Dave Bruner, 46, is the new Fort Scott Fire Department Chief, effective Jan. 6, 2020.
Bruner has worked 25 years fulltime in the FSFD.
“He’s got all the training and certificates he needs for the position,” Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin, said of Bruner.
“I began with the department as a reserve firefighter in 1992,” he said. “I was hired full time in May of 1994. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999, then promoted to Deputy Chief in 2014.”
In addition to numerous firefighter, rescue, and fire officer certifications, Bruner is an Advanced EMT, and hold certifications as a Fire Investigator II, Certified Public Manager (CPM), and Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS).
“I am a member of the MERGe team, Kansas Region VI EMS Council, Fire Marshal’s Association of Kansas, and the Kansas Chapter of International Association of Arson Investigators,” Bruner said.
Bruner received his Associates of Science from Fort Scott Community College in 1994 and also earned a Fire Science Degree from Hutchinson Community College.
He is following in his father’s footsteps.
” My father was a firefighter with the department for five years before taking a full-time position with the National Guard,” Bruner said. “After he left the department, he remained in close contact with many of the members. As a child, I would go to the fire station often with him to visit and over the years developed an interest in the fire service.”
For Bruner, the best thing in being a firefighter is helping people, he said.
Some of the challenges of the job?
“The constant changes in the fire service,” he said. “Changes from equipment, firefighting techniques, as well as rescue and EMS services will always be challenging.”
“The department has worked hard the past few years to update equipment,” he said. ” I want to continue that project in order to have the tools and equipment needed so that our department can continue to operate safely and effectively.”
Bruner has bee married to Michelle for 22 years and has a daughter Kylie, 21, and a son Dylan. 15.
“Michael Miles will be the new deputy chief,” Martin said. “We will find a replacement for Michael as a firefighter.”
A public program to start the Fort Scott Community College Centennial Celebration was one of speeches, a prayer and a song on Monday morning at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus.
Students, guests and the public were invited to hear the experiences of former students and teachers, then eat a quick hot dog lunch and some cake and cookies in celebration of the community college’s 100th year.
Speakers were FSCC President Alysia Johnston who welcomed the crowd and introduced Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson. Tyson then presented the college with a commendation from the Kansas Senate for its’ 100 years of serving the community.
The speakers at the Centennial Celebration were FSCC Vice President of Student Services Janet Fancher, retired FSCC instructor Jack Gilmore; Mark Muller, FSCC Class of 1979; Tyson; retired FSCC instructor Marcel Normand; Gina Findley Shelton, class of 1999; Jim Barrows, class of 1968 and Johnston. A letter read by Fancher from Esther Anne (Weeks) Sewell, class of 1941, who is 96 years old.
Additionally, FSCC Class of 2013 Taylor Bailey produced an introductory video, narrated by Tyler Covey, class of 2019. FSCC President’s Ambassador Hannah Reel led the flag salute and Dusty Drake, lead minister at Community Christian Church, said the closing prayer.
FSCC President Alysia Johnston, left, receives the commendation for the school of 100 years of continuous education in the county from Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson, right.The speakers at the Centennial Celebration from left: FSCC Vice President of Student Services Janet Fancher, retired FSCC instructor Jack Gilmore; Mark Muller, FSCC Class of 1979; Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson; retired FSCC instructor Marcel Normand; Gina Findley Shelton, class of 1999; Jim Barrows, class of 1968 and FSCC President Alysia Johnston. Not pictured is Esther Anne (Weeks) Sewell.
Following the program and lunch, the crowd was asked to stop by the tree planted in honor of the celebration near the front of the building, where a fly-by drone took an aerial photo of the group.
Some of the students, faculty and guests who stayed to be a part of the aerial picture taken by a drone, to commemorate the celebration.A tree was planted in front of the Ellis Arts Center in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of FSCC.The plaque placed in front of the tree planted at the Ellis Art Center. John Bartelsmeyer, Kenny Blake and Stewart Gulager helped to provide the plaque to the college.
During the welcome FSCC President Alysia Johnston told the audience that the school was established in 1919 and is the oldest continuous public community college in Kansas.
FSCC President Alysia Johnston welcomes students, faculty, guests and the public to the Centennial Celebration program Monday morning at the Ellis Arts Center.
