Nevada Regional Medical Center recently announced the opening of an Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic aimed at giving patients more options in seeking help with mental health problems. Dr. Mark Stewart will begin seeing patients on Tuesday, March 28th. Hospital CEO Jason Anglin said, “We felt it was important to expand the services available to our patients looking for treatment options for behavioral health.”
Currently, NRMC offers the following services in the field of mental health. A structured adult inpatient unit which serves those over the age of 18 and a senior unit for adults over the age of 55. Additionally, one-on-one counseling appointments can be made at the Primary Care Clinic where Dr. Candice Moore, Child Psychiatrist; Jama Bogart, PMHNP; and Susie Platt, LCSW each have counseling practices.
The outpatient clinic will initially focus on patients 18 years of age and older and offer appointment times on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. Some common conditions treated in an outpatient setting include anxiety disorders, depression, chemical dependency, personality disorders, self-harming behaviors and mental health problems related to sleep disorders.
The clinic will be located on the second floor of the hospital’s south tower in the Specialty Clinic. Appointments can be made by calling 417-448-2121.
About Nevada Regional Medical Center Serving a six-county area since 1937, Nevada Regional Medical Center is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Nevada Regional Medical Center has earned recognition as a respected regional medical center for its comprehensive health care services, skilled and caring employees and state-of-the-art medical technology. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties, including family practice, women’s services, neurology, urology, psychiatry, wound care services, and general, vascular, thoracic and oncological surgery. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in pulmonology, podiatry, ear, nose, and throat and cardiology.
TOPEKA –Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a proclamation to kick off National Poison Prevention Week. The Poison Center at the University of Kansas Health System and Safe Kids Kansas want to remind Kansans that Poison Centers are ready 24/7 with fast, free advice.
The theme for this year’s National Poison Prevention Week is Poison Centers – When Poison happens, we’re here for you.
Not everyone realizes that Poison Centers are for everyone. While poison centers get more calls about children, calls about teens, adults and older adults tend to be more serious. Over half of the calls to the Kansas Poison Center in 2022 involved medicines or pharmaceuticals. However, other common poisons include household products, plants, mushrooms, pesticides, animal bites and stings, carbon monoxide, and many other nonpharmaceutical substances.
“The best piece of advice we can give is to program the Poison Help number, 800-222-1222, in your phone and post it visibly in your home. This way you are prepared in the event of a poisoning emergency or simply have questions,” said Stefanie Baines, education coordinator for the Kansas Poison Control Center.
Here are the ways Poison Centers save time, worry, lives and money:
Time
When seconds count, calling a poison center is faster and more accurate than a confusing internet search.
Worry
Nurses, pharmacists and doctors answer calls. We can help in more than 150 languages. Doctors and hospitals turn to us for help every day.
Lives
Whether it is a question or an emergency, Poison Centers provide life-saving information when you need it the most.
Money
All calls are free. More than 70 percent of people who call get the help they need right where they are – saving the cost of a trip to the doctor or hospital.
“It is also important to know Poison Centers are not just for emergencies. You can call anytime from anywhere in the nation for information or advice from local experts,” said Cherie Sage, state coordinator for Safe Kids Kansas.
If you think someone has been poisoned, call 800-222-1222 right away. Fast and free expert help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Ft. Scott Clinic opened in January 2019 to fill the primary care gap when Mercy Hospital closed in December 2018, after over 100 years in the community.
On April 17, the new facility at 2322 S. Main will be open to the public, following the move from the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills.
With the move to a new facility, residents have services not previously offered, including expanded clinic hours, expanded Walk-In Care, expanded pharmacy, telehealth and behavioral health services, according to a press release from CHC.
Benefits of the the new services at the new facility:
A Larger More Efficient Medical Clinic
The new location expands to 36 exam rooms including, telehealth, according to the press release.
It features updated furnishings and efficient design to save steps for both patients and the staff.
There is an integrated model of care with a wide array of enabling services including behavioral health via telemedicine, patient navigation, and care management.
The medical staff include Dr. Sarah Bradshaw, Dr. Holly Gault, Dr. Pankaj Gugnani, MD, and Dr. Maxwell Self. Advanced Nurse Practitioners include Amanda Stice, Kayla Tinsley and Whitney Dickerson.
Specialty Care offered within the clinic:
Diabetic Care: APRN Becky French-diabetic care and education.
Pulmonology: Paden Shaffer APRN-pulmonology and sleep disorders/CPAP management.
