Category Archives: Legacy Health Foundation

Meghan Menchella Named 2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellow

June 12, 2025 Submitted Story Leave a comment

This is part of a series on the

2025 National Lowell Milken Center Fellows.

FORT SCOTT, KS – June 1, 2025 – The Lowell Milken Center (LMC) for Unsung Heroes in Fort Scott, Kansas, an international educational non-profit, has awarded its prestigious Fellowship to Meghan Menchella, a history teacher at Crestview Middle School in Ellisville, MO. Meghan will arrive in Fort Scott on June 15th for a week of collaboration with LMC staff and the other members of the Fellowship.

The LMC Fellowship is a merit-based award for educators of all disciplines who value the importance of teaching respect and understanding through project-based learning. The Center selects exemplary teachers from the United States and around the world who will collaborate on projects that discover, develop, and communicate the stories of Unsung Heroes in history.

Meghan Menchella, an 8th-grade United States History teacher from St. Louis, Missouri, was recognized in 2023 as a Milken Educator. History is a popular subject at Crestview Middle School, as Meghan empowers her students to succeed and excel by fostering open discussion and critical thinking skills. She places a priority on building relationships with students in her classroom and creates a classroom that is welcoming and engaging.

Within her school, Meghan has served as a leader on her Professional Learning Community and her 8th-grade team. She also serves on the Building Leadership Team and sponsors clubs like National Junior Honor Society. She mentors second-year teachers throughout her district and works with universities to mentor preservice teachers. Her leadership skills and organization foster collaboration throughout her community.

LMC Executive Director Norm Conard says, “Meghan’s exceptional ability to make history come alive for her students within the classroom has kindled their love of learning about the past and its effect on the present. Our team of 2025 fellows can look forward to gaining many new techniques from Meghan for using project-based learning to discover unknown heroes and their impact on history.”

While in Fort Scott, LMC Fellows gain knowledge, educational resources, and support in helping students cultivate a passion for learning by creating projects that initiate positive change. Fellows will be equipped to develop Unsung Heroes projects with their students, applying and evaluating the stories of these role models who have changed the world throughout history.

Bourbon County, Health Care, Legacy Health Foundation

K.R.I. Speaks to Bourbon County Commission About Legacy Building

October 1, 2024 Loretta George 1 Comment

According to Kansas Renewal Institute Chief Operating Officer T.J. Denning, information is not flowing between the Bourbon County Commission and K.R.I.

Denning spoke to the commission on September 30 at their regular meeting.

K.R.I. is in negotiations with Legacy Health Foundation to take ownership of the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd.

He told the commission that he “needs to be in the loop” in talks with Legacy Health Foundation and the commission.

Apparently, the negotiations are at a standstill between Legacy and K.R.I.

Denning told the commission that they are trying to get the Emergency Department opened at the facility.

“I have a concern that we still don’t have an update on the equipment donated to you, as the county. There is a list of things that aren’t there, there is a list of things that have to be fixed in order for Freeman (Health System) to come here. We don’t have answers,” Denning said.

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said “We think we have a lot of things resolved as of this morning. We just can’t talk publically yet. That’s what the County Counselor told me.”

“I’m pulling the license and also managing everything that is going on for that to happen,” he told them. “I have already signed contracts for service agreements to make this happen, basically at the will of everybody else.”

“Also, I don’t know where we are with the building purchase,” he said. “K.R.I. is in the process of negotiating and is ready to take ownership of the building through Legacy but I haven’t heard anything back. You said the tax deal was all worked out…I need some answers to carry on our business and make things happen. We’ve invested a ton of money into that facility and constantly going through CMS inspections…along with the fire marshall inspection on a building that isn’t in our name yet.”

CMS means Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to usa.gov.

Harris said that they could possibly have discussions with Legacy and “go forward.”

“I came here and tried to build partnerships with everybody else and be an open book,” Denning said. “I am local to Nevada (MO) and am passionate about rural communities. I’ve also got a ton of employees and I am passionate about their success. I need this information so I can make sure that we are established and here for a long time.”

“We will work hard to get you the info you need and I want to thank you personally as a citizen and the commission of what you’ve done for us here in Bourbon County,” Harris said.

Jim Harris, 2nd District Bourbon County Commissioner, and current chair.

Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt asked how soon the commission could get the info to Denning.

Bourbon County 1st District Commissioner Brandon Whisenhunt, Submitted photo.

Harris said he would appoint Commissioner Clifton Beth, who has been working with Legacy, to talk to them right away.

