Monthly Archives: July 2018

Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Mercy’s New Home Health and Hospice Partnership

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Mercy and Integrity to join forces to coordinate home care and hospice across the region

 Not all healthcare happens in a hospital or a doctor’s office. Patients who head home after a surgery or serious illness often require some time to continue healing at home, and chronically-ill patients must manage their conditions at home daily.

For patients in either situation, having quality health care in their home can be the key to living their best life.

To provide that crucial service, Mercy and Integrity Home Care + Hospice are joining forces to more closely monitor and assist patients and their families throughout their healthcare journey.

“Integrity serves many patients throughout the region,” said Jon Swope, president of Mercy Springfield Communities and president of Mercy’s central region. “We plan to integrate Integrity with our electronic health record, so our doctors and clinical teams will be able to monitor and respond to even more home care patients’ conditions. That kind of coordinated care will reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and hospital readmissions because we can intervene more quickly.”

To create this fully integrated home care system, Integrity will merge Mercy Home Health & Hospice into its operations throughout southwest Missouri and southeastern Kansas. As a partner, Mercy will become a shareholder of Integrity and a member of the board of directors. While the company’s name will remain Integrity Home Care + Hospice, the logo will include information about its partnership with Mercy. Together, the two systems will become an even stronger home care and hospice team to serve the region.

“We help patients and their families navigate the challenging path of chronic illness, aging and end of life care in their homes, with an emphasis on their quality of life,” said Cliff Stepp, president of Integrity Home Care + Hospice. “Our goals include keeping chronically ill patients out of the hospital by monitoring their overall health and intervening before changes become serious. With skilled care, integrated medication management, and personal care services provided by an outstanding team of clinicians and caregivers, we’ll also closely support patients who choose us after they’re discharged from Mercy to home.”

As part of this new partnership, Mercy Home Health & Hospice co-workers in southwest Missouri and southeast Kansas will become a part of the larger Integrity team. Integrity Home Care + Hospice is headquartered in Springfield with offices in Joplin, Lebanon, Kansas City, Columbia, and St. Louis.

“This partnership makes great sense,” Swope said. “Along with their great quality scores, Integrity shares our faith-based mission and core values and puts patients at the center of making decisions about their own care. Our caregivers do the same and I know they will be valuable members of this new organization.”

A transition team is in place, with plans to complete the work this fall.

Mercy, which services millions annually, and was named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health. 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.

Business, Kansas

Workforce Innovation Conference Oct. 8-9 in Wichita

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Workforce Conference Graphic2

The Kansas Department of Commerce, KANSASWORKS, Kansas Department for Children and Families, and the Kansas Board of Regents are currently planning the first annual Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Conference in Kansas. This conference will aim to enhance and improve workforce development solutions in the state. The conference is scheduled for October 8-9, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita.

This engaging and interactive conference will afford an opportunity for employers, educators, economic development professionals, and community leaders to come together with state and local officials to discuss the unique challenges of meeting the growing workforce needs in the state.

The keynote speaker for the 2018 conference will be Dr. Michael Wooten, Acting Assistant Secretary & Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges with the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education. Dr. Wooten provides leadership, direction, and management for over $2 billion in initiatives supporting career and technical education, adult education, correctional and re-entry education and community colleges.

The conference will be organized into four unique tracks:

  • Developing the Future Workforce
  • Developing a Talent Pipeline
  • Engaging Business Resources
  • Enhancing Career Pathways

Session topics including Recruiting and Retaining Talent, Future Workforce Skills, The Gig Economy, Generations in the Workplace, and many more.

“Our Kansas economy is very diverse and ever-evolving, requiring our state and education leaders to consider how best to develop a workforce with the skills required by employers,” said Mike Beene, Director of Employment Services at the Kansas Department of Commerce. “The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Conference will not only be a great opportunity to hear from national and state thought-leaders on how workforce needs are being addressed across the country and state, but also participate in a constructive dialogue among Kansans on how to successfully overcome talent recruitment and development challenges.”

The cost to register for the two-day conference is $100 and can be completed online at KansasCommerce.gov. The website will also include the full conference schedule, speaker biographies, and hotel information as they become available.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Author of Life In A Jar at Liberty Theater July 28

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Lowell Milken Center to present Life in a Jar with author Jack Mayer at Liberty Theatre Event Free to the Public

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes will host the award-winning Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project author Jack Mayer on Saturday, July 28 in the Liberty Theatre at 10 AM for a presentation followed by a performance of Life in a Jar at 2 PM.

