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Host: Jarvis T. Gray
Guest: Ellen Smalley, Owner of Creekside Health Coaching

Episode Summary:
Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Ellen Smalley of Creekside Health Coaching to explore best practices for growing a mission-driven health coaching business. Ellen shares her journey from exercise physiology and cardiac rehab to becoming a national board certified health coach. The conversation covers the unique value of health coaching, actionable strategies for business growth, and Ellen’s personal motivation rooted in family and caregiving.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Ellen’s Origin Story & Motivation
  • Lifelong passion for health and service.
  • Personal experiences (family loss to heart disease) shaped her drive to support clients in lifestyle changes.
• Client Experience: Ellen’s Approach
  • Starts with a vision of the client’s desired life six months out.
  • Incremental weekly tasks, regular check-ins, ongoing tweaks.
  • Programs typically span 3–6 months, emphasizing sustainable change.
• Alignment of Personal and Professional Values
  • Focus on stress management and support for parents/caregivers, especially those with neurodivergent children.
  • Ellen’s personal story as a working mom resonates with her clientele.
• Business Goals & Strategies
  • Ellen’s recent emphasis on business growth (post-board certification).
  • Key business goal: Networking with clinics, therapists, and referral partners.
  • Website improvements (adding referral forms) to streamline collaborations.
  • Importance of setting quarterly, written goals for business focus (finance, faith, family, fitness suggested by Jarvis).
• Lead Generation & Conversion
  • Networking via platforms like Alignable, local events, and direct outreach.
  • Workshop/webinar strategy: Hosting regular events to establish expertise and build traction.
  • Create a detailed client avatar to target marketing and partnership efforts.
  • Joint ventures with relevant service providers (e.g., therapists, diet services, interior organizers).
  • Use of automated systems (CRM/Square) for appointment reminders and touchpoints.
  • The power of personal follow-up calls for conversions—human connection trumps automation.
• Quarterly Goal Setting
  • Structure goals around business growth, lead gen, conversion, and service delivery.
  • Adjust strategies to fit around work and life commitments.

Actions & Advice for Health Coaching Entrepreneurs

• Set clear, quarterly business goals.
• Build repeatable workshop/webinar processes.
• Leverage personal stories—value-driven follow-up is key for conversion.
• Build referral networks across complementary professions.
• Use CRM tools to automate, but always prioritize genuine human connections.
• Develop a detailed client avatar for clarity in marketing and partnerships.

Connect with Ellen Smalley

• Website:

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In this inspiring episode, host Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Alyssia Crews, a healthcare executive with a rich background in healthcare operations and oncology leadership. Alyssia opens up about her personal journey into healthcare, lessons learned from mentors, overcoming adversity, and the role of emerging technologies like AI in modern leadership.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Alyssia’s Leadership Philosophy:
  Alyssia shares her go-to Maya Angelou quote and how making others feel valued forms the core of her approach—emphasizing relationships and compassion at all levels.
• From Sports Management to Oncology:
  Alyssia reveals how an unexpected opportunity sparked her career in healthcare, and how personal loss led her to specialize in oncology, combining passion and purpose in her work.
• Climbing the Leadership Ladder:
  Strategies that fueled Alyssia’s progression from operational roles to executive, including seizing stretch assignments, building mentor relationships, embracing challenging tasks, and seeking out developmental opportunities.
• The Power of AI in Healthcare Leadership:
  Alyssia discusses how AI tools, such as Copilot, are revolutionizing productivity—streamlining administrative tasks and allowing leaders to spend more quality time with their teams.
• Dealing with Adversity:
  Alyssia candidly describes a pivotal challenge she faced after losing her father, and what she learned about authenticity, empathy, and supporting team members through tough times.
• Mentorship and Influence:
  The impact of key mentors—especially Dr. Goodwin, whose calm leadership style and focus on relationship-building left a profound effect on Alyssia’s own approach.
• Current Trends & Challenges in Healthcare:
  Alyssia identifies workforce engagement and retention as the most pressing challenges, particularly post-pandemic. She discusses strategies her organization uses, including robust leadership development programs and tailored career summits.
• Celebrating Wins & Looking Ahead:
  Alyssia outlines her excitement for expanding cancer research programs and further developing her team. She emphasizes the importance of intentionally pausing to celebrate team accomplishments.

Rapid-Fire Insights

• What inspires Alyssia: Creating innovative solutions for patients and helping team members discover their own “passion plus purpose.”
• Best career advice: Be bold and proactive—don’t wait for opportunities to come to you.
• Biggest lesson: Building confidence to speak up sooner in meetings and not being afraid to share credit and collaborate.
• Recommended reads:
  • Who Moved My Cheese? (Spencer Johnson)
  • Hardwiring Flow in Healthcare (Quint Studer)
  • Anything by Simon Sinek

Connect with Alyssia

• LinkedIn: Alyssia Crews 

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray
Guest: Shlomit Liberty, Founder & Owner, Patient Path NYC

Episode Summary

In this engaging episode of the Excellence In Healthcare podcast, host Jarvis T. Gray spotlights small business innovation in healthcare by interviewing Shlomit Liberty, founder of Patient Path NYC—a unique independent patient advocacy service in New York City. Shlomit delves into her journey from clinical healthcare roles at leading hospitals to building her company focused on helping patients and families navigate complex hospitalizations and transitions.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Shlomit’s Background & Inspiration
  • Decade-plus experience as a medical speech language pathologist in top hospitals in NYC and California.
  • Firsthand experience with families overwhelmed by unexpected hospitalizations inspired her to launch Patient Path NYC (“personal medical crisis manager”).
• Independent Patient Advocacy: What Is It?
  • Board Certified Patient Advocate — how the role differs from traditional hospital-based advocates.
  • The independent advocate works only for the patient and their family (not hospitals/insurance), empowering informed healthcare decisions without giving medical advice.
• Services Offered by Patient Path NYC
  • Bedside support during hospital stays.
  • Medical chart reviews, translation of complex medical language, and direct communication with care teams.
  • Community education: Talks and workshops for the public, caregivers, assisted living staff, and healthcare providers.
• Business Insights & Strategies
  • Challenges: Low public awareness of independent advocacy and timing—families often discover services too late.
  • Marketing advice: Building “customer avatars” to identify and target ideal clients, whether aging individuals or caregivers navigating complex care for loved ones.
  • Recommendations for expanding reach through educational movements, lifestyle integration, partnerships, and potential consulting/licensing models for healthcare organizations.
• Scaling Thoughtfully
  • Shlomit discusses scaling her business while maintaining intimacy and quality of service.
  • Establishing strategic partnerships with elder care lawyers, social workers, and physicians.

Actionable Advice & Takeaways

• Patient Advocacy Is for Everyone
  • Not just for seniors—vital support for younger patients, caregivers, and families through unexpected health crises.
• Build Awareness Early
  • Proactive education can prevent missed opportunities for advocacy.
• Strategic Growth
  • Document partnerships, develop targeted marketing, and consider consulting/lifecycle service models for broader impact.

