A couple of decades ago, Brandy Loomis served people with special needs in their homes as a direct-support professional at Sunflower Diversified Services.

After taking time off to raise her daughters and earn her nursing degree, Loomis became the registered nurse at Sunflower in 2018.

Today, she is the new executive director of the non-profit agency.

“I have always just had a passion to support Sunflower’s mission to provide options to people so they can lead the most independent lives possible,” Loomis said. “It is more like a calling than a job.

“Sunflower has a great professional staff and a dedicated board of directors, which will help me make a smooth transition into this position. All of us have the same goal – to carry out the agency’s mission.”

Loomis’ residential and medical services backgrounds give her first-hand knowledge about the “day-to-day lives of the people we serve. These experiences help me understand what it takes to provide services each day with compassion and professionalism.

“This day-to-day interaction is why we are here,” she added. “Our staff members make a personal connection with individuals who count on us for support. It is the foundation of what we do.”

The near future

In upcoming months, Loomis expects some state regulatory changes that will impact Day Services and Case Management.

“New regulations will certainly not prevent us from providing support to individuals,” Loomis said. “At this point, we don’t have a clear-cut blueprint to follow. When we do, I will help guide the staff and board of directors as we make adjustments.”

Loomis also is eager to address the long-time issue of the waiting list. “The state is working on this too and we will do our best to accommodate individuals as they come off this list.”

Sunflower continues to regularly collaborate with local state legislators and InterHab, keeping them informed about the agency’s needs.

InterHab, Topeka, is an association that advocates for Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Goals are independence, inclusion and innovation.

“We directly communicate with InterHab on a regular basis and recently attended one of its conferences,” Loomis noted.

Another area of focus for the short- and long-term is the recruitment of new employees. “We always look for new people and new ideas,” Loomis said. “Anyone who is considering a position at Sunflower is encouraged to contact us. The work here, in every department, is rewarding, meaningful and purposeful.”

Loomis is a 2000 graduate of Great Bend High School and earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Barton Community College. She will graduate with a bachelor’s in nursing in May at Fort Hays State University.

Loomis and her husband, Tommy, have three daughters – Emma, Hannah and Sophia.

Board of directors

Lisa Burdett, speaking for the Sunflower Board of Directors, said they were fortunate to have very qualified applicants and decided that Loomis is “uniquely qualified” to take the helm. 

“She has been with the agency for several years as director of medical services and has had contact with our clients and the many hard-working and dedicated staff members,” Burdett said. “Brandy believes, as do we, in the vision of the agency to allow individuals with disabilities to be the best they can be, to be provided the opportunities to achieve their fullest potential and to participate in all aspects of life.

“Brandy is a strong advocate for our clients. She understands the delicate balance required to navigate state and federal regulations with the agency’s budget constraints. The board is very excited to be working with Brandy and look forward to seeing where she takes the agency under her leadership.”

Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. It is in its 59th year.