Category Archives: Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Nancy Evans Retires From CHC

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After 17 years working for CHC/SEK, Nancy Evans, RN, BSN, will retire at the end of December. CHC/SEK established a scholarship in her honor for her service and dedication.
 
CHC/SEK’s first employee retires, scholarship created in her name  

To honor Nancy Evans, RN, BSN, for her 17 years of service to Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas and a lifetime dedicated to nursing, CHC/SEK has established the Nancy Evans Nursing Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas.
The scholarship will be given annually to an individual, selected by Nancy, pursuing a degree in nursing.
“While we can’t replace Nancy, she can now help us find someone who may one day try,” said Krista Postai, CHC/SEK CEO and President in a video announcing the scholarship. “Enjoy your well-earned retirement Nancy and for always, always, being where we needed you the most and when we needed you. God bless you and thank you for all you’ve done.”
People who wish to contribute to the scholarship endowment can send a check made out to CHC/SEK Evans Scholarship Fund Attn Douglas Stuckey, Trustee P.O. Box 1832, Pittsburg, KS 66762-1832 or call Douglas at 620-240-5011.
Over the span of 17 years, Nancy was part of the beginnings of many services at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, from dental to flu shots and prescription assistance to diabetic education.
Nancy, who most recently served as a Nurse/Certified Diabetic Educator, is set to retire at the end of December.
“I’m looking forward to retiring but I most certainly will miss this place, it’s been a wonderful job,” she said.
Nancy started working for CHC/SEK out of the Wesley House.  The dental program then began at Wesley House and she continued to be part of the program when it moved over to 924 N. Broadway in Pittsburg.
Later on, with a kitchen table for an office, Nancy worked in the CHC/SEK doublewide trailer where she provided prescription assistance. She looked at her log recently, and since becoming employed Nancy has provided prescription assistance for over 14,000 encounters. Nancy didn’t do it alone, she said, she often had volunteers working with her or a part time employee to help do paperwork.
Providing prescription assistance grew the need for case management.
“When you do prescription assistance, they tell you what they are needing and why they can’t afford things and one thing just turned into another and you work with them to try to get food or shelter, all kinds of things,” Nancy said.
Krista noticed Nancy was frequently educating diabetic patients and encouraged her to become a certified diabetic educator. Nancy became the first diabetic educator at CHC/SEK.
“That’s something I never thought about,” Nancy said. “I thought I’d get bored because it was pretty much doing one disease entity and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do that, but now – by all means – it is my passion.”
Before testing, the certification required 1,000 hours of teaching and she had to do it within four years. Completing her certification became quite the undertaking because CHC/SEK kept growing and growing.
As she was preparing for her certification, Nancy was involved in a prescription assistance program, (PALS) which was “up and running and huge,” she said. Nancy also provided nutrition education, went to health fairs, traveled to southeast Kansas schools and gave vaccines to students. She became the “flu shot lady,” delivering thousands of shots as she went from one business or company to another to provide flu shots.
Diabetic education became such a strong passion for Nancy because there is such a need not only in southeast Kansas, but also globally. There are thousands just in Pittsburg who are diagnosed with diabetes.
“It’s on the brink of an epidemic, partly because of the obesity factor and the fact that you can buy pop for a whole lot less money than a gallon of milk,” she said. “I really think the biggest reason is the lack of exercise, which is contributing to the obesity too.”
It’s rewarding to see the changes in patients when they get their diabetes under control, she said, adding that when somebody has high blood sugars, nothing about them feels good, they are tired all of the time, and nothing feels right.
“If we can get your blood sugars down to where they are supposed to be, you are going to be delightfully surprised how much energy you have and how many more things you can do, and how much bigger your life is going to be,” Nancy said.
The people – her patients – are what made CHC/SEK a special place for her.
“That’s what I’m going to miss when I leave, my people, and they are the world to me,” Nancy said. “I see them out on the streets and I have some that text or call me to tell me stuff, someone brought in their new baby the other day, and somebody came in saying something about just needing a hug – that’s the kind of the thing I’m going to miss when I’m not here anymore.”
Nancy beams with pride when she shares with people about her career and CHC/SEK.  She gives the credit to the founder and employees and other visionaries of what CHC/SEK has come to be and continues to grow into.

“When I start going through all the things we do, I kind of take a step back and I’m so impressed,” she said. “And I work here and I’m part of it, but I’m still impressed by all that we do and the resources we provide, it’s pretty darned amazing.”