Connect with Shlomit Liberty & Patient Path NYC

• Website: patientpathnyc.com
• Email: shlomit@PatientPathNYC.com
• LinkedIn:

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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In this episode, host Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Dr. Daija Smith for a lively and insightful conversation about leadership, career growth, and the future of healthcare. Dr. Smith shares her unique journey—from an accidental start in healthcare to becoming the first doctor in her family—and discusses the leadership philosophies that guide her work and life. Together, they explore current trends like artificial intelligence, the importance of mentorship, maintaining boundaries, and leading with integrity and authenticity.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Leadership Mindset & Quotes:
  Dr. Smith introduces her signature “Be GREAT” mantra (Genuine, Resilient, Eager, Ambitious, Tenacious) and talks about the difference between management and leadership: “Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.”
• Personal Journey:
  Dr. Smith shares how a mix-up in high school placed her on the healthcare path, the influence of her mother’s health challenges, and how mentors opened doors along her career.
• Current Role & Organizational Impact:
  Serving as senior advisor for system nursing operations (without being a nurse herself), Dr. Smith discusses bridging clinical and business operations and supporting leaders across a large health system.
• Emerging Trends:
  The duo dives deep into the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare operations, workforce planning, and communication. Dr. Smith offers practical ways she leverages AI daily to communicate more effectively across different roles.
• Mentorship & Influence:
  Dr. Smith shares how mentorship has been critical to her development, emphasizing the importance of finding multiple mentors and using her voice to advocate for others.
• Challenges & Opportunities:
  Health equity stands out as a pressing challenge, especially when it comes to cost and access. On the opportunity front, AI and organizational engagement in community health are spotlighted.

Rapid Fire Insights

• What inspires her: Her family, particularly her younger sisters, and the importance of being a role model.
• How she inspires others: By creating a vulnerable, safe environment and supporting authenticity.
• Best career advice: “Take up space, speak up, and trust that evolution is necessary.”
• Biggest lesson: The importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing rest early in one’s career.

Connect with Dr. Daija Smith

• Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Daija Smith

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with actionable leadership wisdom, inspiring stories, and practical strategies for thriving in healthcare. Whether you’re an up-and-coming leader or a seasoned executive, Dr. Daija Smith’s story and insights are sure to motivate you on your own leadership path.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the show! Connect with Jarvis and Dr. Smith on LinkedIn, and tune into future episodes for more conversations on excellence in

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Hosts: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Soulara Sevier, Founder & CEO, Soul Reiki Health Beauty and Wellness

Ready to elevate your approach to leadership and wellness in healthcare?

In this inspiring episode of the Excellence in Healthcare podcast, hosts Jarvis T. Gray and Soulara spotlight the transformative journey of Soulara Severe—nurse-turned-entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Soul Reiki Health Beauty & Wellness. Soulara shares how her experiences with burnout as a longtime nurse fueled her mission to bring holistic, human-first leadership solutions to healthcare executives and organizations.

Tune in as this episode dives into:

• Personal Transformation: How prioritizing self-care, energy mastery (Reiki), and holistic wellness can reshape healthcare leadership—starting from within.
• Business Growth Strategies: Real-world tips for building predictability in your consulting or coaching practice, with actionable advice on networking, partnerships, and event marketing.
• Leadership Values: The vital role of self-awareness, healthy communities, and the art of effective delegation for leaders who want to break cycles and drive meaningful change.
• Collaboration & Connection: Behind-the-scenes on how to cultivate powerful strategic alliances—and why building a business “ecosystem” is essential for serving executive and healthcare clients at the highest level.

Whether you’re a healthcare leader, executive, or entrepreneur seeking practical inspiration or real-world strategies to build a thriving, resilient culture—this conversation is for you.

Special Segment: Learn how to define your target client avatar, build your professional circle, and leverage event marketing to scale your impact—insights you won’t want to miss!

Follow, rate, and subscribe for more episodes featuring the brightest minds and most innovative disruptors in healthcare leadership. Connect with guest Soulara Severe on Instagram (@reikiwithsolara) and stay tuned for part two, where we’ll dive even deeper into her growth journey.

Excellence. Energy. Empathy. Transform how you lead, serve, and succeed—one episode at a time.

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Dr. Robert Pearl, Physician Leader, Author

In this transformative episode of the Excellence in Healthcare podcast, host Jarvis T. Gray sits down with renowned physician leader and author Dr. Robert Pearl for a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, innovation, and the future of healthcare. Dr. Pearl takes us on a journey through his storied career—from aspiring academic to his pivotal roles at Kaiser Permanente, and now as a leading voice for generative AI and systemic healthcare transformation. Whether you’re a clinical leader, healthcare entrepreneur, or anyone passionate about better patient outcomes, this episode delivers actionable insights for driving meaningful change.

Key Topics Discussed:

1. Dr. Pearl’s Professional Journey & Leadership Philosophy • Early influences and the serendipitous path from academia to medicine. • Lessons learned from leadership opportunities—often arriving unexpectedly. • The importance of heart-centered leadership: “No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.”
2. Transition from Clinician to Healthcare Executive • Facing personal trade-offs in leaving direct patient care for broader impact as CEO. • Reflections on service-driven versus self-driven motives in healthcare leadership. • Navigating crisis and change at Kaiser Permanente during times of financial uncertainty.
3. Transformative Trends in Healthcare • Generative AI as a game-changer for patients and providers. • The growing influence of small healthcare businesses in shaping value-based care. • Strategies for empowering patients, expanding access, and driving system-wide innovation.
4. Overcoming Challenges and Driving Cultural Change • Real examples of system redesign to focus on quality, coordination, and patient engagement. • The central role of leadership in overcoming fear and resistance to change. • Regulatory hurdles and practical steps toward implementation of new technologies.

Final Thoughts:

Dr. Pearl highlights that true healthcare transformation requires courage, vision, and the willingness to step through open windows of opportunity. With empowered clinicians, engaged patients, and the right technology, exponential improvements in quality and outcomes are within reach. As he looks forward to a future where 30% or more of healthcare embraces generative AI, he invites all leaders to join in shaping a system that truly delivers health—not just sick care—for everyone.

Contact Information:
• Connect with Dr. Robert Pearl: robertpearlmd.com
• Listen to the Fixing Healthcare podcast by Dr. Pearl (available on all major platforms)
• Connect with Dr. Pearl on LinkedIn
• Connect with Jarvis Gray on LinkedIn

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

Send us a text

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Shayla Higginbotham, Founder & Managing Partner, System Partners

