Heartland PCA is a leading home care company serving all of northern Minnesota and specializing in personal care assistance, homemaking services and respite care. The administrative staff of Heartland PCA, listed here, are responsible for overseeing care to over 400 clients throughout the region. Each location is professionally staffed with registered nurses overseeing qualified direct care staff.

Headshot of Anna Buchanan of Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Anna Buchanan

Administrator

Anna became Heartland PCA's Administrator in August of '20. Anna strives for success in every challenge she encounters, a quality that developed at a young age. She became the youngest cross-country runner in her high school to go to state, and then worked hard to qualify for the Junior Olympics, successfully running under a five-minute mile. Anna decided to further her education at the college of St. Scholastica where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management and a Minor in Communication.

She became part owner-manager of her family's meat market and then, when she decided it was time to expand her management skills, invested in multiple rental properties. Anna also entered the home care field in '93 and never left. She had discovered her true passion and helped grow a company from eleven clients to hundreds. The everyday caregiving and personal relationships is what she enjoys the most.

Having a passion for travel, Anna, and her family of four kids, were fortunate to have the opportunity visit many places, anywhere from Canada to Costa Rica. However, her favorite adventure was the time she traveled to Ireland while studying abroad in college. Although a world traveler, Anna still enjoys sitting out in the sun with an iced tea during the short summers of MN.

Determined and excited for the continued growth of this company, she believes, "To be successful, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve, to be better, to get a little bit closer to your goals. The best part is, the more you accomplish, the more you'll want to do and the higher you'll want to reach. So, as long as you have the hunger for success, you will always have the power to achieve it."

photo of Ron Brooks, owner of Heartland PCA home care

Ronald Brooks

Owner

Heartland PCA's owner, Ron Brooks, is an Air Force / Army veteran. He served his country for 25 years before retiring in '21. Ron is originally from Hermantown, MN. He received a BS in Business Administration & Management, and Associate Degrees in Maintenance Production Management and Human Resource Management.

Ron has experience as an Aircraft Fuels Systems Specialist (USAF), an M1 Abrams Crewman (US Army), a Maintenance Systems Analyst (USAF), and a First Sergeant (USAF). In his final eight years, he served as a First Sargeant with the motto: "People are my business."

Outside of work, Ron loves to be outside, to travel, and to spend time with his family.

photo of Lynnette Hischer of Heartland PCA Sandstone

Lynnette Hischer

Assistant Administrator

Lynnette became Heartland PCA's Assistant Administrator in '21. She has been with the company since '13 when she started as a Branch Manager. She attended Pine Technical College where she obtained diplomas in both Accounting and Accounting Microcomputer Specialist. She is currently enrolled at Aspen University where she is working on a Bachelors in Healthcare Administration. Before joining the home care field, Lynnette owned a bookkeeping business for 16 years. She has also served as the City Clerk for Rutledge since '06.

When not at Heartland, you can find Lynnette running her outfitting business that specializes in recreational activities for disabled, veterans, and youth hunters. During her free time, she enjoys the outdoors (camping, hunting, fishing, etc), riding motorcycles, traveling, reading, crafting, playing the piano, and spending time with family. "I love working for Heartland and the challenges it provides -- but I especially love caring for the people in our community."

photo of Wendy from Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Wendy Koski

Branch Manager, Duluth

Wendy started at Heartland PCA as a scheduler in October 2012 after being a caregiver for 2.5 years. The thing she likes most is matching the PCAs to the client's interests whenever possible so work is more enjoyable. She has two teenagers and two Dobermans that keep her busy. She enjoys playing volleyball whenever possible and watching documentaries and any shows about nature. She hopes to go on an African Safari someday.

photo of Jessica of Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Jessica Furnas, RN

QP / Nurse coordinator, Duluth

Jessica joined Heartland PCA as a QP in June of '18 and became the Nursing Coordinator for Duluth in January of '19. She lives in Cloquet with her fiancé Jeremy and 6 children. When Jessica is not with her Heartland family, she enjoys fishing and dreams of catching a giant sturgeon! She also loves cooking for and with her family. Her favorite thing to bake and decorate is homemade birthday cakes for her children. When she has time for TV, she is a big Walking Dead fan and loves watching the show. She looks forward to growing with Heartland and loves caring for and learning about her clients.

