in skilled nursing, assisted living, healthcare operations, or long-term care leadership — this episode is packed with practical insight and real-world experience. 👇 COMMENT BELOW:What’s the biggest challenge your building faces during survey season? 👍 Like, Subscribe & Share to help us continue telling the stories shaping long-term care. #LongTermCare #SkilledNursing #HealthcareLeadership #StateSurvey #NursingHomeAdministrator #Compliance

  8. May 6

    Brad Underwood on Culture, Crisis & the Fight for Oklahoma LTC

    Brad Underwood, CEO of Voyage LTC, joins Our Purpose Podcast to share his leadership journey, the culture behind Voyage LTC, and the challenges facing long-term care in Oklahoma. In this conversation, Brad opens up about turning around distressed nursing homes, building trust with frontline staff, leading with vulnerability, and creating a culture where employees feel seen, supported, and valued. He also shares the heart behind Voyage Cares, VCamp, and the VIP Awards, programs designed to invest in employees beyond the workplace. Brad also discusses the difficult realities facing Oklahoma long-term care, including reimbursement challenges, regulatory pressure, and why local operators must continue fighting for residents, staff, and community-based care. This episode is a powerful look at what happens when leadership, culture, purpose, and advocacy come together in long-term care.

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Our Purpose! The LTC Podcast explores the evolving world of long-term healthcare. Each episode brings together voices from across the industry—leaders, practitioners, innovators, and advocates—to share insights, experiences, and solutions that shape the future of care. Our mission is simple: to collaborate, learn, and inspire positive change. By highlighting stories, strategies, and innovations, we aim to uplift and encourage improved patient outcomes and a stronger healthcare community. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, caregiver, policymaker, or simply someone who wants to better understand the long-term care landscape, this podcast offers valuable conversations that matter.

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