c o n n e c t i o n s - university of kansas medical …new center for breast cancer that was...
TRANSCRIPT
c o n n e c t i o n s
S isters Karla Westerman of rural Kingman County and Karen Tommer of Newton
were both battling breast cancer last year. Karen, the younger sister, had first been diag-
nosed when she was only 31 and had been can-cer-free for several years when she learned that the cancer had metastasized in her bones. For Karla, age 45, breast cancer was her first diagnosis.
During appoint-ments at KU Medi-cal Center in Kansas City in January, they learned about a new center for breast cancer that was opening in Wichita, not far from their hometowns. They attended the grand opening of the KU Wichita Center for Breast Cancer Survivor-ship in March and signed up for a six-week nutrition class.
After four weeks of classes, Karla said the class had helped them both learn strategies to fight their estrogen-based cancer and build weakened bone mass. “We learned that extra weight pro-duces estrogen, which is not good for our kind of cancer,” she said. “We’ve both had hysterecto-mies, which is harder on bones.”
Karla sees the center as a resource for filling in the gaps of cancer treatment, which is exactly
how center organizers envisioned it after a series of focus groups a few years ago indicated a need for support that goes beyond traditional cancer treatment.
Center Director Judy Johnston, MS, RD, LD, remembers wishing someone had been there to help guide her through treatment 14 years ago and provide some direction once it ended. She knows first-hand how life-changing a diagnosis of breast cancer is and sees the center as provid-
ing a comprehensive survivorship plan – both during and after treatment.
Carol Bush, patient navigator for the Midwest Cancer Alliance and an adviser to the center, pointed out that the defini-tion of cancer “survivor” has shifted in
recent years “Our definition of survivorship is from
point of diagnosis on. It’s not post-treat-
ment,” she said. “It used to be you
weren’t considered a survivor until you were cancer-free for five years, but there are a lot of needs before that time,” Johnston added. Anyone who has ever received a diagnosis of breast cancer is eligible to receive services.
A $350,000 grant from the Mid-Kansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure helped found the center, which is located
at Cypress Medical Park in northeast Wichita. That funding also provides for outreach services to rural Kansans as well as funds to ensure that
Rural Health Education and Services Vol. 18 No. 4 Spring 2010
What’sInside...
Page 3‘Doctors on Call’ Page 5Kansas Scholars in Rural Health
Page 6Grants boost health information technology
Page 7Kansas Recruitment Center - Job listings
Page 15Ellsworth lauded for collaborative efforts
Page 16Rural health care provider spotlight
Page 18See the wonders of Kansas this spring
Page 19Larned hospital
Page 19Telehealth availability
Continued on page 4
New Center for breast cancer survivorshipOffers statewide services for cancer patients
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
Save the date for KCO The dates for this year’s Kansas Career
Opportunities events have been set. Rural Health Education and Services will host the annual Kansas Career Opportunities (KCO) events October 14 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and on October 28 in Wichita at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita. KCO is a career fair designed to introduce medical students, resident physicians, and other health care professionals to rural com-munities seeking health care providers. Rural Kansas communities are invited to exhibit at the career fairs to discuss health care career opportunities in their area.
Please visit Rural Health’s Kansas Career Opportunities page on our website (http://ruralhealth.kumc.edu/krc/kco.html) for more information.
Tilden announces June departureChris Tilden, Director of the Bureau of
Local and Rural Health (BLRH), has an-nounced that he will step down from his position in June to become the Executive Director of the Mountain States Group in Boise, Idaho. The Mountain States Group is a non-profit organization with a diverse port-folio of programs in maternal/child health, aging, mental health, refugee services, and rural health. He leaves BLRH after serving for almost a decade.
During his tenure the bureau has seen tre-mendous growth. Of course, these achieve-ments would not have been possible without collaboration with a diverse array of partner organizations and individuals. It is that spirit of partnership that attracted Chris to the bureau in 2001 and has made the decision to accept a new position very difficult. In his announcement Chris stated, “Work-
ing at BLRH has been the most rewarding experience of my professional life. I am proud of the achievements of our bureau, made possible by partnership with countless stakeholders and collaborators. I treasure the many friendships I have made at KDHE and with partner organizations and providers I have met and worked with across the state. I am inspired by their work each and every day and consider every one of them a true hero.”
We would like to wish Chris the best of luck in his new position and thank him for all he has done here in our great state of Kansas.
Coffey County CEO recognized as Grassroots Champion
The American Hospital Association, in partnership with the Kansas Hospital Association, has awarded Dennis George, CEO at Coffey Health System, Burlington, Kan. with AHA’s Grassroots Champion Award. This award recognizes his exceptional
leadership in generat-ing grassroots and community activ-ity in support of the hospital’s mission.
The AHA Grass-roots Champion Award was created to recognize those hospital leaders who
most effectively educate elected officials on how major issues affect the hospital’s vital role in the community, who have done an exemplary job in broad-ening the base of community support for hospitals, and who are tireless advocates for the hospital and its patients.
Dennis has worked in health care for 27 years, including 19 years as the CEO at
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From The Director . . .Joyce Grayson
Kansas Connections is published four times a year by the University of Kansas Medical Center, Rural Health Education and Services, Kansas City and Wichita. KUMC is an AA/EO/Title IX Institution. This publi-cation is available in alternate formats upon request. Contact Amanda Gardner, (316) 293-2649. Kansas Relay Number 1-800-766-3777
DIRECTOR
Joyce GraysonADVISOR
Lorene ValentineEDITOR /GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Amanda GardnerCONTRIBUTING WRITER
Cindy Mines
http://ruralhealth.kumc.edu
Continued on back page
Dennis George
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When Smoky Hills Public Television came up with
the idea five years ago for a pro-gram called “Doctors on Call,” its of-ficials rented broadcast studios in Hays because they didn’t think physicians would make the trek to Bunker Hill to appear on the program. Bunker Hill doesn’t even have a medical clinic – the closest is in Russell – so they didn’t have access to local authorities for the new call-in program.
Today, the show has grown so much in popularity that physicians gladly make the drive – which can be three hours or longer – to appear on the live call-in program that focuses on a different health topic each week.
“The medical community in general has been very receptive since it started and was even more so as the program progressed,” said Nancy Selbe, who was coordinating producer when “Doctors on Call” started and is producer this season. “The number of calls has dramatically increased as we’ve continued the series.”
Because some topics were so popular that not all callers could be accommodated, the show has been lengthened to an hour several times this season, according to Kari Sparks, marketing and communications manager for the public TV station. He has acted as host and moderator of the program for the past two years.
“We come up with the topics and then ask doctors in the field if they’d like to participate,” Sparks said. “We get doctors from all over -- Garden City to Hoisington to Great Bend to Oakley. Some drive three and a half hours to get here and we really, really appreciate it.”
Each show begins with Sparks giving an overview of a medical topic and then two health care professionals provide more detailed information and
‘Doctors on Call’ TV program features Kansas physicians
answer callers’ questions.
About 60 physicians have appeared on the program since it started, according to Selbe. “They seem to enjoy it and having people in their community mention seeing them on television,” she said. She noted that the increased number of calls in recent years has indicated a growing popularity for the program.
One-hour programs were planned this season for heart disease, diabetes, digestive disorders, eye health, and cancer. Upcoming programs and topics are: May 11, cancer and mind-body connection as it relates to healing; May
18, plastic surgery; and May 25, orthopaedics.
Some recent programs and the featured “on call” physicians include:
heart disease, Jeff Curtis, MD, and Gary Benton, MD, Hays; kidney issues, Johanna McCullagh, MD, Hays, and Henry Reed, MD, Salina; diabetes, Timothy Crater, MD, Hutchinson, and Jon Richards, MD, Salina; colon cancer, Charles Weintz, DO, Hays, and Mark Fesen, MD, Hutchinson; urology, Dan Witt, DO, Hoisington, and Ron Catanese, MD, Garden City.
Recent programs can be viewed online; topics include heart disease, kidney issues, surgical options for weight loss, diabetes, colon cancer, and sleep disorders.
The show, which can be viewed live on the website or on Smoky Hills Public Television, airs at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and is repeated on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Questions can be called in to (800)337-4788 or e-mailed to [email protected]. To watch a program or for more information, visit smokyhillstv.org/ and click on Local Programs.
May 11: Cancer (special hour-long episode) - includes information on the mind/body connection as it relates to healingMay 18: Plastic SurgeryMay 25: Orthopedics
Upcoming programs
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
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uninsured and underinsured patients also have access to services.
