Customers faced some empty shelves when shopping at Walmart on Sunday, Oct. 7.
“We had a power outage yesterday,” Kayla, a manager at the store said. “We lost dairy products and meat products.”
“We are restocking the shelves, ” she said.
The power outage was confined to the Walmart Store, 2500 S. Main, said Gina Penzig, Westar Media Communication Manager.
“It lasted about six hours,” she said. “It was most likely caused by a lightning strike.”
Safehouse Crisis Center, Pittsburg, has served 33 victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking that come from Bourbon County.
“It’s important that everybody be aware of these issues,” Vicky Polen, a victim advocate with the center told the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition members during its’ monthly meeting.
Thirty-three might not seem like a big number, she said. “But we spent 433 hours with them.”
The crisis center serves Southeast Kansas.
From statistical data on the center’s website these are the numbers of the services that have been given from the center: 550- Hotline calls, 297-Victims were Sheltered, 857-Total Agency Victims Served (Unduplicated), 10,912-Peer Counseling Meetings, 769-Support Groups, 1,019- Safety Plans, 329-Court Advocacy, 248-Presentations to 10,023 Public and Professional Individuals, 216-Served through Child Exchange and Visitation Center, 776-Personal Advocacy.
For more information:
http://safehousecrisiscenter.org
The coalition meets the first Wednesday in the basement of the First Baptist Church at noon.
There are many good things happening in Fort Scott, according to attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet October 2.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
Bryan Ritter, with Boiler Room Brewhaus Microbrewery, spoke to the attendees about the upcoming liquor by the drink question on the November ballot.
“Yes is a vote for small business and economic development,” Ritter said.
The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:
Saturday, October 13, the FSCC Community Relations committee will be holding a FREE Fall Kid’s Festival.
Kids of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!
The festival will be held at Fort Scott Community College in the South Bailey Hall Parking lot from 9 am to 11 am.
There will be a costume contest at 10 am, so wear your best Halloween costume! There will be a prize awarded.
The activities will include a hayride, bounce house, games, prizes, face painting and treats. Bring your own pumpkin for pumpkin painting.
This will be the first of two kid’s festivals this school year, with the second this Spring. FSCC wants to involve the community in campus activities and this is one way to do so that is a lot of fun for everyone involved.
Kassie Cate says, “The FSCC Community Relations committee is looked at as one of the bridges between the college and the community. We do our best to participate in all the community activities as well as provide activities on campus for the community. The community always does a great job at holding numerous activities and events throughout the year, so we feel that we need to also be a part of that, and do our share on free or low-cost events for the people in Fort Scott and surrounding areas.”
Please contact Kassie Cate with any questions by email: [email protected] or by phone: 620.223.2700 ext. 5248
CHC/SEK to Assume Ownership of Mercy Clinics in Bourbon, Linn and Crawford Counties
(Pittsburg, KS) – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) – a non-profit primary care system serving the nine counties of the most economically disadvantaged and least healthy region of Kansas – announced it will assume ownership of the Mercy clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma beginning January 1, 2019.
“CHC/SEK entered into discussions with Mercy this summer about the need to maintain access to care and they were anxious to preserve the resources they had built in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai. “As an organization that had grown out of a faith-based health system, CHC/SEK shared their values and their commitment to providing quality, affordable care.”
“We both agreed it was the right thing to do,” Postai said, commending Mercy leadership for their efforts to ensure those they had served so long would continue to receive care from those they knew and trusted. “They are doing whatever they can to make this transition seamless.”
“Everyone recognizes the closure of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott is a tremendous loss to the community and the state,” Postai agreed, adding she was aware of the efforts the system took to prevent it.
“Healthcare has undergone tremendous change over the last decade and sustainability is becoming a challenge for rural hospitals everywhere.”
Southeast Kansas especially is vulnerable with a median income 25% below the state average, declining population and a much higher rate of chronic disease, Postai explained. “The traditional model of healthcare is disappearing and with it the hometown hospital.”
CHC/SEK – with 12 clinics in five counties – has worked to counter this erosion by stabilizing the medical, dental and behavioral health services in the region. “We provided services to more than 43,000 individuals last year regardless of their financial status,” said Postai, adding that the numbers continue to increase.