Pain Management and Infectious Disease: Dr. Julie Stewart.
Wound Care:Dr. Michael Nagle. Todd Carl, APRN
Freeman Orthopedic clinic:Greg King, FNP
A Larger Walk-In CareClinic
The new Walk-In Care service features a larger waiting area, more privacy and expands to eight exam rooms. There were three at the prior one. Hours of operation are 7 AM- 7 PM every day.
Expanded Imaging Services
Advanced diagnostic imaging equipment is under one roof including digital x-ray, ultrasound, mammography, bone density, and a newly purchased 64-slice Computerized Tomography (CT) scanner.
The CT is an important addition to the clinic providing a detailed look at what is happening inside of the patient’s body, according to the press release.
“In an urgent situation, having CT locally is important so patients can be scanned quickly to rapidly assess their condition,” according to the press release. “CT scans can often be difficult to access and quite expensive for patients. Having CT in-house makes these scans accessible and affordable. For patients receiving discounted charges through the sliding scale program for uninsured and underinsured patients, the cost of a CT scan can be as low as $50 including the physician’s read.”
Expanded Pharmacy
Apothecare Pharmacy is a subsidiary of CHC/SEK, and is now open to the public providing a full range of prescriptions, according to the press release. “The Apothecare staff include Kelsey Burford, PharmD, Cetra Horton, PharmD, Adam Malone, PharmD, Blake Martin, PharmD, Julie Pellett, PharmD, and Darin Treiber, PharmD. They work directly with the medical staff to ensure patients get the medications they need, affordably, quickly, and safely.”
Apothecare pharmacy is open 7 AM-7 PM, seven days a week, with a convenient drive-through pick-up window and to-your-door delivery within 15 miles. Apothecare accepts most insurance plans Medicare, Medicaid and private commercial plans.
Laboratory
Outpatients requiring laboratory services will find the new space and expanded 7AM-7 PM Monday-Saturday hours more convenient. “We want patients to be able to stop in for a quick lab draw and be on their way,” said Baily Davis, CHC/SEK Fort Scott Practice Manager.
Wellness Center.
“CHC/SEK has long recognized that ‘health’ and ‘wellness’ go hand in hand,” according to the press release. They will continue to cultivate a culture of health and wellness for both patients and staff.
The center features cardio and strength equipment and is staffed by Physical Therapist and Pelvic Health Physical Therapist, Jessie McGown, DPT; Registered Dietitian, Patrick James, RD; and Chiropractor, Dr. Dave Miller, DC.
There are individualized treatment plans for each patient to best meet their health and wellness goals, which includes teaching and supporting healthy eating habits, improving overall strength and mobility, and pain management, according to the press release.
Teaching Opportunities
“Since its beginning, CHC/SEK has focused on education,” according to the press release. “To have a thriving… community, rural America needs to train and retain future healthcare workers to replace the retiring workforce, and meet increasing healthcare needs.”
“The new clinic will allow space to collaborate with teaching institutions for students to train alongside staff. CHC/SEK supervises approximately 250 students (medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, behavioral health, etc.) per year, and has an accredited family practice residence program with Kansas University for training and retaining rural physicians.
Group Therapies
Expanded meeting space will allow group therapies for addiction treatment, diabetic education, tobacco cessation, and SNAP-ED classes to offer to patients and the community.
2022 CHC Service to the Community
Last year, the clinic saw more than 60,000 patients, including medical, behavioral health, wellness and support services.
During 2022, staff provided more than 1,700 mammograms, Apothecare Pharmacy filled more than 70,000 prescriptions and the clinic provided more than 4,500 COVID-19 tests and administered more than 8,000 immunizations.
Help For Uninsured, Underinsured
CHC/SEK offers a sliding scale discount for uninsured and underinsured patients based on the household’s annual income and the number of individuals living in the household. All patients seeking care at CHC/SEK are eligible to receive services regardless of income or ability to pay.
Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott is making plans to move from the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills, to the former Price Chopper building at 2322 S. Main during the weekend of April 14.
The CHC Fort Scott buildilng at 2322 S. Main.
“It’s going to be a beautiful facility,” said CHC’s Director of Communication and Marketing Robert Poole. “And we have a great crew.”
“The new 43,000-square foot plus facility provides more room to offer more services,” said Baily Davis, CHC/SEK Fort Scott Practice Manager. “And, for the first time, walk-in care, primary care, and our pharmacy will all be in one easy-to-find location with more convenient parking,” she said.