The school, established in 1919, was originally located at the Fort Scott High School building until 1967 when it moved to the 150-acre current site, and 200 students started classes. At this time, FSCC also began offering classes in Paola, according to information provided by the college.
In 1973 the administration building was completed and was later named the Dick Hedges Administration Building.
In 1982, Arnold Arena was completed, with one side a rodeo arena and the other a basketball gym, weight training area, athletic dressing rooms, classrooms, a computer lab and athletic offices. Arnold Arena just completed a renovation of the gym in Sept. 2019.
In 1986, the college acquired the cosmetology school from Pittsburg State University and N. Jack Burris Hall was completed in 1989.
A dormitory was opened in 2002 and named Chester Boileau Hall.
In 2004, FSCC purchased and renovated the former Sisters of Mercy Convent on Burke Street for the nursing program. Also in 2004, the college remodeled a wing of the former Miami
County Hospital in Paola, which then became the FSCC Miami County Campus.
The Gordon Park Museum and Center of Diversity also was established in 2004 at FSCC to honor Fort Scott native Gordon Parks, a photographer, writer, poet, musician and filmmaker.
The Danny And Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center was opened in 2009 which included a 600-seat theater, community meeting rooms, the Gordon Parks Museum the Kathy Ellis Academic Hall.
The Kansas National Guard Armory was purchased in 2010 and houses the John Deer technician program and the welding program.
The cosmetology department moved to a newly remodeled space in 2014 on campus and the rodeo program opened a new rodeo building.
This year, an addition to the Burris Hall which was provided by donations from the Chester Boileau and Lonnie Cleaver estates, opened with new offices, classrooms, bathrooms, and a trophy display area for the FSCC Livestock and Meat’s Judging Teams awards.
There will be a banquet on Sept. 20 as part of the continuing celebration, and a tailgate party with free food at the Greyhound Football Game, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.
For more information: 620-223-2700.
Esther Sewell, FSCC Class of 1941 waits for other speakers to arrive for the cake cutting following the Centennial Celebration program Monday.
FSCC personnel feed students lunch following the program at the Ellis Art Center.
Students pick up a cool drink at the end of the food line. With temperatures in the 90s, the drink was welcomed.
This and following is memorabilia on display in the Ellis Art Center foyer for the Centennial Celebration.
There was a display case in the foyer of the Ellis Art Center with memorabilia from years past. Here, a band uniform designed by FSCC Band Instructor Ronda Bailey.
Ashlea Taylor, 29, is a new special education teacher at Winfield Scott Elementary School.
Taylor has taught pre-school children at Head Start 0-5 from September 2016-April 2019.
Her hometown is Phoenix, Arizona and she graduated from Pittsburg State University.
In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family, she said.
Is there someone who inspired you to teach?
“I have two aunts who are educators and I have always loved kids. Several family members have seen me with children and suggested it is where I belong.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“Learning each child’s individual way of learning and watching them experience breakthroughs in moments of doubt. “
Amber Toth, 42, was hired as the new principal of Fort Scott High School at the June 2019 USD 234 Board of Education meeting.
She has been assistant principal for one year at FSHS and has 18 years experience in education.
“When the district opened the position for high school principal, I applied in hopes of moving to the principal position,” she said. “After interviews were conducted, I was offered the position. The board of education approved my hiring at the June board meeting. “
The following is from an interview with Toth:
What is your education background?
“I have my Bachelor’s Degree in English Education from Pittsburg State University and my Masters in Educational Administration from Grand Canyon University.”
Hometown: Caney, KS.
Family:
“I have been married for 18 years to my husband, Travis Toth. We have four children. Darby Toth is entering her second year of college at Missouri Western State University. Madison will be a senior this year. Trent is entering 8th grade and Kennedy is a 4th grader.”
What is the best part of the job for you?
“I love our kids. We have the most amazing students I have ever had the pleasure to serve. The best part of my job is being a servant leader. We have a wonderfully giving, hardworking and dedicated staff. I get to walk through the doors of a building I love, help students that I wouldn’t have been able to help staying in my classroom and work with adults who truly love the students in our building. I am blessed to be a part of this district, work with the parents we have, and watch the growth of students based upon that partnership.”
Any new responsibilities?
“As I move into this new position the biggest change will be in instructional leadership. While I had some of these duties as the assistant principal in the form of evaluation, it will be the center of my new role.”
