Maggie McGhee of Rochester, Texas, knows a bit about small towns. The Knox City native, who pursued her first professional training in the healthcare field in Abilene, has done stints from Haskell to Vernon and began her post as adminstrator of the Kent County Nursing Home June 1, came to Jayton from a similar job in Hamlin.
In Monday’s session of Kent County commissioners court, the governing body of the county-owned facility, McGhee covered a wide range of issues that are likely typical of what she’ll face: keeping residents safe and healthy, recruiting the right mix and number of residents, working with a range of medical professionals, hiring help at all levels, staying on top of billing and regulations— and dealing with everyday maintenance. A shower shelf and a water heater were on her immediate list.
She’s no stranger to these varied functions, having spent more than thirty years in the workplace before pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health administration with a certification in long-term care. “The elderly population has always been a love of my because there are so many that have no one to care for them,” she said, “and if I can make a little difference in someone’s life I have done what makes them and me happy.”
She’s been married to husband Mark for 39 years; their family includes four grown children, Dewayne and wife Larriat; Marissa; Cara and husband Jerry; and Chris, as well as “three awesome grandsons,” Levi, 11, Luke, 5, and Parker, 6 months.
Although McGhee says she really doesn’t have hobbies (“I love lazy days”), she has found time to volunteer with local programs such as the Homecoming committee, the Helping Hand Food Pantry, and the Chamber of Commerce. One of the other things she loves, she says, is “small town life and the friendly faces I see on a daily basis.”
McGhee expects to work hard for Kent County Nursing Home, making sure that patient care and financial responsibilities will be priorities.
“I believe what makes seniors happy and healthy is caring people caring for them,” she said.
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