PITTSBURG – The Inspire Health Foundation, the Community Health Center of Southeast
Kansas, and Greenbush are partnering to offer a Medical Spring Break Camp March 18 – 20 for
area students. The camp is an interactive experience designed to spark children’s curiosity
about the systems of the human body and the health careers dedicated to caring for those
systems.
The camp will be hosted at the John Parolo Education Center, located on CHC/SEK’s Pittsburg
North Campus at 3015 N. Michigan.
The camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day, with separate sessions for different age
groups:
• March 18: Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
• March 19: 3rd – 5th Grade
• March 20: 6th – 8th Grade
Students will have the chance to create models and conduct experiments to discover the inner
workings of the skeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, and brain systems. They will
participate alongside CHC/SEK staff, including dietitians, respiratory therapists, and nurses, to
learn more about health and health careers.
“Students will engage in learning and play centered around the best of what each organization
has to offer; skills in problem-solving, scientific experiments, health education, health careers,
and community connection,” said Leah Gagnon, Director of Inspire Health Foundation. “We
know this will be the first of many student learning opportunities in partnership with
Greenbush and Inspire Health.”
“Greenbush camp staff are always looking for people and organizations within the community
to offer unique, fun experiences for students,” said Emily Roth, Greenbush Camp and
Enrichment Coordinator. “When we learned of the new education facility at the Community
Health Center of Southeast Kansas, we instantly wanted to begin a partnership to educate and
engage students about the health industry.”
To register for the camp visit www.greenbush.org/camps. Inspire Health Foundation is a
subsidiary of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. To learn more about Inspire
Health visit, www.chcsek.org/inspirehealth
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Category Archives: Area News
Freeman Hospital Groundbreaking Ceremony Near Frontenac is March 7
Continued Steps Forward
Groundbreaking Ceremony Set for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
What: Groundbreaking for Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital
When: 10:00 am Friday, March 7, 2025
Where: Take US Route 69 north through Pittsburg and Frontenac. Turn right off US Route 69 at East 600th Ave. – look for Freeman arrow signs for the turn (and large Chicken Annie’s restaurant sign). On East 600th Ave. heading east, the groundbreaking parking area is located to the left on 50-acre hospital site.
Background: Freeman Health System will break ground for the long-awaited Freeman Southeast Kansas Hospital Friday morning.
Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker, accompanied by a distinguished list of Frontenac, Pittsburg and Cherokee County dignitaries, will don hard hats and grab shovels to officially launch the state-of-the-art building’s construction.
The $168 million, 50-bed hospital will offer a full array of comprehensive care, including an emergency department, cardiac services and catheterization lab, an intensive care unit, maternity, pediatrics, outpatient/inpatient surgery – including robotic procedures – as well as medical and radiation oncology, among other key services. Overall, the hospital will create at least 500 to 1,000 new jobs in Pittsburg.
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
The SEKnFind Newsletter February 2025
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On March 5 KCC Holds Hearings On Evergy’s Request to Recover Costs
KCC schedules public hearing and comment period on Evergy’s
request to recover costs for new gas plants and solar facility
TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has scheduled a virtual public hearing beginning at 6 p.m. on March 5th to provide Evergy Kansas customers across the state with information about three proposed new generation investments (two combined cycle gas-fired generating turbine plants and one solar facility). One gas plant would be located near Evergy’s Viola Substation in Sumner County and the second near Hutchinson in Reno County. The Kansas Sky solar facility would be located in Douglas County. The Commission will also provide an opportunity for public comments during the hearing.
Evergy filed an application with the KCC requesting a predetermination of the prudency of the investments and whether the company would be entitled to recover the costs of the investments and under what terms. Evergy has asked to recover the cost of construction work in progress (CWIP) and in a future rate proceeding will ask for recovery of the investments after they are in service, which is expected at the end of 2026 for the solar facility and 2029 and 2030 for the gas plants.
To participate in the virtual hearing via Zoom and make a public comment, advance registration is required by noon on March 4. For persons wishing to watch, but not comment during the public hearing, a live video stream will be available on the YouTube channel. The hearing will also be recorded for later viewing.
In addition to the hearing, the Commission will accept written comments through 5 p.m. on April 7. Comments may be submitted online, by mail or by calling the KCC at 785-271-3140 or 800-662-0027.
To register for the virtual hearing, make a public comment online or find additional information on the application, go to the Commission’s website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” tab.
The Commission will issue an order on the application on or before July 7, 2025.
Bridge repair on U.S. 69 begins soon

Monday, March 3, the Kansas Department of Transportation plans to start a repair project at the Marias des Cygnes River bridge on the northbound lanes of U.S. 69. The bridge is approximately one mile south of the K-52/U.S. 69 north junction.
Northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane at the work zone. Weather permitting, the work should be completed by the end of May.
KDOT awarded Bettis Asphalt & Construction of Topeka the $477,049 construction contract. Persons with questions may contact Ian Stringham, (785) 433-6116, or Priscilla Petersen, (620) 902-6433.
