Lynette Emmerson has been a licensed long-term care administrator in the community for almost thirty years.

“After both of my parents passed away this past year and after becoming a grandparent for the first time, I re-evaluated my priorities,” she said. “With the help of my family, I realized I can look for a career in which I have less pressure and responsibility.  I prayed about it and God opened a door. I have the opportunity to spend more time with my growing family, which includes a daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and a future son-in-law.”

As of January 2, 2024, Emmerson will be a new secretary at Fort Scott Middle School.

She has been at Medicalodge, Fort Scott, for the past nine-and-a-half years.

Emmerson noted that long-term care residents in nursing homes need a higher level of staffing and experienced nurses than when she first started her career.

“Hospitals are not admitting or keeping people as long anymore so skilled nursing facilities must be prepared to provide that kind of care,” she said.

Another difference, is “Over the years, residents have been referred to us from all over the region from Kansas City to Wichita to Joplin while in the beginning, it was more local- Fort Scott and the surrounding communities.”

“Also, less of the workforce seems to want to work in long-term care so it is very important to recruit and retain staff who love caring for the elderly and individuals who need long-term care,” she said.