Sean Stevenson, SVP of Operations, Genesis HealthCare

Today’s guest is Sean Stevenson. Sean a Senior Vice President for Operations with Genesis HealthCare, and responsible for Genesis’s 110 skilled nursing facilities in New England. Sean is an alumnus of the University of New Hampshire and holds a degree in Health Management and Policy, which of course is my department. In this interview, Sean talks about his journey in the long-term care field and all the rewards and challenges it presents. Sean and I both share the opinion that the long-term care field is underappreciated for the opportunity it represents to young people who are interested in a meaningful career in healthcare. 

Anchor: 

Abridged version: https://anchor.fm/healthleaderforge/episodes/Sean-Stevenson--SVP-of-Operations-for-New-England--Genesis-HealthCare-Abridged-egra7o

Full length version: https://anchor.fm/healthleaderforge/episodes/Sean-Stevenson--SVP-of-Operations-for-New-England--Genesis-HealthCare-egra6v

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377 

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQWg8zGeYwk

Podcast Outline (Applies to full-length recording)
Time     Topic
0:01:28 Majoring in health management - a vision of managed care
0:05:38 discovering long term care by accident
0:11:06 starting in Long Term Care as a business office manager
0:14:57 pursuing an Adminstrator in Training (AIT) opportunity
0:17:08 what is an AIT
0:21:21 organizational structure of a skilled nursing facility
0:24:43 first role as an Administrator - empty briefcase
0:29:01 learning by experience and mistakes - learning to hold people accountable
0:30:40 how should young leaders establish credibility
0:33:18 categories of patients
0:38:27 industry shift from custodial care to rehabilitation
0:40:52 70-80% of patients are on Medicaid
0:43:01 traditional long term care - activities of daily living (ADLs)
0:45:09 memory support/dementia care
0:45:36 mental health/behavioral units and recovery
0:47:16 skilled nursing vs. assisted living
0:49:01 moving up to managing multiple facilities
0:53:36 developing a skill at improving organizations - "API"
0:57:31 moving on, becoming a regional vice president with 6 buildings
1:01:42 adding multiple states to his portfolio - policy and culture diversity - 18 buildings
1:05:18 how did leadership style evolve with a larger portfolio
1:08:43 surviving corporate acquisitions - acquired by Genesis
1:11:10 promoted to senior vice president with Genesis - 110 buildings
1:14:43 standardization efforts within the system
1:17:50 using management metrics
1:19:16 a day in the life of Sean Stevenson
1:21:22 how his role fits into Genesis's other operations
1:23:29 consolidation trends in long term care
1:25:16 financial challenges of LTC despite demographics
1:30:34 being creative around labor
1:33:58 what keeps him up at night
1:35:59 shaping corporate culture
1:39:58 leadership philosophy
1:44:12 why long term care as a career?

Links to Topics Discussed

Genesis HealthCare

Health Management and Policy

Winning by Jack Welch

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Thomas C. Lavallee, COO, Alliance Health Management Services

Today’s guest is Thomas Lavallee, the Chief Operating Officer of Alliance Health Management Services. As the COO of Alliance Health Management Services, Tom oversees four skilled nursing facilities that provide both short term rehabilitation and long term care. In his role, Tom is charged with both running the day-to-day operations of the organization as well as exploring growth opportunities.

In this podcast we talk about Tom’s 25 year journey in skilled nursing and long term care, and discuss the future of both the industry and his organization.

I really enjoyed my conversation with Tom because he gives a view of the competitive nature of the long term care market and how the health reform is impacting the industry. He makes a compelling argument for early careerists to consider the field of long term care. I have produced two versions of this podcast – an extended version that includes are complete conversation, and an abridged version.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: 

Extended version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/thomas-c-lavallee-coo-alliance-health-management-services

Abridged version:  https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/abridged-thomas-c-lavallee-coo-alliance-health-management-services

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/p56X84xp2j4

Transcript of the interview is here.

Podcast Outline (this timeline refers to the extended version)

