Sanctuary of the Ohio Valley has increased its staff over the past few months.

The Ironton long-term care facility hired Cathy Coburn as director of admissions and marketing, Kristy Bell as director of rehab and Wendy Adkins as assistant director of nursing. Collectively the three have decades of experience in their respective fields.

Coburn came to Sanctuary last October after 10 years at Heartland of Riverview in South Point. She is a South Point native who holds a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and a master’s in business.

“The marketing aspect of what I do here is exciting,” she said. “It’s part of our ongoing effort to be a bigger part of the community not only with involvement in events, but awareness and education as well.”

Coburn said she views herself as a resource for anyone who may have questions about Medicare, short-term rehab and long-term care at the facility.

“I enjoy what I do,” she said. “Whether it’s long-term care or short-term rehab, it’s a big commitment for someone to make and I am here to help them make the most informed decision.”

Bell is a native of Ashland, Ky., and a resident of Flatwoods, Ky. She came to Sanctuary a month ago as director of rehab after 10 years at Heartland of Riverview.

“I just like helping people,” she said. “My goal is to get them to their highest physical level before they go home.”

Bell is married and has one son, Ian, 11. She attended Shawnee State University and is a certified occupational therapy assistant who said she prefers working with geriatric patients.

“Along with helping people get back to doing the activities of daily life,” she said, “if I can get them to laugh and smile in the process, I have done my job.”

Adkins completes the trio of new hires at Sanctuary. She began as assistant director of nursing two months ago and has been worked in several capacities as a Registered Nurse for the past 15 years. The Louisa, Ky., native and Kitts Hill resident is the mother of two boys, Ethan, 12, and Bryce, 9. She shares a philosophy not unlike that of her coworkers.

“The goal is to go home,” she said. “Even then we are here to make sure the proper equipment and people support is provided to them.”