As one drives by the house on South National Avenue, several dumpsters sit in the driveway, and a new banister on the front porch indicate there is construction going on.
The house at 1311 S. National was purchased by the local Youth Activities Team to be rehabilitated, then it will be sold as a fundraiser to help provide a multi-sensory playground for the community at Ellis Park.
Work has been ongoing since last year when the house was purchased.
Diana Mitchell is spearheading this Youth Activities Team (YAT) project.
“We are still tearing down some ceilings, and rearranging some rooms,” Tom Robertson, a member of the YAT said. “We have contractors lined up for when demolition is done.”
“It’s taking longer than we thought,” Robertson said.
Anyone wanting to volunteer to help with this project may contact Mitchell at 620-224-3633 or Robertson at 620-224-7707.
Governor Jeff Colyer Issues Statement Regarding First 100 Days in Office
“When I became Governor 100 days ago I laid out some very clear goals centered around reform, jobs, and education. I knew that there would be challenges along the way, but the importance of the task and the benefit that could be provided to Kansans made overcoming those challenges worth the effort. In my first 100 days I have assembled a team that is dedicated to making our state government more transparent and efficient, and making Kansas a place that our children see their future. We come into work every day focused on moving Kansas forward, and like I promised in my inaugural address we are keeping surgeons hours working tirelessly for the people. We have seen the creation of new jobs and an influx of new investments by businesses across our state. We have put out the message that Kansas is open for business and companies have listened. We have kept our schools open and for the first time ever we are asking to see measurable results attached to our investment. And we have done all of this while still keeping the promise to not raise taxes. However, the work is not finished yet. We cannot settle and we cannot go backwards. We are going to keep up the momentum of these first 100 days as we continue to grow our state for the future. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support both now and as we move forward, and I would like to highlight just a few of the things we have been working on to create a brighter future here in Kansas.”
Called for Pro-life constitutional amendment if Kansas Supreme Court overrules abortion laws
Took Kansas case preventing taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood to the US Supreme Court
Signed legislation to increase K-12 education investment by $535 million over next five years without requiring a tax increase
Confirmed new Secretary of DCF
Initiated top-to-bottom review of DCF
Replaced leadership team and made other necessary staff changes at DCF
Secured additional funding to locate missing foster kids
Secured additional funding for emergency crisis beds which will help with the problem of foster kids sleeping in offices
Launched Child Support Evaders website, which has already had success
When drafting error existed in school funding bill, signed new bipartisan bill to fix it without controversy
Required outcomes and accountability for schools
Met with education leaders from all over state and conducted multiple tours of KS schools to speak with educators
Encouraged schools to transform themselves with the Kansans Can model
Kansas will provide free ACT tests for every Kansas student
Signed legislation to increase mental health funding for schools
Increased funding for students with disabilities
Called for higher pay for Kansas teachers
Created Governors Education Council
Appointed Diane DeBacker as Director of Business and Education Innovation to sharpen our relationship between workforce development and education
Signed new task force to help school-children with dyslexia
Encouraged more transparency by allowing Kansans to make free KORA requests
Signed transparency EO requiring Cabinet agencies to develop and publish outcomes
Signed transparency bill requiring DCF to report certain info after child deaths
Signed transparency bill regarding police body cam videos
Directed state agencies to be as transparent as possible
Required mandatory annual sexual harassment prevention training for state employees
Successfully advocated for electric utilities to return millions to consumers
Successfully advocated for natural gas utilities to return millions to consumers
Issued executive order to Ban the Box, giving ex-offenders a chance to become productive members of society
Signed bill into law increasing penalties for repeat DUI offenders.
Signed bill allowing for the growing of industrial hemp (with no THC) as new crop
Fought to keep sorghum markets open in China
After years of declines, on May 4 Standard and Poor’s upgraded the credit outlook for Kansas
Appointed Tracey Mann as 50thLt. Governor.
Created a Chief Operating Officer to drive efficiency
Named a new Budget/Chief Financial Officer
Governor and Lt. Governor have visited dozens of Kansas communities in every corner of the state
Confirmed new Secretary of KDHE
Overhauled Governor’s office with new policy and communications teams
Met with President Trump and Vice President Pence in Washington
Secured Kansas’ selection as site for UAV Pilot program
Asked Attorney General to join Texas litigation on DACA
Began process of Re-procurement for Kancare contracts
Requested CMS to approve work requirements for healthy adults on Medicaid
Signed bill to provide full tuition for Kansas National Guardsmen
Deployed 800 Kansas Army Guard to the Middle East. Had opportunity to shake every soldier’s hand before they departed.