photo of Pamela of Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Pamela Franklin, RN

QP / Nurse Supervisor, Duluth

Pam is a Registered Nurse and has worked at Heartland PCA's Duluth office since 2016 in the QP position. She has over 30 years of Nursing experience, graduating from North Park University in Chicago in 1981 . Over the course of time she has practiced nursing in Illinois, Arizona, Michigan and Minnesota, working in hospital Medical/Surgical areas and Float Pools. Working at Heartland has been interesting and "eye-opening" in exploring another role of nursing. Pam also has a Certificate in Parish Nursing and serves as the Parish Nurse at First Covenant Church in Lincoln Park. In her spare time she likes to play tennis and walk her dog.

photo of Kari from Heartland PCA home care Red River Valley Crookston

Kari Gudmundson, APRN

QP / Red River Valley

Kari has worked in healthcare for over 10 years. In '14, she received a Masters in Nursing, and has worked in longterm care, family practice, and urgent care. Kari loves being a mom to her two children, traveling, fishing, gardening, and kayaking. She looks forward to helping serve the Red River Valley with homecare needs.

photo of Alyssa from Heartland PCA home care Duluth MN

Alyssa Bonner

Compliance Officer

Alyssa joined Heartland PCA in the fall of '23 coming from a background in providing 245d services. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Superior in '21 -- majoring in Psychology and minoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. Alyssa has developed a passion for the helping field over the years. She has an extensive background in caregiving for all walks of life and wants to ensure that everyone is receiving the best care possible while maintaining their dignity and respecting their values. She is a firm believer that spending 1:1 time and getting to know those we serve, provides the most successful services.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing, camping, playing card games, lake days, and reading. Alyssa has a heart for traveling and has been to several places over the years, she thoroughly enjoys the breathtaking view and happiness the mountains bring her. She hopes to visit Banff and West Glacier National Park in the upcoming years. She believes that having a well-balanced life brings opportunities for growth in both personal and business life. Alyssa is overjoyed and excited to see what her years at Heartland PCA will bring to both her and her community.

photo of Amy at Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Amy Achman

Financial Advisor, Duluth

Amy graduated from the University of Minnesota - Duluth with her Bachelors in Accounting in 2019, Amy started with Heartland as the Branch Manager in April of 2021. Prior to Heartland, she worked as an accountant and an assistant manager. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her significant other and their "fur-baby", hiking, playing board and video games, and crafting.

photo of Lexxy of Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Lexxy Napper

Administrative Support Worker, Duluth

Lexxy has been a part of the Heartland team since July of '21 as an Office Assistant/Coordinator and is currently an Admin Support Worker. The Duluth area has been Lexxy's home for her entire life. She graduated from Lake Superior College with an Associate of the Arts degree in '22. Currently, she is pursuing her Bachelors in Management at The University of Minnesota Duluth. When at home, she enjoys spending time with her family's two Doberman Pinchers, relaxing by the water, perusing new trails, and being with friends.

photo of Gwen from Heartland PCA home care Duluth

Gwen Stafne

Office Assistant, Duluth

Born and raised in Duluth, Gwendolyn started with Heartland in April 2022. Having previously worked in childcare for 4 years, she was excited to continue working in yet another rewarding profession. In the spring of '23, she obtained an Associates of Arts degree from Lake Superior College. In her free time enjoys hiking, biking, and ballroom dancing. She is a huge food lover, enjoying cooking and baking just as much as eating out and trying any and all new foods.

photo of Sam from Heartland PCA home care Hibbing

Sam Grovenburg

Office Coordinator, Hibbing

Sam has two young girls that she adores more than life. She appreciates the time she is able to spend with her family and likes to do so as often as she can. In her free time, she likes to watch movies with her girls, play counsel games, and relax on her couch. She also enjoys the flow of an excellent pen. She is familiar with PCA work and medical terms as she used to be a PCA for her mother, who unfortunately passed away in 2016.

