Tammy Pettijohn, Administrator
When Tammy Pettijohn starts talking about her new job as administrator at SunPorch of Smith County, she immediately mentions the staff.
“I am so impressed by the quality of care our elders receive,” Pettijohn said. “Our staff members are seasoned, motivated and compassionate.
“This includes our strong existing staff who have many years of experience, as well as newcomers who bring their own unique skills to the table. Together, we have an unstoppable team of professionals committed to providing high-quality care.”
In her role as administrator, Pettijohn supervises all clinical and administrative functions of the long-term-care residence.
“With the help of this great staff, along with SunPorch leaders, I have great support in this new position. I am excited to be here and am eagerly looking forward to the new Green House Project.”
This project will bring an innovative skilled-nursing-care design to Smith County. Included will be two Green Houses; each will be home to 10 elders. In addition, a 12-unit assisted-living residence will be constructed.
Ground will be broken for the project in the near future south of the new hospital campus.
“This will be a one-of-a-kind project in north central Kansas,” Pettijohn commented. “We provide a lot of individualized care now at SunPorch but it will be enhanced in the Green Houses.”
Originally from St. Francis, Pettijohn moved to the Smith County area in 2007.
The new administrator earned her bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University, with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. Pettijohn became a licensed administrator in 2012.
For 17 years, she worked for a community mental health center in northwest Kansas, supervising its home- and community-based services. Pettijohn also was a licensed long-term-care administrator in Smith Center and Kensington. Most recently, she was an account executive for Angels Care Home Health.
Pettijohn and her husband, Darrell, live south of Kensington. They have two daughters; Layne is a junior at Thunder Ridge High School and Lakyn is a freshman at Colby Community College. The family enjoys livestock shows and sporting events.
John Grace, SunPorch executive director, said “we are extremely impressed with Tammy after just a few weeks on the job. Studies have shown that when you have a good administrator, you have quality care. Since Tammy is doing a quality job, our elders and their families can count on quality care.”
Tammy Pettijohn, new administrator of SunPorch of Smith County, visits with Carmen Lamont, elder at the long-term-care residence, during a game of bingo.
Jaleesa Shamburg, Director of Nursing
Jaleesa Shamburg was a certified nurse’s aide at a long-term-care residence while in high school.
Today, she is the new director of nursing at SunPorch of Smith County, a long-term-care residence in Smith Center that serves families in north central Kansas. In this position, Shamburg oversees all aspects of clinical operations.
“I learned from an influential director of nursing while I was in high school,” Shamburg said. “I knew from that time on that I also wanted to be a nursing director. I have always enjoyed caring for elders, while providing the type of care I would want for my loved ones.”
Shamburg was attracted to SunPorch right way “because of all the new improvements that were in place before I arrived. I am continuously impressed as we move forward with our future growth. SunPorch is elder- and family-oriented, which is what a long-term-care residence should be.
“The future of SunPorch is so bright. We have hired many new staff members to provide the highest quality of care. This gives families peace of mind when they are not able to be here.”
Ground will be broken in the near future for SunPorch’s Green House Project, an innovative skilled-nursing design model. This project will include two Green Houses; each will be home to 10 people. A 12-unit assisted-living residence also will be constructed.
In the meantime, staff members have started training for their roles in these new residences.
“I am ecstatic about growing with SunPorch,” Shamburg said. “Our only goal is to provide top care to each elder. We are implementing a new method of care that will make them feel even more at home. Staff, elders and families are enthusiastic about this process. It is an exciting time for everyone involved.”
Originally from Cawker City and now living in Osborne, Shamburg graduated from Lakeside High School at Downs. She is a graduate of North Central Kansas Technical College in Beloit where she earned her licensed practical nurse credentials. Shamburg then attended Cloud County Community College in Concordia and became a registered nurse.
She was employed as an LPN in long-term care at Beloit and as a registered nurse at Smith County Hospital in the acute setting. Shamburg then began traveling around Kansas as an agency nurse until accepting her new position at SunPorch.
Tammy Pettijohn, SunPorch administrator, said Shamburg has already proven to be an invaluable member of the team.
“Jaleesa is energetic and hardworking, and has a passion for elder-focused care and meeting the needs of her staff,” Pettijohn said. “She is definitely an asset for SunPorch and I am excited to move forward on the Green House project with her as my co-pilot.”
Jaleesa Shamburg, new director of nursing, interacts with Eunice Baetz, left, and Virginia Engelke, elders at SunPorch of Smith County.