“The move is being coordinated to minimize interruptions of patient care and is being staged in three phases,” according to information from Poole.
On Friday April 14, the Woodland Hills clinic will close at 1 PM.
Apothecare Pharmacy at Woodland Hills will follow, and be closed Saturday, April 15 as staff prepare.
On Sunday, April 16, CHC/SEK Walk-In Care on National Street will close at 1 PM as they relocate to the new facility.
All services will be re-open on Monday, April 17 at 2322 S. Main St. including primary care, walk-in care, behavioral health care, pharmacy and specialty services, which will all be in one location from that point on.
Hours of operation at the new site:
Primary Care is 8 AM-6 PM- Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM-5 PM Friday.
Walk-In Care is from 7 AM- 7 PM, Monday-Sunday
Apothecare Pharmacy 7 AM- 7 PM, Monday-Sunday
“Many of the CHC/SEK staff are your friends and neighbors in the community,” according to the information provided by Poole. “101 of the 124 of the Fort Scott clinic employees live in Fort Scott or Bourbon County. The health center believes in investing in its employees with good jobs, education, growth opportunities and progressive benefits. The starting entry-level wage at CHC/SEK begins at $15 per hour, more than twice the federal minimum wage.”
Part two of this story will be published next week, detailing the new services.
Mercy Building: Other Tenants
Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department
The emergency room will continue services to the county in the same location on the south side of the Mercy building.
“The move will not affect our operations and the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department in Fort Scott will continue to provide care as normal,” according to AVC Marketing and Communications Specialist Reagan Rosenhamer.
Legacy Health
The following is from Troy Schell, chairman of the Legacy Health Foundation, Glendora, CA. when asked for an update on the foundation plans since receiving ownership of the Mercy Hospital building on Nov. 17, 2022.
“Legacy Health has devoted significant efforts to collaborating with both Ascension and USD 234 in order to develop and sustain crucial services within the community,” Schell said. “Furthermore, our organization is actively pursuing the establishment of new specialty clinics, including those specializing in cardiology and urology, in addition to partnering with Freeman Orthopedics to extend their established presence within the community.”
“As we move forward with our initiative, we eagerly anticipate engaging with key figures in the business and government sectors to ensure that the available resources are utilized optimally to provide the essential services required for the growth of the community and the region,” he said. “Additionally, we remain committed to supporting local non-profit organizations and community groups by providing necessary resources to support the most vulnerable individuals in the community.”
Because I Am Rehab, a physical therapy business and gym, and Diamonds in the Rough Beauty Salon are not affiliated with CHC, they will remain in the lower level of the former Mercy Hospital and continue business as usual, according to a spokesman for I Am Rehab.
Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.
Bourbon County REDI moved its office in February from the Landmark Bank building to the administration wing of the former Mercy Hospital on the north side of the building, in Suite 100.
The banking hours and holidays did not fit the needs of the staff of REDI, according to Rob Harrington, Director, although “We loved being at that location.”
“I am now able to be in the office early and stay late, and there is a conference room available,” Harrington said.
REDI employees are Suzette Torres, marketing and program assistant; Emily Wiebolt, grant manager and Tayton Majors, intern from Lead For America.
The Fort Scott Tourism Department, which was housed with REDI at the bank office, is now at city hall, Harrington said.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Resist Program, and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition host National Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol
TOPEKA – Today, members of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Resist program and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition hosted Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol – a national day of activism where youth are encouraged to speak out against commercial tobacco companies and speak with policymakers about tobacco prevention.
“Take Down Tobacco Day is a great opportunity to unite communities and create a unified voice to stand up to commercial tobacco companies,” said Bryce Chitanavong, youth tobacco prevention coordinator. “Tobacco companies use deceitful marketing tactics to target the youth because they see them as future customers. We want them to know that we won’t allow it.”
For most people, tobacco use starts when they are young. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by the age of 18. Young people are even more vulnerable to nicotine addiction as their brains develop. Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. The use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, regardless of whether it is smoked or not.
Previously known as Kick Butts Day, Take Down Tobacco Day provides an opportunity to educate students about the importance of youth advocacy in tobacco prevention. The American Heart Association provided advocacy training on the evening of March 1 to prepare students to speak with their policymakers. Each group that registered will get a chance to meet with their local representative and discuss tobacco prevention with them.
Resist is a youth-led program focusing on peer-to-peer education, awareness and policies preventing tobacco and electronic cigarette/vaping use. Resist chapters are locally established and hold community awareness events to promote tobacco-free environments. Resist is made possible with the support of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition.
