The 9th Annual Dancing With Our Stars is at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 at the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Proceeds from the annual Dancing With Our Stars will this year benefit Bourbon County 4-H, Communities in Schools, Lee’s Paws and Claws, the Fort Scott High School Pantry and Closet, Friends of the Fort, Fort Scott High School Thespians and Care to Share.
The theme this year is Totally 80s.
Proceeds from the ticket sales fund the charities. VIP Tickets are $15, regular tickets are $10. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce office, 231 E. Wall.
The entertainment is dancing, of course. and members of the audience vote during intermission on teams comprised of Southwind Extension District members, Fort Scott High School students, Fort Scott Police Department members, Smallville Crossfit members, and volunteers from Fort Scott National Historic Site.
There will be other performers who are not a part of the competition: Abby Albright and Jackson Muckala and Kenna Miles.
Gary Palmer and Hunter Adamson will be the emcees of the event.
The event is sponsored by the Rotary Club.
Members of the DWOS Committee are Betty Boyko, Janet Braun, Kathy Dancer, Rhonda Dunn, Lynnette Emmerson, Lindsay Madison, Shirley Palmer and Melissa Wise.
Kirk Sharp was recently selected to be the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director. He is pictured just outside the museum against a wall depicting some life moments of Gordon Parks. The museum is located in the Ellis Fine Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College.
Kirk Sharp started his duties as the new Gordon Parks Museum Executive Director on Jan. 7.
But Sharp is no stranger to the museum. He has been serving behind the scenes since 2004.
“I always had an interest and encouraged the activities and helped with activities and special events when I could,” Sharp said. He also served on the Gordon Parks Museum Foundation Board for four years.
Sharp is a 1985 graduate of Fort Scott High School, and has worked at FSCC before.
“I worked here in FSCC admissions from 2007 to 2010,” Sharp said. “Then Mercy Hospital where I managed Health For Life, occupational and sports medicine until the hospital closed (In 2018).”
“I feel blessed for this exciting opportunity to be with the Gordon Parks Museum and also being back with FSCC,” Sharp said.
“Kirk was the best choice,” said Kassie Feugate-Cate, FSCC’s Director of Strategic Communication. “He is a great asset to the program. We are grateful and look forward to seeing what he can do with the museum, moving forward.”
The mission of the Gordon Parks Museum is to honor the life and work of Gordon Parks, internationally-known photographer, filmmaker, writer, and musician; and to use his remarkable life story to teach about artistic creativity, cultural awareness, and the role of diversity in our lives.
Gordon Parks Museum on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
“I want to continue the mission of the Gordon Parks Museum towards cultural diversity, through special events and programs, not just here in the community, but nationwide,” Sharp said. “Trying to look to the future by becoming more interactive, maybe kiosks or tablets for our digital generation.”
February is designated Black History Month and there will be several learning experiences offered at the museum.
On Feb. 15, there will be a presentation of “Slave to Soldier” during a “Lunch and Learn” at the museum, from 11 a.m. to noon. The public is invited to bring a lunch and hear the history lesson.
This is a Buffalo Soldier history presentation, featuring the Alexander/Madison Chapter-Greater Kansas City/Leavenworth Area, 9th and 10th Cavalry Association. These many generations of negro soldiers served their county from 1866 to 1944 in the military.
“We are also going to show a Kevin Willmott film, “The Jayhawkers” in the month of February. Kansas University Professor Willmott is a past recipient of a Gordon Parks Award and this year is in the running for an Oscar for his film “BlacKkKlansMan.”
History of the museum:
“After Gordon Parks attended the first ever Gordon Parks Celebration in 2004, he gifted the Gordon Parks Center with 30 of his photographs. This spectacular group includes many of his iconic works such as American Gothic, Tuskegee Airmen, Flavio, Ali Sweating, Ingrid Bergman on Stromboli and many others,” according to the Visit Fort Scott website: https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/gordon-parks-museum/
Kirk Sharp stands in front of a giant photo of Gordon Parks in the museum.
