FORT SCOTT, Kan. (April 6, 2018) – Mercy lead dietitian Sherise Beckham, MS, RD, LD, has recently been named to the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) Healthy Kansas Hospital Committee.

The vision of KHA is “Optimal Health for Kansans.” In her role, Beckham will serve the committee as one of only two representatives from the southeast region of the State of Kansas.

The Healthy Kansas Hospitals Committee has been established to look at hospital policy and environments across the state to determine best practices health systems can implement to model healthy cultures—basically to set the “gold standard” of what hospitals can aspire to do. Hospitals in many communities are seen as the anchor organization and can lead the way (by example) to healthier lifestyles, communities and increase the quality of life.

Beckham’s responsibilities on the Healthy Kansas Hospitals Committee include:

• Exploring opportunities that provide greater access to healthy food and beverage options for hospital employees, patients, and visitors.

• Helping to establish strong community norms for healthier living and are willing to learn more about making healthy food/beverage policy changes to help all employees and patients live longer and better lives.

• Providing information that has the potential to establish a corporate culture which encourages key leadership strategies for a healthy food and beverage environment.

• Assisting in overall implementation through web tools to assist in vendor and food policy changes, assistance for food service staff implementing changes, and opportunities for shared expertise and interaction with peers.

To learn more about the Health Kansas Hospitals Committee, visit kha-net.org.