Resources are available for people who want to quit smoking or vaping. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit ksquit.org.
From L to R, Dawne Burchett, SEKMHC PR and Promotion and Prevention Specialist Lead; Sharla Miller, 13 Reasons to Fly SEK; and Megan Hageman, SEKMHC Promotion and Prevention Specialist. Submitted photo.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is working to reach out to area students with nearly 3,200 reminders that help is available when they are experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis.
Partnering with Sharla Miller, with 13 Reasons to Fly SEK, SEKMHC created stickers themed to share information about 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline. They will be distributing nearly 3,200 of them to students in 13 high schools in their six-county catchment area.
“Even if we help just one student – that’s one life that might be saved,” commented Miller. “We need to get better at letting kids know it’s ok to not be ok. We need to encourage those conversations.”
Miller, a strong mental health advocate in the community, started the SEK chapter of 13 Reasons to Fly after her son died by suicide nearly four years ago.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24 in Kansas. Kids are reporting feelings of depression and anxiety at higher rates than ever before. Teachers are observing alarming mental health challenges experienced by their students daily. It’s undeniable that children need help.
“We hope to see lots of stickers on laptops, water bottles, and other student belongings soon!” explained Megan Hageman, SEKMHC prevention and promotion specialist. “Getting this information to the youth in the area can make a huge difference. Showing kids that they have support, no matter what, is essential!”
988 (similar to 911) is the national hotline designated to provide support for individuals who are experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis. Callers may call confidentially and speak with mental health professionals who can help them through their crises and provide referrals for additional mental health resources.
13 Reasons to Fly, a non-profit organization, works to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness while still spreading hope to those who are struggling. The foundation advocates for continual mental health care reform so that recovery can be equitable and accessible to all people. The SEK chapter, serving Allen County and surrounding communities, incorporates education, shared stories, and perspectives of teens to dismantle the stigma of mental health.
The mission of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is to provide, advocate and coordinate quality mental health care, services, and programs for people in its service area. Our vision is to improve the quality of life in southeast Kansas. We offer services and programs in the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Linn, Neosho, and Woodson. Our core services include outpatient psychiatry, therapy, consultation, chemical abuse counseling, case management, educational and skill-building groups, specialty training, physical healthcare coordination, and 24/7 crisis intervention services.
Health Advisory, Safety Tips Issued During Flint Hills Burning Season
Smoke Modeling Tool to be activated on March 1
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) reminds Kansans that March and April are the months when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and is effective in managing rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas. The use of smoke management techniques is vital to reduce air quality and health impacts.
KDHE will activate the Kansas smoke modeling tool on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems. There are approximately 2.2 million acres burned on average in the Flint Hills of Kansas and Oklahoma each year.
“This is the thirteenth year we have been able to provide this important tool for the prescribed fire community,” said Jayson Prentice, meteorologist at the KDHE Bureau of Air. “We continue to encourage ranchers and land managers to utilize smoke modeling resources such as the smoke modeling tool to mitigate potential air quality impacts.”
Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals. Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis. Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly are more vulnerable to experience symptoms.
Steps to protect your health on days when smoke is present in your community include:
Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
More vulnerable people should remain indoors.
Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit http://ksfire.org.
#HeartMonth feature: Kristy Tippie, RN, Heart Center at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg
Kristy Tippie. Submitted photo.
Kristy Tippie, RN, who began her nursing career 21 years ago at Ascension Via Christi Hospital, has spent the past 10 years serving in its Heart Center.
“I picked a career in healthcare for the flexibility,” says Tippie. “If you get ‘burnt out’ in one area, there are so many others that you can go into.”
The Heart Center, located inside the main hospital building, provides minimally and non-invasive diagnostic testing services like angiograms, pacemaker implantations, electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, stress tests and more.
Tippie’s typical day includes setting up for the day’s procedures, performing pre-op with the patient and following through with their care until they are transferred to another department.
She says her favorite part of the job is one-on-one time with patients. Following the patient from when they arrive to when they’re transferred out of the Heart Center gives her the chance to establish a rapport with them and their family.
“I enjoy working for Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg because the size of the facility allows us to provide our patients with a personal experience,” says Tippie.
As a reminder during Heart Month, Tippie suggests trying your best to eat healthy and stay active, even if it’s just a short walk. She also suggests listening to your body and not being afraid to ask questions when you have concerns.
To learn more about cardiac services at Ascension Via Christi, go to ascension.org/viachristiheart.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org
