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Fort Scott, Mercy Hospital

Dr. Parris Reception July 28

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The public is invited to a retirement reception for David Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.

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.
The public is invited to a retirement reception for David Parris, M.D., from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 28, in the Mercy Hospital cafeteria.

Dr. Parris earned this medical degree from University of Missouri – Columbia and completed his family medicine residency at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. He specializes in family medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Parris is board certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.

In May, Dr. Parris was awarded the coveted 5-Star Award by ranking in PRC’s top 10 percent nationally for “excellent” responses in patient satisfaction surveys. He is also a fabulous vocalist and has performed in many musicals.

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.

Bourbon County

FS Community Foundation Grant Adds To Therapeutic Garden at Presbyterian Village

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Grant enables therapeutic garden expansion

Fort Scott Area Community Foundation gives $1,000

 Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s efforts to build a therapeutic garden on the campus got a boost from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation through the foundation’s grant program.

“The therapeutic garden at Presbyterian Village was started in 2017 with funds from Modern Woodman, Presbyterian Village funds and hundreds of volunteer hours,” said Ginger Nance, executive director at the Presbyterian Village. “This year with an additional $1,000 grant from the Fort Scott Community Foundation, we were able to add essential elements such as a concrete water fountain, some additional plants, bushes and constructed raised garden boxes which are being built to replace the ones that are deteriorated.”

The mission of the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is to partner with and be a resource to organizations whose goal is to improve the quality of life in the Fort Scott, Kansas, area. FSACF strives to create connections between donors and a variety of many worthwhile causes.

“We can’t thank the foundation and other donors enough for their help with our project this year,” Nance said.

A therapeutic garden is an outdoor garden space that has been specifically designed to meet the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of the people using the garden as well as their caregivers, family members, visitors, and friends. Many studies suggest positive therapeutic benefits are gained when people are exposed to nature, even for just a few minutes each day. A natural outdoor garden setting promotes exercise and stimulates all the senses. Therapeutic gardens promote movement, positive reminiscences, decrease stress and stabilize sleep-wake cycles.

“The therapeutic garden is enjoyed by family members and tenants, by employees, volunteers and the community at large,” Nance said. “The garden has been utilized for the Mother’s Day banquet, patio music entertainment, outdoor dining, growing vegetables and most of all, for a peaceful relaxing retreat daily to everyone who has entered.”

Each year special features and plant life are added to the retreat space. Volunteers and tenants who love to garden have worked the soil and planted flowers and vegetables all spring and summer in order to improve the space and benefit from the sights and sounds of nature.

“We invite everyone out to enjoy the wonderful space,” states Nance. “The design is a work in progress as financial resources, weather and time allow.” “Next year, we hope to add more to the space and include improved patio dining possibilities by adding umbrellas, a possible pergola, and other shading options,” Nance said.

Thank you to all who have helped make this possible for our community! If you would like to get involved to contribute toward continued improvements to the therapeutic garden, please contact Nance at [email protected] or call 620-223-5550.

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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 in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.

Fort Scott, Government

City’s Organizational Meeting of Land Bank July 25

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There will be a meeting of the Fort Scott Land Bank held on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Commission meeting room at 123 S. Main Street.

This meeting will be held to organize the Land Bank Board and any other items deemed necessary for the formation of this board.

There will be a majority of the City Commissioners present, but no City Commission business will be conducted.

Obituary

Obituary Of Lawrence “Shorty” Brown

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Lawrence E. “Shorty” Brown, 90, of Rural Fort Scott, passed away Sunday, July 15, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

He was born April 26, 1928, in Richards, Missouri, the son of Francis Marion and Stella G. (McDaniel) Brown. He married Flossie Ruth Nance July 30, 1950, in Pawnee Station, Kansas. She preceded him in death December 6, 1991.

Shorty served in the Korean War with the US Marine Corps from March of 1952 until August of 1953. He was a dairy farmer and rancher, and he was a member of the Hiattville United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Devon Masonic Lodge #92.

Shorty’s greatest joy was spending time with family, spoiling the grandchildren, and working on the ranch. He also enjoyed restoring antique steamer trunks as a hobby.

