About Us

Our mission at Shawnee Heartland is to create a home-like environment for our residents. As one of our residents often says, “It’s not home but it is sure the next best thing.” The comfort and security of our residents is our main concern at Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living. Their care and well being is our number one priority.

Our litmus test is:  "Is this assisted living community where I would want my parent or loved one to be?" Every day we strive to achieve these goals through our nursing care, activities program, dining experience and the management’s attention to the details of making a building a home for its residents.

SHAWNEE HEARTLAND STAFF

The personality of an assisted living facility is reflected in its staff.  Shawnee Heartland is fortunate to have a great deal of longevity among its employees. Our philosophy is to find qualified individuals with compassionate personalities and a desire to work with the senior population. It is not enough to fulfill our tasks but we must fulfill them with a caring persona and cheerful attitude. An assisted living facility is only as outstanding as its front line employees.

Phyllis Curtis - Executive Director
 
Phyllis comes from a background quite different than your typical assisted living executive director. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education with an emphasis in Organ performance from Kansas State University. She grew up in Girard, KS where she was surrounded by an extended family of farmers, friends and neighbors unified by small town values. It seemed that every church and home was  in the business of assisting the senior community. It was during these formative years that she developed her love and respect for the senior population. Phyllis began working as a church organist at the age of 12. This is a vocation that she continues to this day as she serves as the organist at Country Club United Methodist Church. Phyllis has worked as a public school music teacher in Wichita and Manhattan Kansas as well as North Kansas City, MO.  
 
Frank Curtis - Community Life Director
 

Frank was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama being the youngest of five children. Much of his childhood was spent visiting grandparents. He was the youngest of who knows how many grandchildren and was the namesake of his maternal grandfather who was a great influence in his life.  From an early age Frank was fascinated with the stories of his grandparents and great aunts and uncles. It is no wonder he ended up working where he does today. The road to Shawnee Heartland was a long and indirect one. Frank’s love for music led him to its study and eventually finding the world of grand opera. He has sung with major opera companies and symphonies throughout North America and Europe. Frank has called New York City, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Zurich Switzerland and Hamburg, Germany home. In addition to his singing career he has taught on the music faculties of The University of Southern California, Pasadena City College and The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He is known to be passionte about his music and passionate about serving the needs of the residents at Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living.

Katrina Simms- Nursing Director

Excluding a two-year hiatus in the restaurant management field, Katrina has spent her entire working career in the nursing field. Her interest in nursing began when she took a position as a candy striper during high school. From there it was a natural progression to nursing school. Although Katrina had worked in several other senior facilities, we were fortunate to have her join us at Shawnee Heartland in 2002 as the weekend nurse. After a few months in that position she was promoted to Nursing Director.  She loves the fact that she can make a difference in the life of our residents, not only caring for their physical needs but also their emotional and social needs.  Seeing that the residents get the care that they need and filling the gap in resident’s lives that have limited familial interaction makes her work satisfying.  Katrina balances her life caring for her husband and teen-aged daughter. She enjoys reading, cake decorating, drawing, painting and crafts of all types.

Lindsey Bush - Activities Director

Lindsey is a Kansas City native.  She grew up in Lee's Summit, Missouri and holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance degree from the University of Kansas and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and Dance.  Lindsey spent her summers prior to graduate school working with the residents at Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living.  After completing her Master's degree she returned to Shawnee Heartland full time.  Lindsey is an active performer around town.  Lindsey finds working with the residents at Shawnee Heartland a particularly rewarding experience.  She learns from them every day and hopes to bring happiness to their lives.

Dave Norton - Head Chef

Chef Dave Norton has been in the kitchen for as long as he can remember.  From an early age he knew he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Dave grew up in the Kansas City area and attended Johnson County Community Colleges’ School of Culinary Arts. He has worked throughout North America with the Hyatt Company.  For eight years he worked for PB&J Restaurant chain in Kansas City and was the executive chef at The Coyote Grill for six years.  Since February of 2005, Dave has been the head chef at Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living where he receives rave reviews daily.