By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Registered nurse Tracy Leffler is the new director of nursing at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro.

Leffler has spent most of her nursing career at Parkside. After a short stint at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, she came to Parkside in August 1997.

Leffler began as a night-shift nurse, and then moved to evening and daytime. She advanced to serve as the Minimum Data Sets coordinator, overseeing a data program that provides assessments for state reimbursement. She is certified in MDS.

Before becoming director of nursing, Leffler was the nurse coordinator. She oversaw a “household” or group of residents who worked together with staff members to provide a comfortable environment. She also provided coordination at the assisted living facility at Parkside.

According to Parkside Homes Administrator Gretchen Wagner, with the culture change in the institution, the role of director of nursing has become more of a social model.

As director, Leffler oversees 68 nurses and nurse’s aides and manages the health-care needs of residents. She said her official title is Health-care Services Coordinator. She works with residents and staff to provide households with home-like atmospheres.

“Tracy is a very kind and compassionate leader,” Wagner said. “Her strength is her ability to lead in a calm manner. The team is excited to have her as director.”

Leffler said she is ready to accept the challenge. She plans to find creative ways for staff members to serve the residents.

“I have a really good staff, and it’s time to try new things and to continue to make changes,” she said.

Leffler lives with her husband, Kevin, in Canton. They have three children. Chelsi, 24, is married and has two children. Brittany, 17, is a junior at Canton-Galva High School. Grant, 11, is a fifth-grader in the McPherson school district.