A similar center opened at KU Medical Center in Kansas City in 2007, but it is the Wichita location that is charged with reaching out to the rest of the state.
Johnston and Bush see outreach occurring through the Midwest Cancer Alliance’s exist-ing network of cancer community centers in Goodland, Hays, Salina, Hutchinson, and Pittsburg; KUMC Area Health Education
Centers (AHECs) in the east, north-west, and southwest; and regional groups such as the WEPAC Alliance in southwest Kansas. Plans also call for distance education for health care providers and individuals.
Bush sees the process as creating a network with spokes reaching out to various constitu-encies. “Our goal is to deliver services in their home communities,” she said, adding that there were no models to follow for such a com-munity-based collaborative effort.
Johnston emphasizes that the center does not do cancer treatment or duplicate services in the
community. “We fill in the gaps,” she said. Once contact is made with the center, the
process of compiling an assessment begins with a request for oncology records. A survivorship plan is then developed by a team of profession-als which includes looking at possible compli-cations and side effects of treatment as well as analyzing the need for psychological support and follow-up care.
The plan might include meeting with a dietitian or taking a nutrition or exercise class;
meeting with an endocrinologist, who examines breast cancer-re-lated metabolic issues such as bone and cardiovascular health; or consult-ing a psychologist
or licensed clinical social worker for support. The final recommendation and comprehen-
sive plan is reviewed by the survivor and their support network and then communicated to the primary care physician, oncologist, breast surgeon, and everyone else on the health care team.
“Everyone’s plan is different,” Johnston said. The center is located in Cypress Medical
Park at 9300 E. 29th Street North in Wichita. For more information, call 316-293-2655.
Center continued from cover
Our goal is to deliver services in their home communities.
Judy Johnston, Center Director, MS, RD, LD
Judy Johnston
Goodland, Hays, Salina, Hutchinson, Pittsburg, Garden City, Ashland Wilmore, Englewood, Protection, Coldwater, Wichita, Kansas City
Survivorship Outreach
Cancer Survivorship Outreach
communities that are a part of the cancer survivorship outreach plan
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The application deadline for the Kansas Scholars in Rural Health
program, which was created in 1997 to increase the number of physicians in rural areas, is June 10. The application process is open to college undergradu-ates who would like to practice medi-cine in rural Kansas in a primary care field such as family medicine, internal medicine or general pediatrics.
If those selected fulfill all of the requirements during their last two years of undergraduate study, they are guaranteed admission to KU School of Medicine. Up to 14 college juniors are selected each year for the program.
The program is designed to attract and retain young rural Kansans with a high probability of successful careers in rural communities, according to Dr. K. James Kallail, professor of internal medicine at the KU School of Medicine – Wichita and director of Kansas Schol-ars in Rural Health.
The program has named 104 rural
scholars thus far, according to Dr. Kal-lail. To date, eighteen have graduated from residency programs so far with 11 practicing in rural or “non-urban” areas. Three former participants are now mentors for scholars in their own com-munities.
Requirements for selected scholars include shadowing an assigned rural mentor/physician in his or her home community for at least 40 hours each semester. Dr. Kallail notes that students who eventually practice in rural com-munities often report that they had an identifiable mentor or positive early ex-perience with a physician in their area. Also, rural physicians are more likely to have grown up in a rural community.
Application requirements include: the student must be a Kansas resident with a connection to a rural commu-nity; score at or above 75th percentile on ACT/SAT tests; completed certain undergraduate courses; and demonstrate dedication, compassion, and a com-
mitment to service. After applications are reviewed, up to 20 candidates are selected for interviews. Students’ perfor-mance and eligibility for continuing are reviewed at the end of the junior and senior years.
Other requirements for assured admission include graduation from an accredited college or university; a 3.5 or higher GPA in a premedical program; participation in the Kansas Scholars in Rural Health programs; and a satisfac-tory score on the MCAT exam. During the senior year, participants complete a manuscript reviewing a topic related to rural health service or clinical care.
Participants in the Kansas Scholars in Rural Health Program also are given priority for available student loans through the Kansas Medical Student Loan Program.
An application and more information is available at kumc.edu/som/scholars.html.
Kansas Scholars in Rural Health Program charts path to medical school
Candi Nigh, a Kansas Scholars in Rural Health participant is now a fourth year medical student. She will graduate from the University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita this year and start her Family Medicine residency this summer at Wesley Regional Medical Center in Wichita.
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
6
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced
in February that it would award more than $9 million to the Kansas Health Information Exchange project to assist in creating a statewide system
for transferring digital patient records among medical providers.
Proponents of health information exchange say it will make delivery of medical care more efficient and possibly lower costs by avoiding duplications of services. It also will allow for faster emergency room treatment because providers will be able to immediately access medical records, even if the patient had never been at that hospital or was visiting from another state.
“This announcement is great news for Kansas as it will bring countless opportunities in terms of creating jobs, advancing technology, and reducing our overall health care costs,” Gov. Mark Parkinson said when announcing the funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was signed into law last year.
Federal officials have set a goal of 2014 for every American to have a digital health record. Secretary Roderick Bremby of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is spearheading the efforts for a statewide health information exchange.
The Kansas e-Health Advisory Council with stakeholders from more
than 30 health care organizations has been created to guide the planning and implementation of health information exchange. The council is studying governance, technology, business operations, and finance as well as
privacy protection, security of personal health information, and rules governing the exchange of health records.
“Through health information exchange, Kansans will experience a greater quality of care, delivered more efficiently,” Bremby said. “This funding is a good investment that will positively affect the way health care is provided and will support health care providers as they implement this powerful technology.”
In addition to the money awarded to the Health Information Exchange Project, Topeka-based Kansas Foundation for Medical Care Inc. has received a $7 million stimulus grant for a four-year project to provide direct clinical and technical assistance to priority primary-care providers in Kansas as they transition from paper to electronic health records. The agency is working with KDHE, the e-Health Advisory Council, Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, and other partners to maximize services to Kansans.
In late January, the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) announced it had received a $1.7 million stimulus
grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The grant will fund the initial deployment of health information technology within the state Medicaid system and Children’s Health Insurance Program. Those two programs currently cover more than 315,000 Kansans.
KHPA’s efforts are being closely coordinated with the larger statewide efforts, according to Andy Allison, acting executive director of KHPA. “We’re fortunate that this project is being funded by the federal government,” he said. “This is a difficult time to launch new projects and new initiatives, but the push toward health information technology is a top priority for medical providers throughout Kansas.”
The goal is to improve the quality of health care in Kansas, according to Dr. Barb Langner, KHPA’s acting Medicaid director. “When your health care providers have secure access to your records, it’s easier for them to give the right kind of care. Putting these records in electronic form makes it possible to review records for missing treatments and to improve prevention. It also makes it easier for providers to avoid duplication and costly mistakes like prescribing the wrong medication. So in the end it not only improves quality, but it can lower costs.”
Grants boost health information technology in Kansas
Through health information exchange, Kansans will experience a great quality of care, delivered more efficiently.
Secretary Roderick Bremby, KDHE
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The mission of the Kansas Recruitment Center (KRC) is to assist Kansas’ rural communities in recruiting and retaining physicians and other health care providers.
KRC works with hospitals, private physician practices, community health centers, and other organizations recruiting physicians, nurses, physician assistants or other health care professionals.
KRC is also a health care career service for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners and other allied health professionals. KRC assists can-didates in finding a community and practice or career opportunity that meets their requirements. Services are provided to candidates at no charge. Candidates should refer to a position by number when they are calling about a specific opening. For more information, contact the University of Kansas Medical Center, Rural Health Education and Services, 316-293-2649 or 1-888-503-4221, or visit the Web site at www.KansasRecruitmentCenter.com.
