Staff

Michele Engelbach has had a passion for elder care ever since working as a nursing assistant in a nursing home more than 35 years ago. She graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Gerontology degree and has spent her entire career caring for Elders. Michele arrived at The Ohio Eastern Star Home in May of 2012 as an interim Chief Executive Officer and was quickly captivated by the caliber of the staff and their commitment to providing the very best care to their residents. In July, Michele was appointed by the OESH Board of Trustees to serve as Chief Executive Officer. Prior to The Ohio Eastern Star Home, Michele served as the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator for over 10 years at the Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (now Ohio Living) Westminster-Thurber Campus in Columbus, Ohio. Michele continues to dedicate herself to shifting the paradigm of long-term care. She is passionate about de-institutionalizing nursing homes and creating HOME for our residents and Elders. The recently built Esther Buchwald Neighborhoods reflect that belief, and Michele is proud to bring the Knox County community a new philosophy of caring for elders while continuing to enrich the lives of all we serve.

Amanda Pohlman has worked in the long-term care industry ever since she graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's degree in Gerontology/Long-Term Care Administration. She passed her state and federal boards in 2014 to become a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and has been active in the education of caregivers — specifically concerning person-centered care — throughout her various roles in the industry.  She received her Eden Associate Certificate in 2019.

Amanda brings with her a passion for Elder-Centered Care and a specific love for working to support those living with dementia. She loves working here at The Ohio Eastern Star Home because the company provides the time and resources to create relationships with the staff and truly encourages them to become the best versions of themselves. A company’s staff is the lifeblood of the operation, and it is only through our carestaff that we are able to provide superior care to those residing with us.

When she is not teaching and training the staff at OESH, Amanda enjoys exploring recipes in the kitchen, going to the theater, and playing with her two nephews.

Dr. Oza joined MedOne in 2019 and has 20 years of experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She completed her residency at The Ohio State University. She also has a Master's Degree in Public health and is Board Certified through the American Board of Family Medicine.

Tyler Harris started his Elder care journey as an STNA while working his way through nursing school. He graduated from EHOVE Career Center as an LPN in 2009 before returning to school to obtain his RN license in 2014 from Firelands Region Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ohio University in 2017, then finally received his Masters of Business Administration in Healthcare from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2020. Since 2016, Tyler has held administrative positions within the Elder care field working as either an Assistant Director or Director of Nursing. With a strong drive to provide safe, competent, and elder-focused care to those he serves, Tyler looks for ways to improve the care OESH provides on a daily basis. He currently resides in Mansfield with his fiancée and houseful of dogs and one cat where he spends most of his free time caring for and playing with his many nieces and nephews. Tyler began his tenure at The Ohio Eastern Star Home in September 2022. He loves the Elder-focused philosophy of the organization and is looking forward to growing his healthcare career here at The Ohio Eastern Star Home for many years to come.

Barbara Davies graduated with honors in 2015 from Central Christian College of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Business Administration and Human Resources. Barbara has a passion for helping others, volunteering, and serving her community. She is married to her husband, Brad, and has one son, one daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren living in Fredericktown. Barbara has always loved working in the healthcare field. She enjoys the elders, takes interest in the history and stories of the past, and finds purpose in supporting others. She is looking forward to a bright future with Ohio Eastern Star Home.

Diane earned her BA in Psychology from Alderson-Broaddus College and her MSEd in Education/Community Counseling from Duquesne University. Her professional background spans the fields of education and healthcare. Highlights include her work providing private duty and personal assistance, chairing the Capital Campaigns for Hospice of Knox County and Central Ohio Technical College’s Ariel Hall, and as Development Director at Starting Point Pregnancy Center. 

Diane has served in leadership roles in both her community and her church. She currently serves on Boards for Hospice of Knox County (Hospice of North Central Ohio), and the Knox County Symphony Orchestra. She is an active member of the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults and the Mount Vernon Rotary.

When a global pandemic isn’t crashing the party, Diane and OESH Independent Living Apartment Elders participate regularly in cultural, educational, and social events while engaging the Greater Mount Vernon community as a campus.

