Legacy in Action: Building Better Communities and Strategies for Long Term Care
- Melahni Ake
- Jun 20
- 3 min read
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand what it meant to serve with heart and purpose. My family owned and operated the Evangelistic Center—recognized as the first documented nursing home in Indiana. That experience shaped my understanding of community, compassion, and the sacred responsibility of caring for others. Today, generations later, I find myself called back to that same mission—partnering with organizations who carry that same unwavering passion to serve.
For over 35 years, I’ve had the honor of watching my friend Ron Cram live out that mission. As a licensed physical therapist, Ron has built a life and career around helping others become stronger. But it wasn’t just a job—it was a calling. And like any true calling, it inspired the next generation.
As Ron and his wife Lauren raised their sons, Zach and Devon, they saw their dad’s unwavering commitment to serving others. That influence planted seeds of purpose that would one day bloom into something extraordinary.
Then came a pivotal moment: Ron met fellow physical therapist Jamey Kleva. Together, they envisioned a better way to deliver rehabilitation care in nursing homes and long-term care facilities—care that was led by people who understood the work, who had lived it, and who believed in it. That vision became reality when they launched The Strategies, a company uniquely owned and operated by licensed physical therapists.
When COVID-19 disrupted everything, most would have pulled back. But Ron, Jamey, and their visionary team leaned in. With the dedication of Lisa Weartz (HR) and Jeff Huffman (Chief Operations and Business Development), The Strategies expanded—owning and operating five long-term care facilities across Indiana. It was no longer just about rehab; it became about transforming the entire model of care.
Today, the legacy continues—Devon Cram now serves as CFO, Zach Cram as President of Rehab Strategies, and Zach’s wife Darian leads their thriving staffing division, Staffing Strategies . A true family legacy, built on the foundation of service and community—just like the one I grew up with.
Recently, this incredible team invested in a strategic leadership retreat, not just to grow their company, but to grow their people. As a Maxwell Leadership Certified Behavioral Assessment Consultant, I had the privilege to facilitate a transformative experience where leaders discovered their unique strengths through the DISC Behavioral Assessment.
Through powerful insights, team challenges, and even some vulnerable role-playing—where leaders practiced delivering elevator pitches outside their comfort zones—we saw courage, connection, and clarity emerge. There’s something special that happens when peers validate each other’s strengths. The breakthroughs are real. The growth is visible.
And most importantly, I witnessed something I’ll never forget: a team that genuinely believes in each other. Sometimes, we have to borrow belief from someone else until we can build it in ourselves. That’s what this team does so well. They lift each other up. They lead with heart. And they are committed to building better strategies—not just for business success, but for the communities they serve.
From the Evangelistic Center to today’s modern long-term care facilities, the mission remains the same: to serve with excellence, with empathy, and with vision. I am so grateful to continue this work alongside leaders who truly understand that legacy isn’t something we leave behind—it’s something we live out every single day.
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