Denning said he needed answers before the end of this week.

“By the end of this week, I have to have drawings between Freeman (Health System) and myself, stamped and signed and sent into CMS,” Denning said.

Bourbon County 3rd District Commissioner Clifton Beth. Submitted photo.

“I don’t have a problem reaching out,” Beth said. “But they are a private company.”

“We’ll try,” Harris said. “We want you here.”

A Little History of Legacy and K.R.I

Here is the Legacy Health Foundation agreement with the Bourbon County Commission: Donation-Agreement-Corrected

In the referenced November 17, 2022 donation agreement above the county donated the Mercy property to Legacy Health Foundation along with $2 million dollars.

To view prior features on K.R.I. at the facility:

https://fortscott.biz/news/behavioral-health-in-patient-and-out-patient-service-will-open-this-spring-in-fort-scott

https://fortscott.biz/news/kansas-renewal-institute-repurposes-mercy-hospital

Fort Scott, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

Community Discussion of Proposed Sales Tax to Fund an E.R.

April 12, 2024 Staff 3 Comments

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott signed an agreement with Ascension Via Christi to provide equipment and furnishings for emergency room services in 2019. Ascension Via Christi ceased operating the E.R. in 2023.

The Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department ceased operations in December 2023 in Fort Scott, and since then many in the community have been seeking solutions.

To view the announcement by AVC:

December 20: Ascension Via Christi Closes Emergency Department in Fort Scott

The Bourbon County Commission recently proposed a community vote to see if they will support a one-quarter sales tax to help fund an emergency department. That vote will be on May 14.

On April 11 about 75 people attended the meeting facilitated by a newly formed group called Citizens For An ER. It was held at the Fort Scott Community College Ellis Center.

Members of the group are Jamie Armstrong, Craig Campbell, Lynda Foster, Charles Gentry, Mark McCoy, Randy Nichols, and Doug Ropp.

Dr. Nichols listed some of the reasons the community needs an ER and the importance to the community.

Charles Gentry then explained the ballot proposal, explaining that the additional sales tax would add 25 cents for every $100 spent, so a $10 meal would cost 2.5 cents more. The tax would start on October 1 and run for 5 years. Voters could choose to terminate it before those 5 years are complete, he said.

Approximately 75 people attended the meeting at Fort Scott Community College’s Ellis Center on Thursday night.

Mr. Gentry said there are three ways an emergency department can be set up:

As part of a hospital.
As a remote operation for another hospital that is within 35 miles.
As part of a rural emergency hospital (REH).

Charles Gentry speaks to the audience about the sales tax measure on the ballot. From left are Craig Campbell, Doug Ropp, Randy Nichols, and Gentry. Mark McCoy was the moderator. Armstrong and Foster were absent.

If the county cannot establish an emergency department within those 5 years, the funds could be used for emergency medical services or for property tax reduction, Gentry said.

Mr. Gentry clarified that the group presenting was supporting an emergency room. They weren’t supporting a sales tax other than a means to the end of creating an emergency room. He made it clear that their job was not done once a vote occurred. They intended to monitor, report, and hold the county accountable for spending the money to achieve the goal of an ER.

He said that this sales tax does not guarantee they will be able to bring an E.R. to Fort Scott, but he was confident that without this, Fort Scott would not get an E.R.

Craig Campell spoke about the Rural Emergency Hospital Act, which was passed to help make rural hospitals sustainable. Currently, Fort Scott does not qualify for REH status because the hospital was closed before the cut-off date in the act, but there are some bills to extend the date to make Fort Scott eligible. The REH designation would allow the rural hospital to bill at 105% and would also be subsidized by several hundred thousand dollars per month.

In the first quarter of 2023, there were 128 out-of-town transfers from the Fort Scott Ascension Via Christ Emergency Department E.R. Without a local E.R., the first quarter of 2024 saw 292 transfers by EMS.

Since the only entities that could run an E.R. in Fort Scott are existing hospitals, there is less risk of the money being spent on something like $1,000,000 that was paid to Noble Health.

The donation agreement with Legacy Health Foundation stipulates that maintaining ownership of the hospital building requires maintaining the property, making it available for non-profits, and developing an acute care hospital on that site. If they do not do those things, the building returns to the county. Three years remain on the agreement.

The next community discussion will be at Uniontown on Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Meeting Room.

