How can a life change when you show someone in need real, genuine care?

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, host Chelsey Gheyara is joined by Jerald Cosey, an independent consultant and the architect behind Majestic Care’s Administrator in Training (AIT) program. From his start in pharmaceuticals to becoming a CNA and now shaping the future of long-term care leaders, Jerald’s journey is filled with service, grit, and a deep love for people.

Together with the Majestic Care CEO, Paul Pruitt, they explore servant leadership, building mission-driven teams, and the power of staying connected to the floor. Jerald shares personal stories of helping a Resident in need that reflect his belief: Everything starts with people.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why every AIT in the program earns their CNA
• A behind-the-scenes look at Majestic Care’s hands-on AIT model
• The CEO mindset and how to grow through what you go through

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:31) How Jerald went from pharma to senior care

(02:56) The impact of volunteering in a nursing home

(04:05) Why Jerald became a CNA

(08:43) What makes Majestic Care’s AIT program different

(10:25) Why every team should write their own mission

(13:55) How Jerald prepares new administrators to lead

(14:46) What Jerald gained by entering long-term care

(19:42) How the field has changed after the pandemic

(21:47) The hardest moment of Jerald’s career

(24:22) How the AIT program builds confidence and community

(27:33) A lesson in self-awareness from Paul’s story

(30:53) How to lead with humility and grow from failure

(34:10) Why no one should lead alone

(36:37) What true leadership looks like in a care community

(39:42) What excellence means to Jerald

In this episode of Hearts of Excellence, we are joined by Gregg Fuller, Senior Executive Director at Majestic Care. With over two decades of experience, Gregg reflects on his journey from being a CNA to achieving multiple deficiency-free surveys across challenging long-term care settings.

They discuss the mindset it takes to lead with both empathy and structure, the importance of understanding every Resident’s story, and why excellence in care starts with consistency every single day. Gregg also opens up about the emotional impact of working with behavioral health Residents and how fostering strong team relationships has transformed care environments.

This is a conversation about heart, leadership, and what it means to truly show up for your Residents and your team.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Creating consistency to achieve deficiency-free status
• A fresh perspective on “behaviors” in behavioral health
• How AI can support, not replace, relationship-based care

Highlights:

(00:00) Introduction

(01:14) Celebrating two consecutive deficiency-free surveys

(03:31) From CNA at Purdue to Executive Director

(07:50) The power of compassion in behavioral health

(10:49) Mental rehab, not just medical rehab

(13:10) Building trust and structure for Residents to thrive

(16:15) A leadership lesson from a young Resident

(17:31) Using AI to focus on what matters most

(23:51) How to maintain a deficiency-free culture

(29:10) Learning from failure and blending cultures

(34:01) A Care Team member’s journey from housing insecurity to success

(41:56) Advice for new leaders in long-term care

(42:28) Gregg’s definition of excellence

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