Welcome back to the Excellence in Healthcare podcast! In this insightful episode, host Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Shayla Higginbotham—a dynamic healthcare leader, entrepreneur, and founder of System Partners—to unpack lessons in leadership, the evolving landscape of healthcare, and the power of strategic partnership.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• The Three L’s of Leadership
  • Shayla shares her foundational leadership mindset: Listen, Learn, and Lead. She explains how purposeful listening fuels learning and effective leadership, especially in uncertain times.
  • Bonus Tip: For teams, Shayla often says “Always think five steps ahead” to stay proactive in risk-planning and strategy.
• Career Journey & Entrepreneurship
  • Shayla walks us through her 20-year healthcare journey: From an administrative fellowship at Cone Health and hands-on service at Duke Health, to international consulting and leadership as a hospital CEO in Miami.
• The Evolving Role of AI in Healthcare
  • Shayla candidly discusses her early resistance and eventual embrace of artificial intelligence. She now sees AI and machine learning as essential tools for predictive analytics and accelerating patient care solutions.
• Pivotal Challenges & Lessons Learned
  • Shayla opens up about her toughest career transition—from hospital COO to a consulting manager at Deloitte. She emphasizes that humility, a willingness to “learn what not to do,” and resourcefulness from her West Virginia upbringing helped her succeed in new roles.
  • Advice: What got you to where you are may not get you to your next level. Stay adaptable and connected to your “why.”
• Mentorship & Influence
  • Shayla highlights the importance of never meeting a stranger and seeking wisdom from every level of an organization, especially frontline staff.
• Current Challenges & Opportunities in Healthcare
  • Challenge: Navigating rural health transformation and the uncertainty following major legislative changes (like the "One Big Beautiful Bill act").
  • Opportunity: Rethinking private equity’s disruptive—but potentially positive—role in healthcare, especially in expanding access and innovation.
• Looking Ahead
  • Shayla is excited about growing System Partners, expanding her We Win Wednesday LinkedIn series to showcase healthcare leaders, and getting more involved in mentorship, speaking, and panel opportunities.

Connect with Shayla Higginbotham & System Partners:

• Follow Shayla and System Partners on LinkedIn
• Check out the weekly We Win Wednesday series featuring inspiring healthcare leaders.

Final Thought Jarvis leaves us with a challenge: Use this episode as a chance to listen, learn, and go lead w

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Guest: Dr. Maxwell Muehleip (Founder, Maximal Wellness Clinic)
Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.

Episode Overview: This inspiring Small Business Spotlight features Dr. Maxwell  Muehleip, founder of Maximal Wellness Clinic in Tigard, Oregon. Dr. Max shares his journey from growing up with chiropractic care, to becoming a multifaceted practitioner with a focus on chiropractic, nutrition, and holistic wellness. Host Jarvis T. Gray and Dr. Max dive deep into healthcare entrepreneurship, work-life balance, business strategy, and how natural, patient-centered care can change lives.

Key Topics & Highlights:

• Dr. Max's Origin Story:
  Growing up seeing the value of chiropractic care in his family, Dr. Max discovered his passion for holistic health early on. 
• Choosing a Nontraditional Path:
  Dr. Max discusses why he opted for chiropractic and integrative nutrition instead of a conventional MD track, highlighting the personalized, hands-on approach and the flexibility to address the root causes of patient issues.
• Early Career Lessons:
  Insights from high-volume clinics and toxic business cultures reveal the importance of knowing your business inside out and building environments that support both patients and staff.
• Balancing Family and Business:
  Jarvis and Dr. Max swap stories and strategies for integrating work-life responsibilities. 
• Clinic Services and Unique Offerings:
  • Manual and instrument-assisted chiropractic adjustments
  • Myofascial cupping, gua sha, traction therapy
  • Nutrition counseling and over 240 wellness products
  • Innovative integrative program for IBS, IBD, Crohn’s, and colitis, blending clinical nutrition, functional medicine, and patient education.
• Growth & Marketing Strategies:
  • Launching targeted ads for his IBD/IBS program with strong engagement
  • Networking with local professionals, church groups, and through social platforms
  • Leveraging Google My Business and email marketing
  • Tips for gaining five-star reviews and improving clinic SEO

Actionable Takeaways:

• Optimize your business’s location and schedule to support both professional and family needs
• Build your brand around your personal values for authenticity and trust
• Diversify your services—add unique, evidence-based programs that solve high-impact patient problems
• Actively network, not just within your field, but among complementary professions and local organizations
• Use structured marketing approaches: strong value propositions, drip campaigns, consistent digital presence, and educational content
• Don’t be afraid to ask satisfied clients for reviews—especially at key happy moments!

Connect with Dr. Maxwell Mulet:

• Website: maximalwellness.com
• Instagram & Facebook: @MaximalWellnessClinic
• YouTube: Maximal Wellness Clinic

Dr. Max welcomes questions and loves sha

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode of Excellence in Healthcare, host Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Namita Azad, Senior Director of Transformation at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Together, they delve deep into digital transformation, human-centered systems, and the future of healthcare leadership.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Favorite Leadership Mindset
  • Namita shares her guiding leadership quote: “Success begins with enabling people to succeed” (Napoleon Hill), discussing the impact of designing systems that help people thrive and deliver their best.
• Journey into Healthcare
  • Namita details her unique background—born in India, raised in Botswana, and a professional career in both the Midwest and Northeast U.S.—and how it shaped her dedication to public health and transformation.
• Digital Transformation Explained
  • A practical, inclusive breakdown of what digital transformation means in healthcare: not just implementing technology, but equipping people across all levels with tools and shared vocabulary, with an emphasis on sustainability and empowerment.
• AI in Healthcare
  • Discussion about the buzz and potential of AI, and the importance of preparing staff with the right tools and understanding to harness AI effectively rather than fearing job displacement.
• Human-Centered Systems Transformation
  • Namita argues for putting people at the center of systems design, emphasizing the importance of ensuring technology fits workflows—rather than forcing people to adapt to ill-fitting tools.
• Advice for Leaders
  • Don't throw people at broken systems; instead, fix processes first and make data-driven decisions.
  • The value of KPIs and leading indicators when determining if additional resources are needed.
• Opportunities & Trends
  • The need for healthcare leaders to challenge the status quo—“This is how we’ve always done it”—and intentionally redesign processes with diverse, skilled teams.
• Celebrating Wins
  • Celebrating where true transformation happens: when staff across the organization tell their own stories of impact and innovation, especially around scaling AI initiatives at Columbia.

Connect with Namita Zag

• LinkedIn: Namita Azad

Action Steps for Healthcare Leaders

• Consider your own organization’s approach to digital transformation: is it truly empowering staff, or simply installing technology?
• Shift focus to human-centered system design—align people, process, and tech.
• Leverage data and KPIs before adding resources.
• Seek out leadership training in industries that exemplify operational and people excellence.
• Read Thinking in Systems and Outwitting the Devil for fresh perspectives.

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Christine Wersing, Owner of Soul Smart Coaching 

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Christine Wersing, founder of Soul Smart Coaching, for an in-depth conversation on business coaching, healthcare entrepreneurship, and building resilience among healthcare professionals. Christine shares her deeply personal story, including how adopting her neurodivergent daughter led her to become a licensed mental health professional, her journey through a major health setback, and how her experiences ultimately inspired her to launch her own coaching business focused on combating healthcare burnout.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Christine’s Personal and Professional Journey:
  • Adopted her daughter from Romania, who required therapeutic parenting due to severe neurodivergence.
  • Became a licensed professional counselor to fill gaps in the healthcare system for special needs families.
  • Overcame a severe stroke during the pandemic, which led her to pivot to online coaching.
• Soul Smart Coaching:
  • Christine specializes in coaching healthcare professionals, especially nurses, struggling with burnout.
  • She developed a new mastermind program designed to support and empower these frontline heroes.
  • Utilizes the "Aliveness Method," which integrates neuroscience and quantum science approaches for transformative results.
• Unique Coaching Approach:
  • Christine's methodology blends scientific principles and personal passion to create a "harmonizing" effect for clients.
  • Focus on self-mastery, empowerment, and fast, effective results—“working herself out of a job.”
• Business & Marketing Strategies:
  • Importance of personal storytelling in marketing; Christine’s journey is at the heart of her brand.
  • Identifying a clear target audience—bedside nurses, nurse assistants, and physician assistants.
  • The value of directly engaging with the target audience to inform service offerings.
  • Leveraging feedback to build services that truly meet clients’ needs, strengthening both impact and marketing.
• Aligning Values & Business:
  • Christine emphasizes integrity, alignment, and a mission-driven approach in her business, aiming for a worldwide impact on healthcare wellness culture.