May 2010
K A N S A S R E C R U I T M E N T C E N T E R
NORTH CENTRAL
KRC.0729.0701.03 Orthopedist – group practice affiliated with a regional medical center serves a population of 60K; competitive salary; great benefits; H1-B Visa opportunity
KRC.0506.0503.01C Family Physician –25-bed CAH and rural health clinic; current staffing includes 1 physician and 1 PA; call is 1:3; salary: $135,000-$150,000; full benefits
KRC.1006.1801.01 Family Physician – without OB for 25-bed CAH; current staff: 3 FPs, 1 surgeon, and 1 PA/NP; hospital facilities include a 25-bed long term care unit and outreach clinic that is staffed 2 ½ days/week; rotating local on-call backup; salary is $145,000-$165,000; full benefits
KRC.1106.1801.05 Emergency Medicine – 25-bed CAH; current staff: 3 FPs, 1 surgeon, 1 PA/NP, hospital facilities include a 25-bed long term care unit, outreach clinic staffed 2 ½ days per week; rotat-ing call; salary -$145,000-$165,000; full benefits
KRC.0707.0701.11 Family Physician – w/o OB for 2-campus, 99-bed hospital w/ secondary campus 20 miles southwest; salary is $140,000 + production incentive + sign-on bonus; call is 1:2; full benefits
KRC.0707.0701.12C Obstetrician/Gynecologist – 2-campus, 99-bed, regional acute care hospital; primary campus located in town, 2nd is 20 miles southwest; currently 450 births annually w/ growth expected; call is divided in two, unassigned will be 1:4 and practice call will be 1:2; NP will cover physician’s first call about ½ of the time; salary is $240,000-$300,000; full benefits
KRC.0307.1202.07 Family PhysicianKRC.0307.1202.08 Internist – 14-bed modern,
progressive CAH w/ large rural health clinic and ER; caseload includes inpatient and outpatient; salary is competitive and negotiable; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.1008.1619.11 Hospitalist – 385-bed regional health center, focuses on career, community, & fam-ily; 125 physicians on staff; competitive salary; full benefits
KRC.0708.1916.09 Registered Nurse – for 12-bed ICU; the 385-bed hospital focuses on career, community, and family; 125 physicians on staff; salary is competitive and negotiable; full benefits
KRC.1108.1801.10 Occupational Therapist – 52-bed CAH with a new physical therapy department; salary range: $62,400 - $72,800 depending on experience; Full benefits with CME allowance, and relocation.
KRC.1208.1202.09 Medicine-Pediatrics – mod-ern, progressive, and soon-to-be renovated CAH, with a large rural health clinic and ER coverage. Pa-tient caseload includes both inpatient and outpatient. salary range is $160,000 to $180,000; full benefits package offered.
KRC.0109.1916.13 Internal Medicine – 385-bed regional health center; competitive salary with sign-ing bonus, full benefits; stipend of $1,000 per month for qualified residents
KRC.0607.1916.02 Orthopaedic Surgeon – suc-cessful group practice; opportunity for qualified residents to earn $1000/month while completing training; excellent salary; full benefits
KRC.0209.1916.17 Gastroenterologist – large multispecialty group; Opportunity for qualified residents to earn $1000/month while completing
training; competitive salary, negotiable; full benefits.
KRC.0209.1916.22 Otolaryngologist – group practice; full case load from day one; aggressive com-pensation and benefits package, large signing bonus, partnership tract and a collegial working atmosphere.
KRC.0209.1916.19 Dermatologist – BC/BE for Dermatological and Medical Aesthetics care in a well organized and growing private practice; mix of general dermatology, medical aesthetics, and surgical dermatology; aggressive compensation, fantastic bonus potential, full benefits, signing bonus, paid relocation expenses.
KRC.0708.0701.13 Urologist – two-campus, 99-bed, regional acute care hospital. New practice; Call is negotiable and may be shared. able to develop the program. specialty is in very high demand; great salary; full benefits.
KRC.1208.0707.03 Internal Medicine – well-estab-lished practice, build a two physician internal medi-cine practice from the ground up with ownership in a 33-bed full service hospital; competitive salary with full benefits
KRC.0709.1314.01 Nurse Practitioner KRC.0709.1314.02 Physician Assistant – Family Practice Clinic in a great community; current staff: 7 physicians, 2 PAs, and 2 NPs. includes clinic visits, hospital/ER coverage. Day and night ER call cover-age is required; competitive salary; great benefits.
KRC.0609.1916.23 Pediatrician – board certified or eligible, private practice, with privileges at the 385-bed hospital; clinic is focused on providing quality patient care; A collegial working atmosphere and a healthy balance of career and family; aggressive compensation, great benefits.
Continued
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
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KRC.0909.1916.24 Radiologist – Radiology group seeks a BC/BE Radiologist to practice with well-established physicians; competitive compensation and benefits package, large signing bonus, partner-ship tract, paid relocation and a collegial working atmosphere.
KRC.0909.1916.26 Neurologist – BC/BE for Regional Health Care facility to be a part of their growing Neuro/Psych program; includes outpatient services only and no call required; great benefits, compensation package.
KRC.0909.1916.28 Urologist – Single specialty group seeks a BC/BE Urologist to join one of the most productive and respected clinics in area, to join 5 well-established urologists; aggressive compensa-tion, benefits package, relocation expenses, partner-ship tract.
KRC.0909.0701.18 Physician Assistant – to help an Orthopedic surgeon at a 50-bed hospital; experience in orthopedics in preferred, but not required. PA will provide in the clinic and in the OR; competitive salary, great benefits.
KRC.1009.2303.07 Nurse Practitioner – oppor-tunity available at FQHC; to work a 36-hour work week with one half-day off per week for taking call; clinic hours Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. 8-12 and 1-5p; Thurs. 8-7p; 1 hr lunch break daily, work late on Thurs. 1:3; excellent salary and benefits.
KRC.0110.0306.04 Family Physician – w/ OB for 25-bed hospital w/ 2 satellite clinics. Currently on staff: 3 FPs, 1 GS; call coverage is 1:4 weekends and backup call during the week; negotiable salary, great benefits
KRC.0110.1919.06 Dental Hygienist – for FQHC clinic, will be moving to new clinic; currently on staff: 2 dentists, 1 hygienist, 4 dental assistants; must have current KS license and have graduated from certified RDH program, Extended Care Permit and experience w/ electronic dental records is a plus. Clinic hours are Mon-Fri 8-5
KRC.0210.1919.07 Dentist – FQHC seeks Dentist for their growing staff; currently on staff: 4 faculty physicians, 12 family medicine residency physicians, 4 PAs, 1 dentist, 2 dental hygienists, and support staff; no call coverage, clinic hours: Mon- Fri 8-5; salary is $105,000-$125,000 dependent upon qualifications, great benefits
KRC.1209.1916.33 Medicine-Pediatrics – BC/BE for growing practice; aggressive compensation, benefits package, partnership tract; newly completed patient tower and renovations on facility
KRC.1109.0311.04 Physician Assistant – for well-established and busy family medicine practice; schedule is 4.5 days per week; currently on staff: 4
FPs and 1 PA/NP; no call coverage; salary is $60,000 - $70,000 + production bonus; great benefits
KRC.1108.1801.12 Physical Therapist – 52-bed CAH with new PT department; currently on staff: 2 PTs, 4 PTAs, and 2 assistants; experienced therapists and new graduates are encouraged to apply; must have Kansas licensure or be eligible; salary starts at $66,560 and increases DOE; great benefits
KRC.1209.1916.32 Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist – behavioral health clinic looking for a child and adolescent psychiatrist to provide care to patients; the development of inpatient child and adolescent services and of expanded consultations is encouraged; although primarily outpatient, consults on inpatients may occur throughout the hospital with a variety of ages
KRC.1109.0311.05 Nurse Practitioner - position available for an experienced NP in a well-established, busy family medicine practice; schedule is 4.5 days/ week; currently 4 FPs and 1 PA/NP on staff; no call coverage; salary range is $60,000 - $70,000 + production bonus w/ one-year contract; excellent benefits
KRC.0410.2303.09 Dental HygienistKRC.0410.2303.08 Dentist – for mission oriented FQHC, expanding facility to house 2 FTE dentists and support staff; outstanding position for someone who really wants to make a difference; negotiable salary, great benefits
KRC.0410.1916.35 Neurologist – BE/BC Neurolo-gist to assist with in-patient and out-patient care; needs experience in EEG, EMG, Nerve Conduction and an interest in stroke is a plus; choice of compen-sation model
NORTHEAST
KRC.1007.2201.01C Family Physician – to join 2 physician at group practice clinic; salary is $140,000+; call coverage rotates; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0808.0704.09 Pediatrician – for hospital-employed and managed practice; the hospital service area is 45,000 and they expect 30,000 new residents within the next 6 years; the hospital has completed a $43 million expansion; 1 pediatrician on staff; salary is $140,000-$150,000; full benefits
KRC.0808.1316.01 Internist – for multi-specialty group including 13 physicians whose specialties include internal medicine, pulmonology, cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, gerontology, pain man-agement, and immunology; 4 PAs/NPs on staff; 4 satellite clinics; 120-bed admitting health center; call is 1:8; salary is competitive and negotiable; benefits
KRC.0309.1807.01 Family Physician – with OB for a newly constructed hospital based clinic; office in a new hospital-based clinic; call is every 5-6 week-nights and 5th-6th weekend; salary range is $180,000 to $200,000; great benefits
KRC.0509.0812.01 Internal Medicine – Not-for-Profit organization. 20-30 hours/week within the Mon. -Fri. 8am-5:00pm; tremendous flexibility; great benefits; salary range of $53-$65/hr.
