What does it mean to lead with both heart and clinical precision?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara sits down with Dr. Robert Russell, Chief Medical Officer at Majestic Care, whose journey into geriatrics was anything but planned and entirely purpose-driven. From a chance rotation that changed his career path to the powerful lessons learned during the pandemic, Dr. Russell shares how authentic leadership in healthcare starts with listening, advocating, and never forgetting the people at its center.

With warmth and candor, he explores the changing face of long-term care, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and why every Resident deserves to feel seen, heard, and valued.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How a pediatric dream evolved into a purpose in geriatrics
• The role of advocacy in delivering exceptional care
• Why vulnerability is a strength for healthcare leaders

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:43) What inspired Dr. Russell to become a physician

(02:55) From pediatrics to geriatrics: how his path shifted

(04:49) What makes long-term care fulfilling and different

(07:50) The reality of forgotten populations in care

(10:10) Leadership during the pandemic and staying human

(12:42) How caregiving changed post-COVID

(14:35) Balancing innovation with compassion

(17:18) Why empathy and communication should be taught in care training

(19:59) How Dr. Russell stays grounded in the work

(22:50) A personal story that reminded him why this work matters

(25:46) Keeping connection and dignity at scale across communities

(30:50) Advice for new long-term care leaders

(34:31) What the future of caregiving should look like

(39:31) How to inspire excellence without expecting perfection

(42:02) Final encouragement for the care community

Excellence in long-term care can begin when someone is willing to challenge norms.

In this episode, host Chelsey Gheyara is joined by Majestic Care’s CEO, Paul Pruitt, and Jeannie Sage, an industry-leading executive in nursing leadership, for a conversation that peels back the layers of real change inside nursing facilities. From removing traditional nurse stations to hiring an epidemiologist, Jeannie shares the bold decisions that helped turn around a struggling building.

Along the way, she speaks to the role of compassion, connection, and clinical depth in transforming outcomes and restoring dignity to care.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How antipsychotic use dropped through personalized care
• Why rethinking care teams improved resident engagement
• What happened when the dementia unit became more human-centered

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:23) Meet Jeannie Sage

(01:17) The Moment That Sparked Jeannie’s Nursing Journey

(02:57) Family Lessons In Advocacy And Dignity

(04:09) Turning Around A Facility In Crisis

(05:16) Hiring An Epidemiologist Instead Of Following Tradition

(07:25) Putting Residents First In Every Decision

(09:36) Compassion As Action And Calling

(12:25) Building Clinical Excellence In Nursing Homes

(15:52) Why Nursing Students Overlook Long-Term Care

(17:59) Challenging The Mindset Of We Have Always Done It This Way

(19:54) Supporting Care Teams And Addressing Mental Health

(24:11) The Quiet Honor Of Being There At Life’s End

(26:49) Transforming Dementia Units Into True Homes

(32:03) Rebranding Long Term Care And Embracing Innovation

(37:20) Building Safe Teams And Living Core Values

(41:03) What Excellence In Leadership Really Means

What if the key to excellent resident care isn’t just better systems but better support for the people who provide it?

In this episode, you’ll hear how leadership rooted in empathy can transform lives. Join host Chelsey Gheyara as she sits down with Paul Pruitt, CEO of Majestic Care, and Brandi Thompson, Executive Director of Majestic Care of Newburgh. Together, they open up about their own journeys from bedside to leadership and the crucial truth they’ve learned along the way: when we pour into our care team members, they’re empowered to pour into our residents.

This conversation honors the human connection at the heart of long-term care and reminds us all that no role is ever “just” anything when it's excellently led with the heart.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How true leadership starts with listening and showing up
• Why supporting caregivers in their own homes improves their care at work
• What happens when failure is treated as a path to growth

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:30) Meet Paul Pruitt & Brandi Thompson

(02:15) Brandi’s inspiration for entering senior care

(03:30) Brandi’s “aha” moment & knowing her purpose

(04:30) Transitioning from therapist to administrator

(06:15) Leading by example: Scrubs on, hands-on care

(07:30) Compassionate leadership at Majestic

(08:15) Becoming an agency-free building

(09:30) Pouring into leaders and changing culture

(14:00) Supporting care team members and their families

(17:30) Learning from failure: Earning your leadership stripes

(20:30) Advice for new administrators in long-term care

(27:15) Standing up for residents’ rights during the survey

(34:00) What excellence in care and leadership really means