Connect with Christine Wersing

LinkedIn: Christine Wirsing

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Hosted by: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Tracy Long, Owner of Shades of Resilience Counseling

In this insightful episode of the Excellence in Healthcare podcast, host Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Tracy Long, a clinical therapist and the founder of Shades of Resilience Counseling. The conversation focuses on Tracy’s entrepreneurial journey, her passion for serving Black men through mental health services, and practical business coaching strategies to scale her impact.

Key Discussion Points

1. Tracy’s Personal Journey Into Private Practice

• Tracy shares how the pandemic and personal life changes inspired her shift from university clinical work to opening her own private practice.
• The loss of her father and the resulting grief played a pivotal role in her understanding of therapy’s importance, especially in the Black and Brown community.

2. Specializing in Mental Wellness for Black Men

• Tracy reveals that her practice evolved from a broad focus on BIPOC clients to a mission centered on empowering Black men specifically.
• She describes her own negative first experience with therapy (with someone who didn’t represent her community), which influenced her empathetic and culturally aware approach to counseling.

3. Addressing Real-Life Stressors

• Common issues Tracy helps address include:
  • Depression, anxiety, and symptoms like sleep disruption or appetite changes.
  • Anger management, communication challenges, workplace and financial stress.
  • Navigating issues unique to Black men, such as workplace trauma, stereotypes, and the pressure to excel.

4. Values That Guide Tracy’s Practice

• Tracy leads from a place of lived experience, never asking clients to do what she hasn’t done herself.
• She strives for a power-balanced, compassion-centered engagement based on authenticity and mutual respect.

5. Building and Marketing a Signature Program

• Tracy discusses developing the "Resilient Man Blueprint," a proposed six- to eight-week program aimed at transformative growth for Black men.
• Jarvis advises breaking the program into distinct modules/parts, adding onboarding (“Week 0”) for expectation setting, and leveraging group coaching for peer accountability.
• They discuss marketing as a lifestyle change, a transformation, and a movement to break through to the target audience.

6. Business Advice and Event Marketing

• Jarvis highlights the effectiveness of event marketing (workshops, webinars, networking events) to reach and engage the target demographic.
• He suggests using consistent, value-driven events to both serve clients and gather insights for refining offerings before scaling with paid ads.

7. Next Steps for Tracy

• Tracy is motivated to refine her Resilient Man Blueprint into group and modular formats, enhance her event marketing, and define her client avatar more clearly for targeted outreach.

Connect with Tracy Long

• Websi

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Sabina Moise, Owner of Be Fit Consulting LLC

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, host Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Sabina Moise, an accomplished entrepreneur and health and wellness consultant, to discuss her journey in the fitness industry, the evolution of her business Be Fit Consulting LLC, and her approach to transformation and entrepreneurship in healthcare.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Sabina's Journey to Wellness Entrepreneurship:
  Sabina shares her personal journey from a wake-up call about her health to building a 20+ year career transforming lives through fitness, wellness, and consulting.
• The Genesis of Be Fit Consulting:
  She discusses how her own life-changing experience led her to help others by offering fitness training, consulting for hospitals and corporations, and supporting individual clients.
• Unique Approach & Services:
  Sabina provides weight transformation (loss/gain), body competitions (figure competitions), and integrates her love for food and cooking through speaking engagements and holistic fitness programs.
• Overcoming Business Challenges:
  Sabina and Jarvis go in-depth on moving from the structure of a gym to entrepreneurship, the difficulties of lead generation, and how the pandemic forced her to pivot her strategies.
• Target Clients & Customization:
  Sabina identifies her ideal clients as adults 35+, often with busy lifestyles and families. She customizes programs to fit into hectic schedules and focuses on discipline and sustainable habits over perfection.
• Lead Generation & Marketing:
  Jarvis provides coaching on defining client avatars, refining sales processes, tracking metrics, and targeting messaging to meet potential clients where they are—emotionally and practically.
• Events & Corporate Partnerships:
  Discussion includes hosting events, demos, and workshops as conversion tools, and exploring partnerships with corporations to expand reach and impact.
• Continuous Growth Mindset:
  Sabina emphasizes her commitment to staying dynamic and always improving her offerings for her clients while Jarvis encourages regular review and evolution of business strategies.

Mentioned Resources & Contact Info

• Be Fit Consulting LLC:
• Website: www.bfitconsultingllc.com
• LinkedIn: Sabina Moise, MBA

Notable Quotes

• "I started Be Fit Consulting with change in mind because I needed a change at one point, and I got the help that I needed." – Sabina Moise
• "The accountability in my program is really what sets me apart. It's really empowering that person." – Sabina Moise
• "Every 90 days, you gotta look at [your sales process], make sure it's working for you." – Jarvis T. Gray
• "My message is always: be the best version of yourself, and I can only be a better version of me." – Sabina Moise

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New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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 Episode Overview

In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray explores a crucial and often overlooked aspect of leadership development in healthcare: finding and nurturing future leaders before they take on the official title. Jarvis challenges the conventional wisdom that leadership is only for those already in formal positions and emphasizes the need for proactive, intentional investment in emerging talents already on your team.

Key Topics Covered

• Recognizing Leadership Potential Early
  • Leadership starts with posture, mindset, and potential—not a title.
  • Early signs: emotional intelligence, curiosity, ownership, and influence.
  • Real-life examples, such as a frontline phlebotomist quietly influencing her team.
• Essential Traits to Spot in Emerging Leaders
  • Coachability: How do they receive and act on feedback?
  • Accountability: Do they take responsibility, even when things go wrong?
  • Systems thinking: Can they connect dots and see patterns?
  • Collaboration: Are they building bridges and trust?
  • Growth mindset: Are they open to learning and uncomfortable conversations?
• How to Cultivate Future Leaders
  • The importance of early and intentional exposure (e.g., inviting staff to observe meetings, leading huddles, giving stretch projects).
  • Structured encouragement and mentorship make the biggest difference.
  • Example of a surgical tech whose leadership journey began with a small project and supportive coaching.
• Building a Culture of Leadership Development
  • Shift from HR owning leadership development to everyone being involved (managers, directors, executives, peers).
  • Make leadership development a part of job descriptions and performance metrics.
  • Celebrate leadership behaviors at every level, not just after a promotion.
  • Initiatives like monthly Leadership in Action awards to reinforce this culture.

Key Takeaways

• Leadership is a behavior, not a job title.
• Recognizing and developing leadership potential must be intentional—don’t wait for self-selection or job openings.
• Mentorship, feedback, and early exposure to leadership situations are game changers.
• Culture matters: organizations that celebrate and reward leadership growth at every level create stronger, more diverse pipelines.