Issued disaster declarations on multiple occasions and deployed Blackhawk teams to successfully combat more than 200 wildfires across Kansas.
Refreshed state agencies with many new executives and senior level management
Secured additional money for road construction
Created new Task Force to recommend new road programs
Appointed new Commissioner to KCC
Appointed new judge for Pittsburg, Kansas
Appointed new judge for Topeka, Kansas
Successfully advocated for T-Mobile to agree to keep former Sprint HQ here in Kansas
Launched My Re-employment program
Launched Substance Use Disorder Task Force focusing on opioids and meth
Appointed new Chief Medical Officer with specialty in substance abuse
Sought waiver to increase the number of substance abuse beds in KS
Successfully responded to measles outbreak
Advocated for Kansas’ interests in NAFTA renegotiations with Canadian Ambassador
Launched new statewide broadband initiative
Worked with Attorney General Schmidt on combatting human trafficking
Attended the installation of new KU Chancellor
Signed Nurse Licensure Compact bill
Designated 74 areas across Kansas as Opportunity Zones to encourage development in low-income communities
Broke ground on new Lansing Correctional Facility
Signed new organ transplant bill
Signed bill to encourage Poultry producer investments
Launched website to post notice of all open state-government meetings
Launched iKan app to allow Kansans to renew tags on cell phone
Increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for rural hospitals
Increased reimbursement rates for nursing homes
Increased funding for Meals on Wheels program
New program for beef traceability
Supported programs for water conservation especially Ogallala aquifer
Represented Kansas at the viewing of the late Billy Graham in the capitol rotunda in Washington.
Signed Anti-swatting Bill into law
Signed bill to help domestic violence victims maintain cell service
Signed legislation providing civil immunity to citizens who damage property while saving pets and children locked in a hot vehicle.
Hosted dinner at Cedar Crest to meet foster kids and families and hear their concerns
Established the Governor’s Community Service Award with Kansas Volunteer Commission to honor service-minded HS students
Honored Governor’s Scholars who graduated in the top 1% of their class
Held a high-tech job fair for those who lost employment due to layoffs
Signed legislation authorizing new Eisenhower statue on capitol grounds
Worked with Trump Administration advocating for Kansas interest in NAFTA renegotiations
Spoke before informal hearing in Washington on the humanitarian crisis in Syria
Signed legislation banning the possession of firearms by people convicted of domestic abuse.
Testified before an informal committee in Washington on the opioid crisis
Spoke at the Invest in America Summit on ways the U.S. can secure foreign investment.
Met with Deputy U.S Transportation Secretary Rosen to discuss President Donald J. Trump’s $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan
Met with Secretary Alexander Acosta to discuss how we can improve and innovate in our workforce development efforts in Kansas.
Met with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about water issues that are crucial to Kansas, especially our Ogallala aquifer.
Met with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and discussed how the agency can be a collaborative partner with Kansas agriculture, energy, and business.
Met with Secretary Alex Azar and Administrator Verma to discuss pertinent healthcare issues in Kansas.
Met with Secretary Carson to discuss affordable housing issues in Kansas
Took a “Get to Know Your Governor Tour” across Kansas
Addressed Kansas Right to Life at Pro-life Banquet
Met with both Republican and Democratic leadership on first full day as governor,
Met with Israeli Minister of Agriculture to discuss water conservation.
Spoke with consul generals of China, Mexico, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to strengthen trade ties with Kansas.
During the monthly meeting of the Bourbon County Republican Central Committee Thursday evening at the Fort Scott Livestock Market, several candidates running in the August election spoke to the group about current issues.
Kansas District 12 State Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R) Baxter Springs, District 4, Representative Trevor Jacobs (R), and District 12 State Senator Caryn Tyson (R) spoke during the meeting. A contender for District 2 Representative currently held by Adam Lusker (D) also spoke, Ken Collins (R), Mulberry,and also Craig McCullah (R), Topeka, who is running for Secretary of State.