Any challenges?
“The challenges at Fort Scott are the same as most schools. Students must be prepared for some type of schooling beyond high school. Changing the perception that high school graduation is the end goal can be difficult. But we know that students are most successful when they attend a vocational school, community college or a 4-year university. We have to ensure our students are prepared to be successful, regardless of the path they choose.”
Frank Halsey, the event organizer, hugs his grandson following a first place win in the 2018 kids’ race.
“The Marmaton Massacre Festival is rapidly approaching,” Frank Halsey event organizer said. “Once again I’d like to get the invitation out that Saturday evening entertainment is for our community. We would love to see locals come to enjoy the evening. ”
The event is held at Gunn Park on the west side of Fort Scott at 1001 Gunn Park Drive.
“The race part is important because it draws a lot of visitors to Fort Scott, but our real goal continues to be providing an evening of entertainment for visitors, as well as locals,” he said.
The Kansas State Mountain Bike Championship will be held Saturday starting at 10 a.m.
There is a free kid’s bike race at 5:30 p.m. for children under 10 years old.
A participant jam session will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13, followed by a performance by Damaris Kunkler.
Sam and Louie’s Food Truck will be selling food.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy Gunn Park as a backdrop of this entertainment.
Community members interested in downtown Fort Scott meet throughout the year to talk about downtown issues at the Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet.
On July 2, the meet and greet was hosted by La Hacienda Restaurant and sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, with the City of Fort personnel and attendees giving updates on happenings.
Mirna and Jose Santana, owners of La Hacienda, thanked the attendees for supporting the restaurant for the nine years they have been in Fort Scott.
“We try to do our best,” Mirna said.
Chamber Executive Director Lindsay Madison led the meeting.
Madison talked about the First Impressions program that Kansas State Research and Extension provides to improve a community’s image and quality of life for its’ citizens.
Fort Scott was visited this last winter by a K-State First Impressions visitation team and presented the public with a “snapshot of what they observed,” Madison said, which she had copies of and handed out to attendees.
She highlighted some of the findings.
“Go out and look at the front of your business,” Madison said. “Are the windows clean? What types of things are in the window? Make sure they are welcoming and inviting.”
“Offer something to make you stand out,” she encouraged the business owners.
The findings discouraged using detering signs such as “no public restroom'” “don’t touch”, etc., she said.
Cross marketing each other was encouraged.
“When they ask if you have something, say ‘no, but so and so down the street has it,'” Madison said.
Another issue is vacant buildings noticed by the K-State group.
“We’ve made huge progress in the last few years, but we still have some vacant buildings,” Madison said and invited sharing of ideas for potential businesses be given to her.
Lindsay Madison leads the downtown meeting on July 2.
Market assistance is offered by the Chamber, one on one, Madison said. She encouraged a web presence, Google business listings ,a free Google website, and a good business profile on fortscott.com.
Other happenings:
Marmaton Massacre Mountain Bike Championship is July 13-14 at Gunn Park and businesses are encourage to get their items by July 9 to the Chamber of Commerce for the 100 swag bags that will be distributed to participants. Volunteers are needed with no race experience necessary. There will be a public concert in a “beautiful setting,” Madison said.
August 2-4 there will be a sales tax holiday by some of the local businesses.
July 17 a workshop “Get Productive with Google’s Digital Tools” from 11 a.m. to noon at the Lowell Milken Center. Sign up on fortscott.com.
Grants are available for painting facades of downtown businesses, for up to $500 from Steve Buerge.
July 19 will be a downtown movie night on Skubitz Plaza, featuring Sgt. Stubby, August 16 the movie featured will be Beauty and the Beast.
Hedgehog INK, a local bookstore, is hosting a writing festival on October 19.
The second Art in the Yard Festival will be Sept. 14 with more vendors and is free. Contact Bobbie Kemna at 224-7480.
Fort Scott Paws and Claws Animal Shelter sells pet food and pet supplies and is located downtown. There will be fundraiserfor Paws and Claws at the Boiler Room Brewhaus July 27 at 7 p.m. featuring the Wayward Bettys, with $10 tickets available at the Chamber office, the animal shelter and Kate Sweetser.
Bid and Dibs owner, Angie Simon, asked for ideas for increasing sales for retailers in June. “June is terrible for retailers,” Simon said.