Reflection Questions

• Who on your team already displays leadership qualities without the official title?
• What early development opportunities can you offer this week?
• Does your organization reward and recognize growth and leadership at every level?
• What changes can be made to embed leadership development into your culture?

Action Challenge

• Make a list of 2–3 people who show leadership potential and reach out to offer support or opportunity.
• Talk with your leadership team about your strategy for building your pipeline.
• Celebrate one emerging leader this week—especially if they're "not ready yet."

Connect with Jarvis:

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Episode Overview:

In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray dives deep into the essential role of mentorship in healthcare leadership. Drawing from personal experiences, real-world examples, and practical advice, Jarvis makes a compelling case for why mentorship isn’t just a “nice to have”—it's a non-negotiable part of developing confident, competent, and future-ready leaders in the healthcare space.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

• Mentorship as an Essential, Not Optional, Tool
  • Mentorship goes beyond tools or certifications—it humanizes leadership development and sustains culture, especially in times of change.
  • "Mentorship is where theory becomes practice. It's where confidence is built, and it's where legacy is passed forward."
• The Impact of Mentorship on Emerging Leaders
  • Mentors create safe environments for questions, vulnerability, and learning from mistakes.
  • Mentorship helps future leaders see their blind spots and accelerates their readiness to take on greater challenges.
• From Organic to Structured Mentorship
  • While informal mentorship is powerful, it can be inconsistent and limited by chance.
  • Well-designed, structured mentorship programs set expectations, provide support for mentors, and create equitable access for emerging leaders from all backgrounds.
• Mentorship as the Backbone of Succession Planning
  • Mentorship improves retention, reduces burnout, and helps organizations build internal pipelines for future leaders.
  • Mentees become mentors, creating a culture of leadership that outlasts individual careers.
• Mentorship Grows Both Mentor and Mentee
  • Mentors reflect on their own journeys and gain clarity and empathy.
  • Mentorship can re-anchor leaders to their mission and create a powerful sense of community and belonging.
• Invitation & Action Steps:
  • Reach out and thank a mentor who made a difference in your life.
  • Be present and intentional in your current mentoring relationships.
  • If you’re not involved in mentoring, reflect on what’s holding you back and consider stepping into the role, regardless of your title.

Quotes to Remember:

• “Mentorship isn’t just good for the mentee. It transforms the mentor, too.”
• “When we mentor well, we lead well. And when we lead well, we build a future for healthcare together.”

Resources & How to Connect:

• Connect with Jarvis T. Gray on LinkedIn to share your mentorship stories or inquire about building a mentorship program in your organization.
• For support, tools, and frameworks to launch or enhance a mentorship program, reach out to the Excellence in Healthcare team.

Next Steps:

• Reflect: Think about a mentor who guided you and reach out with appreciation.
• Engage: Show up for your mentees with extra presence this week.
• Act: Consider stepping into mentorship and making a difference for someone else if you haven’t already.

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Dr. Philip Alberti, Founding Director, AAMC Center for Health Justice

Episode Summary

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Dr. Philip Alberti, a leader in health equity and public health strategy. Dr. Alberti shares his journey from a public health background into the world of academic medicine, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, collaborative leadership, and building trust between healthcare organizations and the communities they serve.

Key discussions include shifting perceptions of organizational trustworthiness, the pivotal role of healthcare in multi-sector partnerships, and practical advice for leaders committed to health equity.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Leadership as Partnership: Dr. Alberti believes in leading through collaboration and transparency, ensuring all voices are heard in the decision-making process.
• Health Justice & Career Inspiration: His longstanding passion for community-partnered science and public health led him to help build out the AAMC Center for Health Justice.
• Evolving Healthcare Trends: The conversation is shifting from communities needing to trust healthcare to organizations having to prove their trustworthiness through transparency and accountability.
• Building Community Trust: Addressing mistrust isn't just about historical wrongdoing; current harms and misinformation are active challenges. Strategies must be customized to diverse communities.
• Authentic Community Engagement: True impact comes from genuine, locally-relevant partnerships—moving beyond checklists and towards meaningful, sustained dialogue and coordination.
• Personal Growth & Career Lessons: Dr. Alberti reflects on pivotal moments in his career, the value of following one's passion, and lessons from mentors (including his barber father).
• Challenges & Opportunities: Healthcare shouldn’t shoulder the full burden of addressing social determinants of health alone. The opportunity lies in fostering robust, multi-sector partnerships.
• Inspiration & Motivation: Dr. Alberti draws inspiration from collective good, family, and the drive to leave a positive mark for future generations.

Rapid-Fire Insights

• Best Career Advice: Follow your passion and ensure partnerships are mutually beneficial.
• What Would He Change?: He'd consider adding clinical experience (such as a nursing degree) to further inform his public health work.
• Recommended Reading: "Artie the Smarty" — a childhood story that highlights perseverance and impact.

Resources & Links

• AAMC Center for Health Justice: aamc.org
• AAMC CHARGE Collaborative: Open to all interested in health equity; details and signup on the Center’s website.
• Connect with Dr. Philip Alberti:

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New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Episode Overview:
In this episode, Jarvis T. Gray dives deep into what truly makes a healthcare leadership program effective, moving far beyond basic workshops or compliance certificates. Jarvis shares lessons from the field and the three pillars that set great programs apart: clarity, structure, and sustainability. You’ll hear practical advice and stories that can help you build—or revitalize—a leadership development initiative that delivers real change in people, teams, and patient outcomes.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Common Pitfalls in Leadership Programs:
   • Why so many programs have good intentions but little real impact
   • Examples of why programs lose momentum and fade away
2. The Three Essential Pillars of Effective Leadership Development:
   • Clarity:
     • Define the specific kind of leaders you need
     • Align your program with organizational strategy and culture
     • Set clear leadership competencies and measurable outcomes
     • Example: A rural health center’s six competency model
   • Structure:
     • Build programs for real-life application
     • Blend knowledge (theory), practice (application), and reflection
     • Importance of multi-level support and integrated learning
     • Protecting time for growth
   • Sustainability:
     • Strategies to maintain momentum after the program ends
     • Systems for accountability, coaching, and peer support
     • Measuring behavior change and organizational impact
     • Real-world improvement: decreased conflict, increased satisfaction, and lower turnover
3. Practical Reflection Questions & Challenges:
   • Is your team clear on the kind of leadership you’re building?
   • Is your development integrated into daily work or just an “extra”?
   • What’s missing in your current approach—and what will you do about it?

Action Steps and Takeaways:

• Reflect: What one element is missing from your current leadership development approach?
• Act: Choose an idea from the episode, start a conversation, propose a change, or design something new.
• Share: If the conversation sparked ideas, connect with Jarvis on LinkedIn to keep building together.

Connect with Jarvis T. Gray:

• LinkedIn (reach out and share your wins, challenges, or what’s working in your organization)

Quotes:

• “Leadership development must serve your organizational strategy.”
• “Blend learning with practice and reflection. Get buy-in from every level.”
• “If you can’t measure it, you can’t multiply it.”

Next Episode Teaser:
Look forward to more real-world strategies and stories to help you lead with courage, clarity, and purpose.

