Life Care Center of Port Townsend, a nursing and rehab facility, welcomes a new executive director, Heather Jeffers.

"I am thrilled to be part of the Life Care family and so excited to be working in the Port Townsend community," said Jeffers in a press release. "To have a positive impact on people, on their family, and to make their experiences good ones ... that's extremely rewarding."

Before coming to Life Care Center of Port Townsend, Jeffers served as the administrator for Avamere Olympic Rehab of Sequim for three and a half years, and prior to that as director of social services for eight years. Before those appointments, Jeffers worked for five years at the Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Before getting into health care, she worked as a social worker with at-risk youth, as well as at the King County Public Defender Association.

"In the short time I've already spent with Heather, I've noticed that she is a very engaged leader with her associates and community," said Dieu Dinh, vice president of Life Care Centers of America's Columbia Region. "I know that we will see great things coming out of Life Care Center of Port Townsend."

Originally from Battle Ground, Washington, Jeffers earned her bachelor's degree in social welfare as well as a master's in social work from the University of Washington. Jeffers currently serves as the vice president of the board of directors for the Sequim School District.

Life Care Center of Port Townsend, located at 751 Kearney St., is one of 16 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Washington operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee, Life Care operates or manages more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer's centers in 28 states. For more information about Life Care, visit lcca.com.