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

Fort Scott Healthcare Workers Receive First COVID-19 Vaccine

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Kyla Probasco RN, CHC/SEK Fort Scott administers a dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to Kristen McCoy RN. The clinic began vaccinating its staff against the virus on Wednesday, after receiving its first allocation of Moderna vaccine.   

 

On Wednesday, Dec. 23, CHC/SEK Fort Scott received its first allocation of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinated 20 of its staff against the virus. Next week, per the state vaccination plan, CHC/SEK will begin vaccinating additional healthcare workers in our communities. At the same time, Walgreens and CVS Pharmacies have begun vaccinating residents in nursing homes and senior living facilities.

 

The Moderna supply is being distributed to local health departments and federally qualified health centers across the state who will vaccinate healthcare workers. The initial vaccine distribution is geared towards healthcare providers and long-term care residents, in line with the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. Distribution among these groups is expected to continue through January.

 

Kansas received its first shipment of Pfizer vaccines for hospital workers on December 14-15. This week,  Pfizer doses were given to participating long-term care facility residents and staff through CVS and Walgreens pharmacies, who are tasked with delivering COVID-19 vaccine to these populations.  The coordination of vaccination activities will occur directly between CVS/Walgreens and those facilities participating in the program.

 

KDHE is disseminating weekly updates on vaccine developments on their website.

 

CHC/SEK has planned for, trained, and is looking forward to the day we can begin offering vaccines to the public in the coming year. As soon as we know when public vaccine is on the way, we will keep you informed through your CHC/SEK Patient Portal,  the clinic’s social media platforms, and your local news outlets.

 

 

 

Area News, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

Freeman Donates to CHC/SEK

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Freeman Health System donates to CHC/SEK’s new John Parolo Education Center

PITTSBURG – On Tuesday, Freeman Health System invested in the next generation of rural healthcare professionals through a $1,000,000 donation to the new John Parolo Education Center building at Community at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg.

The building project, set to break ground in May, expects to grow the number of primary care physicians in the region as well as other healthcare disciplines. By 2025, Kansas is projected to need an additional 290 primary care physicians just to meet current needs; many rural counties no longer have a dentist. Kansas is experiencing a major exodus of its under-30 population seeking professional opportunities elsewhere.

“The overwhelming support and generosity of Freeman Health System most certainly demonstrates their true commitment to the future of healthcare in southeast Kansas,” said Krista Postai, CHC/SEK President and CEO. “This is an investment not only in health education, but in the lives of hundreds of our young people who will now have the opportunity to train locally and then serve the communities in which there were raised.”

Since inception, CHC/SEK has served as a medical training site for healthcare students from all disciplines. It has affiliation agreements with 50 different organizations dedicated to healthcare education and more than 400 students receive training annually within its walls. 

Southeast Kansas is critically underserved in all areas of healthcare and, like all of rural Kansas, is seeing its health resources erode and is challenged to recruit health professionals who typically practice within 75 miles of where they have trained. Studies show that only 2 percent of new doctors want to practice in town with less than 25,000 residents. 

To bring training opportunities to southeast Kansas, CHC/SEK is building a state-of-the-art $5 million, 16,000 sq. ft. facility which will include learning laboratories, classroom and conference rooms designed to support medical and dental residents.

There will be a rural medicine training program for physicians and physician assistants, and post-graduate clinical training for licensure of multiple professionals including pharmacists, social workers and psychologists among others. 

“This is indeed a dream come true and we are honored that Freeman CEO Paula Baker – who grew up just a few blocks from where this health education center will be built – shares our vision of training health professionals that are fully committed to the people they serve,” Postai said. “We are extremely appreciative for their willingness – especially in the midst of a worldwide pandemic – to look beyond today to a better, healthier tomorrow.”

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmacy services to everyone, regardless of income or insurance status. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.

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. For more information, visit www.freemanhealth.com

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

CHC/SEK Collaborates With Ft. Scott Business and State

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Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

President and CEO of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Krista Postai gave an update on some recent collaborations.

Food Storage With New Ft. Scott Grocery Store

One collaboration is with the Star Emporium Downtown General Store, owned by Bill Michaud of BAJA Investments.

Michaud reached an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas to provide food storage space to expand the food distribution and delivery programs CHC/SEK is currently offering in Crawford County into Fort Scott, with services beginning in January, he said. The store will provide the food storage piece.