“In 2006, after his death, his personal effects and other memorabilia, per Gordon’s wishes, were given to the Museum. This valuable collection included many of his awards and medals, personal photos, paintings and drawings of Gordon, plaques, certificates, diplomas and honorary doctorates, selected books and articles, clothing, record player, tennis racquet, magazine articles, his collection of Life magazines and much more,” according to the Vist Fort Scott website.
The museum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information see The Gordon Parks Museum Facebook page.
Sharp is married to Sis Sharp and has two children, Jolee, 26 and Trey, 24.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi to provide equipment and furnishings for emergency room services.
Mercy Hospital’s President Reta Baker signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi on Jan. 27 to provide emergency room services at the hospital that ends for Mercy today, Jan. 31.
“It is an agreement that Mercy will provide lease space and provide the necessary equipment and furnishings to provide the services of an emergency room,” Baker said.
The Mercy Emergency Room waiting area, January 2019.
One issue: there is a gap between the Mercy closing date and when Via Christi will get regulatory approval to provide emergency room services.
“Before Via Christi can operate ER services in this setting and building, they have to have a license from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,” Baker said. “It takes time. It has steps…I think all the parties engaged will work as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
She is estimating a few weeks, but it could be more, she said.
Baker said the ambulance service will take patients to area emergency rooms in the meantime.
“If they call 911, they will take the patient to the closest appropriate ER,” Baker said. “Or if a person wants to take themselves, they could choose which ER they can go to. Pittsburg, Girard, Nevada, Iola, Olathe, Overland Park…all the ER’s are aware of the need.”
The Mercy ambulance service continues under Mercy operation until April 1, then Bourbon County will become the owners, she said.
Reta Baker. Courtesy photo.
Baker also addressed the following questions:
What about the hospital pharmacy?
“The pharmacy will continue to operate under Mercy until April 1, then operate under the Community Health Center.”
Mammography?
“Mammography is under CHC.”
Radiology?
“Radiology will be available under Via Christi.”
The administration wing of the hospital will be a Mercy hub work-site, Baker said. “There will be 15 employees working out of the building. (They will have)An assortment of responsibilities to support the business functions of Mercy Regional .”
The patient room wing of the hospital has been partitioned off to prevent the public from entering the area, she said.
Even though it is a sad time, it is an exciting one, she said.
“It’s an exciting new opportunity,” Baker said. “And a new model of care for the community.
The emergency room operations have been assumed by Ascension Via Christi.
The City of Fort Scott has been anxiously awaiting an announcement regarding the Emergency Room.
We are fortunate to have Ascension Via Christi provide Emergency Room services in our community.
In October of 2018, a task force was quickly pulled together to work on three priorities: 1) Primary Care to maintain our medical staff with no disruption of service; 2) Ambulance Service, and 3) Emergency Room.
The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will be assuming operations of Mercy Convenient Care Friday, February 1. The most noticeable change will be a new sign reading CHC/SEK Walk-In Care. Hours of operation will remain the same – 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Telephone numbers remain the same; the majority of the original staff have been retained. Patients still should enter through the main hospital door. The pharmacy will continue to operate as usual.
The main clinic located within the hospital building will be closed Friday, February 1, to change out phone and computer systems and will reopen Monday, February 4 at 8 a.m. Hours of operation are expanding with the clinic open Monday through Thursday until 6 p.m. Friday hours will remain the same which are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CHC/SEK will also be providing Mammography Services beginning in mid-February following completion of all licensure requirements.
Specialty clinics will continue and expand to add specialists from Kansas City, Joplin, Pittsburg and Iola. Previously located in Mercy’s building on Horton Street, these are being moved into the main clinic to make it more convenient for patients. A full listing of all visiting physicians will be published next week. The VA Clinic will remain in the Horton Street Building.
CHC/SEK has also initiated discussions with potential oncology providers to reopen the Cancer Center as soon as possible.