Courtesy photos by Vickie Shead. Marisa and Richard Hilderbrand and Deb Martin.Larry Shead and Kevin Jones.Trevor Jacob and Craig McCullah.Ken Collins, Mulberry.Caryn Tyson, Parker.
Chamber members mingle for the social time before the announcements at Thursday’s coffee at Woodland Hills Golf Course.
The Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee is hosted by members at a different location each week of the year, except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This week it was held at the Woodland Hills Golf Course on South Horton Street, hosted by the City of Fort Scott, who is the owner of the course.
At Chamber coffees, members may tell of events in their respective businesses and organizations and share a cup of coffee beforehand.
The host of the coffee then tells about the business/organization.
The highlights of this week’s coffee:
Lead Bourbon County, a leadership exploration and development program, finished the nine-month-long classes Thursday, Deb Needleman, co-facilitator said. The class project is creating modules for mentors to use with high school students in time together. A new class will be starting in September and runs until May. Contact Needleman or Robert Uhler for more information.
This Saturday, May 12, the U.S. Post Office employees are initiating a food drive with residents leaving bags of non-perishable food by their mailboxes, according to Sue Emmons. Emmons is director of The Beacon, a helping agency, and recipient of the food drive. Fort Scott FFA and Michele Lyon are helping with the drive, she said.
Next week is National Nursing Home Week and Medicalodge Fort Scott will celebrate with residents, Lynnette Emmerson said. They will be celebrating the 1920s on Monday, 30s on Tuesday, 40s on Wednesday, 50s on Thursday and 60s on Friday, she said.
Jerry Witt, with the Riverfront Authority Board, said there will be a ribbon cutting for the new pavilion May 17 following the Chamber coffee at 8:45 a.m. At 6 p.m. that evening there will be free hot dogs, chips, dessert, and watermelon, Allen Warren, another member of the authority, said. At 6:30 Jason Richison and Kinley Rice and a country-western band from Oklahoma will perform. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be moved to Memorial Hall.
Warren also told the group that Friday and Saturday the Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is having a swap meet at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. There will be concessions available.
Maps are available for the town-wide garage sale this weekend from the Chamber website, Executive Director Lindsay Madison said.
Briggs Auto has a car sale going on and has positions open as well, Carol Lydic said.
Jackie Warren, co-superintendent of the open class at the Bourbon County Fair, said there will once again be a hay bale contest and King Arthur Baking contest and two new categories in the quilt department: a coaster and “quilt on a stick.”
On May 18 the Carson Barnes Circus will have two shows, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m. at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Madison said. The event is sponsored by the Chamber. At 11 a.m. there will be an educational session about the circus and 3 p.m. there will be an elephant wash with the Fort Scott Fire Department performing the duties. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber for $14 adults, $6 child. At the door, the costs are $20 adult and $12 child.
Bill Drury’s A Passion For Service Seminar will be offered May 22 in the a.m. and p.m. at the Empress Event Center, Madison said.
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin tells the history of the Woodland Hills Golf Course at the Chamber Coffee Thursday morning.
City Manager Dave Martin gave a background of Woodland Hills Golf Course: The city bought the property in 2011 “at a good price”, hired Jon Kindelsparger, took five years to see a difference in the course, (but) revenues have steadily increased.
Clubhouse manager for three years, Shannon O’Neil, said he is “continuing our forward progress, and currently there is a golf course cart building under construction.” He said last year 10,000 people played golf at the course, and “interest is continuing to grow.”
Upcoming events at the course:
Kiwanis Tournament, May 18, to raise money for scholarships; Memorial Day weekend, there will be a three-man scramble; June 9 at Mercy Hospital Scramble to buy new equipment for the hospital.
Kansas Aims to Save Lives with “Click it. Or ticket.” Enforcement
State, local police target unbuckled travelers
TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas ranks towards the bottom one-third in seat belt usage among all 50 states. State and local law enforcement are working to improve this ranking by stepping up enforcement to crack down on motorists who aren’t wearing their seat belts as part of the Click it. Or ticket. seat belt enforcement campaign.
More than 150 law enforcement agencies across Kansas will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt enforcement as part of the national campaign that runs from May 21 through June 3, concurrent with one of the busiest travel and holiday weekends of the year.