These events happen in conjunction with the 2018 Poland Reunion and are free to the public.

Visitors from around the country and abroad will be in attendance to reconnect with those who traveled to Poland in 2017 to explore the story of Holocaust hero Irena Sendler, brought to light
by Kansas teens as part of a History Day Project.

The cornerstone project of the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, Life in a Jar has gained worldwide attention with over 350 presentations of the play, international media coverage, Hallmark Hall of Fame motion pictures, and award-winning book.

The public is invited to join in the following events:

10 AM – Life in a Jar: the Irena Sendler Project author Jack Mayer speaking at Liberty Theatre.

Q&A to follow.

2 PM – Life in a Jar performance at Liberty Theatre

5 PM – Wine and cheese social at the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes

For more information regarding these events please call the Lowell Milken Center at 620-223-1312 or email Norm Conard ([email protected]).

About the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes:
The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes works with students and educators across diverse academic disciplines to develop history projects that highlight role models who demonstrate
courage, compassion, and respect. Through our unique project-based learning approach, students discover, develop and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes who have made a profound and positive impact on the course of history. By championing these Unsung Heroes, students, educators, and communities discover their own power and responsibility

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Meeting July 18 At New Jail

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission

Fort Scott, KS 66701

 9:00 a.m.

Date: July 18th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

10:00-Commissioners attend meeting at the new jail.

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Bourbon County, Business, Schools

FSCC Business Expo August 22: Get Registered

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Kassie Fugate-Cate, FSCC Director of Strategic Communications.

Fort Scott Community College’s Annual Business Expo will take place August 22 from 9 am to 11:30 am.

Local businesses, please contact Kassie Cate at 620.223.2700 ext. 5248 or email [email protected] to register.

Spaces fill up fast so don’t hesitate. No registration cost. Take this opportunity to market your business and hire eager college students. The expo will take place in Bailey Hall.

Entertainment, Fort Scott

Magician Taylor Hughes Comes To FSCC August 3

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Taylor Hughes is a full-time entertainer with over 20 years of performance experience. He is one of the only people to have performed in all three showrooms at the World Famous Magic Castle before the age of 21.

He is a featured act on the television series “Masters of Illusion” and was recently presented the awards for “Best Illusion” “Best Comedy Magic” and “Best Showmanship” by the Society of American Magicians in Los Angeles. 

A popular entertainer, Taylor has performed for multiple organizations including Home Depot, AT&T, and The American Heart Association.

MagicShowPoster

Business, Fort Scott

Dr. Crawford Set To Move Downtown

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Dr. Tim Crawford, the owner of Fort Scott Family Dental, 1115 S. Main, has a contract pending on his current building in preparation for the move of the dental office to Wall and Main streets.

In two to three months, Dr. Tim Crawford, a local dentist, hopes to be in the renovated building he has been working on this past year.

“We have no firm timeline,” Crawford said. “The end of summer or beginning of fall. We are super excited to see this come to fruition.”

The historic three-story building at the corner of Wall and Main streets, Fort Scott, known as the Marble Building; has at points in time been a theater, bank, retail store, tanning bed business and will be the dentist’s office when completed.

“You can still see the dome for the chandelier in the attic space,” referring to its’ grand past, Crawford said.

The lobby is being restored, including the stained glass windows, the rest will be new construction.

The top floor is six apartments that have recently been renovated, Crawford said.

“The middle level needs some remodeling,” Crawford said. MCM Restoration occupies most of the second floor.

The main floor of the building he purchased, where his office will be, is also the office of Crain Insurance on the Wall Street side.

The move from 1115 S. Main to the new location for the dentist office will increase the size of the office almost four times.

“We are looking at over 5,000 square feet, and right now (at the current location) we have 1,300 to 1,400 square feet,” Crawford said.

Currently, Crawford has two receptionists, one hygienist, and two dental assistants, he said.

“We’ll probably have to add one more employee,” following the move to the new office, Crawford said.

JT Contracting, RL Construction and Peerless Products, all local businesses have been involved in the reno process, Crawford said.