401 Woodland Hills Blvd. The emergency department is located on the south side of this campus.

Health Care, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center

Kansas Renewal Institute Opens First Location

February 5, 2024 Staff Leave a comment

Members of the Fort Scott community showed up to hear the announcement at the Legacy building (formerly Mercy Hospital).

Kansas Renewal Institute is opening its first location at the Legacy Building (former Mercy Hospital)at 401 Woodland Hills.

Jonathan Gross the CEO of JG Healthcare Solutions spoke for a few minutes about KRI opening their first location in Fort Scott. He said that KRI is a behavioral health company licensed for service to both adults and adolescents, and that they plan to bring a number of jobs to the community.

Fort Scott will be their first location. He said to visit their website for more details and job listing. While it wasn’t mentioned as part of the announcement, people close to the project say that it will be an inpatient clinic taking up a significant portion of the old hospital and is backed by JGHealthcare Solutions.

Below is a recording of the announcement that can also be viewed on Facebook here.

The following is some additional information about the company behind KRI along with links from public sources.

Jonathan Gross is the CEO of JGHealthcare Solutions which is the parent company to Kansas Renewal Institute. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr. Gross founded his namesake company nine months ago. Before that, he spent nine months as the founder of Revelare Recovery in Atlanta. Prior to founding Revelare, he worked for 4 years as both a director and vice president of Discovery Behavior Health. Discovery is a Behavioral Health business based in California that, according to Linked In, employs over 1,000 people with clinics in 15+ states. They have 21 active job openings according to Linked In.

JG Healthcare Solutions’s Linked In profiles lists them as being located in Golden, Colorado located on the West side of Denver, says they have 5 to 11 employees, and list 3 LinkedIn in profiles that are affiliated with the company. That was not an address on their website, but Bizapedia lists an LLC in Golden by that name. The company was formed April 27th 2023. They are listed as being in good standing with the state of Colorado and show and address of 1015 Golden Park Pl Apt D. The location can be seen from Google Street view as shown.

Bourbon County, Business, Entertainment, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce, Fort Scott National Historic Site, Gordon Parks Museum, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

FS Quarterly Downtown Meeting: Events, Projects, Updates

July 12, 2023 Loretta George Leave a comment

Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsey Madison opens the FS Downtown Meet and Greet.

There are several community projects happening in Fort Scott.

At the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greeton July 11, facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce, leaders of several of the projects gave updates. The event was hosted by Lyons Realty Group office.

Lindsey Madison, Chamber Executive Director, gave a summary of the upcoming events and promotions:

July 15: Christmas in July Sidewalk Sale
July 18: Patty LaRoche will present a book talk at Hedgehog.INK! from 7 to 8:30 p.m. LaRoche’s new book, A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection will be featured.
August 4-6: Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, where participating businesses give customers a 9.4 percent discount on purchases.
Sept. 8-9: Town-wide Garage Sale
Sept. 9: Art Crawl by the Bourbon County Arts Council, the Artificers and more, from 2-6 p.m.
Sept. 16: Author Miranda Collins, Chanute, writer of Action Detective Mystery will be at Hedgehog.INK! at 2 p.m.
Sept. 21: Downtown Fall Fest, stores open until 8 p.m. for fall food snacks and shopping.
Oct. 28: Halloween Parade. Festivities start at 10 a.m., children’s downtown parade on Main Street at 11 a.m.
Nov. 9-11: Holiday Open House, kick off on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. with continued open house on Friday and Saturday.
Nov. 25: Shop Small Friday/Saturday in Fort Scott.
Nov. 30 Candy land Christmas with parade and festivities downtown.
Bailey Lyons gave an update on the splash pad project: Concrete is being poured this Thursday on the big splash pad. On July 15-16 volunteers are needed to help with landscaping projects: bring gloves and tools. The group has raised approximately $325,000 for the project nearing completion.
The new historic mural that will be created on Skubitz Plaza will be unveiled in coordination with the Gordon Parks Celebration on Oct. 6. The mural was approved by the city’s design review board this week, Jerry Witt, owner of the mural site building said.
The multi-purpose pavilion to be on Skubitz Plaza is in the works, Madison said. The Farmers Market group will use the facility “and anyone else.”
The welcome arch to the city is being worked on by the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team and will go to the city’s design review board.
The Chamber Golf Classic is this Friday July 14 at Woodland Hills Golf Course. They are still accepting raffle items.
The Special Olympic Golf Tournament is July 29 at the same course.
The mountain bike race, the Marmaton Massacre Festival, will be Sept. 16 in Gunn Park.
The annual Naturalization Ceremony at the Fort Scott National Historic Site will be on a Friday in September to be announced.
Grants available to businesses: E-Community at http://www.networkkansas.com and Grow KS.