“The Click it. Or ticket. campaign is about saving lives. We would be grateful if every occupant we observed was wearing their seat belt” said Ben Gardner, Kansas Highway Patrol Technical Trooper. “Our increased enforcement around Memorial Day serves as a reminder that wearing a seat belt is the easiest thing you can do to save your life.”
In 2017, nearly half of the 359 deaths from crashes in Kansas were not buckled. Young adults are dying at disproportionate rates because they are not wearing their seatbelts in Kansas. In Kansas, 56 percent of 18-to-34-year old occupants killed in crashes were not wearing their seat belts in 2017. Male pick-up truck drivers between the ages of 21-34 and drivers in rural areas are among the top unrestrained fatalities.
“Seat belts save lives every day. But they only save lives when they are used and there are still many people in Kansas who don’t buckle up,” said Chris Bortz, KDOT Traffic Safety Program Manager. “Our goal is 100 percent compliance. It doesn’t matter where you go, drivers need to buckle up for every ride, every time because a deadly crash can happen to anyone.”
In 2017, Kansas seat belt usage was 82 percent, below the national average of 90.1 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. From 2014 to 2016, seat belts saved nearly 41,500 lives across the country.
“Why is it that we try and keep from our kids the very thing that made us successful, our failures.” (anonymous)
You obsess over your child’s homework. And his diet, as if a hotdog for breakfast will doom him to a life of obesity. You interfere in childish skirmishes and insist your little angel is right, even if six witnesses disagree. You expect at least three phone calls a day when Princess enters adulthood. And every time Bubba loses a job or a wife, the Welcome Home banner is draped across the threshold of his childhood home where his clean bedsheets await.
Helicopter parents, hovering to micro-manage, please stop!
Many of this generation are babied, protected and entitled because the only location good enough for them is Easy Street. My plea to you is simple: Let your children struggle. Stop masking your kids’ mistakes by refusing to allow them to suffer consequences for their behavior. In my day (yes, when dinosaurs roamed the earth), parents believed their role was to grow independent children. Taking a few knocks was part of that process. No more.
Drake, my grandson, holds the local high school record for being penalized during his basketball practices this year.
Failure to bring tennis shoes? Run a few sets of stairs.
Being late? More stair laps.
Forgetting tennis shoes AGAIN? Add more laps.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
When it became apparent Drake had mastered the stairs but failed to elicit the desired rehabilitation, he was assigned the towel drill. Placing his hands on a towel on the floor, he ran from one side of the gym to the other in that bent position. In fact, he performed that drill so many times, when baseball season rolled around, he was the best-conditioned player on the team.
His parents laughed with each escapade. It never crossed their minds to complain or to rush to school with that forgotten pair of tennis shoes to cover for their child or to ask for a private meeting with Coach Young. Yea, them.
Recently, Fort Scott celebrated when eight wounded veterans caravanned through town. School children were given an opportunity to be dismissed from class so they could wave flags and cheer for the soldiers. They, like many of the rest of us, came together and showed our appreciation for those who fought to give us the freedoms we all share.
One mother felt differently. She was livid that her young child had to stand in the rain waiting for the caravan to arrive and drove to the site where his classmates were waiting, insisting he get in the car while she berated the adults who were there with the other kids.
Really? REALLY? I wonder if it dawned on her that those soldiers probably spent more than a little time in the rain, protecting our homeland. What message did she give her child about honoring the real heroes of our nation? (Not to mention, for goodness sakes, when we were little, we played in the rain.)
In the book Weird, author Craig Groeschel reminds us that our greatest priority as parents is to gradually transfer our children’s dependence away from us until it rests solely on God. To raise boys and girls who do not idolize their dads and moms; instead, they honor the only One who truly knows what is best for their lives…which probably includes not a few lessons about consequences.
Helicopter parents, please let God be God. Land that runaway plane of interference, turn off your blades of privilege and let your children’s failures be their lessons. Before it’s too late.
CHIP recipients gain greater access to mental health and substance use services
TOPEKA – Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Secretary Jeff Andersen is pleased to announce the State of Kansas has received federal approval to strengthen access to mental health and substance use services for participants of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved KDHE’s CHIP Parity State Plan Amendment, which requires that mental health and substance use disorder treatments be considered equally with medical and surgical benefits. Kansas is the third state in the country to receive approval for this amendment.