As with any transition, some glitches should be expected and appreciate everyone’s patience during this period.
As a reminder, the current EMS contract with Mercy remains in place through the end of March. The City/County EMS partnership will begin April 1st. The current EMS staff has been preparing for this provider transition for several months. The EMS service remains fully operational during the transition.
City Manager, Dave Martin, has maintained a close relationship with executives from Via Christi and Mercy to ensure the future of healthcare services in our community. Martin heard from Randy Cason, President of Ascension Via Christi and discussed future healthcare opportunities earlier today. Cason said he looks forward to a new partnership and providing services to Fort Scott.
“Fort Scott has a chance to be a role model for the future of rural healthcare,” said Martin. He added, “The task force will begin establishing a relationship with Via Christi and continue to partner with CHC/SEK to provide the best solution for future healthcare in our community.”
As always, the City of Fort Scott remains committed to the needs of the citizens and will continue to monitor healthcare throughout these exciting changes.
The new Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas sign is scheduled to be installed on Friday, Feb. 1, 2109, the day the health care in Fort Scott transitions from Mercy Hospital to CHC/SEK, according to Krista Postai, CHS/SEK President and Chief Executive Officer.
“The hours of operation will remain the same with the exception the main clinic will now be open until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday – which is an hour longer than before – Friday it will close at 5 p.m. as in the past,” Postai said.
CHC/SEK is only using the (hospital) clinic space, she said.
“For the most part, everyone is in the space they used previously….doctors all kept the same offices,” Postai said.
The Fort Scott CHC/SEK health care providers are Dr. Burke, Dr. Seals, APRN Amanda Stice, Dr. Self, APRN Kristine O’Dell, APRN Pam Moyers, Dr. Gugnani and APRN Mary Beth Newkirk. O’Dell is working in Convenient Care; the others are at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd., at the main clinic in Fort Scott. Not pictured are APRN Bobbi Jo Thornton and APRN Emily Bolinger who will be working at Convenient Care. Submitted photo.
” At some point, we will do an open house and invite the community in,” she said. “But at this point, our priority is to get everyone transitioned over as smoothly as possible. That includes everyone learning a new medical record (system) and getting almost 10,000 records entered into that new medical record (system) which is a mammoth task.”
Each of 17 CHC/SEK clinics has a practice manager to provide daily support and oversight of operations, Postai said.
Amy Budy is the Fort Scott CHC/SEK Practice Manager.
“There may be support staff that works for administration (e.g. medical records) who will office in Ft. Scott, or work from home, because they live there and it saves travel,” she said.
“Leadership will be there often, as needed, but we’re confident that this clinic will run as smoothly as our others with the support of our practice manager,” Postai said.
“All of CHC/SEK Leadership is composed of only six people…who have spent hundreds of hours in Fort Scott – along with at least 30 of our great staff – putting the pieces together to make this (transition) work,” she said. “We expect to put in hundreds of hours more before everything is completely settled and functional.”
The administration is comprised of Postai, Senior Vice President Jason Wesco, Chief Financial Officer Douglas Stuckey, Chief Clinical Officer Linda Bean, Vice President/Human Resources Megan Fry and General Counsel Daniel Creitz who work out of the CHS/SEK System Office at 3015 N. Michigan, according to a prior fortscott.biz interview.
Other management staff includes a Director of School Health, Director of Operations, Pharmacy Director, Dental Director, Director of Behavioral Health, IT Director, Billing Director, and others who provide support for all of clinics and staff, according to the prior interview.
They are located at various sites throughout the area and travel from clinic to clinic to oversee programs.
Ascension Via Christi will Operate Fort Scott Emergency Room
January 29, 2019
PITTSBURG, Kansas – Ascension Via Christi has an agreement to operate Fort Scott’s emergency room, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, as soon as it can get regulatory approval to do so.