Survivors include his sons, Rocky J. Brown and wife Barbara, of Fort Scott, Kansas, and Macky M. Brown and his wife Heather, of Cottonwood Falls, Kansas; three grandchildren, Angela M. Bin, Timothy D. Brown and his wife Nicole, and Kaitlyn M. Brown; eight great-grandchildren, Levi N. Bin, Emmalee M. Bin, Austin C. Collins, Nicholas B. Ragan, Makenzie R. Brown, Abbigale A. Brown, Owen D. Brown, and Lillie M. Brown; and Coleene Lockwood, longtime special friend.

In addition to his wife Flossie, Shorty was also preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Melvin “Brownie” Brown, his wife Margaret “Teenie” Brown; a sister, Betty “Peggy” Clarkson, and her husband Richard “Blackie.”

Rev. Dallas Peterson will conduct funeral services at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at the Konantz-Cheney

Funeral Home with burial following at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening, July 23, 2018, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Military Honors at the cemetery will be conducted by the Olson-Frary-Burkhart Post 1165 Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Detail. Masonic services will also take place at the cemetery and be conducted by the Devon Masonic Lodge #92. Memorial contributions may be made to The Beacon, or the Hiattville United Methodist Church, and left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, PO Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.

Obituary

Obituary Of Roger “Butch” Matson

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Roger “Butch” Matson, age 78, a resident of Ft. Scott, KS, died Thursday, July 19, 2018, at his home, of stage IV esophageal cancer.

Mr. Matson was born August 26, 1939, in Pittsburg, KS, the son of Glenn Matson (Kirkwood, KS) and Elsie Standley (Monmouth, KS). He was a lifetime resident of Southeast Kansas. He attended Pittsburg schools and graduated from College Heights in 1957.

He married Judith Sayre on January 20, 1962, in Pittsburg. Mrs. Matson survives at the home on Maple Road, where they have lived since 1994.

Mr. Matson was employed by the Kansas National Guard, which he joined at age sixteen. He was retired from the Guard as Sergeant First Class in 1999. In retirement until shortly before death, he worked as a master electrician. Mr. Matson was a member of the First Church of God, Fort Scott, for over fifty years. Recently he was designated as a Lifetime Trustee, having served the church in many volunteer roles.

He is survived by his wife; one son, Quinton, Kansas City, MO; two daughters, Quita Coffman, Ft. Scott, and Dana Noe, Girard, KS; one sister, Patsy Ferrell, Woorster, OH; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

No funeral service will be held. Friends may call on the family from 2:00 until 3:30 PM Sunday, July 22nd, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Cremation will follow.

Private family interment in the U. S. National Cemetery, Ft. Scott, will take place at a later date. The family suggests expressions of sympathy be in the form of memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project 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.

Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Golf Classic July 27

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Join us for the 2018

Chamber Golf Classic
as either a team, sponsor, or both!

Click here for printable flyer.
Click here for printable team/sponsor registration form.
Fort Scott Area Chamber Golf Classic
Tournament Chairman:  Mark Lewis, Liberty Savings Association
Lead Sponsors:  Briggs Auto and Mercy Hospital
Lunch Sponsors:  5 Corners Mini-Mart & McDonald’s
Hole in One Contest sponsored by Briggs!
New this year!  Games by Dixon Golf
DATE: Friday, July 27, 2018
TIME: Registration, Lunch & Putting Contest starts at 11 am, Tee-off 12 pm
LOCATION: Woodland Hills Golf Course, a top-10 Kansas course!
MORE: Teams & hole sponsors may contact the Chamber
at 620-223-3566 or email [email protected]

Press Release – 2018 Chamber Golf Classic

Government, Kansas

Sen. Hilderbrand Applauds Gov. Colyer’s Expansion Plans for Hwy. 69

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KANSAS SENATOR RICHARD HILDERBRAND ISSUES

STATEMENT ON HIGHWAY 69 EXPANSION

GALENA- Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena) today issued the following statement on Governor Jeff Colyer’s announcement to expand Highway 69:

“I applaud Governor Colyer’s announcement today on the critically needed four-lane expansion of Highway 69.

For too long the citizens of Southeast Kansas have been forgotten, and that is why this expansion has been a priority of mine.

Not only will this project increase safety, it will have a long-term economic impact on our region. I am extremely grateful for the hard work put in by the Highway 69 Association and everyone involved to make this happen.

While this is a good step in the right direction, our work is not finished. I will work hard in Topeka to continue infrastructure investments in Southeast Kansas to encourage growth and allow us to remain competitive throughout the state and entire nation.”

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.