Category Archives: Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Mercy Hospital

CHC Move Delayed Until February 2023

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Krista Postai. Submitted.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott is pushing forward the opening date for their new facility.

They moved into the former Fort Scott Mercy Hospital in February 2019 and will move into the former Price Chopper building in February 2023 as plans now stand.

The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main.

“Due to delays in receiving some materials, including most of the doors and pieces of the heating/cooling system, and some unanticipated design changes, it now appears that CHC/SEK’s opening of our new facility in the former Price Chopper building will be delayed until sometime to February 2023,” CEO Krista Postai said.

“We will be combining both the main clinic and Walk-In Care Clinic into the same facility along with our pharmacy, complete with drive-through window,” she said. “We are especially excited about the installation of a new CT scanner in this facility along with 3-D mammography, conventional x-ray, ultrasound and bone density testing equipment making it one of the best-equipped health centers in the country.”

“Once fully relocated, we do expect to sell our Walk-In Care building, which is being listed with a local realtor,” Postai said. “Proceeds from the sale of this building will be directed toward the cost of renovating the new clinic.”

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018.

To view information on the transition of Mercy Clinics to CHC view:

CHC/SEK Finalizes Plans for Transition of Mercy Clinics

New Staff

Meanwhile new additions are being added to the CHC staff.

“Recruitment for an additional psychiatric provider in Ft. Scott is also underway, with plans to also add therapy and addiction treatment services once the new clinic opens,” she said.

“We were pleased to welcome Dr. Frank Miller, a well-known and respected chiropractor, to CHC/SEK,” she said.

Dr. Miller was owner of Back to Health Chiropractic in Ft. Scott and in making the move, Dr Miller said, “With the collaboration of other medical disciplines, I believe I will be able to serve my patients with a higher quality of care. The mission of CHC/SEK is right in line with my own and I also believe that I will be able to serve a larger segment of the community than I could in private practice.”

“Toward that end, our new facility will have an expanded area for Wellness Services including Dr. Miller’s practice,” Postai said. “He is now accepting appointments at our Main Clinic; former patients are most welcome.”

“Also joining us in Ft. Scott in our Walk-In clinic is APRN Michael McNellis,” she said. “Originally from Overland Park she received her BSN from MidAmerica Nazarene University and her MSN from Rockhurst University.”

 

Transportation Services

“Effective November 1, CHC/SEK assumed responsibility for Ascension/Via Christi’s Care Van service,” Postai said. “We’re spending the first few weeks getting familiar with their vehicles and new scheduling software we acquired and will be expanding the service – which is transitioning to state-supported public transportation. This means it will take riders other places besides medical facilities. Starting in Crawford County, it will be available in both Bourbon and Cherokee counties as soon as our additional vehicles become available. We will publicize its availability through the media including our Facebook page once we expand.”

New Clinic In Garnett

Also, November 1, CHC opened a new clinic in Garnett, Kansas. Dr. Ross Kimball MD, former owner of Pheasant Ridge Family Medicine in Garnett, transitioned his practice over to CHC/SEK full-time this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ascension Via Christi, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Ascension Via Christi transitions Care Van program to Community Health Center

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Ascension Via Christi, Pittsburg. Submitted photo.



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.

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Flu Shot Drive-Through Sept. 17 at CHC

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CHC/SEK-FORT SCOTT SCHEDULES SATURDAY SEPT. 17 DRIVE-THRU FLU SHOT CLINIC

By getting a flu shot now, you can protect yourself and your family and friends!

 

 

Flu season is coming, and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is offering a “drive-thru” flu shot clinic on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 9AM – 2 PM. The event will be held in the parking lot at 2322 S. Main Street, the future location of CHC/SEK’S new clinic, presently under construction.

 

The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone six-months of age and older, because it effectively decreases flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. It only takes a few minutes to get vaccinated. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed. 

 

By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!  

 

Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it is just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you are sick.

 

Flu shots are also available at all CHC/SEK clinics on a walk-in basis or by appointment.   

 

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

NEW COVID-19 BOOSTERS AVAILABLE AT CHC/SEK 

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Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.

 The new boosters are formulated to better protect against COVID-19 variants

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is now offering updated COVID-19 booster, Pfizer-BioNTech Bivalent vaccine.

The BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant are currently causing most cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and are predicted to circulate this fall and winter.

The updated boosters are available at most CHC/SEK locations at no out-of-pocket cost to the recipients. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis, or by appointment at most CHC/SEK locations.  

Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent

Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent if it has been at least two months since they have completed primary vaccination or have received the most recent booster dose with any authorized or approved monovalent COVID-19 vaccine.

The bivalent vaccines, which are also referred to as “updated boosters,” contain two messenger RNA (mRNA) components of SARS-CoV-2 virus, one of the original strains of SARS-CoV-2 and the other one in common between the BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. 

“COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, continue to save lives and prevent the most serious outcomes (hospitalization and death) of COVID-19,” said Linda Bean, D.O., FAAFP Chief Clinical Officer at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. 

“As we head into the fall and winter season with the potential for greater virus spread in schools and at work, now is the time for everyone who is eligible to consider receiving a booster dose with a bivalent COVID-19 vaccination to provide better protection against currently circulating variants.”

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19, Health Care

CHC/SEK now has Novavax protein-based COVID-19 vaccine available 

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Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) clinics has received the recently authorized Novavax vaccine as the latest tool in the fight against COVID-19. To date, the Baxter Springs, Coffeyville, Columbus, Fort Scott, Iola, Parsons, Pittsburg, and Pittsburg South clinics have received doses. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis, or by appointment.  There is no out-of-pocket cost to receive the vaccine at CHC/SEK. 

The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine is the latest authorized and recommended vaccine to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death caused by the virus. Novavax is manufactured using a familiar type of protein-based vaccine technology that has been used for more than 30 years in shots that help prevent diseases like shingles, hepatitis B, the flu and other illnesses.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine on July 13 for the prevention of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 12 years of age and older who have not received a primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine previously. 

Access to multiple types of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines authorized by the FDA and recommended by the CDC gives people more options and flexibility to choose their vaccine.   

The Novavax vaccine is given in a two-dose primary series, with a second dose administered between three-to-eight weeks after the first.  

Neither a booster nor a third dose is authorized at this time. 

“We now have another tool to manage COVID-19,” said Linda Bean, D.O., FAAFP, Chief Clinical Officer at CHC/SEK. “Novavax provides another option for a safe, effective and free vaccine. With the BA.5 variant continuing to spread, now is the best time to get a vaccine if you haven’t already.”

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, testing and treatments, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html#about-vaccines

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Government, Health Care

CHC Update From Krista Postai

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Krista Postai. Submitted.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is moving forward on the renovation of the former Price Chopper building on South Main.

“We are waiting on (City of Fort Scott) building permits before moving forward on the Price Chopper building, so there is nothing major to report,” CEO and President of CHC/SEK Krista Postai, said. “Apparently, the engineer is on vacation.”

Update later in the day from Postai: “We were issued a temporary 90-day-permit yesterday and we’re back to work,” she said.

The land given CHC on the west side of the former Mercy building, which they had made plans to build a new facility on, is being given back to Bourbon County who owns the building.

“Regarding the land,” she said. “Which is basically the large parking lot behind the hospital plus the helipad, we were told by the county, it would be needed by whoever opted to assume responsibility for the hospital. Our Board agreed to exchange the land, which actually cost us about $125,000 in legal and platting fees, for our remaining rent on our clinic in the hospital. We do understand that was approved by the county commission and they would be in touch with us to finalize the agreement.”

“Once we have the transfer formalized, it will go to the CHC/SEK Board for final approval, Postai said. “It was suggested to us that there is another potential group interested in reopening the hospital now that Noble has moved on.”

Commissioner Beth Comment on The Former Mercy Building

Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth said the county is “still trying to engage with several entities to do something with the building. We’ve been doing this for two years. I want to make sure we have an emergency room in Bourbon County and sustainable health care.”

Recent Mammogram Walk-In

“We had a record number of women get a mammogram at our Walk-In event from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 27th in Ft. Scott,” she said. “Ninety-one women over age 40  ‘walked in’ and received a 3D mammogram regardless of ability to pay. CHC/SEK continued the effort August 2 and 3rd at their Pittsburg clinic. The goal is to increase the number of women who have had mammograms in southeast Kansas – which falls far below the state and national averages.”

