KANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR
Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

October 28, 1998

Contact: Don Brown, 785-296-1529

Secretary Announces Reorganization at KDHE

As part of a continuing effort to improve efficiency at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Secretary Gary R. Mitchell has announced a reorganization of the Division of Health. The changes are designed to enhance customer service.

"These changes come as a result of input from the Kansas Legislature," Mitchell said. "This reorganization represents our vision for a better, more responsive, and user-friendly Kansas Department of Health and Environment."

Mitchell also announced the appointment of Dr. Lorne Phillips as Acting Director of Health. Phillips is the State Registrar and Director of KDHE's Center for Health and Environmental Statistics. He will immediately assume management duties within the Division of Health. The Director of Health position had been vacant since the retirement of Dr. Steven Potsic earlier this year.

The reorganization of the Division of Health will include the following bureau structure:

• The Bureau of Consumer and Local Health will be the bureau within the Division to serve as the point of contact with the local health departments. Food and lodging inspections and licensure, child care facility inspections and licensure, as well as local, primary, rural and migrant health will be located in this bureau.
• The Bureau for Children Youth and Families will remain unchanged, consisting of children's special health services, children and families, and child development services.
• The Bureau of Epidemiology and Disease Prevention will house the AIDS program, sexually transmitted disease program, tuberculosis program, immunization program and senior epidemiologists. This bureau will function under the guidance of a medical doctor, the State Epidemiologist
• The Bureau of Health Facility Regulation will deal with regulatory functions including field services (nursing facilities, home health, assisted living, hospital and medical programs), adult care homes, mental health/mental retardation facilities, and health occupations credentialing.
• The Bureau of Health Promotion will focus exclusively on health promotion activities including cancer and tobacco prevention, injury and disability prevention, nutrition, and special studies, such as diabetes and lead poisoning prevention.