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Guest: Dr. Jeff Doucette, SVP & Chief Nursing Officer at Press Ganey

Welcome back to Excellence In Healthcare! In this inspiring episode, Jarvis sits down with Dr. Jeff Doucette for a deeply authentic conversation about leadership, resilience, and driving excellence in healthcare. Together, they dive into Dr. Doucette’s unique career journey, the critical importance of humility, and real-life stories of growth, challenge, and transformation in healthcare leadership.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. Leadership Mindset & Ego Check

• Dr. Jeff shares his go-to leadership mantra from author Cy Wakeman: “Your ego is not your amigo.”
• The conversation centers on the strength found in humility and how authenticity and confidence, absent of ego, create stronger, more effective leaders.

2. Dr. Jeff Doucette’s Unconventional Path

• Nursing wasn’t Jeff’s original plan—he wanted to be a pilot!
• A childhood experience in a hospital opened his eyes to the power of compassionate care, leading him into various frontline and executive nursing roles, and eventually to Chief Nursing Officer at Press Ganey.
• Emphasis on career flexibility, mentorship, and saying “yes” to opportunities.

3. The Employee-First Revolution

• Top-performing healthcare organizations prioritize employees first.
• Dr. Jeff discusses the importance of separating “accountability” from “availability,” advocating for genuine work-life boundaries—especially for leaders.

4. Lessons in Leadership—Adversity as Growth

• Jeff opens up about a pivotal, tough feedback experience at Duke University that forced him to reflect and develop a more compassionate, humble leadership style.
• The importance of vulnerability, transparency, and how supporting and investing in others creates exponential impact.

5. Challenges & Opportunities in Healthcare Today

• Current political and economic uncertainties pose significant challenges for healthcare delivery, especially for vulnerable populations.
• At the same time, Dr. Jeff expresses hope, seeing resilience and compassion in the next generation of healthcare leaders, especially Gen Z and Millennials who value meaningful work and life outside the job.

Connect with Dr. Jeff Doucette

• LinkedIn: Connect with Jeff
• Press Ganey: Follow the Press Ganey page for insights
• Email: jeff.doucette@pressganey.com

Quotes to Remember

• “Your ego is not your amigo.” – Cy Wakeman
• “Sometimes you have to just go out there and lead with excellence.”
• “You can be accountable for your 24/7 operation, but not be available 24/7.”

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
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:

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
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.

• 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

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.

• 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

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.

Send us a text

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.

• 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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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.

• 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.