KRC.0509.0812.02 Family Physician – Not-for-Profit organization. 20-30 hours/week within the Mon. -Fri. 8am-5:00pm; tremendous flexibility; great benefits; salary range of $53-$65/hr
KRC.0509.0812.03 Emergency Medicine – Not-for-Profit organization. 20-30 hours/week within the Mon. -Fri. 8am-5:00pm; tremendous flexibility; great benefits; salary range of $53-$65/hr
KC.0709.2303.04 Family Physician – w/o OB, available at FQHC; currently on staff: 1 physician and 2 NPs; no current in-pt care, but will be 1-3 admis-sions/ mo. Outstanding opportunity to make a dif-ference in a community; salary is negotiable; salary: $135,000 to $185,000 with comprehensive benefits.
KRC.0709.2303.05 Internal Medicine – w/o OB, at FQHC; currently on staff: 1 physician and 2 NPs; no current in-pt care, but will be 1-3 admissions/ mo. Outstanding opportunity to make a difference in a community; salary is negotiable; salary: $135,000 to $185,000 with comprehensive benefits.
KRC.0709.2303.06 Medicine Pediatrics – w/o OB, at FQHC; currently on staff: 1 physician and 2 NPs; no current in-pt care, but will be 1-3 admis-sions/ mo. Outstanding opportunity to make a dif-ference in a community; salary is negotiable; salary: $135,000 - $185,000 with comprehensive benefits.
KRC.0909.0505.01 Emergency Medicine Physician – BC/BE in EM or other primary care specialty with current EM experience for great hos-pital near Kansas City; single covered 12 hour shifts; salary$170,000+, benefits.
KRC.1009.1313.30 Respiratory Therapist – CRT/RRT position available in 150-bed hospital; full and part-time opportunities are available; typically 12 hour shifts; nights; salary: $27,400 to $52,000 DOE and hours worked; great benefits.
KRC.1009.1313.29 Physician Assistant – with background in interventional cardiology needed at a 150-bed acute care hospital; position would require some call coverage; salary: $62,500 to $99,500 DOE; full benefits
KRC.0509.1101.06 Family PhysicianKRC.0210.1101.07 General Practitioner – w/o
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OB for HPSA designated FQCH and Dental Center; currently on staff: 1 physician, 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, 2 ARNPs, 1 PA, 1 child psychologist, 2 case manag-ers. Shared call coverage for clinic patients, hospital call rotation is 1:6 for weekend coverage, no ER call; salary is $130,000-$145,000, great benefits
KRC.1209.0704.16 Registered Nurse – for med/surg unit of 92-bed hospital; hospital employed position with competitive salary range; experienced RNs and new graduates are encouraged to apply; great benefits
KRC.1009.0704.15 Nursing Unit Manager – for OR of 92-bed hospital; RNs in the OR are respon-sible for scheduling and coordination of surgeries in the OR, patients/physicians, and staff; hospital employed position offering a competitive salary; experienced RNs and new graduates are encouraged to apply; great benefits
KRC.1209.1313.31 Registered Nurse – 150-bed hospital; RNs needed for OR, birth and women’s care center, medical, surgical, critical care, and ER; varying shifts and both part time and full time op-portunities; full time salary range is 39,500 to 78,500 depending on experience; great benefits
KRC.0509.0704.12 Family Medicine – w/o OB; established rural health clinic in a new multi-specialty clinic on the hospital grounds; salary is competitive and negotiable depending on training and experience + bonus incentive available; excellent benefits
KRC.0310.1401.12 Laboratory Director – 24-bed CAH; currently on staff: 4 physicians, 1 PA/NP, 1 Med-Tech, 2 Med/Lab Techs, 1 phlebotomist/sec-retary; call shared equally among all staff; must have ASCP or equivalent; salary is negotiable and depend-ing on experience; great benefits
KRC.0310.1101.08 Nurse Practitioner – Feder-ally Qualified Community Health and Dental Center seeks nurse practitioner to join 1 physician, 1 dentist, 1 hygienist, 2 ARNPs, 1 Clinical Psychologist and 2 case managers; no call coverage; $60,000 - $70,000; great benefits
KRC.0410.2002.01 Registered Nurse – with Psychiatry experience for caring team, focusing on assisting families/children with crisis situations, providing emotional /physical comfort to clients, part of support team to deliver high-quality services and care; some on-call; current RN license in good standing, BSN preferred, but not required, minimum of two years of psychiatric nursing experience, required, must be over 21 and have a satisfactory driving record, full time with competitive salary and benefits
KRC.0410.0602.01 Nurse Practitioner – part-time at a great safety net clinic, focus on family medicine; free clinic operates with large volunteer base of 15 physicians and PAs/NPs; no call; NP is
responsible for direct patient care 10 hours per week in outpatient setting; salary is $36.81 per/hour with a 2 year contract term and does offer accrued paid time off, relocation assistance may be available.
NORTHWEST
KRC.0603.0801.01 Orthopedist – 2 positions avail-able for group practice; 190+ bed state-of-the-art medical center with an in-clinic MRI and wellness facility; 90 physicians on active medical staff; salary negotiable; benefits; H1-B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0603.0801.18 Gastroenterologist – 190+ bed state-of-the-art medical center w/new wellness facility; 90 physicians on active medical staff; salary negotiable; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0505.0703.01 Family Physician – with OB, prefer c-section certified; 25-bed CAH; currently 3 physicians and 1 PA/NP; call is 1:4 as secondary to ARNP (primary ER call); salary includes base + productivity incentive, approximately $150,000+ depending on OB and procedures; full benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.1205.0801.23 Internist – 190+ bed, state of the art medical center and wellness facility; currently 90 physicians on staff; call is 1:5; salary is negotiable; benefits; an outstanding hospital in a positive and progressive environment; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0606.1404.01C Family Physician –25-bed CAH; OB preferred; rural health clinic on-site (4-day schedule); current staff: 3 FPs, 1 general surgeon, 1 PA/NP; call is 1:5 ER and 1:3 OB; salary is $140,000-$150,000 + incentives; full benefits; J-1 and H-1B opportunity
KRC.0906.1602.01C Family Physician – 25-bed CAH with a 33-bed long term care unit attached; 2 clinics - one in town, and one 15 miles away; out of town clinic has a physician half day/week and FT NP; new FP will work in the clinic 4.5 days and will perform rounds on long term care patients and their patients in the hospital; OB preferred, but not required; no high-risk OB; current staff: 1 physician (does OB), 1 NP, and 2 PAs; call is 1:4 with second call backup for the PAs; salary is $150,000-$165,000; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.1803.04C Family Physician – w/o OB for health center that operates a 24-bed CAH, 2 rural health clinics, 8 specialty clinics, and retirement community; to see patients in rural health clinic and long-term care, and participate in the admission and delivery of inpatient care; call is no more than 1:3 ½ ; currently 3 full-time providers on staff; salary is $150,000-$170,000; excellent benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.1803.05C Internist – for health center that operates a 24-bed CAH, 2 rural health clinics, 8 specialty clinics, and a retirement community; to see
patients in a rural health clinic setting and long-term care, to participate in the admission and delivery of inpatient care; call is 1:3½ or less; currently 3 full-time providers on staff; salary is $150,000-$170,000; excellent benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.0801.27 Pulmonologist/Critical Care Physician – for 2 physician team, practice attached to hospital; the 190+ bed state-of-the-art medical center has 90 physicians on staff; call is 1:3; salary is competitive and negotiable; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0707.0402.03 Family Physician – w/ or w/o OB for group practice in 24-bed CAH and 36-bed long term care unit; current staff: 3 FPs and 1 NP on staff; to work in clinic w/in walking distance of hospital; call is 1:4; 1 satellite facility; salary: $130,000-$150,000; loan repayment and relocation; H1-B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0707.0402.04 Internist – group practice in 24-bed CAH and 36-bed long term care unit; current staff: 3 FPs and 1 NP; Internist will work in clinic w/in walking distance of hospital; call is 1:4; 1 satellite facility; salary: $130,000-$150,000; loan repayment and relocation; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0208.0714.06 Registered Nurse – 16-bed newly remodeled CAH; experience and new grads encouraged to apply; the hospital offers well-rounded experience and mentoring; very strong staff w/ low turnover; ADN or BSN welcome; very aggressive with educational opportunities: NALS, PALS, ACLS, TNCC, and advanced burn; salary is competitive; strong benefits
