Senior living goes beyond housing- it’s about fostering relationships, delivering exceptional care and creating a true sense of home. Fee Stubblefield, Founder and CEO of The Springs Living and author of A Culture of Promise, has dedicated his career to that vision. Inspired by a promise he made to his grandmother and built on three decades of experience, Fee’s story underscores the transformative power of putting people first in the senior living space.
Alongside his role at The Springs Living, Fee also serves on the Advisory Board of Incite Strategic Partners. Let’s explore Fee’s journey, his philosophy of “a culture of promise,” and why he believes GPOs can be crucial allies for providers seeking to thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.
A Promise That Sparked an Industry-Shaping Mission
Fee Stubblefield founded The Springs Living after promising his grandmother, Lillian, that she’d never have to live in an ‘old folks’ home. According to Fee, he built a small community that “would feel like home” for her rather than a typical institutional environment. Although he never planned for it to become a larger enterprise, the concept took hold. Today, The Springs Living operates more than 20 communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, with each location guided by the same philosophy of creating warmth and familiarity for older adults.
“Thirty years later,” Fee explains, “our entire team of more than 2,000 employees is empowered to do ‘One Thing,’ the right thing, to maintain a high standard of relationships, care, and experiences.” This principle – treating residents with the same respect and attentiveness as one would a beloved family member – forms the foundation of Fee’s approach.
Leadership That Emphasizes Collaboration and Advocacy
Fee’s leadership style is informed by extensive service on boards and executive committees, such as the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), the Oregon Health Care Association (OHCA), and the Providence Milwaukie Foundation. He notes that none of us work in a vacuum and that senior living is stronger when everyone – operators, advocates, and industry partners – comes together to solve problems.
“When we add our time, expertise, and resources to shared initiatives,” he says, “it benefits the entire sector.” This collaborative ethos not only shapes how The Springs Living operates but also guides Fee’s involvement with Incite, where he helps senior living communities unite for collective purchasing and operational efficiencies.
Creating a Culture of Promise
Fee’s book, A Culture of Promise, illustrates how successful senior living organizations are inherently about relationships. “We’re in the relationship business,” he emphasizes, “and money follows a people-first business strategy with a values-based culture.”
For The Springs Living, this means identifying employees who genuinely care about older adults, upholding values that prioritize residents’ well-being, and supporting staff in every way possible. Fee believes those critical steps create the foundation that leads to happy residents and, ultimately, sustainable business success.
Balancing Compassion and Financial Responsibilities
Senior living operators constantly walk the line between providing excellent care and staying financially viable. Fee observes that these aren’t competing goals. “We make aspirational promises and business promises,” he explains, “and we must fulfill both.”
As long as the organization supports employees in their mission to deliver care, residents will remain satisfied, and the business will thrive. Fee points out that senior living communities aren’t producing widgets – they’re caring for people. Consequently, organizations must cultivate an “enrichment culture” in tandem with their financial targets.
Preparing for Emerging Trends in Senior Living
Looking toward the future, Fee is enthusiastic about three areas that will shape the industry:
- Technology: Tools and platforms that enhance decision-making and bridge labor shortages.
- Healthcare Integration: Coordination between senior living and healthcare providers to reduce costs and improve outcomes.
- Public Policy/Regulatory Environment: Working with regulators and unions to develop policies that protect residents without driving up costs or reducing access.
Fee sees these developments as critical opportunities for collaboration. “We already spend enough money between senior housing and healthcare,” he says. “We just need to spend it more efficiently and integrate our services.”
The Value of GPOs and the Incite Connection
Fee’s belief in collective advancement naturally extends to his role as an Advisory Board member at Incite Strategic Partners. He appreciates Incite’s focus on empowering providers to access better, more affordable products and services, while also supporting state associations that advocate for the industry.
“I am a huge believer in Incite’s industry focus and association model where, as providers, we can join together to get better and more affordable products while helping state associations have the resources to be advocates for our industry. Without strong state associations, we are not united nor will we be effective,” explained Fee.
According to Fee, GPO relationships, when done well, deliver benefits such as:
- Cost Savings: Leveraging group purchasing power to reduce operational expenses.
- Improved Quality: Ensuring access to top-tier products and services that enrich resident care.
- Stronger Advocacy: Fortifying the collective voice for senior living providers at a policy level.
Fee recommends that any organization considering a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) partnership look for a provider who truly understands the complexities of senior care. GPOs help senior living communities reduce costs by pooling resources to negotiate better pricing. Collaboration is most effective when all parties share a commitment to better serving older adults.
Embracing the Future of Senior Living
In every facet of his work, from developing communities to advising on the board at Incite, Fee continues to champion a philosophy grounded in compassionate care and informed business practices. He shows that “doing the right thing” each day can lead to outstanding resident experiences and sustained organizational success.
At Incite Strategic Partners, we share Fee’s passion for advancing senior living through collaboration, innovation, and people-first values. If you’re ready to strengthen your community’s operations, enhance resident care, and stay ahead of industry challenges, contact us to learn more about how a GPO partnership can help you achieve those goals.