Jayce Simons and Nick Leighty, with JT Contracting, Fort Scott, work on the masonry front door of the building at Wall and Main streets.
An old dental chair sits next to a commercial vacuum cleaner in the lobby area of the new Fort Scott Family Dental office. The office is being renovated, including some original stained glass windows.
The operating rooms are new construction in the new Fort Scott Family Dentist office, at Wall and Main streets.

 

Bourbon County, Fair

Highlights Of Bourbon County Fair

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Monday afternoon activity at the Bourbon County Fair included checking in entries in the open class division, entering 4-H Exhibits, conference judging of 4-H photography, weigh-in of animals, in addition to setting up the Chuck Wagon Restaurant. Entering into open class exhibits continues this evening, Monday, July 16, until 8 p.m.

Tomorrow, July 17, judging begins with rabbits, foods, fiber and visual arts,  plant science, poultry, sheep and meat goats.  The bake sale for Open Class foods will be at noon with proceeds going to scholarships for Bourbon County students. There will be a draft horse pull in the evening.

 

Below are some highlights of Monday afternoon.

Northwest Scott 4-H members and family put together their entry into the hay bale decorating contest Monday afternoon at the Bourbon County Fair. From left: Amanda, Abigail Collins, Kaitlyn Hanks,  John and Timothy Collins and Kaitlyn Hanks, mom, Darla Hanks (not pictured).
Ann Ludlum and Linda Walker check-in art and photography entries in open class Monday afternoon in the Myer’s Building.
Pam Korinek enters her plants in the horticulture department in the open class at the Bourbon County Fair.
Jackie Warren helps to check in quilts Monday afternoon.
Wilma Graham enters art and craft entries from Medicalodge residents Monday at the Bourbon County Fair.
Jackie Warren checks in her cinnamon bread entry into the King Arthur Flour Check-In area, with Joyce Gobl taking the information.

 

Karen Peery enters antiques in the Bourbon County Fair Monday afternoon.
An entry into the preserved food department.
Antiques entered in the Bourbon County Fair.
-Audree Hick’s entry into the arts and crafts department at the fair. Hicks is 5 years-old.

Joyce Gobl shows the giveaway item for this year’s King Arthur Baking Contest: chocolate cookie mix to the first 300 people who request it.

Starlite FCE’s entry into the scarecrow contest at the fair.

Uncategorized

Bourbon County Commission Agenda July 17

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

2nd Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: July 17th, 2018

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

9:00-9:45-Jim Harris

9:45-10:00-David Duffy-Road in Woods Cemetery

11:00-12:00-Justin Meeks

11:00-NRP Update

11:15-Executive Session-Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

11:30-Executive Session-Privileged in the attorney-client relationship

11:45-Walking Trial Update

11:50-Handbook Update

12:00-1:30-Commissioners gone to lunch

1:30-1:45-P1 Group

Justifications for Executive Session:

          Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel

          Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship

          Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency

          Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships

          Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property

          Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system

Obituary

Obituary For Mary Jo Pellett

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Mary Jo Pellett, age 88, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Sunday, July 15, 2018, at the Mercy Hospital E.R.

She was born May 16, 1930, in Ft. Scott, the daughter of Bert Edgar and Bertha Matkin Edgar. She graduated from Fort Scott high school with the class of 1947. Shortly after graduation, she began working for Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott. She worked there for almost 42 years, retiring in 1988.

She married Joseph Pellet on April 12, 1953, in Ft. Scott. He preceded her in death on January 10, 1998.

Mary Jo enjoyed camping, crocheting, quilting, and visiting flea markets. She was a devoted member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, serving for several years as church secretary and treasurer.

Survivors include a nephew, Gary Davis and wife Linda, Ft. Scott; three  nieces, Connie Peterson and husband Dallas, Girard, KS, Linda DeMott and husband Gary, Ft. Scott, and Carol Graham and husband John, Parker, CO; 12 great nieces and nephews; 10 great-great nieces and nephews; brother-in-law Gene Davis; and special friend Bill Lawrence. Besides her husband Joe, she was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Davis; and her parents.

Rev. Gary DeMott and Rev. Dallas Peterson will conduct funeral services at 10:00 AM Friday, July 20th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Thursday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to St. John’s United Methodist Church and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.