“This Parity Amendment ensures that mental health and substance use disorders are treated no differently than other medical disorders by Medicaid and larger insurance plans,” said KDHE Chief Medical Officer Dr. Greg Lakin. “It provides protection to patients with these types of diagnoses, where, historically, they were often treated differently.”
The amendment is part of the mental health regulations put into effect by CMS on Oct. 1, 2017. CHIP provides health care coverage for low-income children living in families with incomes that exceed Medicaid limits. Within CHIP, states are awarded yearly allotments. Kansas provides low-cost health insurance coverage to children who are under the age of 19, do not qualify for Medicaid, have family incomes under 232 percent of the federal poverty level, and are not eligible for State employee health insurance and are not covered by private health insurance.
“KDHE worked quickly with CMS to get this amendment approved for CHIP recipients,” said KDHE Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf. “This is just one of our efforts to expand access to vital services for low-income Kansans.”
Gov. Jeff Colyer Signs Number of Transparency Bills into Law
Includes DCF Transparency Bill and Police Body Cam Legislation
TOPEKA – Governor Jeff Colyer today signed three transparency bills and issued an executive order aimed at increasing government transparency and accountability. By signing House Substitute for SB 336, Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute for HB 2386, HB 2642 and issuing Executive Order 18-13, Colyer seeks to build on a number of transparency bills and executive orders put into law since he took over as governor in January.
“Transparency has been and will continue to be a priority for my administration,” said Gov. Colyer. “These bills, coupled with Executive Order 18-13 are important to me and to Kansans across the state. I appreciate the legislature for passing these critical measures and I look forward to continued work to increase government transparency and accountability for the people we serve.”
The first measure Gov. Colyer signed, House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 amends the statute governing access to information pertaining to children in need of care and child fatalities. With the signing of this law, the Secretary of the Department for Children and Families may now release the age and sex of the child, date of the fatality, and a summary of any previous reports of abuse or neglect involving the child in addition to any DCF recommended services provided to the child.
“This legislation is the cornerstone of the many things we have done to be more open and transparent to the public,” said Gina Meier-Hummel, DCF Secretary. “This measure strikes the correct balance between being sensitive to the need for privacy for families and ensuring that we are being transparent and getting the appropriate information out to the public.”
The second component of House Substitute for Senate Bill 336 changes the disclosure of audio or video recordings made and retained by law enforcement using a body camera or a vehicle camera. Under the previous law, only certain individuals were able to gain access to these recordings.
SB 336 expands the list of people who can request access to the footage to include a spouse, adult child, or parent of the deceased. This bill also adds a provision requiring the agency to allow the access to recordings within 20 days after the request is made.
Kansas Attorney Michael Kuckelman, whose clients struggled under the old law to obtain footage after losing a family member, spoke positively about the bill.
“The important thing about this audio and video is that it helps both families and law enforcement,” said Kuckelman, “There are times where law enforcement is falsely accused and this will demonstrate to the public if there’s a false accusation. If on the other hand, there is wrong doing, this provides an opportunity for a family to bring that to light and make certain that the public knows what is going on in their community.”
Governor Colyer also signed the Senate Substitute for Senate Substitute HB 2386, which requires agencies processing applications for employment that include a license, certification, or registration to list not just the qualifications, but also the specific civil and criminal records that would disqualify an applicant from receiving that license, certification, or registration. Additionally, if an individual has a misdemeanor record that would disqualify them, but has not been convicted of another crime five years preceding the application for licensure, the record cannot be used to disqualify the candidate at the end of the five-year period following the satisfied sentence.
This bill is coupled with executive order 18-13, which takes the bill a step further, by requiring agencies to post offenses that would disqualify a potential applicant prominently on the agency website.
“Executive order 18-13 allows individuals to know what the rules are without having to go searching for it in the fine print,” said Gov. Jeff Colyer.
The governor also signed HB 2642, which clarifies and strengthens campaign and election laws, while also updating the penalties for several violations.
“Some candidates were avoiding campaign finance reports eight days before the election because the penalty was low,” said Rep. Keith Esau. “This bill is an important step towards fixing our campaign finance laws.”
Good Samaritan dinner & auction raises $39,000 for area seniors
Fort Scott Presbyterian Village thanks citizens for their support
More than 500 people raised $39,000 for the Good Samaritan Program at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s annual dinner and auction May 2.