As planned, Mercy Hospital will close the emergency room in Fort Scott at midnight on Jan. 31. Therefore, there will be a gap in service while regulatory inspections to operate under new management are obtained.
During that time, ambulance service will continue to be available to respond to 911 emergency calls. EMS’ well-trained staff is aware of all options for treatment and will have two crews available to respond to calls and transport, as may be necessary to the four hospitals located within an hour drive, including Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Under the agreement, Ascension Via Christi will lease approximately 16,000-square feet of clinical space from Mercy and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg will manage the emergency and outpatient services in Fort Scott.
Mercy announced the closure of its Fort Scott hospital in October, along with plans to pursue opportunities to transfer certain services to other area providers. Under the agreement, Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg will manage emergency and outpatient services at the Fort Scott hospital location.
“We have worked diligently to retain the staff working at Mercy Fort Scott and are in the process of recruiting and onboarding the clinical and non-clinical associates we’ll need to staff services in Fort Scott,” said Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, adding that having an emergency room is critical for the residents of Fort Scott and surrounding communities.
“Taking on emergency room and outpatient diagnostics responsibilities is a continuation of our mission to care for the residents of Southeast Kansas,” Cason said. “Mercy has agreed to transfer its emergency, laboratory and radiology equipment on-site to allow for a smooth transition of services.”
Tina and Dave Lipe, owners of Sharky’s Pub and Grub, 16 N. National Avenue.
Dave Lipe told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees that even though January and February are typically slow seasons for retail businesses, Sharky’s Pub and Grub has seen an increase in catering.
He and wife, Tina, are the owners of the business, at 16 N. National Avenue, which opened June 1, 2011.
“We’ve done catering for seven or eight years, since we’ve been open,” Lipe said. “Catering is one thing that has picked up for us.”
“We can do a Superbowl party, a rehearsal dinner….weddings,” he said.
There is also a third-floor event center available for rent above their restaurant, Lipe said.
They recently did catering in Kansas City.
“We did a tailgate party at the Chief’s game, we are mobile,” he said.
“If there is something you are needing, ask,” Lipe said.
The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. and can be reached at 223-4777.
City State Bank, 202 Scott Avenue, has an updated look. Submitted photo.
A business that has been in downtown Fort Scott for over 60 years has received an update in the form of a remodel.
The original City State Bank downtown building was constructed in 1957.
It needed an update, said John Hill, president and CEO of the bank.
“The new drive-thru and ATM allow us to better serve our customers who drive larger vehicles.,” Hill said. “The remodel reflects the type of service we are trying to give our existing and new customers in Fort Scott. It also shows our commitment to downtown.”
There will be a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and grand reopening on Feb. 7 at 5 p.m.
The bank is located at 202 Scott Avenue.
“The inside is completely remodeled with a new layout that includes new flooring, teller desk, furniture, lighting and décor,” Hill said.
Submitted photo. The interior of City State Bank, January 2019.
The outside facelift includes new stone, stucco, drive-thru canopy, a new island ATM, sidewalks and lighting.
The backside of City State Bank following renovation.
The remodel started in August 2018 and was completed by January 2019.
LaForge and Budd Construction Company, Inc of Parsons, Kansas was the general contractor.
In addition, “We used many local vendors and contractors,” working of the project, Hill said.
The bank can be reached at 223-2419 for the downtown branch, or 223-1600 at the 1012 Hwy. 69 branch.
Cancer Center of Kansas, located in Mercy Hospital Clinic, Jan. 21..
In connection with the closure of Mercy Hospital at the end of 2018, the Cancer Center of Kansas, which was located in the hospital clinic is closing.
The last day of operation for the center in Fort Scott is Jan. 31.
The center is offering the same service in Chanute and Parsons for its patients, said Dr. Yoosaf Abraham, Chief Operating Officer for Cancer Center of Kansas, Wichita.
The reason for the closure?
“We can not provide services to our patients, without ancillary services,” Abraham said.
Services such as a labratory and surgeons are no longer available at Fort Scott, Abraham said.