KRC.0208.0714.07 Registered Nurse – w/ exten-sive labor, delivery and post-partum nursing experi-ence for 16-bed newly remodeled CAH; will work with DON and medical staff to coordinate nursing care in OB dept; strong staff w/ low turnover; ADN or BSN; very aggressive with educational opportuni-ties: NALS, PALS, ACLS, TNCC, and advanced burn; salary is competitive; strong benefits
KRC.0808.0801.33 Hospitalist – for 190+ bed, state of the art medical center and wellness facility; currently 90 physicians on staff, will be 6 hospitalists providing care; current 12 hr shift is 7on, 7 off; eve-ning coverage every 6th week; salary is competitive and negotiable; benefits
KRC.1108.1602.02 Physical Therapist – 25-bed CAH; department is expanding and remodeling; new graduates and experienced PTs encouraged to apply. must have current Kansas license; salary range $62,400-$83,200; excellent benefits package
KRC.1108.0801.35 Physical Therapist – 190+ bed, state-of-the-art medical center and wellness facility; rehabilitation center just underwent a $17 million expansion. Experienced therapists and new
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grads encouraged to apply; KS licensure and BLS certification must complete within first 2 weeks. Salary: $55,000-$58,000 for new grads, based upon experience for experienced therapists; full benefits
KRC.1108.0801.36 Occupational Therapist – 190+ bed, state-of-the-art medical center and well-ness facility. rehabilitation center just underwent a $17 million expansion; salary: $55,000-$58,000 for new grads, based upon experience for experienced therapists; full benefits
KRC.1108.0703.08 Physical Therapy Assistant – 25-bed CAH providing both inpatient and outpa-tient physical therapy treatments to local and area patients; average number of patients treated per day is 15-20. Salary: $33,280 - $45,760 depending on experience; full benefits
KRC.1108.0101.08 Occupational Therapist – 25-bed CAH that includes a 2 physician hospital-based clinic and a 68 bed long term care facility. Will work with another OT and handle 5-8 patients per day; emphasis on hand therapy preferred but not required. Salary depends on experience; range: $46,600 - $75,000; full benefits
KRC.1108.1805.04 Occupational Therapist – NEW facility; 20-bed CAH; experienced therapists and new graduates encouraged to apply; salary is ne-gotiable and depends upon experience; great benefitsKRC.1106.1805.02 Physical Therapist – NEW facil-ity; 20-bed CAH; the hospital also supports 4 satellite clinics; experienced therapists and new graduates are encouraged to apply. Salary is negotiable; fantastic benefits
KRC.1208.1803.06C Medicine-Pediatrics – health center that operates a 24-bed CAH; internist sees patients in a rural health clinic setting and long-term care facility, and participates in the admission and delivery of inpatient care. salary $160-180K + pro-ductivity bonus; excellent benefits package
KRC.0209.2001.09 Family Physician – w/o OB in a 25-bed CAH and FHC; physician will provide primary health care services in a new clinic attached to the hospital. to take over an existing patient base; great salary; full benefits
KRC.0209.0703.10 Shift Charge Nurse/Nurse Supervisor – 25-bed CAH; hospital is seeking 2 charge nurses for its day shift; ER and OB experience are preferred; salary range is $55,000 - $65,000; excellent benefits
KRC.0209.0101.09 Medical Technologist Manager – 16-bed progressive hospital; will oversee technical procedures and personnel; salary is $30,000-$40,000; excellent benefits
KRC.0209.2001.10 Internal Medicine – w/o OB in a 25 bed CAH and FHC; physician will provide primary health care services in a new clinic attached
to the hospital. to take over an existing patient base; great salary; full benefits
KRC.0609.0312.02C Family Physician – with OB for newly remodeled Rural Health Clinic, on campus of 25-bed CAH; call is 1-4; to perform C-sections. Prefer interest in pediatrics, elder care, and women’s health and commitment to the medical home con-cept; Great patient mix and enhanced reimbursement through the Rural Health Clinic. Salary: $170,000 - $190,000; great benefits.
KRC.0307.1902.05 Family Physician – w/ or w/o OB for 18-bed CAH; patient population is pediat-ric thru geriatric in variety of settings; currently 1 physician and 2 ARNP’s on staff; call is secondary; 1:4, ARNP’s take primary call; salary is $175,000-$185,000 plus a production bonus, a sign-on bonus, and ARNP supervision pay with a three-year contract; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.1902.06 Internist – for 18-bed CAH; patient population is pediatric thru geriatric in variety of settings; currently 1 physician and 2 ARNP’s on staff; call is secondary; 1:4, ARNP’s take primary call; salary: $175,000-$185,000+, a sign-on bonus, and ARNP supervision pay with a three-year contract; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.1902.08 Medicine-Pediatrics – for 18-bed CAH; patient population is pediatric thru geriatric in variety of settings; currently 1 physician and 2 ARNP’s on staff; call is secondary; 1:4, ARNP’s take primary call; salary is $175,000-$185,000 plus a production bonus, a sign-on bonus, and ARNP su-pervision pay with a three-year contract; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0209.0703.11 Physician Assistant –schedule Mon.-Fri. 8a-5p in the ER and RHC; no weekends or holiday work typically involved; no weekend or night call; top salary and benefits.
KRC.1209.1803.09 Physical Therapist – for health center which operates a 24-bed CAH, 2 RHC, 8 specialty clinics, and retirement community. Cur-rently on staff: 1 PTA, 1 PT, 1 part-time aide. New PT wing and plans for growth in the department; one or more years of experience is preferred; salary starts at $54,080 and is negotiable
KRC.1209.1805.08 Medicine-Pediatrics – 25-bed CAH; currently on staff: three other physicians and three PA/NPs; must have Kansas licensure; salary and benefits negotiable and competitive; J-1 and H-1B opportunity
KRC.0603.0801.02 Orthopedist – 190+ bed, state of the art medical center and wellness facility. Currently 90 physicians and their active medical staff. Salary is negotiable; paid vacation; benefits; CME allowance; relocation costs; four satellites; H-1B and J1 Visa opportunity
KRC.1209.1805.09 Otolaryngologist – 25-bed CAH; currently on staff: 3 other physicians and 3 PA/NPs; must have Kansas licensure or be eligible. Salary and benefits are negotiable and competitive; J-1 visa opportunity
KRC.1109.0801.38 Pediatrician – to join well-es-tablished pediatric clinic with inpatient and outpatient responsibilities; call coverage is 1:4; currently on staff: 4 physicians and 1 PA/NP; Salary is $187,000 + bonus provision with contract a duration of 3 years, great benefits
KRC.1209.1805.07 Pediatrician – 25-bed CAH, currently on staff: 3 physicians and 3 PA/NPs; must have Kansas licensure or be eligible; Salary and ben-efits are negotiable and competitive
KRC.0509.1602.03 Physician Assistant – 25-bed CAH w/ HPSA designation; call is 1:4; currently on staff: 2 physicians and 1 PA; salary is $75,000-$80,000 + production bonus; great benefits, J-1 visa opportunity
KRC.1209.1805.06 Internal Medicine – 25-bed CAH; currently on staff: 3 physicians and 2 PA/NPs; must have Kansas licensure or be eligible; salary and benefits are negotiable and competitive
KRC.0509.1602.04 Nurse Practitioner – 25-bed CAH, HPSA designation, call is 1:4; currently on staff: 2 physicians, 1 PA; salary range is $75,000-$80,000 + production bonus, great benefits
KRC.0909.0801.37 Family Physician – w/o OB for thriving family medicine clinic looking to expand; currently on staff: 6 physicians, 2 PA/NPs, 7 RNs plus support staff; call is 1:6; salary is negotiable, full benefits
KRC.0410.1503.07 Dentist – needed to build prac-tice in a great community, current dentists not able to take new patients; great need for new dentist to provide oral health services; several nearby communi-ties willing to assist in setting up practice and creating established patient base; salary starting at $125,000, benefits negotiable and include relocation costs
KRC.0308.1806.01 Dentist – needed to join safety net clinic that serves indigent and fee-for-service patients; busy office with state-of-the-art equipment; outstanding growth potential; currently on staff: one dentist, two hygienists, two assistants, and a recep-tionist; plans to move to a new building in June 2010; income potential is extremely competitive
SOUTH CENTRAL
KRC.0405.0105.05 Family Physician – without OB for hospital-based rural health clinic; varying call schedule models; Salary Range: $145,000-$160,000.
