Barry Klinger

Administrator

Barry grew up in Long Island, NY. He has a Bachelor’s in Management from the Sy Syms School of Business. As a kid, he grew up volunteering in nursing homes and knew from a young age he wanted a career in healthcare. He worked for a decade with individuals with special needs as a direct care professional before moving to positions in skilled nursing facilities. Barry has 5 years of experience in skilled nursing and received his license in 2020. His mantra is to “treat everyone as family.” His mission is to carry on the Center’s vision to provide the best care to residents.

Laura Claeys

Director of Nursing

Laura has joined our ranks as our Director of Nursing. She has 27 years of experience as an RN with 25 of those years in a long-term care setting. Laura also has certification in Infection Control, which is great, because she has an infectious personality. Her care and concern for the residents are noticed by all. Laura has a keen interest in geography, and nature, always reading up and learning more about it. It also doesn’t hurt to have your own piece of nature to admire. Laura has 150 acres of land that include wildlife such as her 5 dogs, 2 cats, and 10 chickens. The saying “from Farm to Table” is true especially when Laura brings in eggs to work. She has also promised to bring maple syrup which she harvests as well. If it is akin to her personality, we are sure to be in for a treat, and benefit from both.

Hershey Diaz

Assistant Director of Nursing

Hershey is our Assistant Director of Nursing with over 15 years of experience, having gotten her Bachelors in Nursing in 09’. Part of her exciting experience includes working as a nurse for a Prince in Saudi Arabia, before joining us in Carthage. She was recruited by an agency and that was EPIC for us. Hailing from Baguio City in the Philippines, she made her way by car, plane, and boat to come and join us. Hershey lives here in West Carthage and brought her family with her, with two Hershey nuggets and one Hershy kiss. She came to us in 2022 and started out as an RN cart nurse, then became an RN Supervisor, transitioned to Unit Manager, and is now the ADON. She makes a welcome addition to the team. Besides for her love of work and the residents, she also loves the outdoors, and is athletic, having to run around after her kids all the time. She enjoys sports and raising plants in her spare time.

Lisette LaRock

Director of Rehabilitation

Lisette refers to herself as a North Country Native, having grown up and lived in this area most of her life. She is a PTA by trade but prefers the role of grandmother to her 3 wonderful grandkids. Lisette has been working in this field for close to 13 years putting in the work and now runs the Rehabilitation Department at Carthage Center. Her vision to help and rehabilitate the daily living skills of the residents is why she has so many success stories. Besides for her passion for work, Lisette also has a passion for gardening. She really does have a green thumb and when the season is right, she brings food from her garden to share and enjoy.

Director of Social Work

Sarah Hastings

Director of Activities

Sarah has been in Carthage her whole life. In West Carthage, born and raised, on the playground where she spent most of her days. Chillin’ out, maxin’ out, relaxin’ all cool, she was shootin’ some soccer ball outside the school. She went and got married and had two kids, and now she spends days in activities. She started as an aide and worked her way up from there, and now she is the Director of Activities. Sarah is constantly thinking about the residents with a wide variety of exciting events and activities for both the residents and staff to participate in. Sarah’s goal is to put a smile on everyone’s face and she excels at that.

Cynthia Peebles

Food Service Director

Cindy has worked at this facility since 1985. Starting out working as a Dishwasher, working her way to Cook, and then even higher to become our Food Service Director in 2020. Cindy has lived in Carthage since working here. She is a mother to one daughter and recently became a Grandmother. She enjoys snuggling her Grandson and spending time with her friends on weekends. Cindy’s passion is making the residents happy. She firmly believes the saying that happy people have full stomachs, and she tries to make that a reality every day with her wonderful staff. She strives to make the kitchen a 5-star dining experience daily.

Ryan Montressor

Director of Building Services

Bum, bum-bum
This is gonna be real good, alright

One, two, three, four
Opportunity comes to knock on the door so
Let it in, let it in
Let it in (hey) (repeatx2)

For 19 years, I didn’t make enough paper
So I told them, see ya later
In April, 2021 I came to work for Carthage
It really was everything, truly, the whole package
I first started out as a Maintenance Tech
Been promoted and now running all the building specs
Maintenance, Housekeeping, and Laundry
No longer are we in a Quandry
Everything good, I’m a good Ol’ North Country Boy
Going above and beyond, I’m the real Mccoy
Kayaking, hiking, and spending time outdoor
So much nature for me to explore
A Yanks and Eagles fan for Baseball and Football
All while eating foods that bring up my cholesterol
Back at home, I got two kids, and an Ace up my sleeve
But I love my job, my work, you better believe
I spend my time taking care of the facility
And I will continue to do it to the best of my ability

One, two, three, four
Opportunity comes to knock on the door so
Let it in, let it in
Let it in (hey) (repeatx2)

Reese Wheeler

Human Resources

Reese holds an MBA from SUNY, as well as the position of Human Resources. Like the candy, Reese is sweet and cares about the people. She lives in Copenhagen with her husband, 2 boys (Rush and Jack) and twin girls (Jade and Roxy). She sometimes brings her girls into work and they bring a smile to those they meet. Reese has been in HR for over 15 years, with her last stint working with those dealing with substance and abuse. When Reese is not at work helping people, she likes to be outdoors, going hiking, doing gardening, and even baseball, though her favorite team is our NY rival so we won’t mention them. Reese helps support the people she works with and even has a candy jar filled with, you guessed it, Reese’s.

Harley

Director of Resident Well Being

Harley is our resident Mascot and therapy dog. She is a Merle Bernedoodle and is 5 months old, or 7 ½ in human years and her parents Adele and Blake are very proud of her. Jumping in the snow and barking at kittens. Chewing on toys and having dog mittens. Snacks and treats that her mom brings. These are a few of her favorite things. Harley is full of joy and brings joy to the residents providing much-needed snuggles because she is so fluffy. She is also an escape artist and she loves her job. In Harley’s own words, “woof, woof, bork, bork, woof, woof, bark”.