Time         Topic

0:01:44 education
0:02:44 working with individuals with intellectual disabilites
0:04:37 Social Worker - LSW-A, Liberty Commons
0:10:27 Director of Social Services, Liberty Commons
0:12:37 Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
0:14:25 becoming the Administrator for Liberty Commons
0:17:18 making the transition from supervisor to manager
0:19:53 most difficult part of becoming an administrator
0:20:43 organizational transitions, seeking growth
0:24:10 transition for for-profit/family-owned to not-for-profit
0:26:02 becoming the VP of Operations for Oakwood Living Centers
0:26:44 leading through a corporate bankruptcy
0:30:29 transferring to Radius through the bankruptcy process
0:33:44 managing multiple facilities
0:36:23 LTC - a people business
0:37:13 when did he know he was committed to LTC?
0:38:09 Regional Director for Radius
0:39:31 the Radius portfolio
0:40:09 starting a new facility
0:42:49 skilled nursing vs. assisted living
0:45:38 VP of Operations for Radius
0:47:09 senior leadership team at Radius
0:48:11 Alliance Health Management Services
0:52:00 foster care services
0:53:03 finding organizational synergies
0:54:06 role of COO, Alliance Health Management Services
0:56:22 plans for growth
0:57:35 extensions of the business - home health, hospice
1:00:08 the changing nature of LTC
1:03:22 influence of ACOs on LTC
1:06:31 vertical integration into home health
1:07:28 competitive environment
1:08:39 sources of admissions
1:09:35 what makes a good LTC facility?
1:10:55 what makes a good nursing home administrator?
1:11:32 how has the industry changed?
1:12:37 strategic concerns around industry consolidation
1:13:54 leadership philosophy
1:14:56 what he looks for in a leader
1:16:48 organizational culture
1:18:19 mentors and mentorship
1:21:33 importance of certification and professional organizaitons
1:22:49 why LTC for an early careerist?

Links to Topics Discussed

Alliance Health Management Services

Bourne Manor

Liberty Commons

LSW-A

Worcester State

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

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Gary R. Ulicny, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, Shepherd Center

Today’s guest is Dr. Gary Ulicny, the President and CEO of the Shepherd Center. The Shepherd Center is a 152-bed not-for-profit specialty hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. The Center serves persons with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries and a variety of neuromuscular diseases. Services include intensive care, acute medical, acute rehabilitation, post acute and outpatient services. The Shepherd Center operates with a budget of over $190 million and over 1,400 employees.  During Gary’s 22-year tenure, the Shepherd Center was ranked one of the best rehabilitation hospitals in the nation for 14 years by US News & World Report, and is the largest hospital of its kind in the country.

In this podcast we talk about Gary’s career, starting with his early interest in special education, his move into psychology, and ultimately into rehabilitation medicine, with a detour early on as a commercial fisherman. 

I really enjoyed my conversation with Gary and I think early careerists can learn a lot from this wide-ranging conversation. I have produced two versions of this podcast - an extended version of the interview that includes our complete conversation and an abridged version. 

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: 

Extended version: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/gary-r-ulicny-president-and-ceo-of-the-shepherd-center

Abridged version:  https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/abridged-gary-r-ulicny-president-and-ceo-of-the-shepherd-center

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

YouTube: https://youtu.be/_fi7M8wj-Ec

Interview transcript is available here.

Podcast Outline (this timeline refers to the extended version)

Time       Topic

0:02:12 coming to special education at UNC
0:05:01 working with people with developmental disabilities
0:06:17 a detour into travel and commercial fishing
0:09:16 returning to graduate school courtesy of a water moccasin
0:10:44 Apalachian State and Western Carolina Center
0:12:15 Kansas State, Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior
0:18:22 Working in Supported Employment
0:19:22 Reflecting on early leadership experiences
0:22:06 Learning Services - Beginning in Traumatic Brain Injury
0:24:16 what is "applied behavior analysis"
0:25:01 acquired brain injury vs. congenital intellectual disability
0:27:45 Learning Services - Program director to Executive Director
0:28:59 establishing credibility with clinical coleagues
0:30:12 Wake Hospital System - Director of Rehabilitation Services
0:32:27 how does rehab services fit into the continuum of care?
0:33:19 Responsibilities as the director
0:34:01 Coming to Shepherd Center as President and CEO
0:36:10 why Shepherd? Why was he right for Shepherd?
0:38:32 Desensitization and lessons from being part of the "penis patrol"
0:40:30 changing the culture at Shepherd
0:42:22 Implementing Quint Studer's "Hardwiring Excellence" principles
0:45:39 culture of excellence
0:46:50 about the Shepherd Center
0:49:31 How do patients come to Shepherd?
0:51:25 the Shepherd Medical Staff
0:52:43 Shepherd Center research program
0:53:59 payer mix
0:55:22 average length of stay
0:56:04 Shepherd's service lines
0:57:46 leadership structure
0:59:21 strategy and decisions about growth
1:01:09 making capital expenditure decisions
1:02:20 sustaining culture during growth
1:04:20 how has the strategy process evolved over 22 years?
1:07:43 impact of health reform and the ACA
1:08:26 the role of the Board
1:10:49 quality and process improvement
1:12:15 how do people come to be on the board
1:13:22 leadership development at Shepherd
1:14:35 succession planning
1:17:05 separating work and home - worklife balance
1:19:11 advice to his past self - be a better listener
1:20:13 what was most surprising about role of CEO
1:22:03 leaderhsip philosophy
1:24:00 where did he learn his leadership skills?
1:24:56 leaderhsip lessons the hard way
1:25:56 what does he look for when hiring leaders?
1:26:53 how does he ensure leaders are using data to drive decisions
1:27:51 mentors and mentorship
1:29:54 the importance of giving good feedback
1:33:31 "connect the dots"
1:34:21 formal mentorship program
1:35:01 book recommendations
1:36:53 reflections on a career