The Union Block renovation is underway and will produce 25 market value apartments when complete.
The Stout Building demolition started on July 1.
Mid-Continental Restoration is restoring the storefront at Wall Street and National Avenue.
Lori Lovelace is opening a laundry mat business on National Avenue which will include clothes alterations and a clothing pantry.
Peerless Products is opening a warehouse space in Nevada, MO, “But it won’t impact Fort Scott at all,” Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt, told attendees.
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas will build a health care facility on six acres on Horton, west of the present Mercy Building, Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin said.
Via Christi is looking at the land on the east side of the property of the former Mercy Hospital for a future emergency department option, Martin said.
The city and Bourbon County’s public works departments are beginning to “work with each other,” Martin said.
July 26 at Crooner’s Lounge, Flagship Romance will be performing.
July 4 at the Fort Scott National Historic Site there will be a full day of activities including an ice cream social by the Friends of the Fort at noon.
The annual naturalizaiton ceremony will be Sept. 20 at the Fort.
Riverfront Park Authority has purchased and will be installing lighting for the trail soon.
July 4, there will be a Burke Street Parade with refreshments following at Nate and Bailey Lyons home on Burke Street and Shane Walker providing hot dogs.
Fort Scott Street Department employee Chad Brown is working on a plan to repair brick streets in the city, Martin said.
The city has a group working on National Avenue renovation, Martin said.
Westar Energy is completing a merger with Kansas City Power and Light and will become Evergy in October 2019.
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative will begin fiber optic installation on Fort Scott’s east side next year.
The tiny houses project north of Hwy. 54, has all the monthly rentals rented and are currently working on the Airbnb segment.
Mark Calvin, a new New York Life Insurance Company agent, introduced himself to attendees.
Dr. Daniel Minnis’s new location, 204 S. State Street.
Dr. Daniel Minnis is no stranger to Fort Scott.
Dr. Minnis managed Dr. Gary Brown’s dental practice for the last 14 years and when Brown wanted to retire, a buyer was sought.
” We diligently looked for a buyer without success and rather than close down the practice I decided to purchase … so patients would have access to care,” Minnis said.
Accent Dental LLC now has a new office at 204 State Street and is dedicated to providing high-quality dental care for the residents of Bourbon County, Minnis said.
The hours of operation are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and the office can be reached at 620-223-0130.
Dr. Daniel Minnis and Jennifer Doherty, dental assistant prepare for the next patient at Accent Dental LLC.
The following questions were part of an interview with Minnis:
Education: University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry
Experience: 30 Years, since 1988
Community involvement:
“Founded the Community Health Center of SEK Dental Clinic and serves as Chairman of the Board of the Community Health Center of SEK. I have worked as a volunteer for CHC/SEK for the last 14 years to help bring affordable Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Care to Southeast Kansas.”
What services do you provide to our community?
“All aspects of General Dentistry.”
Why did you pursue your career?
“I have desired to be a healthcare professional since the age of 14.”
Minnis employees from left: Alison Leach, receptionist; Dr. Minnis, Jennifer Doherty, dental assistant; Ashley Doyle, hygenist; Baylea White, assistant; Destiny Allen, assistant; Angie Smith, assistant. Not pictured: Katy Kanes, hygenist; Roger Nolte, DDS, and Latasha Vick, DDS.
Gordon Parks Museum Director Kirk Sharp holds the donated copy of the book, Half Past Autumn, that was donated by Mercy Hospital Foundation.
The Gordon Parks Museum Foundation received the Gordon Parks Exhibit from the Fort Scott Mercy Hospital Foundation Board on June 20, 2019.
The exhibit includes 67 of Parks’ photos and poems along with a church pew of the AME Church, a bronze bust of Gordon Parks and the book featuring Parks’ works, Half Past Autumn.
The bust of Gordon Parks that was donated to the museum.
The donated Gordon Parks Exhibit was formerly located at Mercy Hospital-Fort Scott until the hospital closed in December 2018.
Fort Scott native and world-renowned photographer and artist Gordon Parks, donated the collection of his work to Mercy Hospital-Fort Scott in 2002 to be displayed in honor of his parents, Sarah and Andrew Jackson Parks, according to Kirk Sharp, Gordon Parks Museum Director.