Jobs at CHC

The following are the current list of job openings in Fort Scott for CHC:

 

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care

Walk-In Mammograms Today at CHC

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CHC/SEK Fort Scott to provide walk-in mammograms July 27

FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram. 

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.

Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive. 

Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay. 

CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram. 

In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong. 

For more information people can call 620-223-8484.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Fort Scott to provide walk-in mammograms July 27 

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Sliding fee discounts and financial assistance is available to eligible patients, as stated on the front door of the CHC/SEK Clinic in Fort Scott.

FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram. 

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.

Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive. 

Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam. A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay. 

CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram. 

In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong. 

For more information people can call 620-223-8484.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC/SEK Fort Scott to provide walk-in mammograms July 27 

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FORT SCOTT — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is hosting a walk-in mammogram event for women age 40 and older who have not received a recent mammogram.

 

The event will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 27 at the Fort Scott main clinic located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd Fort Scott. Refreshments and a gift will be provided.

Women in Southeast Kansas rank far below state and national averages in receiving this life-saving screening, and having the service available within the clinic helps remove barriers many women have in receiving timely breast cancer screenings. Likewise, the walk-in event will give patients an option on when they can arrive. 

Because CHC/SEK believes every woman should have the best quality mammogram available, every patient receives a 3D exam.  A physician’s referral is also not required. The screening is available to eligible women regardless of ability to pay. 

CHC/SEK uses the Hologic Genius system that screens the breast in 4 seconds for a much less compression time, with less radiation exposure than many conventional mammography machines. The Genius exam is also superior for denser breasts that that can hide early signs of cancer in a traditional mammogram. 

In addition, the Hologic Genius scans potentially reduce patient callback by up to 40 percent compared to 2D, sparing the emotional and economic toll of additional testing, including biopsies when there could be nothing wrong. 

For more information people can call 620-670-6710.

 

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Healthcare In Fort Scott: It’s Complicated

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Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed in December 2018. It currently houses Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department,  and I AM Rehab.

In December 2018, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott closed its’ doors.

Following this, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas reopened a medical clinic at the site at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. and Ascension Via Christi Hospital opened an emergency department, sharing a portion of the former hospital.

They both have leases until December 2022.

Noble Health Corporation entered the picture in 2021.

They completed a feasibility study for the Bourbon County Commission for reopening a hospital.

The City of Fort Scott contributed $200,000, the county contributed $800,000 towards the feasibility study, according to the contract that was signed June 25, 2021. The local government entities used American Rescue Plan money from the federal government for the project, according to Bourbon County Commissioner Clifton Beth in a prior interview with fortscott.biz.

Noble Health Announces Reopening a Hospital in Fort Scott

On June 3, Noble Health’s 179 page Feasibility Assessment to reopen the hospital in Fort Scott was published on the Bourbon County website.

It can be viewed here: BBCO-Hospitial-Feasibilty-Assessment

On June 15, a comprehensive investigative story on Noble Health from Sara Jane Tribble with Kaiser Health News, was posted online.

It reported that Noble Health has a troubled history with operating two hospitals in Missouri.

It can be viewed here: Noble Health: History of Failed Health Care For Patients

CHC Feasibility Study

A prior feasibility assessment by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas had helped that health care system to make the decision to move to a different building, Krista Postai, CEO and President of CHC/SEK said.

In an interview with her, Postai was asked to compare the Noble Health Assessment to the CHC Assessment that was completed after CHC moved into the former Mercy Hospital building in 2018.

“We have a very comprehensive, detailed report county-by-county that has all the data one needs to make an informed decision on services, location, etc.,” she said.  “We also have a strategic plan that is updated annually that maps out where we’re going, new services, etc. Prior to accepting Mercy’s offer to take their clinics, we had already prioritized Ft. Scott because we had almost 2,000 patients from Bourbon County which is enough to justify a site.”

“There was nothing new in Noble’s report that we already didn’t know or hadn’t already been discussed, including the rural emergency hospital concept that Ascension had always planned on pursuing if feasible,” she said. “In fact, much of our data is more current (2021) although, unfortunately, southeast Kansas isn’t getting healthier or wealthier so changes over the last 20 years have been minimal.”