Links to Topics Discussed

Shepherd Center

WakeMed Rehabilitation

Learning Services

University of Kansas Department of Applied Behavioral Science

Appalachian State University Department of Reading Education and Special Education

University of North Carolina School of Education

Quint Studer - Hardwiring Excellence

Jim Collins - Good to Great

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Luanne S. Rogers, President & CEO, The Courville Communities

Today’s guest is Luanne Rogers, the President and CEO of The Courville Communities, a long term care system in southern New Hampshire. The Courville Communities include two nursing homes, assisted living communities, and retirement apartments. The Courville Communities is a private, family owned organization, something that is becoming less common as corporations have come to dominate the competitive landscape.

In this podcast, Luanne talks about her thirty-year journey through a field that has gone through many changes. Her career began as a nursing assistant in Chicago, Illinois, working to put herself through college and has included working for privately owned facilities as well as national chains. I really enjoyed my conversation with Luanne. Her passion and commitment to the field is remarkable. 

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/luanne-s-rogers-president-ceo-the-courville-communities

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

Transcript: A transcript of the podcast is available here.

Links to Selected Topics Discussed

The Courville Communities

Kindred Healthcare

Loyola University

Genesis Healthcare

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Laura Curnan, Executive Director, High Point Village Retirement and Assisted Living Community

Today's guest is Laura Curnan, the Executive Director, High Point Village Retirement and Assisted Living Community in Enumclaw, Washington. Laura has been the Executive Director at High Point since 1990, coming to assisted living management after having worked in retirement community management.

In this podcast we talk about how assisted living works, what kind of services are provided, and how the industry fills a niche between retirement communities and nursing homes.

Laura talks about creating a community that is welcoming and comfortable for her residents, and that "brings retirement to life."

This was an educational interview for me because I personally have not had much exposure to the assisted living industry, but clearly this is an industry that will continue to grow in importance. Today there are over 30,000 assisted living facilities in the United States providing care for more than one million residents (SBDC), and it is poised to continue to grow with the aging of the Baby Boom generation.

Links to the Podcast:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/healthleaderforge/laura-curnan-executive-director-high-point-village-retirement-and-assisted-living-community

Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-health-leader-forge

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/healthleaderforge/id981989377

Links to Topics Discussed:

High Point Village

Village Concepts

American Health Care Association

Assisted Living Federation of America

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Patricia Cummings, Administrator, The Edgewood Centre

Today’s interview is with Tricia Cummings, the Administrator of The Edgewood Centre, a 150 bed family owned nursing home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Tricia received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Department of Health Management and Policy here at UNH. Tricia’s career story shows how early job experiences often generate skills that become critical later in one’s career, and that working hard every step of the way has its payoffs. In this podcast we talk about the road Tricia took to find her true passion – taking care of older adults. We also discuss how someone becomes a licensed nursing home administrator, the services offered by long term care facilities, the challenges and opportunities facing long term care today, and conclude with a discussion of opportunities for the early careerist who might be interested in pursuing a career in long term care.

Links to the Podcast:

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/healthleaderforge/episodes/Patricia-Cummings--Administrator-of-The-Edgewood-Centre-Unabridged-egra90

Stitcher: https://listen.stitcher.com/yvap/?af_dp=stitcher://episode/39991564&af_web_dp=https://www.stitcher.com/episode/39991564

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/patricia-cummings-administrator-of-the-edgewood/id981989377?i=1000348507636

The following times apply to the unabridged version of the podcast:

Time                               Topic

0:01:43	-	0:07:52	background and education
0:07:52	-	0:18:11	early career
0:18:11	-	0:29:17	Edgewood Centre
0:29:17	-	0:34:44	becoming a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator
0:34:44	-	0:57:48	Edgewood Structure and Services
0:57:48	-	1:11:33	Challenges of payment and Medicare/Medicaid
1:11:33	-	1:16:12	Thoughts on leadership and Culture
1:16:12	-	1:20:27	Thoughts on mentorship and growth
1:20:27	-	1:25:10	advice to early careerists

Links to Topics Discussed:

Department of Health Management and Policy

Harvard Pilgrim

MedBill

The Edgewood Centre

Tricia mentions previous guest, Kevin Callahan, CEO of Exeter Health Resources

New Hampshire Board of Nursing - Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)

New Hampshire Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators

NHA Examination for Nursing Home Administrators

Medicare - Long term care coverage

NH DHHS Medicaid Medical Eligibility Determination for Long Term Care