Dr. Phu Truong and Dr. Nassim Nbbout, the current doctors in the Fort Scott Cancer Center of Kansas, can be seen at the Chanute and Parsons Cancer Center of Kansas facilities, he said.
The two nurses currently employed at the Cancer Center in Fort Scott are employees of Mercy Hospital, Abraham said.
“This will affect many in our community,” said Karen Endicott-Coyan. ” I currently take weekly chemo treatments at the center…this is extremely disheartening. I take chemo weekly with no end in sight, as there is no cure for my disease.”
This building. at 6th and Horton, will be the new site of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.
The Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, with a location currently behind the Bourbon County Courthouse, is moving.
More privacy for clients and more room for future health care collaborations are the reasons for the move said Bourbon County Commissioner Jeff Fischer, who is also a member of the SEKMCHD board.
The site chosen is the former Mercy Hospital facility at 6th and Horton.
“We needed more space to provide more services,” Fischer said.
“SEKMCHD began looking at updating their current facility that is a modular office building on the courthouse square two years ago,” said Fischer. “SEKMCHD considered the Bourbon County Court Annex, the decommissioned jail and other properties on the market two years ago. Late this summer the Cornerstone Bible Church offered their building to SEKMCHD which was purchased in December 2018.”
The SEKMCHD received a building permit on Jan. 17. They will meet as a board on Jan. 22 for further discussions of the project.
“We are aiming for an April 1 date to move,” Fischer said.
“Moving into a structure that is more than twice the size of their existing facility presents some interesting opportunities,” Fischer said. “There are ongoing discussions on how to leverage this space to improve access to healthcare and – or provide other services that complement the mission of county health departments. This may include leveraging the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic Network and support Tele-health studios available to the public.”
“At this point, a building permit has been granted to modify the western side of the building, replacing interior walls and providing the ability to secure the SEKMCHD space from the commons areas that include the waiting room and reception area,” Fischer said. “There are no definite plans on how to best utilize the eastern half.”
“The project consists of replacing and installing approximately 120 linear foot of insulated 2X4 framed walls on a structure that was built by Mercy in 1992 to provide health care services,” Fischer explained. “In addition, the installation of nine doors to create three new office spaces and two examination rooms. The framed walls shall be covered with approximately 240 ft., 50 boards of half-inch sheetrock.”
“The plumbing portion involves replacing sinks and moving an existing sink to facilitate access to the restroom from one of the exam rooms,” he said. “The plumber will also extend a gas line to the vicinity of the generator set placed outside adjacent to the electrical service entry.”
“The electrical portion involves installing wiring for outlets, switches, dedicated circuits for critical equipment,” Fischer said. “In addition, it involves the installation of communication wiring. The installation of a generator set and appropriate automatic transfer switches will also be furnished.”
The Bourbon County Health Department provides adult and childhood immunizations and physicals, pap exams, birth control, blood lead screening, hemoglobin and blood sugar screening, hearing screening, blood pressure checks, STD screening and treatment, disease investigations, emergency preparedness, and labs such as CBC, Chem Panel, TSH.
“The costs depends on which service they choose, but we accept Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance, Cigna, United Healthcare, and Kancare Insurance associated with Medicaid- Amerigroup, Etna, and United Healthcare,” said Alice Maffett, the nurse at the SEKMCHD in Bourbon County.
For more information, contact Alice Maffett, Nurse, Bourbon County,620-223-4464 , or Jeff Fischer, board member, 620.223.6633 or Chardel Hastings, Director SEKMCHD 411 North Washington ~ Iola, 620-365-2191.
USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong addressing the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees at Fort Scott High School Thursday morning.
USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong spoke to the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Thursday, during the weekly coffee, about the need to match what is needed in a society with what schools actually teach.
To get the community involved in the school district’s education redesign, USD 234 is sponsoring what is being called Community Conversations.
