Transforming Healthcare Culture: Why Person-Centered Care Matters
Release Date: 09/24/2025
Rewiring Brain Health: From Memory Care to Neuro Wellness, with Sue Paul
Elevate Eldercare
Sue Paul, an occupational therapist with more than 35 years of experience, joins AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan to share her journey reimagining dementia care through the lens of brain health. Reflecting on a time when Alzheimer’s care was often institutional and limiting, Sue, who is senior director of well being and brain health for Asbury Communities, developed a more proactive, person-centered framework focused on prevention, dignity, and understanding the trajectory of cognitive change. Her work has evolved into a strong emphasis on...
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Listening and Learning as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode of Elevate Eldercare, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Beverly Gianna, who recently became a long-term care ombudsman after a three-decade career with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, now known as New Orleans & Company. Having earned at least three master’s degrees—one from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology— Beverly has become a passionate advocate for nursing home residents. Her fascinating story takes listeners...
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A Bit About Hearing Loss and the Brain with Kelly Tremblay, PhD
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode of Brain Bytes, host Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist and hearing and brain health expert, explores the powerful—and often overlooked—connection between hearing and the brain. In recognition of World Hearing Day on March 3, Dr. Kelly sheds light on why hearing health is critical to overall well-being, especially for older adults. ...
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Data-Driven Change in Seniors Housing with Lisa McCracken
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with industry leader Lisa McCracken to explore how data, innovation, and bold thinking are reshaping the future of eldercare. With more than 26 years of experience spanning Holleran, Ziegler, and now the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care, Lisa shares how research and analytics can drive access, affordability, and meaningful choice for older adults. From the growing urgency of serving the “forgotten middle” to the promise (and noise) of AI, this conversation offers a candid,...
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Rethinking Affordable Housing for Older Adults with Amy Schectman
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Amy Schectman, CEO of 2Life Communities, to explore how affordable housing, community connection, and supportive services can transform the experience of aging. She shares insights into how innovative housing models are helping older adults thrive while remaining connected to their communities....
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Building Communities Where Aging Thrives with Christie Hinrichs
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Christie Hinrichs, president and CEO of Frasier, a life plan community in Boulder, Colo., who shares her journey from growing up on a farm in rural Nebraska to pioneering the Green House model at Tabitha, a senior living community in Omaha, Neb. Throughout their conversation, Christie reflects on the experiences that shaped her commitment to older adults—from childhood visits with “adopted grandparents” to her early work in hospice social work. Now leading Frasier, Christie describes a thriving community that offers a range...
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Healing Workplace Culture Through Nature-Inspired Leadership with MaryCay Durrant
Elevate Eldercare
In this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with MaryCay Durrant, founder of Leading Naturally. In this enlightening discussion, MaryCay shares her journey from corporate leadership to developing nature-inspired practices that help organizations thrive. Drawing from her upbringing in North Dakota and a transformative personal awakening, MarCay challenges transactional workplace models and instead looks to ecosystems as a guide for cooperation, resilience, and trust. She introduces her WORK framework — Wake Up, Orient, Reimagine partnering, and Keepnourishing what matters —...
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A Bit About Dementia: Introducing “Brain Bytes”
Elevate Eldercare
Introducing Brain Bytes, a new micro-cast hosted by Kelly Tremblay, PhD, neuroscientist, World Health Organization advisor, NIH grant reviewer, advocate, and professor. Brain Bytes features “byte”-sized nuggets of knowledge aimed at making neuroscience accessible for the senior living world. In each episode, which will air on the fourth Friday of each month, Dr. Tremblay will share research-backed information related to aging and brain health. This week, she explores the different types of dementia and examines what evidence-based researchtells us about it. While encouraging...
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The Power of Making Brain Science Accessible with Dr. Kelly Tremblay
Elevate Eldercare
This week on the podcast, AgingIN CEO, Susan Ryan, welcomes Kelly Tremblay, PhD, a neuroscientist, World Health Organization advisor, NIH grant reviewer, advocate, and professor. As a first-generation college student, Kelly’s path was shaped by lived experience. Growing up with a father who had multiple sclerosis, she became an early advocate for accessibility and healthcare equity. At the University of Washington, Kelly led research focused on the aging brain and collaborated with the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization to help translate...
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Aligning Leadership, Mission, and Innovation with Mary Naber
Elevate Eldercare
In this episode, AgingIN CEO, Susan Ryan, sits down with Mary Naber, president and CEO of PACE Southeast Michigan, to explore her remarkable leadership journey and the transformative potential of the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model of care. Mary shares how her career evolved from respiratory therapy into executive leadership. With degrees in psychology, business, and an MBA from the University of Michigan, Mary blends clinical insight, business acumen, and people-centered leadership. Susan and Mary discuss how Mary’s transition to PACE was deeply...
info_outlineIn this week’s episode, AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan welcomes Michael Giuliano, chief operating officer at Planetree International, who shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a family of healthcare professionals to leading a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing person-centered care.
Michael reflects on how his father’s medical practice shaped his belief in the power of relationships in healthcare and explains how Planetree’s work—from its origins to its internationally recognized certification program—has transformed outcomes for patients, families, and staff alike.
Susan and Michale discuss the proven benefits of person-centered care, including lower hospital readmission rates, higher patient satisfaction, and stronger staff engagement.
Their conversation also touches on the importance of cultural transformation in healthcare organizations and practical ways leaders can foster environments where patients and staff truly feel seen, heard, and valued.
The Planetree Global Person-Centered Care Forum will take place in Baltimore, Oct. 12–15, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with leaders and innovators from around the world. Find out more here: https://www.planetree.org/.
Visit our website at https://aginginnovation.org/