Ascension Via Christ medical system brought an emergency department back to Fort Scott following Mercy Hospital’s closure and shares part of the former Mercy Hospital building with CHC.

“When we first agreed to transition Mercy’s clinic in the hospital over to us, Mercy indicated we had two years to find another location,” she said. “It was their belief that the building would ultimately be demolished unless we wanted to assume responsibility for it.”

“We sliced and diced all the costs based on actual operational data that Mercy supplied us and factored in roof replacement, the chillers and the boilers….all the things that were nearing the end of their useful life,” Postai said. “We also visited with multiple organizations about their interest in leasing space on a long-term basis that would cover the cost to operate and maintain it.”

“At that point, the county opted to present a counter proposal to Ascension at a much lower price per sq. ft. that would require the county to subsidize it, which they indicated they were willing to do. It seemed wise at that point to step back and let the county take the lead since emergency services was their priority.”

Decision to Move to Another Site

“Concerned about the ongoing costs of maintaining the building – and wanting a more efficient design plus a drive-in pharmacy, plus more diagnostic equipment and space to expand behavioral health services — we begin laying plans to move….and approached the Price Chopper owners about their building,” Postai said. “At that time, the asking price was way too high for us, so we asked Mercy for land on which to build which is how we got the eight acres behind the hospital.  As we began design on a new building, the Price Chopper price dropped and we agreed it would be faster to renovate….and it was an ideal location. As we calculated, it was more financially feasible to own the building and make loan payments than it was to pay rent on space in a building with an uncertain future.”

The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main, is currently being remodeled into a health care clinic by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

CHC/SEK announces new community award, The Judy 

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CHC/SEK board member Judy Westhoff, left, stands with CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai after receiving the Sheridan Award on Thursday during the annual Employee Service Awards Recognition Banquet.

PITTSBURG — Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will present a new community service award in conjunction with its 20th year celebration. This award will be named after CHC/SEK board member Judy Westhoff, coined “The Judy.”

Westhoff is one of the original board of directors, having served 19 years without missing one of more than 220 meetings.

The “Judy” award will be given to an individual or an organization that is making or has made significant contributions to CHC/SEK, to the patients in the communities that it serves. Awardees will demonstrate a passion for helping others by exemplifying CHC/SEK’s core values of service, stewardship, excellence and kindness.

“We can think of no better individual in which to name this award,” said Jason Wesco, CHC/SEK President and Chief Strategy Officer during the annual Employee Service Awards Recognition Banquet on Thursday evening.  

In addition to the announcement of the award, Westhoff was also recognized with the Sheridan Award that evening. CHC/SEK presents an annual Sheridan Award to someone who has made an impact on the clinic. The Sheridan Award was named after Mother Mary Bernard Sheridan, CSJ, who in 1903 opened Mt. Carmel Hospital on the land at which the CHC/SEK Pittsburg clinic now sits. Mother Bernard instructed her small group of Sisters at the hospital (there was no paid staff then) to “do all the good we can, in all the ways we can, to all the people we can and just as long as we can,” and their legacy continues to guide the health center today.  

“Our honoree has worked tirelessly for many years with countless volunteer hours to support educational, artistic, social services, healthcare, fundraising, friendraising, advocacy and giving both during her distinguished career in banking and as the downtown development director and in her retirement,” Wesco said. “There certainly hasn’t been a more apt description of her commitment to this community.”

Westhoff has supported, just to name a few, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg Community Theatre, the Colonial Fox Theatre, the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Elm Acres, the Childrens Advocacy Resource Center, Rotary, The Family Resource Center and the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. She has been a Women of Distinction, received PSU’s Rex Crawley Service Award, is in the Pittsburg Family YMCA Hall of Fame, and received the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Pittsburg award.

“I have been able to receive a lot more from Community Health Center than I’ve put in for my family and myself,” Westhoff said. “I can’t tell you of all the people out here who have been so helpful and so kind and care about everything they do. It’s just amazing. I just can’t begin to tell everybody how much I appreciate everything they do. Thank you.”

                                                                

 

Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, Health Care

Postai: CHC Expansion Impacts Fort Scott Positively

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is  proceeding with what will ultimately be a $10 million investment in their newly renovated building in Fort Scott that they are fully funding, according to Krista Postai, CEO and President.

