
We Care About Your Recovery
About Us
Welcome to Recover-Care Heartland Healthcare. Our state of the art Skilled Nursing facilities, located across the state of Kansas, are equipped with all of the comforts of home. Our warm, knowledgeable staff are always available and attentive to all our residents needs. With cutting-edge medical equipment, top-notch therapy gyms and a full medical staff on call, your loved one will receive the best of care, both physical and emotional, at any Recover-Care Heartland home.
Our Facilities
Our Local Team
Anthony (Tony) Johnson has been in the long term care profession for 18 years. Tony started in long term care as a certified nursing assistant while pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Immediately following graduation, Tony became a licensed nursing home administrator was responsible for his first facility.
Tony had extensive experience and success managing long term care facilities with various services with a prominent national provider. As an administrator, Tony has also mentored and developed several students who have become successful Licensed Nursing Home Administrators. Tony was a student of the Malcolm Baldridge Quality program and implemented this approach to his facilities to achieve national quality awards.
For the last 10 years, Tony has been in the multi-facility leadership role. Tony has gained experience improving the care and service of several facilities with various services, locations, and markets. Tony has also served on the Nebraska Health Care Association Board of Directors and currently serves on the board of Directors for the Kansas Health care Association Board of Directors. In these roles, Tony has had a significant impact on shaping policy for the long term care through advocacy and PAC fundraising.
Tony’ philosophy to approaching the profession is demonstrating strong leadership and high integrity. He firmly believes that the key to providing high quality care and services is achieved by having the right people in the right place and developing their strengths to bring out the best in the leaders. In addition to leadership, Tony believes and demonstrates a commitment to listening to the customer and developing systems to drive strong quality outcomes and customer satisfaction. Looking forward, Tony believes innovation and the integration of technology will be instrumental to exceeding customer expectations and achieving high quality outcomes.
When not caring for the frail and elderly, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and four boys. He likes to spend his free time coaching his kids’ sports teams, helping with cub scouts, gardening, fishing, golf, and hunting. When time permits, Tony enjoys attending sporting events or watching movies.

Anthony/Tony Johnson
Chief Operating Officer
Laura feels humbled and blessed to have spent the past twenty years in the healthcare field serving as an advocate for the residents in her care and for the staff that she has had the privilege to know. Laura started her journey as a CNA and then spent 10 years as an LPN prior to going back to school to earn her RN degree. Her entire nursing career has been spent in skilled nursing and long term care as she has a passion and a deep commitment to serving the greatest generation.
Laura has worked as a Charge nurse, a Staff Development Coordinator, an MDS nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, and as a Regional Consultant. In 2011, Laura was named Director of Nursing of the Year by Kansas Healthcare Association (KHCA).
Laura is known for her sense of humor, her leadership skills, and for her ability to inspire and teach others. She would never ask someone to do something that she would not do herself. Laura believes that through good leadership, focus on employees, and consistency, each center can be a home and not just a place to work.
As a Regional Consultant, Laura is able to spend time in centers doing education, data analysis, and systems review to ensure that federal regulations are being followed and that best practices are being used in the centers she supports.
Laura and her husband, Wil, have lived in Topeka, Kansas for the past 16 years. They have two grown daughters, Melissa and Kellie who are also Registered Nurses. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, attending baseball games (Go Royals), and traveling.

Laura Peterson, RN
Vice President of Professional Services
Kellie has been in the healthcare field since she was 16 years old, starting as a CNA at a skilled nursing facility in the Recover-Care family. Kellie received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2015 and worked in the acute care setting after graduating. During her time in acute care, Kellie worked in medical-surgical nursing with an emphasis in respiratory, oncology, and palliative care, and also worked in the critical care setting on a step-down intermediate care unit and a medical intensive care unit.
In 2017, Kellie returned to her long-term care roots and became the Director of Nursing at the same skilled nursing facility where she began her healthcare career. As a DON, Kellie excelled in her leadership role, managing staff with compassion, education, and inspiring others to provide the highest quality care to the residents of her facility. Kellie also became a mentor to other Directors of Nursing throughout the company, using her experience, knowledge, and passion for long-term care to teach others. During her time as Director of Nursing, Kellie received notable awards with the Recover-Care company, including the Emerging Leader Award and the Helpful Leader Award. Kellie was also named Director of Nursing of the Year by Kansas Healthcare Association (KHCA) in 2019.
Kellie has always had a passion for learning, but also for helping and teaching others what she has learned and experienced. Kellie joined the Recover-Care regional team in the fall of 2020 as the Regional Nurse Educator, and now provides education and training to employees throughout the company on clinical capabilities, regulations, best practices, and quality assurance and process improvement.
Kellie has been married to her husband Brian since 2016; the two met while working as CNAs at the skilled nursing facility where Kellie was to become DON and where Brian still works. Kellie and Brian live in Silver Lake, KS with their son Jameson and are expecting another baby boy in June of 2021. In her free time, Kellie enjoys spending time with her family and fishing with her husband and her son.