Updates from attendees:

Bourbon County Commission Chairman Jim Harris said it is asphalt laying season in the county, “please be cautious of workers.”

“Since 2019 we’ve lowered the mill levy by 9.6%…I will not vote for a mill levy increase,” he said.

There is a new format for speaking at the commission meetings, he said: People must sign up and they get 5 minutes each to speak. “We want peoples input,” he said. “It’s OK to disagree but be professional.”

Harris said there is a request for proposals for the overpass project on the south side of Fort Scott. The commission will be applying for state and federal funds for the project.

Rob Harrington, Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Director, said they have been working on a Star Bond and TIF project south of town, and it will be “huge to the community.” His office is at the former Mercy Hospital building, now owned by Legacy Health Foundation.

Kari West, Lead Customer Solutions Manager at Evergy, said the utility company hasn’t had an increase in five years and they are requesting one. Evergy purchased property north and west of their current location on Skubitz Plaza with plans to move to that site.

The Fort Scott Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet at Lyons Realty Group,, 8 E. Wall, on July 11.

Ascension Via Christi, Business, Fort Scott, Government, Health Care, Legacy Health Foundation, Mercy Hospital

Mental Health Center to Move Into the Former Mercy Building

May 8, 2023 Loretta George 1 Comment

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in Fort Scott has recently signed an agreement with Legacy Health LLC for the center to move into the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills.

The building was recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas who moved to another Fort Scott building.

The former Mercy Clinic Suites C and D, at 401 Woodland Hills, will be renovated by the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Clinic and move in will be thereafter.

“We don’t have an official date for the move as we need to secure a contractor for some renovations but are hoping this summer,” said Holly Jerome, SEKMHC’s director of marketing and human resources said. “Once a move date has been set, we will be notifying clients and the community.”

“We are certainly not new to Fort Scott,” said Jerome. “We were established in 1961! But due to our growth after becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic ( in 2022) we are outgrowing our current building which is located at 212 State Street.”

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.

“We will continue offering our current and expanded services,” Jerome said. “This new space will allow us to continue adding to our team!”

“SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification,” CEO Nathan Fawson said in a press release https://fortscott.biz/news/legacy-health-partners-with-southeast-kansas-mental-health-to-expand-services. “The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when you treat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”–

According to its website https://www.sekmhc.org/ the services they provide to the community are:

Last year they served over 4,000 clients, according to its website. The staff provide school based therapy and case management in 12 school districts. They have 15 team members in the crisis department and 10 in the psychiatry department.

Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is in transition to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), according to its website. A CCBHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services, while also focusing on physical health and whole person wellness.

What the transition means is, the following is added:

Patient navigation services
Comprehensive behavioral health screening at intake
Primary health screening including gathering health metrics (height, weight, and blood pressure)
Primary health resources and referral

What won’t change is:

Access to counseling and therapy
Access to crisis services
Access to medical services and psychiatry
Community-based services for adults and children
Services and programs previously provided, unless otherwise noted

Upcoming Community Self-Care Event:

A Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Self-Care Fair will be held on May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.

For more information:

https://www.sekmhc.org/selfcarefair/

For questions about the self-care fair, contact: Dawne Burchett at 620-496-8702 or Vicki Wright at 620-212-9391.

About Legacy Health

Legacy Health has a mission to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches, according to the Legacy Health press release. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.

Legacy Health LLC was registered on June 7, 2022 as a Limited Liability Company – CA company type incorporated at 269 WEST BONITA CLAREMONT, CA 91711. according to /https://ca.ltddir.com/companies/legacy-health-llc/

Troy Schell is the Legacy Health Chairman of the Board, according to the press release.

Chief Clinical Officer is Jennifer Massey and she is the contact person at [email protected]

Chief Strategy Officer is Merrill Eisenhower.

Locally, Matthew Wells is Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations at the 401 Woodland Hills site. His duties are technical and equipment maintenance. Wells recently helped the building receive joint hospital accreditation, which is necessary because of the patient care given in the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department that is also housed in the facility, he said.

The Legacy Health Foundation received the building from the Bourbon County Commission in November 2022. In addition to the building, the commission gave Legacy Health Foundation $2 million dollars from funds received from Mercy Hospital and American Rescue Plan Act Funds to develop the property, according to a prior story.