photo of William of Heartland PCA home care Sandstone

William Cebulla, RN

QP/Nurse Supervisor, Sandstone

Bill is graduate of the University of Minnesota in 1998 with a BSN degree. Since then, he has worked on a Med-Surg hospital in Osceola WI then moved to Hennepin Medical Center in the MICU. Bill then moved into Skilled Nursing visits working with the mental health population for 13 years caring for clients in their homes. He also worked with pediatric clients (vent dependent) in their homes. He joined Heartland PCA in January of 2020 as a Qualified Professional. Bill has worked as a hunting guide in Alaska, a crane operator in the military as well as in the private sector. He spent time as a Union carpenter in the 80's and in a cabinet shop in Alaska in the 90's. Bill decided to go to college to become a nurse in the 90's and has been in this field since. He has traveled throughout North America as well as several trips to China. Bill is single and resides in the backwoods with his dog. Bill is temporarily helping out our Bemidji office with QP needs, also.

photo of Katie of Heartland PCA home care Sandstone

Katie Kester

DON/RN, Sandstone

After obtaining a Practical Nursing Degree (LPN) from Lebanon Technical Community College (Lebanon, Missouri) in '06, Katie worked for Oxford Homecare in Missouri until moving to Orlando in '08. In '09, she settled in Sandstone and has since made the area her home. She completed an Associates of Science in Nursing (RN), from Excelsiors College (New York) in February of '20. Since moving to MN, she has been employed by Essentia Health (then Sandstone Medical Center) as a Long-Term Care Charge Nurse, Fairview Pine City (then Pine City Area/Braham Area Clinic) as a Clinic and Urgent Care Nurse, and most recently St Clare Living Community of Mora as a Long Term and Transitional Care Nurse until '19 before moving into the role of Staff Development as a Nurse Educator before finding Heartland PCA in December of '21. Her hobbies include various crafts, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, gardening, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, as well as keeping her goats, chickens, rabbits, husband, four boys and various other critters alive on their hobby farm. She has served as an election judge and a delegate for a local equestrian club. "I have a strong work ethic and take pride in the fact that I am from, and live in, a small rural community. I look forward to one day continuing to further my education to better serve the community."

photo of Lindsey of Heartland PCA home care Sandstone

Lindsey Pappas

Branch Manager, Sandstone

Lindsey joined Heartland PCA in February 2022 as a Branch Manager. She moved to Minnesota in 2004 from Oregon. She lived on the Iron Range and started her path in the healthcare field. Prior to Heartland, she worked as a License Practical Nurse and Certified Nursing Assistant. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys the outdoors spending time with family -- which includes her husband, 3 children, her nephew, and her dog.

photo of Hannah of Heartland PCA home care Sandstone

Hannah Taylor-Hischer

Regional Medical Coordinator

Hannah has been a part of the Heartland PCA team since 2017. In 2022, she became an Office Coordinator, and most recently she was named a Regional Medical Coordinator for the company. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with family, cooking, baking, and exploring the outdoors.

photo of Lynn of Heartland PCA home care Sandstone

Lynn McKinny

Office Coordinator, Sandstone

Lynn started with Heartland PCA in December of '22 after moving from The Cities and buying a home in Sandstone. Before working for Heartland, she owned a cleaning company -- helping clean and organize clients' homes and workplaces. She also worked as an auto body paint technician. Lynn went to DCTC in '05 (Dakota County Technical College) for Auto Body. She has worked on vehicles throughout the years, and has owned 35 vehicles in her life. She recently married her best friend.
In her free time, she loves anything outdoors -- camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, cooking, having BBQs and bonfires, riding anything with an engine, playing games and sports with her husband and two daughters, spending time in the sun, going to her cabin, road tripping, traveling... "walking mountains and beaches with my family is the best thing ever."

photo of Jolae of Heartland PCA home health care Hibbing

J'olae Loehrer

Office Coordinator, Hibbing

J'olae joined Heartland PCA in March '23 as an Office Coordinator in Hibbing. Before that, she worked in elementary K-6 special education. J'olae is originally from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, but has called Minnesota home for the past 20 years. Her greatest joys in life are her two children and her husband. In her free time, she can be found either in the kitchen trying out a new recipe, in her garden mothering her plants, or making some new craft she found on Pinterest."