Kellie Hudson, BSN RN
Regional Nurse Educator

Matt Harman, LNHA, RN
Regional Vice President
Matt Harman has been working for Recover-Care as the Administrator at Plaza West Healthcare and Rehab Center. In 1997 he began his career at Plaza as an LPN and has worked in numerous capacities at Plaza including Nurse Manager, Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and Director of Nursing (DON) before becoming Administrator in November 2011. Matt earned his associate’s degree in science for my RN in 2003 and bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baker University in 2006.
Matt attributes his success and dedication to the Long-Term Care population because this is the generation that raised him. Matt was adopted and raised by his “Grammy and Papa” who taught him and lived by example of “not to do things halfway”. During his pursuit of healthcare quality improvement, he has received awards such as DON of the year and honorable mention for administrator of the year. Matt has also sat on numerous health and safety committee meetings on behalf of KHCA.
For the past twelve years, he has also worked PRN as a Home Health RN specializing in medication teaching. “I enjoy giving back to my community in various events through Topeka North Outreach and have served as a Shawnee County hunter safety instructor and board member for multiple terms.”
In my time off from work, I enjoy motorcycle riding with my wife, fly fishing, hunting and cooking for friends and family. Growing up in Alabama and living in Kansas since I was nineteen, I have a great appreciation for fresh seafood, great college football (Roll Tide), and solid midwestern values.
Matt has been promoted in March 2020 to his current role as an RDO. Matt has worked every position in the facility and serves as an excellent role model to the Recover-Care staff and leadership teams of how to excel in the long-term care field.

Staci Cardenas
Regional Vice President
Staci has worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years. After receiving her BS in Dietetics from KSU and becoming a Registered Dietician, she started her career as a Dietary Program Manager for a healthcare system in Kansas & Nebraska. Over the last 10 years, she continued her education and professional experience in long-term senior care. Her career path transitioned from a Senior Executive Director then Director of Operations then Regional Vice President for several of the leading healthcare providers in the region. In July 2022, she joined Recover-Care Heartland as our Regional Vice President.
Joining Recover Care’s regional team is a dream come true for Staci. She enjoys teaching and educating her teams and forming long-lasting relationships.
Staci is a Kansas native. She grew up and continues to live in Washington, KS. She is married and has two amazing kids. She loves being a sports mom and spending time with her family and friends.

Sonya Christopher
Regional Business Office Manager
Sonya has worked in long term care for 30 years. She started out as a dietary aide, a part time job while
in high school. After high school she then worked as a CNA. After working as a CNA for almost 10 years she obtained her Certified Medication Technician. Shortly after that attended nursing school. Later she took varies other roles in LTC including Med Records and Central Supply.
While working in medical records she received the opportunity to learn the business office. The business office is where she found her forever home. Sonya has received multiple Business Office Awards. Top 5 Award in Accounts Receivable out of 300 buildings. DSO below standard for 12 consecutive months. Bad Debt Credit for 12 consecutive months.
Receiving the opportunity to join Recover Care’s regional team as a Business Office Consultant is a
dream come true for Sonya. She enjoys teaching and educating the business office staff. Forming relationships and being available for all the resident’s financial needs.
Sonya was raised in Lee’s Summit Mo and currently lives in Greenwood Mo. She has 4 kids and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Favorite things are cooking, reading, catching up on her favorite shows and of course sitting in the sand on a sunny beach.

Rachel Blair, RN
Director of Clinical Reimbursement – Kansas
Rachel Blair has been working in the long-term care industry for 14 years. She started as a CNA and worked her way up to her RN license in 2011. Rachel attributes her success in Long Term Care knowledge and hands on approach to her many years of experience as a floor CNA and Nurse
While working as an RN in Sandpiper Healthcare and Rehabilitation Wichita, KS she was offered the position of MDS coordinator and achieved her RAC-CT certification in 2018. Rachel is consistently aiming to improve practices and sharpen her abilities, she completed her QCP certification which gives extensive training on Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement programs.
Rachel worked tirelessly at Sandpiper to improve the Case Mix Index through education and hands on learning with the floor staff.
Shortly thereafter she was offered a regional position with Recover-Care as Clinical Reimbursement Consultant which provides oversight to the MDS departments within the Recover-Care Portfolio. Rachel lives with her partner and three children in Wichita, Kansas. She enjoys reading, weaving and spending time outdoors with her family.