KDOT urges motorists to stay alert and follow posted signs in all work zones. For current road conditions, visit www.kandrive.gov or call 5-1-1.
NRMC to Offer Free Cholesterol Screening
Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) announces it will host a free cholesterol screening sponsored by NRMC Foundation on Friday, February 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 A.M. Registration is open to the public, but appointments are limited.
The Foundation sponsors this annual screening each February in recognition of American Hearth Month. “This simple blood draw can give participants a quick view of their total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglyceride levels” notes Foundation Director, Jennifer Eaton. “These results can then be shared with their primary care provider to determine the next steps to take in their heath journey.”
According to the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women. However, there are steps you can take to keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease:
- Get enough quality sleep
- Eat a balanced diet
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get active
- Manage/monitor your blood sugar & blood pressure
- Manage stress
- Control cholesterol levels
Daily acts of self-care can also benefit you heart health. Make that doctor’s appointment you may have been putting off, do at least one positive action for heart health each day, find an exercise buddy or join a class/group to help stay motivated and encourage your family to participate as well to help you meet your health goals.
To register for the free cholesterol screening, call (417) 448-3801.
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About Nevada Regional Medical Center
NRMC is a 71-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital providing comprehensive health care services. Staff represent more than a dozen medical specialties including ear, nose & throat, family practice, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, orthopedics, pain management, pediatrics, psychiatry and wound care services. Additionally, consultation clinics are held regularly by specialists in cardiology, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, pulmonology and urology.
NRMC is centrally located between Kansas City and Joplin along the I-49 corridor.
KDOT to host open houses on U.S. 69 design options in Crawford County

The Kansas Department of Transportation will host four in-person open houses and one virtual open house to allow the public to review design options for the U.S. 69 project in Crawford County in February.
All the open houses will share the same information, and the public will be able to provide input at each meeting. Project team members will be available to answer questions about the design options that were developed based on feedback from previous open houses and insights gained from data collected along the study area.
Participants are encouraged to drop by at any time during the in-person open houses, as there will be no formal presentations. The virtual open house will be recorded and start at the designated time and include a walk-through of the design options with a question-and-answer session.
In-person open houses times and locations:
Pittsburg State University, Overman Student Center, Ballroom C
302 E. Cleveland Ave., in Pittsburg.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fellowship Hall
100 S. Cherokee St., in Frontenac.
Thursday, Feb. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Northeast High School
1003 E. South St., in Arma.
Thursday, Feb. 27, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Virtual open house time and link:
Friday, Feb. 28, 11 a.m. to noon (sign-in starts at 10:30 a.m.).
Link: https://shorturl.at/xXhjc
Information presented at the open houses will also be available online by Feb. 26 at: ksdot.gov/us69-highway-study.
Anyone who requires language translation, special assistance or accommodation to attend the meeting should contact Alicea Thompson at [email protected] or call (785) 817-0864 at least five days before the meeting date.
CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle
Honoring the past by looking to the future:
CFSEK launches inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle
On April 14, 1903, the Mount Carmel Hospital in Pittsburg opened its doors. For over 100 years, the hospital was a cornerstone of healthcare in the Southeast Kansas community. The name, Mount Carmel, means much to the community. The Mount Carmel Foundation (MCF) was formed in 1983 to ensure everyone in Southeast Kansas had access to quality healthcare and continued that mission until August 2024.
The changing landscape of healthcare in Southeast Kansas led the MCF board to consider transferring their assets to another local organization to carry on their mission. They chose to donate their funds to the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) to establish the Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle, with the mission to carry on the legacy of MCF throughout Southeast Kansas, forever.
“The Mount Carmel name has such a rich history in our area and holds a special place in many peoples’ hearts,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “We are extremely proud to help carry on the name and honor the great work the Mount Carmel Foundation achieved during its lifetime. These annual healthcare grants will honor that history while providing significant programs, services, and equipment, which will have a positive impact on the lives of so many people in our community.”
The inaugural Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant Cycle through CFSEK is open February 1-28, 2025. This grant opportunity is for any nonprofit healthcare providers in Southeast Kansas that share the vision of the Mount Carmel Foundation: to provide high-quality, affordable healthcare for SEK residents.
Applications are available at SoutheastKansas.org/Grant-App, and more information about the granting fund is available at SoutheastKansas.org/news/blog/mtcarmel.
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport From Wichita
Governor Kelly Releases Statement Regarding
Tragic Plane Crash Near Washington, D.C. Airport
TOPEKA — This morning, Governor Laura Kelly released the below statement:
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives last night and extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones. I have been in constant communication with federal, state, and local officials overnight and want to thank the over 300 first responders from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for their response efforts. I will issue a flag order today to acknowledge this devastating event and tragic loss of lives.”
Southeast Kansas Library Newsletter January 2025
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Black History Month Celebration Lunch and Learn Feb. 12

