Jackie Huntsman Concludes Rewarding Career
Jackie Huntsman, veteran employee of the nursing facility field, finished her career on May 1 at The Enclave at Barnesville having worked at the skilled-nursing facility since it opened in February 1980.
She was one of the first employees of the Barnesville Health Care Center at 400 Carrie Avenue when two couples, Derl and Jeanne Troutman and Don and Audrey Vanek, built and opened the facility 46 years ago.
A 1962 graduate of Barnesville High School, Huntsman and her late husband Ted’s family had expanded by four children – Bill Huntsman, Chad Huntsman, Jason Huntsman and Jill Strauss, before she entered the workforce.
Huntsman said she watched from her home nearby as the facility was constructed and began working there just two days after it opened.
She started as a nurses aide on the midnight shift, later earning her certificate from the University of Akron. Over the years, she served in multiple roles, including activity director, before finishing her career as social services director. In that role, she handled admissions, insurance, discharges, daily contact with residents and meetings with families for support.
In retirement, Huntsman plans to spend time visiting her grandchildren, relaxing by the pool, traveling and working in her flower bed.
About 10 years ago, Huntsman left the facility to work in Bridgeport for for a short time, but she returned to the Carrie Avenue facility, which she described as her “second home.”
“It really is,” she said. “My kids have grown up very familiar with it. I lost my husband while I worked here. It’s a family environment.”
When Huntsman started, only the north wing of the facility was completed, and there was just one patient.
Over the years, she has witnessed transition through five different owners, two name changes and many renovations. New Jersey-based CCH Healthcare purchased the formerly named Astoria Place in 2025. The new owners undertook renovations including upgrades to the dining room, family lounge, beauty shop, shower room and parking lot. New flooring was also added.
The Enclave at Barnesville offers occupational, physical and speech therapy services and a 20-bed all-female “memory unit”.
She also notes a shift in the type of care provided, from primarily long-term care to short-term rehabilitation services and with that the patient population has changed. What was once mostly older residents now includes a mix of younger and older adults.
Huntsman also acknowledged advancements in technology, including the evolution from paper records to computerized systems.
Social services director Jackie Huntsman spent her last working days at the Enclave bidding farewell to her beloved staff family. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
Huntsman said one of the things she loved most was the health care center’s involvement in the community. She recalled participating in events such as the Pumpkin Festival parade, as well as a large community picnic that drew scores of attendees.
“That was unreal,” she said. “That was probably one of the biggest community events for the residents and their families.”
She also remembered the facility hosting a style show for the March of Dimes.
Huntsman said she will miss the staff and residents the most. “Your work friends become your family friends,” she said.
She added that The Enclave at Barnesville is a place filled with caring staff and a strong sense of purpose.
“We have a one motto,” Huntsman said, “and it’s that ‘We care.’”
Teia Hart, who will follow Huntsman in the role as social services director, will certainly have “big shoes to fill”.
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