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KRC.0206.1914.02C Internist KRC.0206.1914.01C Family Physician – w/o OB for 25-bed CAH; call is 1 evening/wk and 1:5 week-ends; salary: $150,000-$160,000 w/ up to a 2 year contract; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0307.1405.01C Otolaryngologist – new group practice; strong physician support for ENTs; 105-bed admitting hospital; call would not exceed 10 days/mo; salary is competitive and negotiable; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0507.1309.05C Urologist – progressive multi-specialty group practice; salary is $350,000 (guar-anteed first year), with possible production bonus; excellent benefits
KRC.0507.1309.06C Orthopedist – for progressive multi-specialty clinic; $350,000 guaranteed first year, + possible production bonus; excellent benefits
KRC.0405.0105.08 Registered Nurse – family-fo-cused, hospital-based rural health clinic connected to 25-bed CAH; 1 physician and 3 PA/NPs on staff; shift supervisor position and full- and part-time RN posi-tions available; will consider new grads; salary range is $38,376 - $57,137 and is based on experience; great benefits
KRC.0507.1309.07C Internist – progressive multi-specialty group practice; call is 1:6; estab-lished patient base; 11 specialties, 22 physicians, and 5 PAs/NPs on staff; clinic is physician owned and governed w/ partnership available after 1 yr; salary is $150,000; excellent benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.1007.2307.01 Family Physician – with OB for rural health clinic; currently 3 physicians and 2 PAs/NPs on staff; phone call is 1:4; 4 days/week schedule; nearby 80-bed hospital; salary is competi-tive and negotiable; full benefits
KRC.0208.0809.04 Family Physician – w/o OB for 25-bed CAH; hospital expansion to begin sum-mer 2009 to include a new clinic, admissions, and lab; 3 physicians, 4 PAs/NPs on staff; call is ER 1-2 nights/week and primary call is 1:14 weekend; salary depends on experience; great benefits
KRC.0408.1604.01 Internist – group located within a 69-bed acute care facility; also, a 51-bed short-term and long-term care facility, home health agency, rural health clinics, and specialty physician clinics; cur-rently 3 internists and 1 gastroenterologist
KRC.0808.1405.05 Orthopedic Surgeon – to join established ortho practice in a brand-new, attractive office setting with ample space; position will join 1 other physician in practice w/ 2 other ortho surgeons in town to share call; 105-bed admitting hospital; hospital will provide income guarantee; benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.1108.0809.05 Occupational Therapist – 25-bed CAH; expansion project will include a new clinic, admissions, and laboratory. flexible - 20 hour position available at the hospital or a 40 hour position with travel between neighboring facilities. Salary range $54,080- $79,040; benefits
KRC.0109.1204.02 Physical Therapist – 25-bed CAH; work closely with physicians with a variety of orthopedic and neurological conditions and experi-ence a variety of settings with 75% outpatient care, as well as acute and skilled care patients; salary is competitive; full benefits; full time flexible schedule.
KRC.0109.1405.09 Speech Language Pathologist – 103-bed newly renovated/updated medical center; PRN, Monday-Friday during the day. Patients range from pediatric to geriatric; competi-tive pay; great benefits.
KRC.0209.1315.02C Family Physician – with OB; hospital employed to start and join a group when self sufficient; salary is competitive and negotiable with full benefits.
KRC.0209.1204.04 Family Physician – Without OB for a rural health clinic attached to a 25 bed CAH; progressive facility with a great team atmo-sphere; salary is $125,000 guarantee and is produc-tion based; great benefits package.
KRC.0209.1309.10C Hematologist/Oncologist – progressive multi-specialty group practice; 200-bed admitting hospital is located 5 miles from clinic; ser-vices provided at clinic, chemotherapy provided on site. Inpatient services provided by the physician. Top salary with a year guarantee and production bonus; excellent benefits
KRC.0309.1604.04 Urologist – option to be hospi-tal employed or in a solo practice; no other urologists on staff; call is negotiable. Benefits are comprehen-sive; excellent salary
KRC.0309.1920.01C Family Physician – for estab-lished practice with existing clientele. MD or DO with or without OB. The clinic is part of an 18 bed CAH and 26 long term care unit with business office and nursing staff in place. great salary; excellent benefits.
KRC.0808.0308.02 Pediatrician – group practice with suburban and rural patients in clinic and hos-pital, covering a level II nursery; complete clinical EMR/HER; currently1 full time pediatrician and part-time MDs on staff; cover deliveries at OB re-quest; call is 1:4 nights and weekends; salary range is $140,000 to $155,000 + possible bonuses; benefits
KRC.0609.0708.09 Family Physician – commu-nity health clinic with 3 satellite clinics; w/ or w/o OB depending; Call 1:5; salary range is competitive based on experience; loan repayment, CME allow-
ance; great benefits.
KRC.0609.1309.11C Family Physician – w/o OB; multi-specialty clinic; 2 physicians needed; office Practice with multi-specialty group providing general Family Practice services with hospital in-patient care; salary: $140,000-$150,000 (guarantee first year) with production bonus; outstanding comprehensive benefits package
KRC.0709.1204.08 Laboratory Director – (ASCP or equivalent); friendly RHC and 25-bed CAH; will oversee 3-4 med techs, 1 lab assistant; shared call time of 1-2 nights per week and a weekend rotation every 3rd; great salary and benefits package
KRC.0709.1921.01C Family Physician – w/ OB, family practice clinic with a four day work week. Current staff: 5 physicians and 2 PAs. Call Coverage will be shared with an eight physician rotation. Salary is $160,000 with great benefits.
KRC.0709.1315.03C Internal Medicine – join hospital employed internal medicine group; strong hospitalist skills needed for referrals from family practitioners and surgeons and office practice. Expe-rienced physician preferred; highly competitive salary with outstanding benefits
KRC.0801.1603.02 Family Physician – w/o OB; will work in a FQHC, care for children and adults in a family practice setting, some supervisory duties of NPs/ PAs and hospital care. New facility with new equipment; shared call coverage; salary range is $161,000 - $178,000; excellent benefits.
KRC.0509.0708.08 Nurse Practitioner – CHC with 3 satellite clinics; patients: birth to geriatric; hours are Mon-Fri 8a-5p, call rotation 1:5; pediatric experience preferred; excellent salary and benefits.
KRC.0909.1604.05 Nurse Practitioner – new position, join a well-established, busy family practice RHC. ARNP’s have the opportunity to see varied diagnoses of all ages; hospital owned clinic; great benefits; salary: 60,000 - $84,000.
KRC.0909.0315.01 Family Medicine – community health center; w/ or w/o OB; benefits include medi-cal, dental, 10 paid vacation days, loan repayment availability, CME allowance and a negotiable salary.
KRC.1009.0813.01 Orthopedist – BC/BE certi-fied, for 65 physician multispecialty group; fee for service group, excellent benefits and partnership after 18 mo.; practice includes a full spectrum of care; earning potential for this position is way above average.
KRC.1009.0813.02 Orthopedist – BC/BE certi-fied, with a focus on the Spine, for a 65 physician multispecialty group; fee for service group that offers
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excellent benefits and partnership after 18 mo.; prac-tice includes a full spectrum of care; earning potential for this position is way above average.
KRC.1009.0813.03 Ophthalmologist – BC/BE certified, for a 65 physician multispecialty group; fee for service group that offers excellent benefits and partnership after 18 months; practice includes a full spectrum of care; earning potential for this position is way above average.
KRC.1009.0813.04 Allergy and Immunologist – BC/BE certified, for a 65 physician multispecialty group; fee for service group that offers excellent ben-efits and partnership after 18 mo.; practice includes a full spectrum of care; earning potential for this position is way above average.
