WNH Announces New Leadership in Three Positions

Apr 12, 2024

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William Newton Hospital is pleased to announce new leaders in three areas of its network of health services, Director of Volunteer Services Brittney Shaffer, Clinic Manager Mary Torrez, LPN-II, and Director of Rehabilitation Services Amanda Buttress, PT. These three leaders filled the positions of long-time hospital staff members who retired in late 2023, Cheryl Brock serving 30 years, Harlene Hoyt-Johnson, serving 27 years, and Lynda Lange, serving 33 years.

As Director of Volunteer Services, Shaffer brings new perspectives and passion to the job.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Brittney into her role leading our treasured hospital volunteers,” shares William Newton Hospital CEO Brian Barta, CPA. “I am confident she will carry the torch passed to her from our previous director, Cheryl Brock, and continue the outstanding work with our incredible William Newton Hospital Auxiliary. Brittney brings a wealth of experience, coupled with great energy and fresh ideas that I am certain will contribute to her success.”

Before joining William Newton Hospital, Shaffer planned and created activity schedules for people with intellectual disabilities and helped build a successful equine facility from the ground up.

Shaffer says, “I knew I would love a job where I could be involved and continue making a difference.”

Shaffer has spent the last five years with the William Newton Healthcare Foundation as the office's administration assistant where she has demonstrated her skills in organizational management and community outreach.

A native of Arkansas City with strong ties to Winfield, Shaffer has been involved in both communities since she was a child.

She remarks, “I grew up in 4-H and competitively showed horses until I was 16. After that, I joined a rodeo series and I am still currently pursuing my passion for horses. I am on the board for the Ark City Mavericks Arena where we create equine opportunities for locals to have more options for horse-related events closer to home. My husband Chad and I reside in Ark City but both work in Winfield, supporting the community in every way we can.”

Shaffer is excited to bring her experiences and talents to her position working with hospital volunteers.

“What I look forward to most is being able to provide volunteers & WNH Auxiliary members with the support they need to continue doing what they do.”

William Newton Hospital also recognizes Mary Torrez, LPN-II, as she takes on the role of Clinic Manager for Health Professionals of Winfield and William Newton Hillside Family Medicine clinics. Torrez is a familiar face at William Newton Hospital. She started in 2006 as a certified nurse assistant and ward clerk in the medical/surgical unit. Torrez has previously worked in long-term care, including the Kansas Veterans Home, medical records, and other clinics in Cowley County. She has been at William Newton Hillside Family Medicine for the past four years.

“Mary brings extensive experience and a passion for healthcare that will drive our clinics’ success. Her dedication to patient care and deep understanding of clinic operations make her a valuable asset to our team,” says Chief Operating Officer Brandy Cuevas, MHA, RN. “I am confident that she will make a positive impact on both our staff and patients.”

Torrez is a Kansas native from Clay Center and has lived in Winfield since 1999.

Torrez states she is thrilled to have been given this new opportunity to thrive within the William Newton Hospital community, “I have loved my work at Hillside, and I am eagerly looking forward to forging new relationships at Health Professionals of Winfield and throughout the entire hospital.”

Stepping in as Director of Rehabilitation Services is Amanda Buttress, PT. She was born and raised in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center with a master of physical therapy degree in 2005.

Chief Ancillary Officer Chris Graham, MHA, says, “We are extremely excited to have Amanda join the William Newton Hospital family. She brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to our outstanding rehab department. Amanda is progressive in thinking and has great ideas on how to move rehab services into the future.”

Buttress and her husband, Logan, reside in Arkansas City and stay busy chasing kids from one activity to another and raising livestock. Before beginning work at WNH, Buttress worked as the therapy team lead at SCK Health in Arkansas City for seven years, and previously worked in Northeast Oklahoma.

Buttress has experience in ICU, orthopedics, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities, home health, school-based therapy, outpatient settings, aquatics, and pediatrics. Of 18 years as a physical therapist, 15 have been in rural health settings.

“I also worked for a large health system in Joplin, Missouri providing inpatient physical therapy,” states Buttress. “But rural healthcare is where I’m supposed to be. I enjoy the variety that comes with rural health.”

She is excited to join the therapy team at William Newton Hospital and hopes to create growth.

“WNH has a large team that includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. I look forward to working with and leading this multidisciplinary team to provide a wide variety of therapy services to our area.”