Community Conversations dates and locations:
• January 22 –Fort Scott High School
• January 24 –Eugene Ware Elementary
• January 29 –Fort Scott Middle School
• January 30 –Winfield Scott Elementary
All times starting at 6:00 PM.
“Businesses need skilled talent and those are the hardest jobs to fill,” he said.
“We need to make education fit us,” Hessong said. “We need to make changes in education, do something we’ve never done.”
From statistics Hessong presented to the attendees, the top skills that high school graduates lack are: work ethic-professionalism, teamwork-collaboration, verbal communication, ethics-social responsibility, critical thinking-problem solving, and information technology application, among others.
Some of the school redesign principles that Hessong presented were:
an integrated approach to develop student socio-emotional learning.
teachers support students to have a choice over their time, place, pace and path.
family, business and community partnerships based on mutually beneficial relationships and collaboration.
project-based learning, internships, and civic engagement to make learning relevant.
At the Community Conversations, USD 234 is seeking feedback from parents, guardians, business, and community members in these areas:
• Emergency Operations Plan
• USD 234 Mission and Vision
• USD 234 School Board’s Areas of Focus
• What is the role of USD 234’s Preschool –12th-grade educational system in developing an independent, responsible, and productive adults?
Kenny Holt is retiring as President and CEO of Union State Bank, after 25 years.
Bryan Holt became the president and Chief Executive Officer of Union State Bank on Jan. 1, 2019.
“I’ll be the fifth generation of the Holt family to hold this position,” Bryan Holt said. “It is a great honor for me.”
Union State Bank has been family-owned and operated since 1901.
“My great-grandfather, L.E. “Emett” Holt began, then grand-dad Curtis Holt, then my dad, Kent Holt,” Kenny Holt said.
Kenny Holt held the president and CEO position from 1993 to December 31, 2018.
“We (he and his wife, Nancy) are slowing down and doing things we want to do,” Kenny Holt said.
Kenny will work in the transition period to mentor Bryan and Chad Holt, his younger son, who will be taking over some duties as well, he said.
Bryan Holt has been preparing for leadership through education and career experience.
He has an associates degree from Fort Scott Community College and a Bachelors in Business Administration with a major in Finance from Pittsburg State University Additionally, he completed the Graduate School of Banking in 2012.
“I have worked at the (Union State) bank twice now,” Bryan Holt said. “Part-time as a teller from 1990 – 1993. I returned to the bank in 2005 as the Business Development Officer and Information Security Officer, moving from McKinney, Texas. In a bank our size, all of the officers have been exposed to all parts of the business and that’s true of me.”
“My duties will be evolving to include overseeing overall operations of the bank, including strategic direction,” he said. “Of course, I’ll still be working in lending and business development, but learning this new role will become a large part of my daily activities.”
Technology has been changed the culture in America and the world, and the banking sector is no different.
“The rapid advance of technology will continue to disrupt the traditional banking model,” Bryan Holt said. “Our customers will rely less and less on coming into the branch, preferring to do business via mobile methods. We are working to balance the personalized service that we’ve been providing for nearly 120 years with the convenience of banking from your mobile device.”
“Technology has allowed us to do a lot of things,” Kenny Holt said.
A negative change in banking in the last 25 years is the “regulatory burden put on us,” Kenny Holt said. “The regulation doesn’t apply to us (small banks), but we still have to abide.”
USB stated purpose is to provide affordable, high-quality financial products and services that enhance the customers’ financial well-being and strengthen the communities they serve. The mission is to be the bank of choice in the communities served.
Union State Bank has two locations: on the Uniontown square and can be reached at 620-756-4305 and Fort Scott at 1009 S. Clark, 620-223-0066.
The Bourbon County Health Department provides adult and childhood immunizations and physicals, pap exams, birth control, blood lead screening, hemoglobin and blood sugar screening, hearing screening, blood pressure checks, STD screening and treatment, disease investigations, emergency preparedness, and labs such as CBC, Chem Panel, TSH.