KRC.0210.1807.02 Occupational Therapist – for newly remodeled therapy department, new therapy pool; currently on staff: 1 PT, 2 PTAs, PRN COTA, and SLP staff. Great benefits, competitive salary
KRC.0110.0813.07 Gastroenterologist – BC/BE for 65 physician multispecialty group, located near 200-bed hospital; fee for service opportunity w/ excellent benefits + signing bonus, partnership after 18 months
KRC.1109.1907.05 Medicine-Pediatrics – 22-bed CAH with RHC, long-term care center, and home care agency, expansion and renovation project planned; call coverage 2 days/week; salary $145,000 - $165,000 + sign on and retention bonus; full benefits
KRC.1108.1405.06 Physical Therapist – 103-bed facility w/ about 60 physicians of all specialties; salary is $52,000 - $65,000 and depends on experience; excellent benefits
KRC.1109.1907.04 Internal Medicine – 22-bed CAH w/ attached RHC, 32-bed long-term care center, and home care agency; new renovation and expansion project planned; Call coverage is 2 days/ week, no weekends or holidays that fall on a Monday or Friday; currently on staff: 1 physician, 1 PA, 2 nurses and 2 support staff; salary is $145,000-165,000; full benefits
KRC.0709.1921.02C Family Medicine – w/ or w/out OB; join existing practice w/ 2 physicians; call coverage shared w/ 8 physician rotation; salary is $160,000-$180,000/ year w/ first year guarantee and option for year two
KRC.1104.1907.01 Family Physician – w/o OB for 22-bed CAH w/ attached rural health clinic, 32-bed long-term care center, and home care agency; renovation and expansion project planned; call cover-age is 2 day/ week; no weekends or holidays that fall on a Monday or Friday; $145,000-165,000 + sign on and retention bonus, great benefits
KRC.0210.1309.13C Pediatrician – for multi-specialty clinic w/ well-established practice/patient base; currently 2 other pediatricians including pediatric endocrinology; salary: $150,000 first year guarantee + production bonus; excellent benefits
KRC.0210.1309.14C Radiologist – for progressive multi-specialty group practice, no call time; salary is competitive and negotiable w/ year guarantee + production bonus, excellent benefits; freedom in practice, w/ buy-in option after 1 year
KRC.0410.1204.10 Director of Physical Therapy – 25-bed CAH, department serves average of 16-20 patients/day; must have KS license; currently 1 PT and 1 PTA, ST&OT PRN on staff; salary range: $65,000-$72,920; great benefits, CME allowance, relocation and possible loan repayment
KRC.0410.0708.10 Chief Dental Director - for CHC with 3 satellite clinics; currently on staff: 1 full time dentist, 2 part time dentists, 5 dental hygienists, and 1 part time hygienist; position provides profes-sional dental services, clinical leadership to medical support staff; clinic hours are Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, no call or weekend coverage; clinic is located on campus of a 420- bed full service hospital; salary range is competitive and DOE; great benefits
KRC.0410.0814.01 Family Physician – for grow-ing health center, OB is preferred, but negotiable; very supportive medical community, great working environment, currently one internist, Peds, ARNP and 8 volunteer physicians on staff; great benefits and negotiable salary
KRC.0410.0315.02 Nurse Practitioner – for non-profit urban primary health care institution to provide primary care services and manage individual caseload; rotating call schedule, but does not require weekends or holidays; ideal candidate has KS license, CPR certification, good communication skills, and clinical experience; salary range is $66,000 - $70,000
KRC.0410.0315.03 Nurse Manager - for non-profit urban primary health care institution to partici-pate in the development of clinical areas of strategic and operational plans; ideal candidate would have KS RN license and have special interest in community medicine; salary range is $45,000 - $52,000; H1-B opportunity
KRC.0410.0506.01 Dentist – self-motivated dentist needed to join caring and supportive safety net clinic; must have strong desire to meet needs of patients, ability to function well in a team; clinic takes hands-on approach to prevention for their clients; salary is $85,000-$100,000 and may be eligible for bonus
KRC.0909.1604.09 Physician Assistant – to join well-established, busy orthopedic practice, treating full spectrum of adult reconstructive, shared call cov-erage; competitive base salary with incentive bonus
KRC.0410.1604.08 Endocrinologist – for solo practice located within the hospital; hospital prefers generalist that is able to do a wide range of ENT procedures; competitive salary, full benefits
KRC.0410.1604.10 General Surgeon – for solo practice located within the hospital; hospital prefers generalist that is able to do a wide range of surgeries; competitive salary, full benefitsSOUTHEAST
KRC.0901.0103.05 Internist – multi-specialty group with 4 satellite clinics; staff includes: 6 FPs, 1 pediatrician, 2 internists, 2 general surgeons, 1 urolo-gist; the clinic offers a full spectrum of care; salary is negotiable; full benefits
KRC.0607.0305.02C Pulmonologist – 148-bed licensed, 105-bed operating medical center; not a hospital employee, salary guarantee; benefits
KRC.0607.0305.03C Otolaryngologist – 148-bed licensed, 105-bed operating medical center; not a hospital employee, provided a salary guarantee; benefits
KRC.0907.1905.02C Family Physician – busy rural health clinic; 1 FP, 1 NP, 1 practice administrator, and 1 office coordinator on staff; admitting 25-bed licensed inpatient acute care CAH directly across street; salary is competitive and negotiable; great benefits
KRC.0408.1314.01 Internist – busy multi-specialty group; 2 internists, pediatrician, 4 OB/GYNs, 1 general surgeon, and 5 FPs on staff; the 160-bed admitting hospital at same location; call is 1:2; salary: $160,000 plus bonus; benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.0208.1201.15C Internist – 109-bed hospital serves a 6 county area; will serve in-patient and out-patient pop.; currently 37 physicians representing over 15 specialties on staff; salary is competitive and negotiable; full benefits if employed by the hospital
KRC.0408.1406.02 Urologist – for solo practice; 190-bed admitting hospital; call minimum of 10 days/mo.; income guarantee of $400,000 plus RVUs; + benefits
KRC.0508.0305.05 Internist – multi-specialty group practice; 105-bed admitting medical center; 1st year guarantee offered to solo practitioner; benefits
KRC.0508.0305.06 Family Physician – w/ or w/o OB for multi-specialty group practice; 105-bed ad-mitting medical center; 1st year guarantee offered to solo practitioner; benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0508.0305.07C General Surgeon – for solo practice; 105-bed admitting medical center;
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the medical center offers practice establishment as-sistance and marketing; first year guarantee; benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.0508.0305.08C Orthopedic Surgeon – for solo practice; 105-bed admitting medical center; one ortho surgeon currently on staff; the medical center offers practice establishment assistance and first year guarantee; benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.0608.0305.10 Anesthesiologist – for solo practice; 105-bed admitting medical center; salary is competitive and based on experience; possible loan repayment and CME allowance available; H-1B opportunity
KRC.0509.1201.25C Obstetric/Gynecologist – medical center, a 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital. Salary is $300,000 with a 2 year contract; relocation costs and loan repayment are available; excellent benefits package
KRC.0509.1201.27C Otolaryngologist – medi-cal center; salary $340,000 with a 2 year contract. Relocation costs and loan repayment are available as well as CME allowance; excellent benefits package for hospital employed physician.
KRC.0509.1201.26C Endocrinologist – hospital-ist program at a 109-bed medical center. Salary is $220,000 with a 2 year contract; relocation costs and loan repayment are available, CME allowance; excel-lent benefits
KRC.1108.1201.20 Occupational Therapy – 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital; position is ortho/neuro based and treats 5-6 patients per day; experienced candidates and recent graduates encour-aged to apply; great salary and benefits.
KRC.1108.1201.21 Occupational Therapy Assistant – 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital; position is ortho/neuro based and treats 5-6 patients per day; experienced candidates and recent graduates encouraged to apply; great salary and benefits.
KRC.1108.1201.22 Physical Therapy – 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital; position treats 12-15 patients per day. Experienced candidates and recent graduates encouraged to apply. Salary: 73,000-94,000; excellent benefits.
KRC.1108.1201.23 Speech-Language Pathologist – 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital; position is an inpatient rehabilita-tion unit, acute care, and outpatient setting; salary: $70,000-$80,000; great benefits.
KRC.1108.1201.24 Physical Therapy Assistant – 109-bed acute, intensive and skilled care hospital; position treats 5-6 patients per day. Experienced can-didates and recent graduates are encouraged to apply; salary DOE with great benefits.
KRC.0909.1201.28C Orthopedic Surgeon – BC/BE for very busy group practice with 3 other ortho-pedists; would prefer candidates to have an interest in spine, foot, or ankle specialties or any subspecialty besides total joints; income guarantee for the first year is $350,000-$400,000; excellent benefits includ-ing sign on bonus.
KRC.0909.1201.29C Urologist – hospital employed or independent. The hospital would like to have a new urologist onboard by 2011. Salary is $360,000 with a one year contract; excellent benefits package.