Thank you for listening to Excellence In Healthcare—where better leaders build a better healthcare future. 

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Tammy Mifflin – Healthcare Leader, Entrepreneur, Business & Career Coach

Episode Overview

In this episode of Excellence in Healthcare, host Jarvis Gray welcomes Tammy Mifflin, an expert in healthcare leadership, career development, and entrepreneurism. They dive deep into what it means to be an impactful healthcare leader today, how to foster personal and professional growth, and timely opportunities and challenges in the rapidly-evolving healthcare landscape.

Key Topics Discussed

• Servant Leadership:
  Tammy shares her guiding leadership quote by Lao Tzu, emphasizing the power of humility and walking alongside your team. She highlights how transformational leaders must connect with their teams and lead by example.
• Tammy’s Professional Journey:
  Tammy discusses her 20+ years in healthcare—from sales and operations to leadership development—and how firsthand experience inspired the founding of her business, Lighted Lanterns Consulting, focusing on career coaching and talent management.
• Five A's for Career Preparation:
  Tammy introduces her actionable "Five A's" for career development:
  1. Alignment – Ensuring the job matches your values and goals.
  2. Achievement – Taking stock of your accomplishments.
  3. Adventure Out – The importance of networking.
  4. Action Plan – Having a roadmap for your career.
  5. Advocate – Knowing and communicating your worth.
• Game-Changing Trends: AI & Digital Health:
  The discussion explores how AI and digital technology are transforming healthcare—improving operations, expanding care through telehealth, and enhancing data-driven decision-making. Tammy notes the value of education and certification in AI for both job seekers and leaders.
• Personal Leadership Lessons:
  Tammy shares a candid story from her own early leadership days, reflecting on the pitfalls of focusing solely on personal achievement over true leadership, and how that experience led her to shift toward transparency, delegation, and building trust within teams.
• Mentorship & Legacy:
  Tammy highlights influential mentors in her own life and offers advice for those seeking or becoming mentors. She stresses the impact of quiet leadership and the importance of maintaining integrity, regardless of others’ actions.
• Biggest Challenges & Opportunities for Leaders:
  • Opportunity: AI and digital health are opening new pathways for improvement and career advancement.
  • Challenge: The workforce crisis—staff shortages, burnout, and the need for meaningful retention and succession planning strategies.

Connect with Tammy Mifflin

• Website: lightedlanterns.com
• LinkedIn & Facebook: Lighted Lanterns LLC / Lighted Lanterns Consulting
• Phone: 678-902-4622
• Email: contact@lightedlanterns.com

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Jarvis T. Gray returns to the Excellence in Healthcare podcast with an impactful solo episode focused on challenging the most persistent myths in healthcare leadership. Jarvis dives deep into the misconceptions that keep healthcare teams and organizations from investing in real, lasting leadership development.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Myth #1: Leaders Are Born, Not Made

• Jarvis debunks the idea that leadership is a birthright, explaining that while some people may have traits that make leadership easier, anyone can build strong leadership skills through deliberate practice and growth.
• He shares inspiring stories, including that of Camille, a respiratory therapist who went from doubting her leadership potential to mentoring others, all by embracing development and the right encouragement.

2. Myth #2: Leadership Training Is Too Soft

• Countering the claim that leadership development is all talk and no action, Jarvis makes a strong case that “soft skills equal hard results.”
• Communication, empathy, and trust are identified as essentials that prevent the most common breakdowns in healthcare—outweighing pure technical skills in terms of impact on culture and results.
• A real-world example from an emergency department highlights how addressing human dynamics, not just processes, led to meaningful improvements.

3. Myth #3: Leadership Training Doesn’t Work

• Jarvis explains the difference between ineffective, one-off workshops and ongoing, embedded leadership development programs.
• He shares a case study where a healthcare organization's investment in sustained development led to a 30% boost in engagement, 22% drop in turnover, and over $1 million in retention ROI.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Challenge the leadership myths present in your team or organization.
• Take one small step this week—whether that's signing up for training, starting a feedback conversation, or mentoring a colleague.
• Spark conversations about leadership myths in your next team huddle by sharing this episode.

Connect & Share

• Jarvis invites listeners to connect and share their stories on LinkedIn.
• This episode isn’t just about debunking leadership myths—it's about starting a movement focused on courage, clarity, and purpose in healthcare leadership.

Join the movement. Lead with excellence.
Subscribe, share, and let’s raise the standard together. 

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Marion Spears Karr (Managing Partner & Founder, Inflow Executives)

Episode Summary

On this episode of Excellence in Healthcare, Jarvis Gray sits down with leadership expert Marion Spears Karr to discuss the evolving landscape of healthcare leadership, the importance of authentic leadership, and the critical trends shaping the industry today. Marion shares his journey into healthcare executive search and leadership development, dives into the transformative power of failure, and explains how staying present and leading “with your brain, body, and heart” can make all the difference.

Key Topics & Takeaways

• Marion’s Leadership Mindset:
  Inspired by Michael Maccabee’s philosophy, Marion emphasizes that true leadership comes from our knowledge (brain), physical presence (body), and intentions (heart). Being present and leading with purpose are at the core of his daily practice.
• Career Journey:
  Marion fell into healthcare recruiting by serendipity, learning the industry deeply to distinguish himself. His wife’s nursing career gave him an early perspective on the wealth of opportunities in healthcare, and he quickly shifted to leadership and executive work, founding multiple firms—including his current company, Inflow Executives.
• Top Healthcare Trends for Leaders:
  1. AI in Healthcare: Leaders must stay informed on the growing impact of AI, even if not technical experts.
  2. Hospital-at-Home: The shift of care from hospitals to homes and ambulatory centers is accelerating.
  3. Consumer-Centric Care: Healthcare organizations must understand and attract patients as consumers, a crucial shift for future success.
• The Value of Failure in Leadership:
  Marion shares that his “superpower is failure,” having learned the most from ventures and experiments that didn’t work out. For leaders, embracing and learning from failure is essential for long-term growth.
• Biggest Challenge & Opportunity in Healthcare:
  Workforce shortages are both the biggest threat and opportunity. Marion champions proactive engagement—building the healthcare pipeline with early education and community involvement to “grow your own workforce.”
• Advice for Healthcare Leaders:
  • Don’t let fear of failure prevent bold decisions.
  • Stay focused on continuous learning and purposeful growth.
  • Be authentically yourself—Marion’s own career pivoted when he ignored advice to play it safe.
  • "Do the next right thing" after every challenge or setback.
• Looking Ahead:
  Marion is excited to continue growing Inflow Executives, finalize his book on leadership, and see his Authentic Gratitude Communication Framework adopted and studied by more organizations.

Connect with Marion Spears Karr

• LinkedIn: Marion Spears Karr
• Email:  mskarr@inflowexecutives.com  

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Denika Moore, CEO of Mothers With Attitude, LLC

Summary:
In this candid and inspiring episode, host Jarvis T. Gray welcomes Denika Moore, founder of Mothers With Attitude (MWA), a unique organization dedicated to supporting families—especially those impacted by addiction, incarceration, and health inequities. Denika opens up about her personal journey from addiction and family loss to becoming a champion for maternal health and reentry support, particularly in Black and Brown communities.

