Volunteers at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg handmade Christmas outfits for the newest arrivals on the Labor and Delivery Unit.
One of the unit’s nurses, Rachel Johnson, photographed the bundles of joy as a gift to parents.
Ascension Via Christi will be closing its Family Medicine clinic in Fort Scott as of Nov. 11.
On the heels of that closing, Girard Medical Center is planning to reopen its practice in Ascension Via Christi clinic’s current location at 109 S. Main St, which will be staffed by Katrina Burke, MD, the clinic’s current physician provider.
“Our goal when we established the clinic was to ensure Fort Scott residents’ access to primary care services,” says Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “This transition of the clinic to a new owner does that, which is in keeping with our overall goal of using our resources to ensure rural Kansans’ continued access to close-to-home care.”
To receive care at the Fort Scott clinic after Nov. 11, patients will need to call 620-232-0453 to request a transfer of their medical records.
“Our Fort Scott Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, established almost four years ago when the Fort Scott hospital closed, will continue to provide 24/7 Emergency Care,” says Talbott.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Ascension Via Christi will be transitioning its Care Van program to Southeast Kansas Community Health Center as of Nov. 1.
“Our goal when we established the Care Van program was to ensure our community’s residents had access to their medical services and appointments,” says Charlotte Russell, physician services director at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. “We are happy that this
transition will still allow Pittsburg residents that convenience through the Community Health Center, which aligns with our overall goal of ensuring rural Kansans’ have continued access to
close-to-home care.”
To continue using the Care Van program after Oct. 31, patients will need to call 620-231-9873 to schedule their transportation.
“We want to ask that you join us in thanking our Ascension Via Christi Care Van team for their hard work and dedication to our Mission and the Pittsburg community,” says Russell.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Ascension Via Christi Kansas’ best overall, best hospital and health system employers, says Forbes
Last week, Forbes released its 2022 list of “America’s Best Employers by State” across all industries. Nationwide, 262 hospitals and health systems made the cut.
Ascension ranked No. 15 out of all Kansas employers and was one of only three hospitals/health systems to make the list in Kansas. Ascension Via Christi was the only healthcare employer in Wichita.
“Being named one of the state’s best employers is a direct representation of our amazing associates doing their meaningful work in a positive environment,” says Kevin Strecker, Ascension Via Christi’s chief executive officer. “It’s even more impressive given that it is based on feedback from our associates and that of other Kansas businesses’ employees.”
To compile its list, Forbes, in collaboration with market research company Statista, surveyed 70,000 employees working for businesses with more than 500 employees. A total of 1,382 employers in varying industries were ranked, with multi-state employers being able to be ranked more than once.
All the surveys were anonymous, allowing participants to openly share their opinions and rate their employers on a variety of criteria, including fair pay, safe working conditions, inclusive culture, remote work benefits and diversity initiatives. Respondents then were asked how likely they’d be to recommend their employer to others and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own.
Forbes then ranked the 1,382 employers with the greatest number of recommendations in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Other recent recognitions include:
“The challenges facing healthcare providers nationwide are daunting after two years of a pandemic like no other in our lifetime,” says Strecker. “This latest recognition is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our associates to a Mission that has endured for more than 135 years.
“They are the foundation of our ministry. It is through their collaboration with our Medical Staff, volunteers and community partners that our hospitals and clinics are a great place to give and receive care.”
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital’s trauma program recognized for quality
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg’s Level III Trauma Program, which treats patients who have critical injuries threatening life or limbs, was first accredited by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma in 2008. Now, it has passed re-accreditation for another three years.
The program, which will turn 15 next year, was recognized for its quality, improvement, maturity and focus, as well as for its trauma leadership and outstanding relationship with regional EMS.
“A Level III Trauma Program accreditation designates our hospital as one that has resources and expertise to care for our community and neighbors when any trauma occurs,” says Brett Dunbar, DO, hospital surgeon . “As a trauma center, our team is committed to improving and providing evidence-based care through our involvement at the local level as well as at the state level.”
The ACS Trauma Survey is designed to help hospitals evaluate and improve trauma care as well as provide objective, external review of capability and performance. A Level III Trauma Center designation indicates that the hospital has demonstrated an ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations.
This achievement allows Ascension Via Christi Hospital to continue to provide Southeast Kansas with quality care close to home and when it’s needed the most.
For more information about Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has added a Pediatric Echocardiogram program, making quality diagnostic imaging services more accessible to families throughout southeast
Kansas.
“Over the last few years we have invested extensively in our imaging programs to bring new technology and innovations to our community,” says Travis Battagler, director of the Heart
Center and Imaging Operations. “We have worked to grow our diagnostic cardiology echo program, including our recent expansion of that service line to Fort Scott.”
The Pediatric Echocardiograms are being offered in Pittsburg, which is just 30 miles down the road from Fort Scott.
Being able to have an ultrasound of the heart performed in a familiar setting is less stressful for children and more convenient for their parents, which in the end may help to recognize life-threatening conditions faster.
“This is just one way we can better serve our community and the surrounding areas now and in the future,” says Tyler Matthews, lead echocardiography technologist.
For more information about Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
The Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department in Fort Scott has received a Level 3 accreditation by the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation program (GEDA), which along with the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Nurses Association and American Geriatrics Society developed and released geriatric ED guidelines.
“This accreditation is very exciting for us and has allowed us to focus on improving the quality of care for one of our largest patient populations,” says Jessica Cobb, Emergency Department director. “Becoming a geriatric emergency department allows us to integrate best practices and standardized approaches to care for the older citizens in our community.”
