Caring Career Spotlight: Ryan, AVP of Operations, Personal Care

Great care starts with great people, leaders who bring compassion, energy and a deep sense of purpose to everything they do. For Ryan, Area Vice President of Operations for personal care services, that mindset shows up in how he leads his team, supports patients and builds meaningful connections across the organization.

Ryan joined Elara Caring in August 2025, bringing a strong background in long-term care and hospice operations.

“Even just a few months in, I already feel at home,” Ryan shares. “I couldn’t be more pleased with my experience so far, and I’m excited about what’s ahead as we continue to grow and expand into new markets.”

That sense of excitement is rooted in something deeper. Ryan said this work has always been about helping others.

“I was raised in a close, supportive family where kindness was a core value,” he says. “I remember hearing the message to ‘look for the helpers,’ and that has always stayed with me. Healthcare gives us the opportunity to be that helper for someone every single day.”

That perspective shapes how Ryan approaches both leadership and care. He believes that even small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact, and he sees that play out regularly across his teams.

One moment that stands out happened around Thanksgiving, when a client was facing a difficult situation after experiencing a major loss. With cold weather setting in and limited resources, the client was going through an especially challenging time.

“Our team continued to check in on him, but what stood out most was how they went above and beyond,” Ryan recalls. “One team member even visited on their own time on Thanksgiving and brought a homemade meal to make sure he didn’t feel alone.”

Ryan said that kind of compassion is what defines Elara Caring.

“You can’t train that level of care. It comes from who people are,” he says. “And I see it every day. It’s what makes me proud to be part of this team.”

That same spirit carries into the culture Ryan experiences at Elara. He credits the organization’s leadership and team environment as key reasons he enjoys coming to work each day.

“I felt a genuine connection with the leaders here right from the start,” he says. “Their passion and excitement made me want to be part of this team. Now, I get to bring that same energy to my own team every day.”

Working closely with the Missouri personal care services team, Ryan has seen how a supportive, positive environment can drive both team success and better patient outcomes.

“It’s a culture of encouragement and shared success,” he says. “I’m constantly telling the team, ‘I’m in a great mood and nothing is going to change that,’ because that energy matters. When people feel supported, it shows in the care they provide.”

Collaboration is another key part of that success. Ryan views delivering great care as a shared responsibility across the entire organization.

“We promote Elara through the care we provide every day. When we show up with compassion and consistency, that’s what builds trust with our clients and families,” he said.

That approach recently made a difference when a state-funded program was unexpectedly discontinued, leaving several clients at risk of losing services. Ryan’s team acted quickly, reaching out to those affected and working to find alternative solutions so care could continue without interruption.

“It was a moment where our team truly stepped up,” he says. “We were able to maintain services and support those clients during a stressful time. That’s what it means to go above and beyond.”

Ryan said it all comes back to purpose: supporting people when they need it most and leading teams that are committed to doing the same.

“This work is about showing up for others,” he says. “Whether it’s a patient, a family member or a teammate, we all have the opportunity to make someone’s day a little easier.”