To view the prior story:

https://fortscott.biz/news/bourbon-county-transfers-mercy-building-to-legacy-health-foundation

Ascension Via Christi, Bourbon County, Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, Health Care, Legacy Health Foundation

More Space & Services In One Location For CHC Starting April 17: Other Tenants Staying

March 10, 2023 Loretta George 2 Comments

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Fort Scott is making plans to move from the former Mercy Hospital building at 401 Woodland Hills, to the former Price Chopper building at 2322 S. Main during the weekend of April 14.

The CHC Fort Scott buildilng at 2322 S. Main.

“It’s going to be a beautiful facility,” said CHC’s Director of Communication and Marketing Robert Poole. “And we have a great crew.”

“The new 43,000-square foot plus facility provides more room to offer more services,” said Baily Davis, CHC/SEK Fort Scott Practice Manager. “And, for the first time, walk-in care, primary care, and our pharmacy will all be in one easy-to-find location with more convenient parking,” she said.

“The move is being coordinated to minimize interruptions of patient care and is being staged in three phases,” according to information from Poole.

On Friday April 14, the Woodland Hills clinic will close at 1 PM.

Apothecare Pharmacy at Woodland Hills will follow, and be closed Saturday, April 15 as staff prepare.

On Sunday, April 16, CHC/SEK Walk-In Care on National Street will close at 1 PM as they relocate to the new facility.

All services will be re-open on Monday, April 17 at 2322 S. Main St. including primary care, walk-in care, behavioral health care, pharmacy and specialty services, which will all be in one location from that point on.

Hours of operation at the new site:

Primary Care is 8 AM-6 PM- Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM-5 PM Friday.

Walk-In Care is from 7 AM- 7 PM, Monday-Sunday

Apothecare Pharmacy 7 AM- 7 PM, Monday-Sunday

“Many of the CHC/SEK staff are your friends and neighbors in the community,” according to the information provided by Poole. “101 of the 124 of the Fort Scott clinic employees live in Fort Scott or Bourbon County. The health center believes in investing in its employees with good jobs, education, growth opportunities and progressive benefits. The starting entry-level wage at CHC/SEK begins at $15 per hour, more than twice the federal minimum wage.”

Part two of this story will be published next week, detailing the new services.

Mercy Building: Other Tenants

Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department

The emergency room will continue services to the county in the same location on the south side of the Mercy building.

“The move will not affect our operations and the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department in Fort Scott will continue to provide care as normal,” according to AVC Marketing and Communications Specialist Reagan Rosenhamer.

Legacy Health

The following is from Troy Schell, chairman of the Legacy Health Foundation, Glendora, CA. when asked for an update on the foundation plans since receiving ownership of the Mercy Hospital building on Nov. 17, 2022.

“Legacy Health has devoted significant efforts to collaborating with both Ascension and USD 234 in order to develop and sustain crucial services within the community,” Schell said. “Furthermore, our organization is actively pursuing the establishment of new specialty clinics, including those specializing in cardiology and urology, in addition to partnering with Freeman Orthopedics to extend their established presence within the community.”

“As we move forward with our initiative, we eagerly anticipate engaging with key figures in the business and government sectors to ensure that the available resources are utilized optimally to provide the essential services required for the growth of the community and the region,” he said. “Additionally, we remain committed to supporting local non-profit organizations and community groups by providing necessary resources to support the most vulnerable individuals in the community.”

To learn more:

Bourbon County Takes Ownership of Former Mercy Hospital Building

View the Bourbon County/ Legacy Health Foundation Agreement

I Am Rehab, Diamonds in the Rough

Because I Am Rehab, a physical therapy business and gym, and Diamonds in the Rough Beauty Salon are not affiliated with CHC, they will remain in the lower level of the former Mercy Hospital and continue business as usual, according to a spokesman for I Am Rehab.

Bourbon County Regional Economic Development Inc.

Bourbon County REDI moved its office in February from the Landmark Bank building to the administration wing of the former Mercy Hospital on the north side of the building, in Suite 100.

The banking hours and holidays did not fit the needs of the staff of REDI, according to Rob Harrington, Director, although “We loved being at that location.”

“I am now able to be in the office early and stay late, and there is a conference room available,” Harrington said.

REDI employees are Suzette Torres, marketing and program assistant; Emily Wiebolt, grant manager and Tayton Majors, intern from Lead For America.

The Fort Scott Tourism Department, which was housed with REDI at the bank office, is now at city hall, Harrington said.

Fort Scott Biz