Key Discussion Points:

• Denika’s Origin Story:
  • How her own struggles and experiences in addiction, loss, and recovery inspired her to launch Mother With Attitude, LLC.
  • The importance of lived experience in connecting with and advocating for her clients.
• Values and Mission:
  • Integrity, empowerment, respect, and holistic, judgment-free care.
  • A deep commitment to meeting clients where they are and supporting both individuals and families through pregnancy, addiction, and reentry.
• Business Strategy & Goals:
  • Desire to reach more Black and Brown communities and bridge resource gaps in places that lack access to holistic maternal and family support.
  • Building a sustainable model by leveraging both non-profit grants and for-profit Medicaid billing, as well as establishing strategic partnerships and sponsorships.
• Overcoming Barriers:
  • Navigating challenges of competition with larger organizations that have shifted focus away from personal mission to profits.
  • Creative grassroots approaches to obtaining resources, such as securing donations from retailers and leveraging grant support for clients.
• Marketing Insights from Jarvis:
  • The power of marketing a movement, a lifestyle, and a transformation—identifying which resonates most with Denika’s mission.
  • Finding a clear market-dominating position by articulating the unique problems MWA solves for specific communities.
  • Building a client ecosystem and pursuing aggressive sponsorship goals.
• Actionable Advice:
  • Tips for building strategic partnerships, setting up a CRM, leveraging drip campaigns, and structuring both grant and sponsorship outreach.
  • Being clear on client avatars (who is served, how, and by whom the services are funded).
  • Developing packages that clearly communicate the distinct value MWA brings.
• Personal Reflections:
  • Denika’s courage and passion for helping others, especially mothers facing adversity.
  • The importance of building community, teaching next generations, and prioritizing impact over profit.

Connect with Denika Moore & Mothers With Attitude:

• Doula & peer mentorship services for justice-involved families and those impacted by addiction.
• For partnerships, support, or service inquiries, reach out via community networks or look for MWA in maternal health directories.

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Dr. Cie Armstead, Founder of Owlservations, DEI Expert

Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, Jarvis T. Gray sits down with Dr. Cie Armstead, a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare leadership. Dr. Cie shares her personal leadership philosophies, her unique career journey, and offers practical insights on how healthcare leaders can navigate the evolving landscape with authenticity and resilience.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Leadership Mindset & Favorite Quote

• Dr. Cie's Core Value: Actively seek out, see, and amplify the positive—even in challenging conditions.
• Favorite Leadership Quote: From Michelle Obama’s The Light We Carry:
• “Go forth with a spoonful of fear and return with a wagon full of competence. I stay comfortably afraid.”

2. Career Journey & Passion

• She previously held executive DEI roles at the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Healthcare Executives, and spent 24 years with the American Bar Association.
• Her career has been devoted to building and leading diversity initiatives from the ground up.

3. DEI in Healthcare: Trends & Challenges

• Diversity is a permanent part of healthcare—it's not just a trend.
• A key trend today: separating genuine DEI champions from those who only gave lip service, especially with changing political climates.
• Healthcare leaders must be steadfast in their commitment to inclusion, equity, and diversity, regardless of external pressures.

4. Personal Leadership Lessons

• Dr. Cie overcame personal doubts about her accent and background, learning to embrace her identity as a leader.
• Self-reflection and authentic self-acceptance are vital parts of effective leadership.

5. Biggest Challenge & Opportunity in Healthcare

• The workforce: nurturing psychologically safe, inclusive environments so everyone can deliver their best.
• The opportunity lies in leadership creating these healthy workplace cultures, especially after gaining new skills through challenges like COVID-19.

6. Looking Ahead

• Dr. C is excited to pursue international travel (Dubai, Ghana, Australia), including a solo trip, and celebrates both big and small achievements regularly.

7. Special Project

• Owlservations is launching a new research study on how professionals of color are navigating 2025. Participation is open for virtual focus groups and an online survey.

Connect with Dr. C. Armstead

• Website: Owlservations LLC
• Participate in the 2025 Professionals of Color research study via the website.

Final Thoughts:
Dr. Cie reminds us that leadership is ultimately about influence and integrity—staying true to core values, championing others, and striving for inclusivity even when it’s tough. Her optimism and faith light the way for healthcare leaders

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Hosts: Jarvis T. Gray, Vella Catania
Guest: Vella Catania (she/her), Founder of Love Vella Ayurveda Healing with Heart

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, hosts Jarvis T. Gray and Vella Catania delve into the intersection of healthcare excellence and entrepreneurship through the lens of Ayurveda. Vella shares her deeply personal journey from schoolteacher to holistic healer, describing how a life-altering injury led her to Ayurveda and ultimately inspired her to start her own business. This episode is packed with practical advice for wellness entrepreneurs and healthcare leaders looking to diversify their approach and make a deeper impact.

Key Topics Covered

• Vella’s Journey Into Ayurveda:
  Vella discusses her upbringing in Buffalo, her career as a teacher, and a traumatic injury that pushed her to seek holistic healing. Her powerful experience with Panchakarma and Vedic yoga became the catalyst for launching her practice.
• Ayurveda as a Healing Modality:
  Vella explains the depth and ancient wisdom behind Ayurveda, emphasizing that it's not a fad but a way of life. She shares how Ayurveda can help with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and overall well-being.
• Services & Unique Offerings:
  Learn about Vella’s approach, which includes personalized Ayurvedic consultations, seasonal cleanses, rejuvenative body therapies (like Shirodhara and Marma point therapy), culinary workshops (famous for her healing khichdi!), and intimate half-day retreats in her Buffalo-based ashram.
• Core Personal Values:
  Vella highlights the importance of integrity, deep connection, privacy, vulnerability, authenticity, and relationship-building in her healing practice.
• Business Coaching Conversation:
  Jarvis and Vella shift gears to discuss business strategy, including the challenges of doing everything alone, the importance of building a team, branding consistency, and setting quarterly revenue and operational goals.
• Sales & Marketing for Wellness Entrepreneurs:
  The hosts explore effective lead generation, the importance of community events and networking, and the value of both local and online marketing.

Actionable Takeaways

• Prioritize Connection: Healing and transformative work thrive in safe, private, and deeply connected environments.
• Quarterly Goal Setting is Key: Especially for small business owners, focus on realistic, 12-week goals rather than year-long projections.
• Focus on Sales & Marketing: For new businesses, spend 80% of your energy on finding, serving, and keeping clients.
• Event Marketing Works: Regular attendance at networking and community events is crucial for growth, especially at a local level.
• Know Your Ideal Client: Spend time building customer avatars to target your offerings and marketing more effectively.

Let's Connect: 

• Vella Catania: Love Vella Ayurveda Healing with Heart 
• Jarvis T. Gray: Excellence In Healthcare Podcas

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

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Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

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Episode Overview

In this special live edition of the Excellence in Healthcare podcast, host Jarvis T. Gray brings together healthcare leaders, including private practice owner Tracy (Shades of Resilience Counseling) and nurse/leader Soulara, for an engaging discussion on who truly benefits when healthcare leaders “level up” in mindset, behavior, and presence. The conversation highlights the ripple effects of leadership growth—from the patient experience to team dynamics and broader community impact.

