Healthcare decisions have become increasingly complex. Families are often expected to make
important decisions while navigating uncertainty, conflicting information, changing
circumstances, and the emotional demands that accompany illness, aging, or disability. These
decisions extend well beyond medical care and frequently involve financial considerations,
family relationships, quality of life, and long-term planning.
Summit Care Connect is an independent healthcare strategy practice established to help families
navigate these decisions. I do not provide nursing care, medical treatment, care management,
patient advocacy, or placement services. Rather, I provide independent strategic guidance that
helps families understand their circumstances, evaluate available options, and develop a
thoughtful course of action.
My role is not to tell families what they should do. My role is to help families think clearly when
the decisions are complex, the stakes are high, and the path forward is uncertain. Drawing upon
more than twenty-six years of experience in healthcare, leadership, and research, I help families
organize information, clarify priorities, and make decisions that reflect their values, goals, and
circumstances.
Independence is fundamental to this practice. I do not accept commissions or referral fees, and
my recommendations are not influenced by healthcare providers or service organizations. My
responsibility is to provide objective guidance that enables families to make informed decisions
with greater clarity and confidence.
Joseph Hess, PhD, MHA, MS
Principal Healthcare Strategist

I created Summit Care Connect because I've spent my career watching families face
some of the hardest health decisions of their lives without a clear map. After more than
two decades in nursing, leadership, and academic work, I've seen how quickly things
get overwhelming when aging, safety, money, and family dynamics collide. My role is
simpl
I created Summit Care Connect because I've spent my career watching families face
some of the hardest health decisions of their lives without a clear map. After more than
two decades in nursing, leadership, and academic work, I've seen how quickly things
get overwhelming when aging, safety, money, and family dynamics collide. My role is
simple. Help families slow the process down, understand what is really going on, and
make thoughtful decisions with confidence. This isn't placement, it's not a commission-
driven service. It's independent strategic guidance for families who want clarity, honesty,
and a plan they can trust.

Healthcare strategy for families. Aging care gets
complicated fast. People aren't trained for it. I help families slow down, understand
what's happening, and build a clear plan for what's next. I don't sell care services. I don't
place people in facilities, and I don't take commissions. I offer independent healthcare
strategy. My work is coll
Healthcare strategy for families. Aging care gets
complicated fast. People aren't trained for it. I help families slow down, understand
what's happening, and build a clear plan for what's next. I don't sell care services. I don't
place people in facilities, and I don't take commissions. I offer independent healthcare
strategy. My work is collaborative. You know your family; I bring healthcare experience
and a process for sorting through the often complicated information. We look at what's happening, talk through
options, and build a plan. The outcome is a strategic care blueprint you can actually
use. If you're trying to think ahead and want a clear understandable plan instead of a sales pitch,
that's where I fit.

Services include comprehensive strategic planning, guidance during major health transitions, decision support, care and resource planning, family consultations, and ongoing advisory services. Every engagement is tailored to the unique circumstances of the individual and family, with the goal of helping them understand their options, organ
Services include comprehensive strategic planning, guidance during major health transitions, decision support, care and resource planning, family consultations, and ongoing advisory services. Every engagement is tailored to the unique circumstances of the individual and family, with the goal of helping them understand their options, organize complex information, evaluate alternatives, and make informed decisions that reflect their values, priorities, and long-term goals.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.