“Our purpose is to be where we are needed and ensure our care is high quality and affordable,” she said, adding that CHC/SEK was recognized in 2017 as a National Quality Leader and also achieved the highest level of certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.
“We appreciate that the Mercy System trusts us enough to ask us to continue the mission they undertook over a century ago in Fort Scott and, more recently, in Pleasanton and Arma,” Postai said, indicating they hope to retain the medical staff who have served these communities.
“We will be meeting with everyone as soon as we possibly can aware that each member of the Mercy staff will need to make some decisions quickly,” she said, with CHC/SEK staff prepared to devote as much time as necessary to talk with anyone interested in a position over the next 30 days.
CHC/SEK expects to employ about 60 to 70 of the Mercy staff impacted by this announcement.
CHC/SEK currently employs about 340 including about 100 medical, dental and behavioral health providers. The organization’s annual budget is more than $23 million; about 25% of that comes from federal and state funding with the balance from service care delivery.
“We expect to have all sites transitioned by February 1, 2019,” Postai said, explaining that the four clinics will be phased in over a 60-day period to minimize service disruption. Hours and days of clinic operations are expected to remain the same.
CHC/SEK will also continue to operate the pharmacy located within the hospital itself and patients should see a reduction in the cost of their prescriptions.
“We can bring some resources to the community and the clinics because – as a community health center – we are eligible for some special benefits,” Postai said. “We are able to buy drugs at the same price that the Veteran’s Administration pays meaning that we can ensure our patients – especially those on fixed incomes – will be able to afford their prescriptions.”
“Those covered by Medicare may qualify for a discount on their co-pay and, by regulation, their deductible is waived,” she said, adding “As the region’s only Medicare Benefits Enrollment Center, we can assist our older population in identifying all the resources for which they may be eligible.”
Postai added that many of CHC/SEK’s clinics also offer dental and behavioral health services.
“Once we get fully transitioned we will then begin identifying other needs and add resources as we can,” she said. “We really believe in an integrated model of care realizing that those with chronic disease often fight depression and good oral health can impact overall wellbeing.”
“It makes a lot of sense to create a one-stop approach and that’s something we can bring to the community,” said Postai, adding that many are unaware that CHC/SEK services are available to anyone. “We accept all private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, so our patients are representative of the community as a whole.”
“For those on reduced incomes – which include many of the elderly in the region – we do offer financial assistance.”
“Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to primary care so no one is turned away,” she said. “Our vision is ‘Healthcare The Way It Should Be’ which means person-focused, personalized and compassionate.”
Postai went on to express CHC/SEK’s appreciation for everything Mercy is doing to help make the transition as seamless as possible. “Without their support, this undertaking would have not been possible.”
“Much work lies ahead but we know everyone wants to preserve as many of the health resources as possible in these communities,” she said. “We are honored to be asked and we are committed to making it happen.”
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, pharmacy and outreach services to southeast Kansas and the region. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.
The recent announcement of Mercy Hospital closing, announced October 1, has stirred up Fort Scottians.
The loss of the hospital that has been a part of the town since 1886 has driven the local government to step in.
During the Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet Tuesday morning, Fort Scott City representatives spoke to the group.
“The City (of Fort Scott) is doing everything we can to facilitate the Mercy transition…the physicians will stay on…We are working on solutions,” Rachel Pruitt, Fort Scott Economic Economic Director, said.
“Ambulance and emergency room (services) are being worked on,” added Robert Uhler, Fort Scott Community Development Director.
Here is an excerpt from a later press release Pruitt wrote:
“The City intends to support our residents in every way possible through this transition. Robert Uhler, Community Development Director; Rachel Pruitt, Economic Development Director; and Dave Martin, City Manager are actively working on solutions and have been pleased with the outreach of interested parties. Our citizens work hard and deserve affordable healthcare. We are confident Fort Scott will overcome this challenge and continue to be a great place to work and raise families.”
To see the full press release send yesterday, click:
City of Fort Scott Responds to Mercy Shut-Down
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Regular meetings are Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Special meeting date: October 3, 2018 at 10 a.m.