Key Discussion Points

• Starting with the Patient Experience
  • Jarvis sets the stage by asking how advanced leadership tangibly improves the experience for patients and their families. Discussion centers on how better leadership leads to improved quality, safety, communication, and trust.
  • Tracy emphasizes that clients “show up different” when they trust the quality and safety of their care.
• Trickle-Down Leadership Impact
  • Leadership growth impacts the entire care team. Improved processes and environments stem from leaders who set clear expectations and foster psychological safety.
• Building Team Culture
  • Jarvis underscores that growth in leadership is more than managing tasks—it’s about creating an environment of psychological safety and resilience.
  • Guests discuss the importance of accountability and emotional intelligence, sharing personal experiences from the front lines.
• Community Engagement & Advocacy
  • Leadership growth isn’t limited to internal operations—it extends to the community. Tracy shares her efforts in legislative advocacy to increase care access, while Solar highlights public health and wellness workshops.
• Actionable Reflection & Call to Action
  • Throughout the episode, Jarvis poses reflection questions for listeners:
    • Where are your leadership strengths visible in patient or team outcomes?
    • How can you connect your organizational leadership growth to community-facing initiatives?
  • The episode closes with a powerful invitation for listeners to commit to a tangible leadership growth action for the coming week.

Memorable Quotes

• “When leaders grow, leaders also build better systems, better businesses.” — Jarvis T. Gray
• “Staff will go over and above with quality of service. That’s the feeling we want.” — Tracy
• “The time that we become stagnant is when we die. When things die.” — Solar
• “Your growth is really a gift to others.” — Jarvis T. Gray

Connect & Participate

• Engage with Jarvis and the Excellence in Healthcare community during future live episodes.
• Share your leadership insights or responses to reflection questions via LinkedIn or the podcast community spaces.

Closing Thoughts

Leadership growth in healthcare isn’t just an individual pursuit—it cultivates better outcomes for patients, improves team culture, and enhances community well-being. “Keep growing, keep giving, and keep leading with courage, clarity and purpose.”

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

Send us a text

Host: Jarvis T. Gray
Guest: Alvin (Joe) D'Angelo

Introduction

• Jarvis welcomes listeners and introduces Joe D’Angelo, a seasoned healthcare leader and published author.
• Joe kicks off the episode by sharing his two guiding leadership quotes:
  • “Everything is hard, so choose your hard.”
  • John Maxwell: “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”

Joe D’Angelo’s Journey

• Joe discusses his book, From Wishing to Winning: 21 Approaches for Unleashing Long-Lasting Success, sharing that it was inspired by meaningful lessons and the desire to help others, not just executives.
• He describes his path into healthcare, initially exploring physical therapy before pivoting to administration, inspired by his experiences growing up in rural South Carolina with limited access to quality care.

Trends and Challenges in Healthcare

• Joe identifies artificial intelligence (AI) as a major trend and potential game-changer in the industry, especially regarding its application in diagnostics, hospital safety, and patient care.
• The conversation highlights how AI is already being implemented at Johns Hopkins (e.g., radiology and weapons detection) and the importance of addressing bias in these technologies.

Navigating Professional Challenges

• Joe shares a pivotal career moment struggling for direction early on, which led him to seek out mentors and learn from diverse leaders. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship for both early and mid-career professionals.
• Both Jarvis and Joe note the influence of Kevin Sowers, among others, on their leadership styles and career paths.

Influential Figures and Lessons Learned

• Joe cites his parents, local faith leaders, and iconic healthcare executives as key influences.
• His most enduring lesson: “Nothing’s given to you. Everything is earned.”
• Perseverance and keeping a level head during challenges are highlighted as core leadership traits.

Leadership Advice & Inspiration

• Joe draws inspiration from previous generations who did more with less and strives to empower his teams through autonomy and trust.
• Top career advice: “Never put your career in someone else’s hands”—ultimately, you are responsible for your path.

Recommended Reading

• Joe recommends:
  • 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  • Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins

Looking Ahead

• Joe is excited for continued collaboration at Johns Hopkins, focusing on patient safety, employee engagement, and strategic growth.
• Celebrating wins with his teams is a priority, giving recognition to those making tangible impacts.

Connect with Joe D'Angelo

• LinkedIn: Alvin (Joe) D'Angelo

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.

Send us a text

Host: Jarvis T. Gray, The Quality Coaching Co.
Guest: Dana Smith, Founder of Earth and Ether Holistic Coaching

Episode Highlights

1. Meet Dana Smith – A Journey in Nursing and Holistic Coaching
Dana shares her diverse experience in healthcare, from ER and cardiac surgery nursing to working in aesthetics, pain clinics, and her journey as a military spouse. Through both personal and professional challenges, she found her calling in holistic nurse coaching, blending science, research, and ancient healing modalities.

2. Building a Unique Business: Earth and Ether Holistic Coaching
Dana explains the services she offers, with a firm grounding in evidence-based practice alongside holistic and energetic healing. She describes her coaching style as a fusion of “wicked nerd science” and “woo woo,” focusing on one-on-one coaching packages (3, 6, or 12 months) tailored to individual client needs, with a strong emphasis on nutrition, wellness, and personal connection.

3. Values at the Core of the Business
Dana opens up about her personal experiences as both a nurse and a patient—navigating preeclampsia and genetic cancer risks. These experiences cemented her commitment to:

• Connection: Deeply seeing and hearing clients, combating society’s “loneliness epidemic.”
• Support: Non-judgmental, personalized care.
• Empowerment: Helping clients recognize and nurture their own strengths and resilience.

4. Business Coaching Strategies with Jarvis T. Gray
Jarvis offers actionable strategies tailored to Dana’s stage of business growth:

• Create a Customer Avatar: Define the ideal client’s demographics, challenges, and goals to better target services and messaging.
• Craft a Market Dominating Position: Develop a concise introduction (one or two sentences) that quickly conveys the unique value and results Dana delivers.
• Define Offers and Wins: Clarify the “quick wins” Dana’s packages deliver within the first months, and consider “risk reversal” strategies (like money-back guarantees) to lower client commitment anxiety.
• Network with Intention: Use the “Five Question Method” when networking to guide conversations and set measurable networking goals.
• Financial Savvy: Keep close tabs on business finances by regularly reviewing profit & loss statements, even in the early stages.

5. Looking Ahead and Staying Connected
Dana reflects on the strategies she plans to implement, especially around defining her client avatar and intentional networking. She expresses gratitude and enthusiasm for the practical advice and the supportive tone of the conversation.

Connect with Dana Smith & Earth and Ether Holistic Coaching

• Instagram: earth_ether.holism
• Alignable: Earth and Ether Holistic Coaching
• Email: danasmithnursecoach@gmail.com

Is your healthcare organization ready for excellence? Take the Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment and find out! Evaluate your leadership, strategy, and operations.

• Start now: Healthcare Excellence Readiness Assessment

Thank you for tuning in! Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast for more insights into achieving healthcare excellence.

New episodes of the "Excellence In Healthcare" podcast are released every Tuesday at 02:00 a.m. (est). Don't miss out on the latest insights and strategies for Mastering Healthcare Excellence.