Prairie Land, a photograph by Gordon Parks taken in 1948, was donated to the museum.
The exhibit pieces will be rotated out periodically for public view and when not in use, will be stored in the museum’s archives.
Blue Dawn, by Parks in 1995, was donated.
“On behalf of the Gordon Parks Museum Foundation Board along with myself, we are extremely beyond excited and greatly honored to receive the collections here at the museum from the Mercy-Fort Scott Foundation Board,” Sharp said.
The Frisco Railway Station, Fort Scott, KS by Parks in 1949 was donated.
“Our goal with some of the collections is to eventually create a community travel exhibit on a temporary loan-out basis for local schools, organizations and businesses for the community to view,” he said.
The pew donated from the Mercy Foundation Board to Gordon Parks Museum.The plaque on the donated pew.
Work is beginning to create new space to display as much of the exhibit as possible, along with starting a Gordon Parks Travel Community Exhibit, he said.
“The Gordon Parks Museum Foundation would like to give thanks and gratitude to the Mercy-Fort Scott Foundation Board for its great gift to us and the community of Fort Scott,” Sharp said.
The Gordon Parks Museum is located on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
The museum is located inside the Ellis Fine Arts Center at FSCC. The museum is funded through donations and through the support of FSCC, Sharp said.
The annual Gordon Parks Celebration is Oct. 3-5, 2019 and will be a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Gordon Parks film, The Learning Tree.
A sign near the front of the Gordon Parks Museum at FSCC gives a synopsis of Park’s accomplishments.
Martin Altieri, 38, is the Winfield Scott Elementary School Assistant Principal, starting July 22.
“My duties will be assisting (Principal) Ms. McGhee, who will be back in full capacity,” Altieri said. “I will assist with school operations, providing support to staff and students in order to meet their social, emotional, and educational needs, and helping to implement district curriculum and technology initiatives.”
Altieri has seven years teaching middle school social studies in the Shawnee Mission School District and served nine years in the U.S. Army.
He earned a Bachelors in Secondary Education from Emporia State University and a Masters of Science in School Leadership from Baker University.
Altieri’s hometown is Prairie Village, KS.
He has three children Morgan, 9; Marilyn 6; and Calvin, 4.
His parents are Michael and Joan, and he has two brothers – Matthew and Daniel.
Altieri has been involved in his community as a volunteer at Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Salvation Army. Additionally, he has coached baseball and soccer.
How did you become an educator?
“I have always enjoyed teaching and coaching and viewed education as a way to give back to the community and share my experiences and love of history with others.”
Did someone inspire you to teach?
“My mother, Joan. She went to college to become a teacher but opted not to enter the education field. She always said it was one of her biggest regrets.”
What is the best part of teaching for you?
“Developing relationships with students and parents. Seeing students excited to learn and looking forward to going to school. Watching students grow as young people and develop lifelong skills.”
What are the greatest challenges?
“Meeting the needs of students and ensuring learning is taking place for all students. Helping students deal with challenges outside of school.”
Flexbuild has demolition containers in front of the Union Block Building on North Main Street in Fort Scott’s Historic District.
There will be lots of activity at the corner of First and Main Streets in the next few weeks, according to Paul Wagner, Co-Founder of Flexbuild, Merriam. Flexbuild is the general contractor for the demolition of the Stout Building and the renewing of the Union Block Building in downtown historic Fort Scott.
The Union Block building, three storefronts at 18, 20 and 22 South Main are in the “build-back” phase, now, following demolition phase, Wagner said. The project is slated for completion for the end of 2019, he said.
“The buildings have been gutted by Skitch’s Hauling, Excavation, and Demolition,” Wagner said. “He has done a great job.”
These buildings will be transformed into 25 market-rate apartments ranging from 750 to 1,100 square feet in size. In addition, there will be a community room, exercise room, and an office area.
“The community rooms will be in the front, where the glass is,” Wagner said. “Everything else will be apartments. These are nice accommodations. In the back of the north building, there will be a courtyard for residents.”
“Just recently we got the building permit (from the city),” Wagner said. “Westar (Energy) is moving the electrical lines out of the way, to keep us safe. And we got the state fire marshall approval, which is a big step.”
Flexbuild is moving from demolition to reconstructing on the Union Block Building and is currently working with a local quarry to fill the crawlspace under the buildings, he said.
