How can healthcare leaders build culture while growing across multiple states?

Rich Johnson shares his journey from Air Force accountant to founding Viaquest, now operating in three states with innovative approaches to healthcare delivery. Rich traces his path from military service through healthcare finance, ultimately developing Viaquest's patient-centered model for hospice, behavioral health, and developmental disability services. He discusses how their service model prioritizes in-home and community-based care while building a remarkably resilient company culture.

The conversation explores Viaquest's comprehensive approach to healthcare, including their unique focus on hospice care and changing perceptions around end-of-life services. Rich emphasizes the importance of measuring success by lives changed rather than revenue targets. The discussion highlights how Viaquest maintains culture across a geographically dispersed workforce of 3,800 employees through deliberate initiatives like their Culture Crusaders committee and annual leadership conference.

Rich candidly discusses the existential challenges Viaquest faced during the 2008-2009 financial crisis when their bank pulled funding. He shares how extraordinary employee loyalty and commitment to patients helped them survive this period, with staff choosing to stay despite delayed benefits and uncertain conditions. As an industry veteran, Rich offers insights on adapting to changing healthcare dynamics, including leveraging AI for operational efficiency while maintaining the human touch in patient care.

Mentors who shaped Rich's leadership:

Jeff Havy, who hired him at a healthcare CPA firm and exposed him to industry leadership
Mike Levinson, who demonstrated how to build and grow a healthcare company
Roger Campbell and Melissa Ingersen at Key Bank, who became advocates after seeing Viaquest's mission
The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base civilian workforce, who taught him leadership fundamentals
Long-time attorneys and CPAs who provided ongoing guidance through growth phases

Don't miss this engaging discussion with a healthcare entrepreneur who's built the largest veteran-owned business in central Ohio while maintaining focus on both patient care and employee satisfaction.

References:

Website: https://viaquestinc.com/

Anthony Codispoti, AddBack Benefits Agency

https://www.addbackbenefitsagency.com/

Transcript | How Strong Culture Powers Growth in Healthcare Services, with Rich Johnson

Youtube - Inspired Stories Podcast by AddBack BenefitsAgency

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2KCy3zqjALje6hwzWT0VA

How Strong Culture Powers Growth in Healthcare Services, with Rich Johnson

The Inspired Stories Podcast