Fort Scott’s full-service ER is staffed by physicians 24/7 and includes CT scans, ultrasounds and a new, fully remodeled radiology department with six exam rooms and additional treatment
spaces. As part of their geriatric certification, a nurse and physician on staff completed specific geriatric training and serve as clinical champions for geriatric care in the ED.
This accreditation allows the Emergency Department to continue to provide high standards of close-to-home care to our community.
For more information about Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department in Fort Scott go to ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.
Nuclear Medicine tech now PACS administrator at
Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg
Ann Ogle, who began her career with Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg 18 years ago as a Nuclear Medicine tech, is the newly named administrator of its Picture Archiving and
Communication System, or PACS.
Ogle found her love for the medical field during high school. “When I was 17, I had a study done on my gallbladder and I just remember that technologist being so kind and caring to me, “ she
says. “At that time, I had never heard of Nuclear Medicine.
Afterward, I did my research and that’s what led me to this line of work!”
That line of work involves performing tests for diagnosis and medical research.
Ogle’s new additional role is to provide local support and guidance to the hospital team in using the image-archiving technology.
“Ann is dedicated to her career and puts patient care as a top priority,” says Travis Battagler, director of Heart Center and Imaging Operations. “She continues to look for ways to improve
patient satisfaction and at the same time accommodate the needs of our medical staff.”
Ogle says her new role came after taking a liking to the IT and imaging world of Radiology.
She enjoys the variety and challenges that come along with her job and says it helps to keep her sharp.
“Someone once told me, ‘Act like your patients are your family members. Each patient is someone’s dad, mom, grandpa, grandma…’ I know I would want my family members to be taken care of,” says Ogle. “So that is the way I try to approach every patient.”
If you are interested in growing your career with Ascension Via Christi in Pittsburg, browse opportunities at https://ascn.io/3wl1GJO.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400
associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of
persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based
healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to
persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in
the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities –
in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org
Kevin Strecker to lead Ascension Via Christi; Don King to transition
to leading Ascension Florida and Gulf Coast
Scott City, Kansas, native Kevin Strecker has been named Ascension Kansas ministry market executive
and senior vice president for Ascension, bringing more than two decades of healthcare leadership
experience to his new role.
Strecker, currently hospital president and chief operating officer for Ascension Via Christi, will be
assuming the role filled by Don King, who as of July 1 will lead Ascension’s Florida and Gulf Coast
ministry market.
“Kevin’s experience, education, and commitment to our Mission and Catholic healthcare make him the
right person to lead our Kansas ministry going forward,” said Craig Cordola, MBA, MHA, FACHE, Ascension
executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Strecker joined Ascension Via Christi in 1994, serving at what today is Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation
Hospital. In 1997, he and his wife, Karen, moved to Chicago, where he worked as a regional administrator
for Health South’s imaging division. In 2002, the Streckers moved back to Wichita and he rejoined
Ascension Via Christi as director of Radiology. He subsequently was promoted to vice president of
Imaging and Laboratory Services.
In 2009, he was named vice president of Operations for Ascension Via Christi’s Wichita hospitals and the
following year was selected to lead newly constructed Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa. In 2016, he took
on the role of senior administrator for Ascension Medical Group Via Christi. Two years later, he was
chosen to serve as interim regional hospital president and in 2019 he moved to his current role as the
operational leader for Ascension Via Christi’s Kansas hospitals.
Strecker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Kansas State University. He later
went on to earn a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University and a master’s
degree in Management and Leadership.
Strecker is a graduate of the Ascension Executive Ministry Leadership formation program and serves as a
board member for the Wichita Cancer Foundation, Catholic Care Center and Kansas Surgery and Recovery
Center.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly
6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community
benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years,
Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized
care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the
leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care –
including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states.
OB/GYN Kari Hamlin, MD, has joined Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
As a Kansas native, Dr. Hamlin knows the importance of close-to-home, community-based care and is excited to care for women in all stages of life.
Dr. Hamlin earned her undergraduate and Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas and then did her OB/GYN residency through UKSM-W at Wesley Medical Center.
She also earned Master’s degrees in both Business Administration and Health Care Leadership from Friends University.
Prior to joining Ascension Via Christi, Dr. Hamlin spent nearly a decade caring for patients at other rural Kansas family medicine clinics and medical centers. During that period, she served as chief of Obstetrics and chief of Staff for Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center.
“We are excited that Dr. Hamlin chose Ascension Via Christi to practice, further improving access to care for women in Southeast Kansas,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “Dr. Hamlin’s knowledge, courtesy, patient-first mindset and compassion makes her a great fit for our OB/GYN team.”
Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Hamlin by calling 620-230-0044. For more information, visit ascension.org/PittsburgKS.
About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org
The Wound Center at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg has been recognized as a Healogics Center of Distinction based on its outstanding clinical and operational results in 2021 despite the
extraordinary circumstances presented by the pandemic.
To earn this recognition, centers must achieve or exceed a 92 percent patient satisfaction rate and 75 percent wound adjusted comprehensive healing rate and have an outlier rate of less than 16 percent; Pittsburg’s wound center numbers were 95 percent, 80 percent and 12 percent.
“I am so proud of the work this team does,” says Charlotte Russell, director of Physician Services, noting how well they work with each other on patients’ behalf. “In addition to being clinically proficient, they are all so kind and accommodating. They truly are a blessing to our Mission.”
Rachel Stevens, MD, serves as the wound center’s medical director and Tammie Caves as its clinical
program director.
To learn more about the Wound Center, call (620) 235-7522.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across
the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year
2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering
compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is
the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and
more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org,