To learn more about this new downtown venture:

Star Emporium Downtown General Store To Open Early Next Year

“With the pandemic, we’re finding more and more people are struggling and challenged to find food, so we’re going to be adding food distribution to our list of services,” Postai said.  “The folks in Ft. Scott are providing our freezer and refrigerator space within the basement of the grocery store for any donated food or purchased food from Kansas Food Bank or other local partners.”

“This will not be used as a distribution point for community members, just a place for us to store it,” she said. “Our long-term plan is to create a Food Rx program for chronically ill and food-insecure patients and to offer grocery delivery to homebound patients throughout our region. It’s always great to find partners willing to help and this is a great example.”

 

Part of Kansas Distribution Plan For COVID-19 Vaccine

“We are part of the state’s overall plan for (COVID-19 vaccine) distribution and are anxiously awaiting its arrival,” Postai said.  “We just learned that we may be receiving one of the ‘super’ freezers from the state which would make the vaccine more accessible. Once available, we will be following state guidelines on priority immunizations which I believe will be front-line medical personnel first. For the latest information on the state’s plan, go to https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/284/COVID-19-Vaccine.”

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas

CHC/SEK now offers pelvic floor physical therapy  

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 New to Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Physical Therapist Samantha Curran, PT, DPT, CMTPT, who will deliver pelvic floor physical therapy to patients. In her hands is a plastic pelvis which includes organs and the muscles that are in the pelvic region. 
 

 

PITTSBURG ‒ Pelvic floor physical therapy is one of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas’ newest services delivered by Physical Therapist Samantha Curran, PT, DPT, CMTPT. 

Curran sees patients at the Pittsburg clinic where patients will receive an evaluation to determine therapy needs and treatment plan. The patients will have physical therapy appointments weekly. While at the clinic, patients will be educated in a home exercise program and will receive hands-on treatment. At this time, Curran does not currently see children under the age of 17 unless by case-by-case basis. 

Curran, a Pittsburg native and St. Mary’s Colgan High School graduate, still remembers one of her first patients that needed pelvic floor therapy while she was doing her clinicals for school. The patient struggled with urinary incontinence after a stroke. She was a young mother with a three-year-old. She pushed away her spouse and friends because she didn’t want to go into public for fear she would become incontinent.

“During our appointment, during our history taking, she just started crying and at that point it was when I realized it wasn’t just physical,” Curran said. “There was a lot of social and psychological components that played a role and there were not a lot of providers that were doing it, especially in our area.”

Thus, she started her career in the field of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. 

Curran completed a Bachelors in Health, Sport and Exercise Science in 2012 from the University of Kansas and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2016 from Missouri State University. She went on to the Foundational Concepts clinic in Kansas City, Missouri, where she continued her training and mentorship. 

Curran said she’s grateful her education has allowed her to be able to bring something unique back to Pittsburg. 

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, just like any other muscle group in the body, Curran said. It helps in the control of bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. The pelvic area has been a taboo topic for many years, she said, and it is becoming more of a common discussion. Curran said she encourages people to talk to their doctor. Not speaking to the doctor in turn “leads to isolation, sometimes relationship issues and often times anxiety and depression,” she said, “had this been discussed early on and addressed there is a good chance the rest could have been avoided.” 

CHC providers are there to listen to their patients and “consider the whole person,” Curran said, adding that the health providers work closely with the physical therapists. 

“Believe it or not this is not an uncommon issue, it’s just one that isn’t talked about much,” she said. “If you have issues that are not normal for you please ask about it.” 

Men can have a pelvic floor issues also, Curran said. 

“We see men with urinary leakage, bowel leakage, constipation and urgency, erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, and many men post prostate cancer treatment,“ she said. 

Already, her career has been rewarding and she looks forward to continuing to help patients with their pelvic floor therapy at CHC/SEK. 

“Whenever patients come for that first appointment, they are very nervous and scared, they don’t know what to expect,” Curran said, adding that the most rewarding part is after approximately four to six weeks of therapy the patient begins to noticeably feel better. “It’s so awesome for them to come in and you can see a visible change in their demeanor, they may say thank you or their spouse comes in and says thank you for helping to get them their life back and their relationship back.”

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, COVID-19

CHC/SEK Fort Scott Receives Mobile Unit With SPARK Funds

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CHC’s mobile testing unit can be set up wherever needed. Submitted photo.