The  renovation project is located at the former Price Chopper building at 2322 S. Main.

“We are on schedule to be in the new building in December as planned,” she said. “We did discover tunnels underneath the former grocery store that we weren’t expecting which came as quite the surprise, but are addressing the situation especially in those areas which will be supporting heavy equipment such as the CT Scanner and Mammography Unit.”

Renovation began Feb. 2022 on the future CHC/SEK Fort Scott Clinic in the former Price Chopper building on South Main Street.
The Price Chopper building, 2322 S. Main.

CHC currently is housed in a portion of the former Fort Scot Mercy Hospital on Woodland Hill Blvd. but their lease is up in December 2022.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, 403 Woodland Hills Blvd.

Postai Provides Impact Studies

CHC/SEK and Fort Scott were featured in a national case study focusing on the transition of the Mercy Clinics to CHC/SEK, Postai said.

Postai attached the case findings plus the information compiled on the economic impact on the community, which were completed by Capital Link.  Capital Link is a national, non-profit organization that has worked with community health centers and
primary care associations for over 25 years to plan for sustainability and growth, access capital, articulate value and improve and optimize operations and financial management,  according to info in the study.

The current CHC project value to the community is shown to have both temporary impacts during construction and ongoing impacts from expanded operations including economic, employment and tax impacts.

To view the detailed study:

Capital Project Value Impact of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Fort Scott-1

 

The introduction to the case study:

“When Mercy Hospital Fort Scott (Mercy) closed its doors in Fort Scott, Kansas, after 132 years in operation, the rural community of 7,800 was left without a hospital. In the tumultuous aftermath of this closure, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK or CHC), a Federally
Qualified Health Center based 30 miles away in Pittsburg, Kansas, stepped forward to take over two of the closed
hospital’s primary care clinics, providing a range of primary and preventive care services in Fort Scott, partially
filling the gap left by the hospital’s closure.
The circumstances leading up to the hospital’s closure and its impact on the community have been well-
documented by Sarah Jane Tribble in NPR’s nine-episode podcast, “Where it Hurts, Season 1: No Mercy.” This
case study focuses on CHC’s response to the closure and its efforts to restore access to primary care in Fort Scott,
while the community grieved the loss of its hospital.
Through interviews with CHC/SEK’s leadership, Capital Link explored CHC/SEK’s response to Mercy’s closure,
the subsequent impact on the community and the current state of the situation, in order to highlight lessons
learned for rural centers in similar situations.”

To view the entire case findings in detail:

CHC SEK Case Study – FINAL-1

Question on Property Taxes

The CHC building at 902 S. Horton will soon be the Fort Scott Community College Nursing Department. March 2023 is the scheduled transfer.

Recently on social media there was a comment that CHC had neglected paying property tax on their building at 902 Horton Street that currently houses some of their staff and a Veteran’s Administration local office.

Postai responded with the following:

“CHC/SEK is a non-profit 501(c)3 and, like the Mercy Health System, Ascension and most other healthcare organizations is exempt from property taxes,” Postai said. “Fort Scott Community College is also exempt, as is the Veterans Administration who currently occupies the Horton Street Building along with CHC/SEK staff.”

“Appropriate paperwork has been filed and is working its way through the system and we were advised by the county to hold payments pending final determination, which is what we’ve done.”

“We had actually mailed a check to the county for the taxes, who returned it to us because they anticipate our tax-exempt status will also apply to this building and they’d just have to refund our payment,” she said.

“In the meantime, we’re proceeding with what will ultimately be a $10 million investment in our newly renovated building (on Main Street) in Ft. Scott that CHC/SEK is fully funding itself.

“Any money from the sale of the Horton Street Building will be utilized toward the redo of the former Price Chopper building (on Main Street) which will also include classrooms for use by Fort Scott Community College at no cost to them.

“A portion of the funds will also be used for scholarships at FSCC.

“We will be in the new facility by the end of December and are looking forward to expanding services, recruiting additional professionals and serving all regardless of ability to pay. 

“I am always available to answer any questions and can be reached at 620-235-1867 or on my cell at 620-249-9936. My email is [email protected]. Krista Postai, CEO, CHC/SEK.

 

 

Bourbon County Local News