Farm Worker/Refugee Program - News and Accomplishments

• The most recent addition of the KSFHP newsletter was published in April.
• OLRH welcomes Kendra Baldridge, the new regional KSFHP Case Manager for Eastern Kansas. She began on December 1, 2007.

Local Health Program - News and Accomplishments

• A recognition luncheon was held on March 26 at the Governor's Row House in Topeka for the 2007-2008 graduates of the Kansas Public Health Certificate Program. Thirty participants from around the state participated in approximately sixty five hours of on site class work, with fifteen completing approximately seventy more hours of on line course work to finish the entire program. Current participants including those not listed will have an additional twelve months to complete any remaining requirements of the program. Graduates include: Suzie Girk, Tina Hardin, Jose Izaguirre, Anne Keller, Michelle Robertson, Valerie Schlotfeldt, Brenda Skaggs, Janie Thornberg, Kelly McPhail, Jennifer VandeVelde, Amanda Dreasher, Melissa Lakoduk, Jennifer Fawcett, Jo Oliver, Melisa Middendorf. Those recognized include: Debra Kiker, Linda Davies, Julianne Mohlman, Nadine Chalman, Betty Grindol, Elaine Schwartz, Mary Schwartz, Melody Volek, Karen Ediger, Kristen Kadel, Ruby Jane Davis, Jayne Inlow, Ellen Bayhylle, Beth Tackitt, Marvel Brandt.
  
  
• View the most recent edition of Public Health Connections, published by the Local Health Section in the Office of Local and Rural Health. This publication provides important public health news from across the state. Have news to share? Contact Deb Nickels at dnickels@kdhe.state.ks.us. To view previous months of Connections click here

Primary Care Program - News and Accomplishments

• Joining in the ceremonial April 30th signing are bill sponsors Senator Vicki Schmidt and Representative Kay Wolf. Others include:Susan Kang, KDHE; Barbara Gibson, KDHE; Kathy Greenlee, Secretary Dept of Aging; Cindy Luxem, Kansas Health Care Association; Craig Kaberline, Kansas Area Agencies on Aging; Mary Sloan, Kansas Assoc of Homes and Services for the Aging; Tracy Russell, Kansas Health Policy Authority; and Frank Whitchurch of Prescription Solutions. SB 491 may be found online at: http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/491.pdf 

This year, two sets of tables were prepared showing income breakdowns for either 4 or 5 household income categories.
Eligibility Guidelines (.pdf)

SOURCE: Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 15 / Wednesday, January 23, 2008 / Notices

Rural Health Program - News and Accomplishments

• Midwest Critical Care Collaborative (MCCC) partners are working with rural KS hospitals. The hospitals are benefiting from a patient sepsis screening tool. The sepsis screening tool can be individualized for rural hospitals and is being disseminated to rural hospitals through out the state. View the Sepsis Project poster presentation and for about the project information link to http://www.critcarecollab.org/kscritcare/Home/tabid/99/Default.aspx 

• March 3, 2008 State Network Council meeting was convened as part of the KHA- Annual Rural Health Symposium in Wichita. Attendees enjoyed the speakers, the luncheon and networking with colleagues and friends. View pictures.

• Quality Health Indicators (QHi), is a web-based electronic data collection system for Critical Access Hospitals. It originated in KS. The unique public-private partnership that created QHi continues to enhance and strengthen the project.  We are pleased to share this 4-minute video which visually displays the function, and benefits of QHi

Trauma Program - News and Accomplishments

• Southwest Kansas Regional Trauma Council Meeting held by ITV.  On March 14th, the Southwest Kansas Regional Trauma Council (SWKTRC) held an executive committee meeting by Interactive Television (ITV).  The ITV meeting was hosted by Mary Adam of the Pioneer Health Network in Garden City.  ITV is a system that provides voice and video teleconferencing over the internet and has ITV bridges located in 70 locations statewide.  Executive Committee members attended the meeting from Pioneer Health Network in Garden City, Bob Wilson Hospital in Ulysses, Lane County Hospital in Dighton, and Wichita County Health Center in Leoti.  The SWKRTC Executive Committee plans to hold quarterly meetings by ITV to decrease meeting travel time and expenses.  The Committee is also researching trauma educational opportunities that can be provided to the southwest region by ITV. 

• The Kansas Trauma Program would like to take this opportunity to introduce a new staff person.  Jeanette Shipley was hired effective January 28, 2008 as the Regional Trauma Coordinator.  Jeanette will work directly for Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Kansas Trauma Program.  Kendra Tinsley who previously served in this capacity has accepted a new position with the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care.

Click here for Jeanette's contact information.

2008 Regional Trauma Council Schedule Set