As financial pressures mount for skilled nursing operators, many are finding that value-based care is more than just the catalyst for improved patient outcomes: it’s also the key to achieving long-term financial stability. This is the main focus of the latest installment of RETHINK: a podcast on the future of the skilled nursing industry. In the episode, Jack Silverstein of Skilled Nursing News is joined by two guests: Amy Kaszak, Curana Health’s Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and Armando Guzman, Chief Population Health Officer for Cantex. Together, Amy and Armando discuss all things value-based care, exploring the benefits for operators, the wins that Cantex has seen in its partnership with Curana, and why operators who think of value-based care as something in the future need to realize that the opposite is likely true: they’re probably already in it. Tune in today!

Joining us on today’s episode of RETHINK from Skilled Nursing News is Tom McClelland, Chief Technology Officer at CarDon & Associates, which operates 20 senior living communities and affiliated health care services throughout Indiana. Tom is a military veteran who served in Iraq, where he specialized in developing knowledge management solutions and technology for the Army as a Warrant Officer. Don’t miss this exciting episode!

In the latest episode of RETHINK, Trilogy Health Services Chief Medical Officer Dr. Andrew McNamara shares his perspective on the company's value-based care strategy, common misunderstandings around Medicare Advantage, ideas for simplifying MA processes, and how to address rising resident acuity. Trilogy operates over 134 senior living communities across five states, with many offering the full continuum of care, including skilled nursing.

In this episode of RETHINK, CEO Kimberly Green shares her journey that led to her founding Sage Integrated Health this year. Green has been in the skilled nursing industry for decades, formerly as Chief Operating Officer at the Diakonos Group. Sage Integrated Health serves the Greater Tulsa and Oklahoma City markets. Green spoke with SNN about her new venture, and what it has been like to start a new nursing home business amid ongoing staffing shortages, shifting policy trends and an industry evolving in real time. Our full interview also offers wide-ranging insights on Medicaid cuts, value-based care and the future of reimbursement programs, among other hot-button topics. Subscribe to the Rethink Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

Joining us on this episode of Rethink, the Skilled Nursing News podcast, is Eric Palm, Chief Growth Officer at Provider Partners Connect Care. At 35, Eric is part of a new generation of health care executives shaping the future of long-term care with a blend of innovation, empathy, and real-world experience. Provider Partners Connect Care is a value-based care organization focused exclusively on long-term care. Its High-Needs ACO REACH program is a purpose-built value-based care solution created specifically for Medicare beneficiaries with complex health conditions. Eric leads the program's growth. In today’s conversation, Eric shares how his team helps long-term care operators and clinicians make value-based care work in the real world, and addresses some of the common misconceptions that still surround the model. Tune in now!

In this episode of Rethink, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Zach Cattell, newly appointed President and CEO of Cardon & Associates, a second-generation, family-owned company operating 20 senior living communities and affiliated health care services throughout Indiana. With a background in health care law and public policy, Zach brings more than two decades of leadership experience in long-term care, regulatory strategy, and value-based health care innovation. Cattell discusses Cardon’s achievements thus far in 2025, including strong census numbers and success in value-based purchasing as well as the company's biggest challenges, such as Indiana’s shift to full Medicaid managed care. He also outlines key performance targets as well as investments in new service lines, pharmacy integration and workforce initiatives.

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Dr. Robert Russell, Chief Medical Officer for Majestic Care. Russell touched on survey changes set to take effect, shared his thoughts on the legal decision concerning the federal staffing mandate, and shared why he thinks embracing technology is key to meeting an evolving clinical landscape. Tune in now!

Joining us on today's episode of RETHINK is Jessie McGill, Senior Curriculum Development Specialist of the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing, or AAPACN, which represents more than 20,000 post-acute care nurses and professionals. In this interview, Jessie discusses the Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program, provides the ins and outs of how this program is progressing, and lays out the strategies and tools that SNF leaders can use to be successful.

In this episode of Rethink, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Keith Persinger, CEO of Provider Partners Connect Care, about how providers can navigate the evolving skilled nursing payment landscape and capitalize on value-based care. Persinger also explains how Provider Partners Connect Care’s High-Needs ACO REACH program helps long-term care operators and physicians enhance care, reduce hospitalizations, and share in financial rewards—without added risk or complexity.

Bernie McGuinness, CEO, Journey Skilled Nursing by Skilled Nursing News

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Aimee Middleton, chief operating officer at the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, one of the largest non-profit providers of senior care and services, including skilled nursing. The Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Good Samaritan Society has 200 locations in 17 states currently. Middleton spoke about ongoing staffing challenges and how her organization is countering these through technology-based efficiencies and creative workforce solutions that include an exciting Administrator-in-Training program as well as a CNA-retention program.

Bob Lane, Director, Long-term Care & Senior Living, Forvis Mazars by Skilled Nursing News

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Barb Clapp, CEO of Dwyer Workforce Development, which has been training and placing workers in partner nursing homes – a footprint that is fast growing. Since the program’s inception in 2021, Dwyer Workforce Development has trained around 6,000 CNAs, according to Clapp.

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Rick Matros, CEO of Sabra Healthcare REIT. Matros, who has served as CEO for Sabra since May 2010, discussed the challenges in skilled nursing financing, why Medicaid rates are expected to remain high through 2025, and the REIT’s focus on innovative providers along with tech pilots to enhance operations.

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Neil Pruitt, chairman and CEO of PruittHealth, which has been expanding and diversifying at a steady pace with more facilities and new services lines, and no plans to downsize. “We always say we don't sell. We buy and we build,” he told Skilled Nursing News.

The next episode of our podcast, Rethink, is now available! In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Clifton J. Porter II. Clif very recently was tapped by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living to be its next president and CEO starting this fall; he currently serves as the association’s senior vice president of government relations. He expressed excitement to put unique solutions in front of policymakers as part of his new position, while also reflecting on how lobbying for the sector has changed since the pandemic. Subscribe to the Rethink Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Derek Prince, president and CEO of HMG Healthcare. HMG oversees 37 post-acute care facilities across Texas and Kansas. Derek is one of the Texas operators leading the American Health Care Association’s lawsuit against federal agencies, seeking to rescind the staffing rule. Derek has also served as a board member for the Texas Health Care Association since 2005. Subscribe to the Rethink Podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Listen today!

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Michael Bailey, president and CEO of American Health Partners. Mike discusses the company’s growing TruHealth division, a proactive team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants providing coordinated care at the bedside, and other top-of-mind challenges to the sector including survey changes and the finalized federal staffing mandate.

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Eran Arden, Chief Executive Officer and Founder at RESTORE-Skills, which recently launched a new platform to enable skilled nursing operators to improve efficiency, make data-driven decisions, and enhance productivity. Arden, who began his career in digital marketing in Israel, says that in the “post PDPM world,” nursing home operators must foster collaboration between skilled nursing teams; using data to form a unified view of the patient process across multidisciplinary teams.

In this episode, Skilled Nursing News speaks with Nicole Pretre, president and CEO of Cedar Community, a 5-campus community with skilled nursing. Nicole says that while often overlooked, employee surveys have turned out to be turnover busters. While time intensive, they have been effective tools, alongside other workforce initiatives, in allowing clear communication and addressing employee needs to the point that agency use at Cedar Community has been drastically reduced. Listen to the episode to learn more about how Cedar Community has been able to improve retention amid a tumultuous period for labor across the sector.