What differentiates one skilled nursing & rehabilitation center from another? The answer is... the people who work and reside there! The people set the tone, the atmosphere, and the expectations. At The Laurels of Massillon, we take great pride in ensuring that everyone feels like part of our family and that they are treated as special "guests" in our home.
The Laurels of Massillon employs a team of highly qualified medical professionals, including a Medical Director, Registered Nurses, Restorative Care Nurses, a Wound Care Nurse, state tested Certified Nursing Assistants, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and a Speech Therapist. Our on-site Rehab, Dietary, Social Work, and Activities departments provide personalized and compassionate care to each guest. From the moment you walk through the front doors, the warmth and caring of the staff will begin to gain your trust and confidence, as they strive to exceed your expectations.
Each Team Member takes great pride in portraying "The Laurel Way of Caring", as they strive for excellence in providing only the highest standard of care and services to every guest, and to every family member and visitor. Come on in! Visit a while! Let us show you our very best... let us show you The Laurel Way.
Sarah Sonego, MSM, LNHA
Administrator
Sarah Sonego joined The Laurels of Massillon as administrator in January 2020. She has over 15 years of experience in the skilled nursing industry, first as a human resources director and as a licensed nursing home administrator since 2008. Sarah is a two-time graduate of the University of Akron with both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in human resources. She lives in the Massillon area with her husband and three sons.
Barb Kisner, RN, BSN
Director of Nursing
Barb started as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant, earning her Medical Assisting degree and later her RN/BSN at University of Akron. Once she became a Director of Nursing at a skilled nursing facility she became a Certified Nurse Executive. Barb has extensive experience working in multi-faceted areas of nursing including Med-surg, Intensive Care, Critical Care, Emergency Room, Home Health Care, and Skilled Nursing Facilities. Her love of skilled nursing has spanned greater than 15 years providing care as a director of Nursing. For fun, Barb likes to Golf and enjoys boating at Portage Lakes. She has 5 grandchildren, a cat Pepper, an old English sheepdog and a standard poodle.
Olivia Ramsey, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, CDP
Rehabilitation Services Director
Olivia Ramsey, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, CDP is a 2014 graduate of Walsh University with a clinical doctorate in physical therapy. Her clinical rotations during her doctoral training included an acute care rotation at The Ohio State University Wexner Center and a 12-week training with a Herdman certified vestibular therapist.
Olivia has worked with The Laurels of Massillon since graduation in 2014 and was named rehabilitation services director position in 2018.
She earned the Certification of Exercise Expert for Aging Adults (CEEAA) in 2016 and passed the national board examination as an ABPTS Geriatric Clinical Specialist in 2017, with focused training in cardiovascular and pulmonary assessment and treatment. In addition, she is Delay the Disease-certified by OhioHealth for Parkinson's Disease.
Lorri Schaffner
Director of Marketing
Lorri Schaffner joined the team at The Laurels of Massillon as admissions coordinator in July 2018 and was promoted to director of marketing in January 2021. In her role as DOM, Lorri acts as a liaison between the facility and the outside community.
Lorri has over 15 years of experience in long-term care in both social services in marketing capacities. She has an associate’s degree in human services along, with a gerontology certificate.
In her free time, Lorri enjoys caring of her grandmother alongside her brother and brother-in-law, camping with her husband, five children, and three grandchildren, and cookouts with her extended family.