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will soon have a mobile testing unit available to help during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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

 

“Community Health Center requested funds to purchase a portable shelter system  to accommodate COVID-19 testing,” said CHC CEO Krista Postai.  “Once a vaccine is available, mass drive-through immunizations providing shelter for patients and staff in winter and summer weather (will be possible). The structure is portable and can be at the clinic site and/or used for outreach testing/vaccinating across the county. The shelter price included electricity, freight, HVAC unit and covered trailer for storage and transport.”

“As we continue to provide testing – and plans are being made for mass immunizations — winter weather is on the way and the structures will protect patients and staff from the elements,” she said.” Additionally, these units also block the sun’s rays which made our summer testing challenging for staff who endured 100+ temperatures to provide testing services. The shelters are durable and can be used for years to come.”

 

Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

 

 

The shelter has been ordered but not received as of this date, Postai said

 

CHC plans are to set it up outside the CHC building once it’s received.

 

The front door of the Community Health Center of
Southeast Kansas at Fort Scott.

 

 

 

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

CHC Offers Rapid COVID-19 Testing

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Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott..

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott now offers rapid testing for the COVID-19 virus for those with symptoms.

On October 9, 2020, the Bourbon County Law Enforcement Center announced there were 33 who tested positive for COVID-19 at the jail, the biggest spike in the county since the pandemic started in March 2020.

As of October 20, there have been 303 people who have tested positive for the virus in Bourbon County, according to the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department.

To see the latest COVID-19 updates, click below:

Kansashttps://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas

 

“I can confirm we have finally received the test kits to now do rapid testing in Fort Scott for COVID-19,” Krista Postai, CHC/SEK CEO, said.  “Because of the limited supply, we have allocated these for those individuals with symptoms.”

Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

Because of the limited amount of tests, it is at the discretion of the health care provider and the availability of the test, according to a spokeswoman at CHC.

“We have standing orders to cover the testing,” Postai said.

COVID-19 testing takes about 20 minutes in total.

The test is done with nasal swabs.

The cost is $100 and covered by insurance and/or a government program for those with symptoms, Postai said.

 

“For those without symptoms, an alternative rapid test is available for $50 cash and is not covered by insurance,” she said. “However, if the test comes up positive we are required to send it off for confirmatory testing which costs another $100 cash and takes another couple of days.”

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care

CHC: 3-D Screening/Diagnostic Mammography

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Technicians Jennifer Dugan and Suzanne Quick. Submitted photo.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER OF SOUTHEAST KANSAS, FORT SCOTT OFFERS 3-D SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES

Each October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder to women to be diligent about breast cancer screening.

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is proud to offer 3-D screening and diagnostic mammography and breast ultrasound services at their Fort Scott location, 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. Mammography services are available to everyone, whether they are a CHC/SEK patient or not.

Women 40 years old and older should begin annual mammograms to help detect breast cancer. Appointments at CHC/SEK are offered five days a week with extended hours to accommodate busy schedules.

CHC/SEK’s Fort Scott mammography program is accredited by the American College of Radiology and is inspected annually by the FDA. Technicians Jennifer Dugan and Suzanne Quick bring over 30 years of combined, dedicated service to mammography and take great pride in the work they do.

“There are often barriers to why women don’t get the mammograms they need, says Dugan and Quick. “We work closely with Kansas Early Detection Works (EDW), which can provide free and low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings, and, at CHC/SEK, no one is denied services based on ability to pay.”

Where there are language barriers, CHC/SEK has interpreter services available.

For those with transportation issues, the health center can assist patients with rides to and from their appointment.

Dugan and Quick take special pride that for diagnostic mammography, they can offer same-day breast ultrasound with results before patients leave, so there is no “wait and worry.”

Dugan explained, “When a patient comes for a diagnostic mammogram (a diagnostic exam is performed when a patient has a breast problem such as lump, pain, etc.), we take our images, send to our radiologist via the computer for review, all while the patient is waiting. If the radiologist recommends a breast ultrasound, we then take the patient directly over for a breast ultrasound to be performed. Those images are also sent to the same radiologist. When he responds with a recommendation, we relay this to the patient while they are here with us. If the patient has a negative result, we then let them know. Suppose the patient has a positive result that needs further evaluation; in that case, we talk with the patient about their options and try to help get this arranged as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, most facilities have lag times between the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound if needed. When the ultrasound is performed, they will send the patient home to wait for the provider to receive the report, and the patient is the last to know when they are called by phone or sent a letter. We do not want our patients having multiple appointments and worrying while awaiting results…we think our process ensures that we are giving the best patient care possible!”