Tony Kresnich, Flint Hills Holdings, holds the contract for the project, Wagner said. Neil Sommers, Louisburg, is the architect.
“We are trying to do as many local subs as possible,” he said. “Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, concrete, masonry, painting and carpentry. Between subs and my workers, there will be 15-20 workers.”
The Stout Building, National Avenue and First Street will be demolished in the next two weeks, according to the general contractor for the project.
The Stout Building, at National Avenue and First Street, will be completely demolished and a parking lot/park rebuilt on the spot, Wagner said.
The Union Block buildings were built in the 1880-90s, Wagner was told.
Burris Hall on the campus of FSCC is being expanded and the old section updated.
There is construction going on at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton this summer.
“There is a new addition to Burris Hall, the ag department,” FSCC President Alysia Johnston said. “They are classrooms mostly, a couple of offices and refurbishing the old section and a new roof. Concrete and some steel (materials) are going up now.”
Steel is being erected for the addition to Burris Hall.
A 3, 800 square foot addition is being added to the agriculture department, known as Burris Hall, said Cory Spear, superintendent for Crossland Construction. Crossland Construction of Columbus is the general contractor for the project.
The addition will be approximately 50 foot by 80 foot, and include three offices, a kitchen area and a commons area, he said.
The old segment of the building has been gutted and the offices and classrooms are being updated, Spear said.
The project broke ground on May 20 and will be completed on
August 10, barring inclement weather, he said.
“We’ve already had two weeks of weather dates since we started,” Spear said.
There are 30 employees working on the construction project, he said.
Materials are lined up ready to be used outside the construction site at Burris Hall. Masonry and steel workers were busy in this photo on June 13.
Crossland Construction, Columbus, is the general contractor for the expansion of Burris Hall.
Here is information about the agriculture department from the FSCC website:
Farm & Ranch Management at FSCC
Since 1975, the FSCC Department of Agriculture has strived to assist students in developing the skills and knowledge necessary to get a job, develop a family business, or transfer to a four-year university. In addition to the celebrated programs with John Deere, Livestock Judging, Meat Judging and Rodeo, the department offers courses on livestock, soil science, animal science, dairy, poultry, agriculture machinery, meat evaluation, equine science, agriculture technology, agribusiness marketing, feed, horse training, plant science, farm and ranch management, horseshoeing, and product marketing.
For more information, please contact Blake Davis at [email protected] or 620-223-2700 ext. 3290.
Kansas DegreeStats
Kansas DegreeStats is an interactive online tool that reviews cost and earnings data from real graduates for each undergraduate degree program offered at a public college or university in Kansas.
Gainful Employment
Please click here for more information about gainful employment for the farm and ranch management certificate.
Randy Cason, Ascension Via Christi Hospital President speaks at the grand opening of the Fort Scott Emergency Department on Feb. 28.
Ascension Via Christ came to Fort Scott to fill in the void of emergency care, following the closure of Mercy Hospital.
The following is an update on the facility options for the Fort Scott Emergency Department, from Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg. Ascension Via Christ opened the local emergency department on Feb. 28, 2019.
“Ascension Via Christi stepped forward to meet the Fort Scott community’s immediate need for close-to-home emergency, laboratory and diagnostic imaging and we continue to explore and discuss options beyond our two-year lease agreement,” Cason said in a press release. “Our goal is to establish a sustainable model of care that best meets the needs of all the patients and families we serve in Ft. Scott and Southeast Kansas. However, we are still in the beginning stages of the exploration process of potential facility options.”
The door to the Emergency Department in Fort Scott.
The facility is operating out of the former Mercy Hospital building currently, which is located at 405 Woodland Hills on Fort Scott’s south side, just off Hwy. 69. The emergency department faces the south side of the building.
Ascension Via Christi took over operations of the emergency department in February 2019, following the closing of Mercy the end of December 2018.
From left: Tawny Sandifer, Ascension Via Christi Chief Nursing Officer; Naomi Powers, Director of the Emergency Department in Fort Scott and Pittsburg; Jessica Cobb, RN Nursing Manager, Fort Scott and Pittsburg; Kayla Stewart, RN Coordinator Clinical Program. The photo was taken during the opening of the emergency department in February 2019.
People who are interested in working with Ascension Via Christ can visit www.viachristi.org/jobs