Having worked with the elderly since age 16, Diane was impressed by how capably OESH Care Partners assisted her grandmother from 2003-2012.

She believes that the Ohio Eastern Star Home truly offers ‘The Best!’ by avoiding loneliness, helplessness, and boredom within a fun-loving, compassionate, and gracious living environment!

Nancy Jo has lived in the Mount Vernon area since 2008 and has enjoyed becoming part of this vibrant community.  After graduating from Roberts Wesleyan College with a degree in Elementary Education and Fine Arts, she taught in small private schools for several years, wearing many hats.

After a move to the Chicago area, Nancy Jo found the world of marketing, working for First Alert and World’s Finest Chocolate in project management.  Several years later, a move to Mount Vernon led her to Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Admissions Office where she worked for 10 years in data management and integrity, all while working with the Marketing Department and Special Events to draw prospective students to MVNU.  

2022 brought a change in direction, introducing her to the field of senior care, and in 2023 brought her to the world of marketing once again at The Ohio Eastern Star Home where she is very excited about being on the ground floor of promoting Pine Hill Independent Senior Living.  Her community involvement for the OESHome includes a leadership position with the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults, a seat on the planning committee for the local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and the Knox County Kiwanis Literacy Committee.

Nancy Jo has been married to John since 2010, and they enjoy traveling to New England and other sites where they can observe the history of America through trains.  In her free time, Nancy Jo enjoys cooking, entertaining friends and family, serving in her church, and spending time in her flower beds.

Jason was raised here in Knox County before going off to college in northwest Ohio.  Returning home, he and his wife settled back in the Fredericktown area to raise a family.  He has been in the technology industry for 25 years, working his way up from repair and system design to the operations and administrative level over many years. Jason came to The Ohio Eastern Star Home after spending several years working in the pharmaceutical technology industry for a large scale operation in North America.

In addition to his technology background, Jason has spent 22 years in various aspects of public safety, where he continues to serve as a firefighter. His hands-on experience and training bring security and safety expertise to the Elders and staff of The Ohio Eastern Star Home.

He has a passion for service, volunteerism in the community, and a variety of philanthropic projects.

A graduate of Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland, Marci earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Fitness.  For nearly two decades, Marci has worked in Continuing Care Retirement Communities. Her career began at Asbury Heights in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as an Exercise Coordinator. Here she implemented and managed health, fitness, and wellness programs for the elders before becoming the Director of Volunteer Services, Security and Transportation.

In the summer of 2015, Marci and her family moved to central Ohio. Here she began working as the Director of Life Enrichment for The Ohio Eastern Star Home. Marci prides herself on being innovative and an “outside the box” thinker who takes pleasure in creating exciting and mentally stimulating events and experiences for the Elders of The Ohio Eastern Star Home.

Marci resides in Howard, Ohio, where she and her husband are raising twin boys and a daughter.

Mike started many years ago working in construction, he managed a warehouse, worked in a factory for Kelsey Hayes, and 25 years ago he came to The Ohio Eastern Star Home as a maintenance worker.  Mike was diligent in his work, and he is now the Director of Engineering and Environmental Services.  His Building Management Team is amazing and works to keep The OES Home running smoothly, and his    Housekeeping Team does a great job of keeping the building clean and smelling wonderful.  Golf and bowling have been Mike’s passions for years, and most currently he enjoys working in his yard and spending time with his wife, Laura.  

Darcy Bussard has worked in Healthcare Finance for over 22 years starting as a junior accountant working to her current position as Controller.  She has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Franklin University.  Her career began at  Coshocton County Memorial Hospital for 12 years, moving on to Knox Community Hospital for another 10 years.  Darcy is new to the Nursing home setting but is excited for the opportunity to use her experience to grow and serve the Elders at The Ohio Eastern Star Home.  Outside of work, Darcy and her husband, Scott, enjoy working the family farm.  She loves all animals but especially loves her horses and competes in Barrel Racing.