
Meet Our Chestnut Knoll Team

Shawn Barndt, BSW
Executive Director, Personal Care, Memory Care & At Home Services
Shawn, a native of Boyertown, has over 25 years of experience in caring for older adults in long-term care settings. She has a personal passion for designing programs for those with memory-impaired illnesses. Shawn has a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Kutztown University and holds her Personal Care Home Administrator's license in the state of Pennsylvania. Shawn was honored in 2003 with the Delaware Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association's "Someone to Stand by You" award for outstanding volunteerism as well as being the 2014 Boyertown Area Citizen of the Year.

Jodie Daniels, NHA
Assistant Executive Director/Director of Community Relations
Jodie has over 25 years of experience in providing care and services to older adults. She has a Bachelor's degree in Health Planning and Administration from The Pennsylvania University and is licensed by the state of Pennsylvania as a Nursing Home Administrator, Personal Care Home Administrator and Certified Senior Advisor. Jodie believes in education for empowerment. She is available for free private consultations and group speaking engagements. Her personal experience as a caregiver and her professional experience allows for a unique understanding and perspective.

Jennelle Jamison
Director of Staff Development & Resident Care
Jennelle coordinates the training and oversight for newly hired staff, as well as ongoing training and oversight for the veteran staff. She oversees the operational systems of the nursing office and the licensed professional nursing staff to ensure residents receive the ongoing support they need from internal and external care providers. Recently, Jennelle became a certified trained through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care, one of America's leading educators on dementia. Prior to this position, Jennelle joined the Chestnut Knoll team in 2012 and served as the Memory Care Director at Chestnut Knoll for four years. Before coming to Chestnut Knoll, she was employed at St. Joseph Adult Day Services for 15 years, working her way to an administrator, where she was responsible for day-to-day operations of care and service.

Linda Detwiler, LPN
Director of Chestnut Knoll at Home
Linda Detwiler has over 30 years of experience in nursing and has an extensive rehabilitative nursing background. She is a graduate of the St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Reading. Linda's diverse background includes medical, surgical, emergency room and intensive care nursing. She is certified in x-ray technology and has a certificate in nutrition and wellness.

Denise Shanley
Memory Care Director
Denise has over 25 years experience in providing Social Work services to older adults in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation environment. She has also worked as a discharge planner within that same environment. Denise has always had a passion for working with older adults. She has a bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University.

Diane Heffner, CNA
Director of Recreational Services
Diane is a recreational therapist for our community. She has worked in therapeutic activities for the past 18 years. Throughout her career in health care, Diane has worked as a physical therapy assistant and coordinator of therapy services in skilled nursing. Diane has over 32 years of experience in many facets of health care.

Eric Sartor
Exercise Physiologist
Eric is an exercise physiologist with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from West Chester University. He has experience in Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and Stress Testing. Eric has been with Fox Rehab since 2013 and has worked in various Personal Care and Independent Living Communities in southeastern Pennsylvania. Eric enjoys teaching group exercise and cognitive classes, assessing residents with evidence based testing, offering 1:1 exercise sessions, and referring residents to appropriate disciplines in rehab to optimize their wellness and function.

Scott Garverich
Director of Dining Services
Scott has over 26 years of experience in the food service industry and is Serv Safe certified. His experience includes work in skilled nursing facilities as well as rehabilitation facilities. Scott served as the Lead Chef/Assistant Manager of Dining Services at Chestnut Knoll since 2004. He was appointed to director of Dining Services in 2010.

Crystal Varady
Director of Environment Services
Crystal served as a housekeeper since Chestnut Knoll opened in 2000. She was then promoted as director of Housekeeping and Laundry. In 2007, she was appointed as director of Environmental Services. She has extensive training and knowledge in building maintenance and housekeeping and laundry operations for health care facilities.

Andrew Harnish PT, DPT, GCS
Fox Optimal Living Rehab Director,
Physical Therapist
Andrew has a doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University and a B.S. in Kinesiology from Penn State University. In 2016, he completed a geriatric residency program and is now a Board Certified Geriatric Specialist. He has been a licensed physical therapist in Pennsylvania for four years and has worked with Fox Rehabilitation serving the geriatric population throughout his career. He is also a LSVT BIG certified therapist (an evidence-based program designed for people with Parkinson's disease which has improved movement quality and people's walking, balance, and quality of life)
Come Home to Chestnut Knoll
Give us a call today. Our team is standing by to answer any questions you have and guide you on the path to calling our Boyertown, Pennsylvania, senior living community home.