Patients at CHC/SEK benefit from the latest 3D Genius Technology at no additional cost. 3D mammography is an advanced technology that takes creates a 3-dimensional picture of the breast.

Women with dense breast tissue, in particular, may benefit because it provides a clearer picture. Using 3D mammography makes it easier for doctors to detect breast cancer early and reduces the chances of doctors seeing a false positive.

If you have questions about breast health or would like to schedule a mammogram, please call Jenny or Suzanne at the CHC/SEK Mammography Department at 620-223-8484.

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

CHC Drive-Through Flu Shots Oct. 10

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CHC/SEK SCHEDULES ADDITIONAL SATURDAY-ONLY

DRIVE-THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC OCTOBER 10

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas is offering a drive-through flu shot clinic on Saturday, October 10, from 9AM – 3PM at its Fort Scott clinic at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. 

 

There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants. The drive-through flu clinic is recommended for everyone two years of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

 

Upon entering the drive-through, participants are asked to wear a facemask to protect CHC/SEK staff. To help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed.

 

Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to conserve potentially scarce health care resources. This is a standard-dose inactivated flu vaccine; CHC/SEK does not have high-dose available at this time.

 

At CHC/SEK, flu shots remain available at all clinics, and, there is no out-of-pocket cost for receiving a flu shot. For those with health insurance, their insurance is billed for the service; however, no money will be collected from participants regardless of their insurance status. By getting a flu shot now, you will protect yourself and your family and friends!

 

Getting an annual flu shot, and good health habits like washing your hands can help stop germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

 

Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. 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.

 

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

CHC/SEK OFFERING DRIVE THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC in Fort Scott

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CHC/SEK OFFERING DRIVE THROUGH FLU SHOT CLINIC 

 

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott, is offering a 3-day drive-through flu shot clinic in the parking lot at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd. today-Saturday. There is no out-of-pocket cost for participants.

 

Times for the clinic are: Thursday 9/24: 2:00 PM-7:00 PM, Friday 9/25: 7:00 AM-Noon, and Saturday 9/26, 9:00 PM-3:00 PM.  Participants are asked to wear a facemask to protect CHC/SEK staff, and to help keep the vaccination line moving, please wear clothing where your shoulder is easily exposed.

 

Getting a flu vaccine this fall will be more important than ever, not only to reduce your risk from flu but also to conserve potentially scarce health care resources. This is standard-dose inactivated flu vaccine, CHC/SEK does not have high-dose available at this time.

 

The drive through flu clinic is recommended for everyone two years of age and older, with rare exceptions, because it is an effective way to decrease flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

 

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

 

At CHC/SEK, there is no out-of-pocket cost for receiving a flu shot. For those with health insurance, their insurance will be billed for the service; however, no money will be collected from participants regardless of their insurance status.

 

Getting an annual flu shot, and good health habits like washing your hands can help stop germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

 

Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing may prevent those around you from getting sick. Make it a habit to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, school or office. Flu vaccines and good hand hygiene are still the go-to recommendations for prevention; however, public health officials say it’s just as important to contain the virus, which means staying home when you’re sick.

 

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

Mental Health Help Offered Along With Practices to Self-Help

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The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Clinic, 401 Woodland Hills, just off Hwy. 69 south of Fort Scott.

Mental health is a factor in the COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

With increased stress due to the virus, the economy, social injustice issues, and the upcoming United States general election, mental health issues are a concern.

 

Eric Thomason, PMHNP, the  Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas Behavioral Health and Addiction Treatment Services Clinic Director, answered the following questions in an email interview with fortscott.biz.

 

Thomason said he is seeing a spike in people needing mental health services.

Eric Thomason. Submitted photo.

 

Thomason gives a recap of the pandemic, starting with how it began.

” It was this invisible thing, which we didn’t know much about, and it was killing people. This is an anxiety-provoking idea. We started to see the spread through urban areas of the United States. A lot of us collectively held our breath and thought, “How long until it is here?” Instead of carrying a belief that tomorrow can be better today, we removed the hope that tomorrow can provide.

Hope: A Weapon Against Depression

Hope is the single most important weapon in the battle of depression. One of my primary jobs is to restore hope. To restore a very simple idea, that if I get up, get dressed, and keep fighting, today can be better than yesterday.”