Sale items included a car, John Deere lawnmower, collectible glass, quilts, furniture and indoor and outdoor household goods donated by area businesses and residents. Proceeds support the Good Samaritan Program, which provides financial assistance to Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.
“We are so grateful for the support we receive each year for our dinner and auction,” said Ginger Nance, executive director at Presbyterian Village. “There were enough items to fill both sides of the garage and overflow into the outdoor parking area. We want to thank everyone who sponsored, volunteered, donated items, purchased dinner, bid on or bought auction items or participated in our raffle.”
Bruce and Carol Majors of Fort Scott won the trip to Santa Fe, N.M.
“I’m truly humbled by the commitment that our community, tenants, employees, donors and friends all have to the Presbyterian Village mission,” Nance said. “Each year, I am left feeling so touched after seeing how so many pull together to ensure that our seniors’ needs are met in our community. It is exhausting work but in such a great way! There’s no better feeling than knowing and seeing God’s work take place right before our eyes!”
The ticket sales including the dinner, trip raffle, sponsorships and auction totaled just over $30,000. The proceeds were added to the $5,050 in proceeds from the sale of Bob and Faye Steele’s household goods in August 2017, bringing the combined total raised for the Good Samaritan Program to $39,250.
The Steeles gave the household items of their estate to Presbyterian Village to be used in our Good Samaritan annual auction. Moving and storing a large number of items was a challenge, so Presbyterian Village had an auction at the Steeles’ farm in August.
For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s independent and assisted living services, accommodations or amenities, contact Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550.
If you would like to partner with us to learn how you can make a difference in a seniors life through the Good Samaritan fund estate planning, please contact Ginger Nance at (620) 223-5550, [email protected] or the Presbyterian Manor development team at 800-336-8511 Ext. 1222. Every dollar truly makes a difference.
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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and two hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.
Courtesy photo. Representatives for The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team received the prestigious Community Health Champion award in Salina, Kansas, on Wednesday. Pictured left to right: Missty Lechner, Alliance for Wellness advocacy project director; Jody Hoener, Mercy Clinic Quality Liaison; Allyson Turney, Administrative Assistant; Rhonda Dunn, Community Development Director; Sherise Beckham, Mercy Fort Scott dietician; Dave Martin, Fort Scott city manager; and Dr. Elizabeth Ablah, associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita and WorkWell KS presenter.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Earns Award
at Kansas State of Wellness Symposium
Bourbon County was recognized on Wednesday in Salina at the Kansas State of Wellness Symposium for earning the prestigious Community Health Champion award.
Bourbon County and The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team realized that prevalence of diabetes in the county is over 25% higher than the national rate and decided to change that. Led by Jody Hoener, Mercy Clinic Quality Liaison, the team worked hard to engage community members and organizations in their planning efforts with much success.
Since the inception of The Healthy Bourbon County Action team, they have assisted with creating additional trails for biking and walking, installed bike racks and shared bicycles around Fort Scott, installed water bottle filling stations at a school and are getting healthy, locally grown foods in restaurants. Through building partnerships, they have cultivated a community culture that is more supportive of healthy lifestyles.
A representative from the team was onsite at the fourth annual Kansas State of Wellness Symposium to receive the award.
“I was so proud to be a part of the Bourbon County Action Team that traveled to Salina to receive the Community Champion Award for our great ‘City,’” said Dave Martin, Fort Scott city manager. “People were amazed at all that the hard work and progress that we aremaking and Jody Hoener did a great job representing us on a success panel.It is wonderful that Peerless was highlighted in their work with their associateson controlling diabetes. A healthy community is a happy community.”
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Blue of Kansas, Kansas Alliance for Wellness and WorkWell Kansas have provided support to businesses, health organizations and communities as they work to improve health and wellness across the state. The symposium allowed organizations to collaborate and work together toward a common purpose of greater health outcomes.
“It’s a privilege to recognize organizations across the state that are working hard to improve health,” said Missty Lechner, Advocacy Project Director, Kansas Alliance for Wellness. “Each of the awardees has taken on various challenges to impact and improve health in very different ways. Regardless of the type of organization or the struggles they have encountered, each has been able to achieve meaningful progress over the past few years.”
Awards were also presented to USD 465 in Winfield, KS, which received the Organization Health Champion award, and Orion Education & Training in Clearwater, KS, which received the Worksite Health Champion award.
Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
