Culture-Led. Results-Focused.How Dov Braun Raises the Bar in Skilled Nursing and Leadership

About the Author

Dov Braun is the CEO of Independence Healthcare Management. With a portfolio that includes the Nightingale Nursing & Rehabilitation centers in Arkansas and Erie, and The Villa at Marymount in Cleveland, Dov has built a leadership model rooted in clarity, empowerment, and purpose-driven results.

Overview

At Oxygen, we highlight executives who do more than lead—they elevate. In this edition of our executive leadership spotlight, we sat down with Dov Braun, CEO of Independence Healthcare Management, to explore how a culture-first approach drives clinical innovation, leadership growth, and scalable excellence across his multi-state skilled nursing organization.

With a portfolio that includes the Nightingale Nursing & Rehabilitation centers in Arkansas and Erie, and The Villa at Marymount in Cleveland, Dov has built a leadership model rooted in clarity, empowerment, and purpose-driven results.

Q: Dov, tell us about your approach to leadership. How would you describe your philosophy in one sentence?

Dov Braun:
I lead with a belief that clarity, accountability, and humility drive not just business success, but sustainable culture. I strive to create an environment where every team member—from administrator to CNA—understands the mission and feels empowered to act on it.

Q: Independence Healthcare Management oversees a growing number of skilled nursing and rehab centers. What’s been your strategy for scaling responsibly?

Dov Braun:
Growth without purpose is chaos. We’ve been intentional about acquiring or partnering with buildings where we can genuinely make an impact—places that align with our standards and our people-first mission.
The Villa at Marymount has consistently ranked among the region’s best for post-acute rehab outcomes, and Nightingale Erie has become a preferred partner for complex clinical referrals from major hospitals.
We don’t just plug in systems; we build teams, develop leaders, and invest in infrastructure that supports clinical excellence.

Q: You’ve mentioned before that leadership is a daily discipline. Can you expand on that?

Dov Braun:
Absolutely. Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a practice. Every day presents moments where you’re either reinforcing your values or drifting from them. Whether it’s navigating a staffing challenge or making a tough financial call, I try to be consistent, calm, and clear. And I surround myself with people who hold me to that.

Q: How has your leadership style evolved as the company has grown?

Dov Braun:
As we’ve grown, my role has shifted from making every decision to developing the people who can lead with clarity and confidence. That evolution hasn’t just been necessary—it’s been intentional. We partnered with Oxygen because we wanted more than leadership theory—we wanted a coaching partner that understands the realities of healthcare and provides practical, personalized development. Oxygen gives our managers the tools, structure, and accountability they need to grow—not just as operators, but as true leaders. And that’s where the impact shows up: in better communication, stronger critical thinking, and teams that take real ownership of outcomes. When you invest in people with purpose, the results speak for themselves.

Q: Nightingale has recently rolled out some high-acuity programs, like cardiac rehab with telemetry. That’s ambitious in the SNF space. What drives that level of innovation?

Dov Braun:
We don’t believe in “status quo care.” Our patients—especially in underserved areas—deserve more. High-acuity services are often reserved for urban hospitals, but we’re proving they can be delivered in a skilled nursing setting, with the right clinical training, partnerships, and leadership.
Under Dov’s leadership, Nightingale Arkadelphia was recently recognized as the top-rated nursing facility in Clark County, Arkansas—a testament to the clinical rigor and leadership development that defines Independence’s approach.
Innovation, to us, means anticipating what our community needs before they ask.

Q: Any advice for fellow executives in healthcare navigating today’s pressures?

Dov Braun:
Stay connected to your why. It’s easy to get lost in regulations, census pressures, or reimbursement rates. But leadership is about anchoring in purpose—because when your team feels that from you, it’s contagious.

Q: What’s next for Independence Healthcare Management?

Dov Braun:
We’re focused on deepening our footprint where we are—strengthening existing teams, optimizing our specialty programs, and continuing to elevate leadership from within. Growth is important, but excellence is non-negotiable.

Final Thoughts

Dov Braun’s grounded, people-focused approach is a reminder that how you lead matters just as much as what you lead. Through intentional investment in culture, systems, and people—including a commitment to coaching that sharpens real-world leadership—Dov is building not just facilities, but a leadership legacy.