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
10:00 a.m.-Special Commissioners Meeting regarding Mercy Hospital.
Justifications for Executive Session:
Personnel matters of individual non-elected personnel
Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship
Matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative(s) of the body or agency
Confidential data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts, and individual proprietorships
Preliminary discussions relating to the acquisition of real property
Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
It’s been 19 years since the story of Irena Sendler, the rescuer from death of 2,500 Jews in Poland, was discovered by three Uniontown High School students in Norm Conard’s history class. The Jews were being killed in Europe by the Nazi Germans.
“It was September 23, 1999, when we found the clipping that day in Norm’s class,” Megan Felt said. That clipping mentioned Sendler as one of a few people in Europe at the time who stepped up to save the Jews.
The students, Elizabeth Cambers Hutton, and Sabrina Coons Murphy along with Felt, did a history project on Irena Sendler that changed the lives of many, including Sendler who was still living at the time.
Now one of the “rescuers of the rescuer”, Megan Stewart Felt, is featured in a book on Sendler that features she and her daughter, Blair, in re-telling the story for younger children.
The children’s book, self-published by the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes, is entitled Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler?, by Cathy Werling.
Werling is an employee of the center and Felt is the program director of the center, located at Wall and Main Street in downtown Fort Scott.
“Cathy surprised me with her idea of telling the story,” Felt said. “I think it’s special to tell about Irena, involving my daughter, Blair.”
Blair, who is 8-years-old, is “very excited,” Felt said. “She has been practicing her cursive handwriting to sign books for the family,” she said with a smile.
While Werling was writing the book, Blair came to the center and got a tour from Werling.
“I hadn’t told her much about Irena and the holocaust,” Felt said.
Werling explained the story in a way that Blair could understand, Felt said.
“We continued to have conversations about Irena and…. how one person can make a difference,” Felt said. “I want her to know that even though she is a girl in Southeast Kansas, she has the power to make a difference and being a positive change in the world. That’s the goal of the center.”
Werling agreed.
“When I got involved with the center, I found the work of the center is to help people understand that one person can make a difference,” she said.
“Young children need role models to show what you can do in circumstances where someone needs to step up,” Werling said.
“If we can help them be a positive force, that’s my mission, to see that,” she said. “Everyday people like them that can have a powerful impact.
Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? is the third book that Werling has written on unsung heroes at the center.
Area elementary students come to the center for book readings at their appropriate level.
The children are then encouraged to choose to make a difference in someone’s life.
“It’s moving to see the little kids become involved in the stories on unsung heroes,” Felt said. “You hear them saying ‘I saw a little girl who sits alone. I can sit with her.'”
Werling uses a “hook” in her children’s books to get the child interested, then the story is told, the book ends with how the child can “be like that person,” Werling said.
In her latest book, Werling has additional pages of facts on the story, including photos.
“I want them to understand that the story is true,” Werling said.
The illustrator of the book is Maggie Raguse, Werling’s sister-in-law, who is a professional artist.
The book Mommy Who Was Irena Sendler? will be published by the end of October 2018, then will be for sale at the center, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble bookstores, Werling said.
Primary Care Services to Continue through Agreement with CHC/SEK
FORT SCOTT, Kan. (October 1, 2018) – In the face of declining patient numbers and shrinking reimbursement, Mercy has made the difficult decision to close Mercy Hospital Fort Scott by the end of the year. The decision was made following months of exploring options for keeping hospital services in the community.
At the same time, there is a plan for continuing physician services in the area. Mercy is finalizing an agreement with the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), the federally qualified health clinic based in Pittsburg, to maintain primary care services in Fort Scott and other nearby communities in which there are Mercy Clinic locations. All Mercy Clinic Fort Scott primary care physicians have committed to continue practicing in the area as part of CHC/SEK. The two organizations expect to share more information soon.
“Mercy Hospital has been privileged to serve Fort Scott since 1886. Like many rural hospitals across the country, we have struggled to remain viable as community needs have changed,” said Reta Baker, hospital president. “We considered – and exhausted – every possibility for keeping our doors open, and ultimately we had to acknowledge that it’s a different era for hospital care in Fort Scott. There are many options in nearby communities for patients seeking hospital care, and there are many challenges we didn’t have in years past. Our hearts are heavy, but it’s the decision we know has to be made.”