Economic Stress

“The economic fallout has been tremendous. I treat a lot of blue-collar hard-working folks from Fort Scott and the surrounding areas. Our community members are some of the hardest hit in the nation due to involvement in livestock operations. I have had patients who lost jobs in the foodservice industry or as a part of other health care clinics. The removal of employment does two terrible things. It reduces our income and it reduces the perception of our value and purpose. Employment gives us a sense of accomplishment. If we did nothing else today, we finished our days’ work. COVID-19 took that away from a lot of the hardworking individuals I serve”

 

Social Support Systems Needed

“Lastly, social support systems are profoundly important to our wellbeing. Social isolation is often a symptom and predictive factor of depression. COVID-19 increased our isolation, thus increasing our risk of depression.”

 

 

 

Have there been more substance abuse issues during this time?

“Unfortunately, the rate of substance abuse, accidental overdoses, and death related to drug overdose throughout the nation has increased. Some national tracking services such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program estimate that drug-related overdose has increased over 40% across the country. This is in part to the removal or lack of coping strategies as well as treatment dropout rates due to social isolation and fear of COVID-19. One of the ways we worked to combat treatment dropout is to offer telephone, telemedicine, and in-person appointments despite COVID-19 spread throughout our communities. This is a testament to our incredible staff who chose to continue to serve and provide support to our communities when we were needed the most.”

 

What are some practices that people can do to help themselves with their mental health?

  • “Be honest with yourself or listen to your loved ones. If you aren’t doing well or someone you trust says you aren’t doing well, please get help.
  • Social distancing does not mean social isolation. Get on Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc to have social interaction. The telephone is not enough.
  • Eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise. You can socially distance and exercise outside. CHC/SEK offers Wellness Services that includes a Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist, and Fitness Coordinator.
  • Avoid illicit drugs and alcohol.
  • Stay away from social media and political radicalism. We should be supporting one another during this difficult time, not tearing each other apart.
  • Be there for someone. Make a difference in someone’s life and you will feel better for it.”

Is a  physician referral needed for mental health services?

“It is very easy to access any of our services. No physician referral is required. You can contact our Fort Scott Clinic at 620-223-8040 and ask about any program or service offered through CHC/SEK. Our goal is to answer your questions as efficiently as possible.”

Does insurance cover mental health services?

“Mental health services are covered under most insurance plans. For any specific questions, please contact our clinic and we can help determine your plan’s coverage. We work with our patients to determine if they would qualify grant-supported treatment and/or sliding scale fees. Always remember at CHC/SEK we treat all individuals regardless of their ability to pay for service.”

Closing Thoughts

“You are worth believing that tomorrow can be better than today. You are worth being a better father, mother, husband, wife, brother, sister, employee and/or boss. You are worth treatment. In a world where everything is outside of your control, you can control whether you pick up the phone and ask for help. CHC/SEK is committed to being that help.”

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

CHC Fort Scott Reno Plans

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Residents who use the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas for health care in Fort Scott, will see a reconfiguration of the spaces in the future.

CHC/SEK  is located at 405 Woodland Hills, in the former Mercy Hospital building.

“We will be adding retail pharmacy space where the gift shop was (near the east entrance of the facility),” CHC/SEK President and CEO Krista Postai, said. “X-ray will be to the right as you walk in the clinic. We’ll also be adding new x-ray equipment into the main clinic…(There will also be) a break room and small meeting room created for staff. We will be creating a ‘women’s center’ within the clinic and moving the mammography equipment into the clinic to save women the long walk down the former Diagnostic Imaging Hallway.  ”

Krista Postai. Submitted photo.

The move is designed to be more convenient for patients, she said.

“We’re still involved in several other construction projects right now, but are working on final designs and talking with plumbers, electricians, etc. about the renovation,” Postai said.

“This is the new layout for our clinic only,” she said. “I have not seen a floor plan for the entire medical mall.”

The timeline for the reno will be made in the next few weeks, Postai said.

Also currently at the former Mercy building is the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department, located on the south side.

This fall, Fort Scott Community College leased 30 rooms at the west end of the building for student housing, as part of their plan during the COVID-19 Pandemic. They have made rooms for students at the main campus at 2108 S. Horton, should students need to be quarantined.

On the north side of the building is I Am Rehab LLC a physical therapy clinic.