Congratulations to everyone elected to serve on the LeadingAge Kansas Board at the April 22nd Business meeting. Here is the roster of all current LeadingAge Kansas Board Officers and Members, based on the April 22, 2021 election at the Member Business Meeting.
More about those elected for a first term:
- Tammy Pettijohn is the Administrator of SunPorch of Smith County in northcentral Kansas. This wonderful little campus includes two Green Homes and a 12-unit assisted living. Tammy and her team helped facilitate the transition to their current campus from the previous Smith County Hospital Long Term Care Unit. She is known for her excellent administrative, people skills and commitment to culture change and staff empowerment. Tammy comes to the board with a wealth of experience in not only long-term care, but also 5 years of home health marketing experience and 17 years working for High Plains Mental Health Center. Tammy is a Native of Northwest Kansas, growing up in St. Francis. Her Degree is in Psychology from Fort Hays State University and she is a certified Green House educator. Tammy recently completed her CNA credential so that she could help provide direct care during the pandemic.
- Charlotte Rathke is the Administrator of Locust Grove, a small campus that provides independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing home care for the citizens of LaCrosse, Rush County, and surrounding area. She characterizes her long career in aging services as a ministry, sparked when she was in junior high school. Under her leadership, Locust Grove Village has received recognition over the years for excellence in workforce, person-centered care, and other areas. She will complete her term of service on the EBI – LeadingAge Kansas Association Health Plan this fall. Charlotte is one of our premier advocates for small, rural aging service providers… with state legislators and Members of Congress. She is a licensed adult care home administrator and degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas.
- Cheyenne Strunk is the Executive Director of Ascension Living -Via Christi Village in Manhattan, and the Regional Executive Director providing support to five Ascension campuses in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Manhattan campus provides skilled nursing and assisted living services to 130 older people. Developing and cultivating workforce talent, and quality improvement have been long-time passions for Cheyenne. In addition, she has made community relations building a priority and believes that involvement with the broader community is vital to success. Cheyenne is called a “challenger of the status quo” by Ascension leadership. Cheyenne has a degree in Public Health Nutrition from K-State and a Master’s in Healthcare Leadership from Friends University. She is a licensed adult care home administrator and preceptor.
- Shawn Sullivan is the President/CEO of Topeka-based Midland Care Connection, an integrated community care delivery system, that includes a PACE program, adult day services, respite care, hospice and palliative care, home health and in-home supportive services and Meals on Wheels. Shawn has been an administrator and CEO for non-profit long-term care communities and did a stint as a turnaround expert for a system of troubled for-profit homes. He was appointed as Secretary of KDADS by Governor Sam Brownback during a time of tremendous change. Subsequently, he was named Director of the Division of Budget, and then COO for the State of Kansas. Shawn brings a wealth of experience in person-centered long-term care and community-based services, the workings of state government, finance and reimbursement, solid relationships with many legislators. Shawn is a K-State grad and Licensed Adult Care Home Administrator.
- Andy Sutter is the Executive Director of Village Manor, the detached long term care unit of Memorial Hospital in Abilene. Andy was on staff during a much-needed change of ownership and major turnaround in quality and adoption of person-centered care. As an RN with over 30 years of experience, Andy brings deep clinical expertise and critical thinking skills to the Board. He came to his love of serving older adults early in his career. During his career Andy has been a CNA, LPN, AANAC-certified MDS and Care Planning Operator, RN, Director of Nursing and since 2019, Executive Director of Village Manor. He is a dedicated lifelong learner and has been actively involved in many of the programs of LeadingAge Kansas. He attended K-State and earned his nursing degree from Manhattan Area Technical College. And last, but certainly not least…
- Rodney Whittington is the CEO of Villa St. Francis, a 170-bed Cathlic-sponsored skilled nursing home in Olathe. He has 22 years of experience in long-term care, in both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Rodney is respected for his critical thinking skills, collaborative approach to problem solving, regulatory expertise and community relationship-building. He is a dedicated advocate with legislators on behalf of older adults and their care providers. In recent years, Rodney has been active in consulting and turnaround of troubled facilities. Rodney is a graduate from K State with a degree in Life Sciences and Gerontology, and a licensed adult care home administrator. He is a graduate of the LeadingAge Kansas Center for Leadership Fellow, and previously served on the KING Board.
These individuals completed their terms of board service with the April 22nd elections – Rhonda Parks, Lonnie Baker, Jason Stucky, and Past Chair Nate Glendening. Many thanks for your loyal service.