Sherri Holman
Vice President of Business Development
Sherri has 15 year’s experience in long term care. She has held multiple roles over the years. To include Activity Director, Social Worker, Special Projects Coordinator, RNA, customer service specialist. Her background is in Social Work, which led into the Marketing/Business development side. She worked for one of the largest Post-Acute Providers in the country where she had great success outcomes and accomplishments. She has successfully worked with hospitals in the KC market to open a new Skilled Nursing Facility, as well as partnered with hospitals to complete the vetting process to obtained preferred provider networks.
Physician relationships is a specialty of hers. Patient experience is her top priority. Customer service and implementation of programs geared to ensure patient satisfaction is a primary focus of hers. She is a member of the Physician Liaison Alliance, Alzheimer’s association, professionals of Aging groups. She strives to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
She has 3 wonderful children Presley, Parker, and Phoenix. In her spare time, she enjoys watching her daughter play competitive softball, gardening, riding four-wheelers, cooking, and crafting.

Lawrence A. Millman
B.A., B.S., PharmD, BCGP
Director of Pharmacy
A third-generation pharmacist, Lawrence Millman grew up in a pharmacy family. His father, grandfather, and uncle all ran their own independently owned pharmacies, and from a young age Lawrence recognized the power and possibilities of a life dedicated to health and science.
Lawrence completed his B.S. in Pharmacy from the Arnold and Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy in 1994 and received his Doctorate of Pharmacy from the Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy in 2015. In 2017, Lawrence became a Board-Certified Geriatric Pharmacist.
Lawrence began his career in pharmacy as a “traditional” retail pharmacist. Over time he felt hampered from having a genuine positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the customers to whom he provided services. His pharmacy career path has included working as a home infusion pharmacist, hospital clinical pharmacist, and Director of Pharmacy in a skilled nursing facility. The pharmacy director position was where he found his true passion in pharmacy: to protect the most vulnerable members of society-our elderly. For the last 20 years he has been providing pharmacy consultant services for residents in skilled nursing facilities.
Lawrence joined Recover-Care as Director of Pharmacy Services in August of 2018 and has worked closely with the other members of the Recover-Care regional team to provide safe and effective medication management for the residents that call our facilities “home”.
Lawrence is a dedicated family man to his wife Jane and their two children. They all love to ski, swim, bike, and shoot archery together.

Jim Corpening
Director of Physical Plant Maintenance
James Corpening began his career at the Menninger’s Hospital where he worked in security then maintenance for 18 years. He became the Director of Maintenance in a long term care facility where he spent the next 8 years providing a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment, but more importantly personal customer service being his favorite part of the job. The last 8 years he has served as the Regional Director of Plant and Maintenance overseeing the environmental and fire safety compliance of up to 36 homes, as well as remodel, construction, and capital expenditures.

Desiree Johnson RN
Regional Nurse Consultant
Desiree began her nursing career in 1999 as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and developed a passion for caring for others. She continued to further her education and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 2001. During her time spent in nursing she has also continued to grow and work other nursing positions including Certified Medical Assistant, Charge Nurse, and Unit Manager until finally becoming a Registered Nurse in 2011.
From then she was the Director of Nursing for four nursing facilities over a ten year period and also had the opportunity of opening a new facility; always leading with the motto “I won’t ask anyone else to do what I won’t do myself”. Her strong leadership and ability to connect with others has always been paved by fairness, honesty, and enjoying the practice of nursing.
Born and raised in Brainerd, Minnesota, Desiree moved to Topeka, Kansas in 2000 where she met her husband, Ronnie. They were married in 2006 and have raised 5 children together: Laura (married in 2017 to her husband, Zack), Donavyn, O’Shae, Qua-Shaun, and Taetum, their youngest. In her spare time, Desiree enjoys having barbecues with friends and family. Her other hobbies include reading, catching on her favorite show, and spending time with her family.

Sara McKitrick, LPN
Business Office Consultant
Sara grew up in Louisburg, KS where she found her passion for long term care. She started out in the dietary department at Louisburg Healthcare where she continued to grow for last 17 years. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and went on to obtain her LPN at Area Technical School. Over the years she has worked in different position including CNA, Charge Nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Medical Records, and Business Office Manager.
As the Business Office Consultant, Sara monitors the business office operations and staff by providing education and the tools needed for processing of accounts receivable, adjustment/refunds, private and third-party agencies, census information, ancillaries, cash deposits, and posting. She strives to make sure that customer service is first and that the financial needs of residents are met.
Sara and her husband, Troy continue to resident in Louisburg, KS. They have two boy’s, Troy and Evan and one dog, Cain. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, attending her son’s sporting events, watching football and baseball, and spending time at Lake Stockton on the weekends.