Good Morning CAPLICO at Keystone’s Roots to Fruit Experience

Celebrating the leaders, stories, and innovations moving therapy forward—one conversation at a time.

There is something special that happens when great people come together with a shared purpose. At Keystone’s Roots to Fruit Experience, the Good Morning CAPLICO crew had the opportunity to listen, learn, connect, and most importantly, celebrate the incredible therapy leaders who are making a difference every day.

We came away with full hearts, fresh ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the many different journeys that lead people into therapy leadership. Every interview reminded us that there is no single path to becoming a strong leader. Some begin as students learning what skilled nursing can truly be. Some start as travelers, gaining experience across communities before stepping into leadership. Some are new Directors of Rehab learning in real time, while others have spent years building cultures that help their teams and residents thrive.

What they all have in common is heart, purpose, and a commitment to people.

The Stories Behind the Leaders

One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was sitting down with leaders who were willing to share the real stories behind their growth.

We spoke with Alex Gonzales, DOR at Golden Palms, about the importance of culture and the way strong clinical skills can elevate the Director of Rehab role. Alex’s message was a great reminder that leadership is not just about managing a department. It is about creating an environment where people feel supported, capable, and connected to the purpose behind their work.

Lunden Nacci, DOR at Legends Garland, shared a journey that will resonate with so many people. Lunden began as a PT student in our virtual program and, at one point, did not see skilled nursing as the path for her. Today, she is a DOR. Her story is proof that exposure, mentorship, and the right environment can completely change someone’s perspective. It is also a powerful reminder that our students may be future leaders—we just have to give them a reason to see what is possible.

At Beacon Harbor, Veronica Green, DOR, walked us through her ONE Clinical journey. Her experience reflected the value of continuing to grow, using resources intentionally, and staying committed to stronger clinical outcomes. It was inspiring to hear how the ONE Clinical approach can become part of a leader’s everyday rhythm and not just another initiative.

We also had the chance to hear from Shikha Jane, DOR at Cedar Pointe, about being new to the role and finding ways to hold onto passion and purpose while “drinking from a fire hose.” Anyone who has stepped into a new leadership position knows that feeling. Shikha’s honesty made the conversation real: leadership can be challenging, busy, and overwhelming—but it can also be deeply meaningful when we stay grounded in why we chose this work in the first place.

Brenda Palma Fiero, DOR at Golden Palms, shared the impact of regular one-to-one meetings between the Executive Director and DOR. It may sound simple, but intentional connection between key leaders can align facility goals, improve clinical outcomes, and strengthen culture. Brenda reminded us that strong collaboration does not happen by accident. It grows through consistent communication, trust, and time spent working through the important things together.

From Pleasant Manor, Megan Lewis, DOR, spoke about the power of the cluster. Her conversation highlighted how much stronger we can be when we lean into support, shared learning, and connection with leaders who understand the day-to-day realities of our work. We are never meant to lead alone.

And Chelsea Quick, DOR at Wisteria, brought an important perspective on taking students, navigating staffing hardships, and continuing to meet the needs of residents while caring for the people already on the team. Her message around putting the customer second to retain current staff was thoughtful and refreshing. When we build healthy teams, support our people, and invest in their growth, our residents benefit too.

Innovation Is Also Part of the Story

The Roots to Fruit Experience was not only about leadership stories. It was also a chance to explore the tools and partnerships that can help our teams continue to innovate.

We had the opportunity to connect with vendors who are doing meaningful work in areas such as wound modalities and virtual reality experiences for patients with dementia, along with other emerging resources that can support care in new and thoughtful ways. These conversations were exciting because they showed that innovation is not about chasing the next new thing. It is about finding solutions that can make a real difference for residents, families, and care teams.

Whether it is a modality that supports wound healing, technology that creates moments of connection for someone living with dementia, or a clinical resource that helps teams see possibilities differently, these innovations remind us to stay curious. Our residents deserve teams who are always learning, always asking better questions, and always looking for ways to improve the experience of care.

More Than a Podcast Stop

For the Good Morning CAPLICO crew, this was more than a series of interviews. It was a chance to see the energy behind the work, hear the laughter between leaders, and witness the pride people have in their teams and communities.

We saw leaders who are growing into their roles. We heard stories of people who found their place in skilled nursing when they least expected it. We were reminded that strong clinical outcomes and strong culture go hand in hand. And we saw what happens when teams are given room to share their ideas, their challenges, and the lessons they have learned along the way.

That is what Good Morning CAPLICO is all about: creating space for these stories to be heard.

The talent within our organization is incredible. From students becoming DORs, to travelers stepping into therapy leadership, to seasoned leaders building cultures that keep teams connected and residents at the center—these are the stories that deserve to be celebrated.

Thank you to Keystone for welcoming us into the Roots to Fruit Experience, to every leader who shared their story, and to the vendor partners who showed us what the future of clinical care can look like. We are grateful for the conversations, the inspiration, and the reminder that when we invest in our people, we create room for everyone to grow.

Stay tuned, CAPLICO family. There is so much more to come.