Get ready for an inspiring conversation on The Uprising Show as Vivek sits down with Rodney Burris, President and CFO at Care Partners, to talk about leadership, home care, and the power of love in healthcare. This episode digs into the realities of building a people-first company in one of the most challenging industries, and the lessons learned along the way.
In this episode:
Rodney shares his journey from childhood surgeries to a lifelong mission in healthcare
The surprisingly central role of love and empathy in building successful caregiving teams
How Care Partners hires and retains caregivers by understanding their “why” and building real relationships
Structural challenges in the current home care system and what’s being done differently at Care Partners
Insights on scaling a deeply human care model across regions and the future of integrated post-acute care
Don’t miss this straight-talking, insightful discussion packed with hard truths, practical solutions, and new ways to think about healthcare leadership.
00:00 Power of Connection and Care
05:10 Intrinsic Motivation in Healthcare
07:11 Fear's Impact on Career Choices
10:21 "Positive Trauma: Catalyst for Change"
15:05 Defragmenting Post-Acute Care Services
17:21 "From Engineer to Marketer"
21:45 Prioritizing Caregiver Connections
26:08 Optimizing Caregiver Retention Strategies
30:32 Reducing Readmissions with Home-Based Care
34:30 Growing Need for Home Care Resources
35:55 Innovative Employee Care Benefit
39:21 Expanding Non-Medical Home Care Services
45:03 "Living Globally: Embrace Core Strengths"
45:52 Transformative Advice: Focus & Awareness
From “Professional Patient” to Healthcare Visionary
Rodney’s story is uniquely personal. Growing up, he underwent 15 different surgeries, including back, brain, and knee operations, by the time he was an adult. This firsthand experience as a “professional patient” deeply shaped how he views the healthcare world. He recalls the power of kind, empathetic healthcare workers, strangers who made him feel valued and cared for, not just another number.
It’s here he realized that human connection and love are often the missing links in healing and recovery.
The Power of Love Over Fear in Building Teams
One of the most profound concepts Rodney shares is the intentional choice of “love over fear” as a leadership philosophy. Traditional organizational cultures, especially in healthcare, often default to fear, fear of mistakes, of not meeting expectations, of losing your job. Rodney and his co-founder Randy built Care Partners by flipping this script.
“We don’t expect perfection. We make mistakes, and the truth is we learn from those,” Rodney shares. Creating a vulnerable, supportive atmosphere allows caregivers to feel safe and valued, encouraging innovation and genuine care. This “love versus fear” environment has proven to be a catalyst for success, not just for patients, but for the growth and retention of staff at all levels.
Finding (and Keeping) Great Caregivers: Relationships are Key
Retention and recruitment are among the toughest challenges in home care, a field often marked by high turnover and burnout. Rodney points out the structural struggles: low pay, inconsistent schedules, and caregivers juggling multiple jobs just to make ends meet.
So what’s Care Partners’ secret? It’s all about relationships. From the very first interview with a potential caregiver, Rodney’s team digs into their “why", what motivates them to serve? This is followed up by thoughtful matching with clients, ongoing personal check-ins, and meaningful support beyond just shift scheduling. The results? Industry-low turnover and far superior retention rates.
In Rodney’s words, “The rising tide lifts all boats.” By investing in the humanity of their caregivers, Care Partners creates a virtuous cycle: better caregiver satisfaction leads to better client care, which in turn boosts company performance.
Leveraging Innovation Without Losing the Human Touch
While there’s a rush in the industry to adopt tech, automation, and AI, Rodney is adamant: “Nothing can replace the human connection.” Technology should uplift, not override, care. For instance, Care Partners uses digital tools to collect regular feedback, which helps advocate for raises and better conditions for caregivers based on proven success and satisfaction. Tech, in Rodney’s world, is an enabler, not a replacement for compassion and empathy.
The Path Forward: Scalable, Human-Centered Care
As the aging population surges, Rodney emphasizes the need for flexible, integrated in-home care models. However, scaling these services while maintaining genuine human connection remains challenging, especially with limited reimbursement rates and regulatory hurdles. Yet, with a strategy grounded in authentic relationships and mission-driven leadership, Rodney is confident in Care Partners’ expansion plans.
Takeaway:
Rodney’s story is a powerful reminder that, in healthcare, love isn’t just a soft value, it’s central to healing, leadership, and business sustainability. His advice to patients, families, and healthcare professionals alike: Appreciate and acknowledge those who care for us, and remember the irreplaceable magic of human connection.
To learn more about Rodney and Care Partners, visit carepartners.us.
The Uprising Show Website: https://theuprisingshow.com/
Vivek Nanda's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viveknanda1/
Vivek Nanda's Twitter: https://x.com/vickks
TopHealth Media Website: https://tophealth.care/