The hospital will close by December 31, including all inpatient services, the emergency department and ambulatory surgery.
Mercy first announced the need to explore options for future sustainability in 2014, citing trends that included patients leaving the area to seek health care services in larger communities and declining reimbursement, especially from government payers which make up the largest source of revenue. The announcement was followed by an 18-month discernment process, which ended in 2015 with the understanding that should these trends continue, Mercy would need to revisit plans for the future.
“That time came earlier this year, and a new process of evaluating solutions was undertaken,” said Baker. “Unfortunately, the health care environment in Fort Scott has not improved, and in fact we’ve encountered the additional challenge of successfully recruiting and retaining physicians in the community.”
To prepare for closing the hospital, Mercy will undertake the required regulatory and legal notices and procedures, including notifying state and federal agencies and payers.
Mercy is developing plans to support hospital co-workers in through the closure process, and all will be treated with compassion and respect. There may be the possibility for some co-workers to transfer to other Mercy facilities.
“Having closed our hospital in Independence, Kansas, in 2015, we know how difficult this news is to hear – not only for our Fort Scott co-workers and the community, but for everyone across Mercy. Our prayers are with everyone impacted by this decision,” said Lynn Britton, Mercy president and chief executive officer. “We also know that the Sisters who served before us had to make similar decisions in light of changing community needs, and we draw strength from their courage.”
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.
Dr. Tim Crawford’s dental office, Family Dental, plans to move from its current location on South Main Street to the building at Wall and Main Streets within a few months.
“Construction on historic Fort Scott buildings is slow,” Crawford said.
Crawford and his staff hosted a Fort Scott Chamber Coffee at the new site on September 27.
He spoke to the crowd in the reception room of his new office.
“I’m excited to be downtown for accessibility,” Crawford told the coffee attendees. “We hope to be open in a few months.”
Dental services offered are implants, oral surgery, pediatrics, “Everything you want to be done at a dentist.”
Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin thanked Crawford for moving his office downtown and taking on the renovation of a historic building.
“I know you run into things that throw you behind,” Martin said.
On the morning of September 26, the STEM Club at Fort Scott Community College held demonstrations to show other students what STEM Club is all about.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
There is an extra bonus for joining the club.
The STEM club offers a scholarship to pay for books and tuition up to 15 credit hours to all qualifying members.
The club demonstrations Wednesday included the shooting of a potato gun, the bursting of hydrogen-filled balloons, and even some hair-raising with electricity using a Van de Graaff Generator, provided by Elie Riachi, the FSCC Physics, and Physical Science Instructor.
Students joined in, during their passing periods, to watch the demonstration and enjoy a donut or two, donated by Fort Scott’s Price Chopper.
The current STEM Club members would like to be a part of more activities and competitions, but they do not currently have enough members to do so. The FSCC STEM Club is searching for eager students to join them.
This club creates an opportunity for students to learn more about these subject areas, while also having fun doing some interesting experiments and even some engineering.
For example, Trenton Allison, a STEM Club Member, built his own drone.
The STEM Club is sponsored by Robert Doyle, FSCC’s Chemistry Instructor.
Consider joining the STEM Club today and become a part of something that makes learning fun.
For more information, contact Mr. Doyle via email at [email protected].
The La Hacienda Restaurant recently redesigned its’ menu to include selections in which the calories and fat content have been counted for those wishing to eat healthier.
A Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Grant financed the initiative whose purpose was to increase food transparency, Jody Hoener said.
Hoener is a part of the Restaurant and Food Retail subcommittee of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team that consists of Sherise Beckham (Registered Dietitian) and Joy Miller (RD)and Hoener.
“Joy was able to use KSTATE Extension software to calculate nutritional content,” Hoener said.
The restaurant collaborated on the calorie/fat content additions with a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways To Healthy Kansas Initiative.
La Hacienda owners have pledged to increase access to healthy food, she said.
The new counted calorie menu items are spread throughout the listings and are highlighted in green.