KRC.0210.0305.14C Obstetrician/Gynecologist – BC/BE for 105-bed hospital; several employment options, call coverage depends on employment model. Excellent benefits; H-1B opportunity
KRC.0210.0305.13C Pathologist – BC/BE for 105-bed hospital; several employment options, call coverage depends on employment model. Excellent benefits; H-1B opportunity; position available in 2011/2012
KRC.0110.1903.06 Nurse Practitioner – for RHC attached to 25-bed CAH; need flexibility in schedule; no call coverage; currently on staff: 3 physicians, 1 other ARNP; negotiable salary, great benefits
KRC.0110.1903.05 Registered Nursing Manager – to oversee Med/Surg Unit and ER at 25-bed CAH; need flexibility in schedule, but primarily, work hours will be Mon-Fri 6-3; negotiable salary, great benefits
KRC.1209.1903.04 Family Medicine – for 25-bed CAH; new physician to work in RHC with 3 other physicians and 2 PA/NPs; shared call coverage, no ER coverage
KRC.1209.1201.30C Emergency Medicine – 109-bed hospital serving a 6 county area, thriving facility, designated as a Level 3 trauma center; 15 twelve hour shifts per month if employed or 12 twelve hour shifts if independent; competitive salary: $126/ hour for employed physicians and $141/hour for an indepen-dent; full benefits
KRC.0608.0305.09 Urologist – for solo practice; the medical center offers practice establishment assis-tance as well as a first year guarantee, with relocation costs; possible loan repayment and CME allowance available
KRC.0210.0305.15 Pediatrician – 109-bed hospital that is open to physician’s practice needs, multiple employment options; salary depends on model chosen and can be market + RVU (based on MGMA standards); great benefits; H-1B visa opportunity
KRC.0310.1201.31C Radiologist – 109-bed medi-cal center; call coverage is 1:2, one other Radiolo-gist on staff; candidate must be skilled in muscular
skeletal MRI and mammography; salary is $450,000 w/ partnership opportunity availability after 1 yr; full benefits
KRC.0410.0302.11 Internal Medicine – for grow-ing health center with total of 120 employees: 6 physicians, 5 NPs, satellite clinic, call is shared with 3 other physicians; excellent benefits, negotiable salaryKRC.0410.0302.10 Family Medicine – w/ OB; for growing health center with total of 120 employees: 6 physicians, 5 NPs, satellite clinic, call is shared with 3 other physicians; excellent benefits, negotiable salary
KRC.0410.0302.09 Dentist – w/focus on pediatrics or general dentistry needed to care for children at CHC; provide services at clinic, on-site at schools and head-starts, and in hospital setting; organization operates 3 clinics w/ extensive outreach in the com-munity; salary is competitive and negotiable
SOUTHWEST
KRC.0304.2101.01 Family Physician – for feder-ally qualified community health center w/ 3 satel-lites; FP can see OB patients up to delivery; no call; no weekends; salary negotiable; benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0407.0401.08 Endocrinologist – multi-spe-cialty group,25 physicians with 11 specialties; serves 24 counties; 2 satellite facilities; highly complex lab and radiology/nuclear medicine depts; call is 1:6; 100-bed hospital is 3 blocks away; salary is $180,000; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0407.0401.09 Rheumatologist – multi-specialty group,25 physicians in 11 specialties; large service area w/ many referrals; 2 satellites; highly complex lab and radiology/nuclear medicine depts; call is 1:6; 100-bed hospital 3 blocks away; sala-ry:$180,000; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0407.0401.10 Pulmonologist – multi-spe-cialty group, 25 physicians with 11 specialties; large service area w/ many referrals; 2 satellites; highly complex lab and radiology/nuclear medicine depts; call is 1:6; 100-bed hospital is 3 blocks away; salary is $180,000; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0407.0401.11 Gastroenterologist – multi-specialty group, 25 physicians with 11 specialties; large service area w/ many referrals; 2 satellites; highly complex lab and radiology/nuclear medicine depts; call is 1:6; 100-bed hospital 3 blocks away; sal-ary:$180,000; full benefits; H-1B, J-1 opportunity
KRC.0907.0401.12 Family Physician – with or w/o OB for multi-specialty group w/ 23 physicians and 11 specialties; currently 2 physicians and 1 NP; call is 1:3; local 100-bed hospital is 3 blocks away; salary is competitive and negotiable, full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
13Continued
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
Candidates looking for job opportunities in Kansas can access up to date listings by the KRC by visiting ruralhealth.kumc.edu on the Web.
KRC.1207.1910.02C Family Physician – w/ OB for 25-bed CAH and rural health clinic; 3 FPs, 1 PA-C, 1 NP, and 1 CRNA on staff; call is 1:4; start-ing salary: $180,000 + $15,000 sign-on bonus; full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0208.1917.01 Family Physician – w/o OB at hospital-based clinic; mostly outpatient, no ER; 25-bed hospital next door to clinic; 2 physicians and 2 ARNPs on staff; schedule is 8-5 4 days/week; call is 1:2 weeknights and 1:4 weekends; salary $150,000 plus production incentive; benefits, including hospital benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0408.0401.13 Internist – for multi-specialty group, 23 physicians from 11 specialties; large service area; satellite facility; 100-bed hospital 3 blocks away; 2 opportunities due to growth; 2 physicians and 1 NP on staff; call is 1:3; competitive and negotiable salary full benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0908.0501.09 Family Physician – w/o OB for 12-bed CAH and rural health clinic; currently 1 physician and 1 PA/NP on staff; call is 1:4 or 5; sal-ary: $170,000; great benefits; H-1B,J-1 opportunity
KRC.0908.2302.05C Pulmonology/Critical Care Physician – for 99-bed acute care facility services:fully staffed 24-hour ER; hospital employed or part of the 22 physician multi-specialty group; currently no pulmonologists on staff; salary is competitive and depends on experience; full benefits; J-1 opportunity
KRC.1108.1913.04 Physical Therapist – newly renovated, 13-bed CAH; work in all areas but prima-ry in outpatient orthopedics; experienced candidates preferred but new graduates are encouraged to apply; salary range: $71,000-$87,000; great benefits
KRC.0109.0702.03 Registered Nurse – with OB, 18-bed CAH with a 32-bed long term care unit; recently remodeled hospital facility with state-of-the-art computer systems; great salary; full benefits.
KRC.0109.1103.03 Medical Laboratory Technician – 25-bed CAH. currently 3 med techs on staff, including the department supervisor; call shared among 4 providers. Salary: $35,000-$50,000 depending on experience; comprehensive benefits.
KRC.0210.1103.08 Family Physician – 25-bed CAH that draws from a large area. Practice supports many different types of procedures including endos-copy, minor surgery, general surgery, vasectomy, etc; $175,000 salary plus incentives; excellent benefits.
KRC.1208.1913.05 Family Physician – w/o OB; 13-bed CAH; physician will provide care primarily
for the Rural health Clinic, but will see patients in the ER, in-patient care within the hospital and outpatient care for long-term care residents; shared call is 1:4; salary range is $170,000-$190,000 with full benefit packages; opportunity for J-1 visa
KRC.0309.2101.05 Dentist – full time staff position available for federally-qualified community health center; must be able to obtain license from the State of Kansas and BLS certification. Location offers com-petitive wages; excellent benefits
KRC.0209.1913.06 Registered Nurse – for a newly renovated, 13-bed CAH; choice of working at the hospital and/or the long term care unit. no call for nursing staff. Shifts available include days, nights and weekends. Salary range: $43,680-$52,000 with a $3,000 sign-on bonus; excellent benefits
KRC.0409.1913.08 Radiology Technician – for a newly renovated 13-bed CAH with adjoining 44-bed long term care unit and two rural health clinics; 2 Rad Techs and one cross trained lab assistant on staff; paid call is 1:3; will consider a new graduate. Salary range: $35,000 - 40,000; full benefits
KRC.0909.2101.07 Nurse Practitioner – CHC for primary care (including OB) ARNP. There is no call coverage for this position and the hours are 8a-5p; salary is $60,000 - $65,000 with great benefits package.
KRC.0110.2302.09C Registered Nurses – for Med/Surg and Pediatrics in 99-bed medical complex; salary is $41,600-$62,500, sign-on bonus w/ 2 year contract; great benefits
KRC.0110.2302.08C Physical Therapist – 99-bed medical complex; salary is $62,500-$76,900, sign-on bonus w/ 2 year contract; great benefits
KRC.0110.1308.07 Family Physician – w/ or w/o OB for 20-bed CAH w/ rural health clinic; currently 2 physicians, 2 PAs, 1 ARNP on staff; shared call coverage 1:5; salary $200,000 + production bonuses + ER coverage pay; great benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportunity
KRC.0110.1308.08 Internal Medicine – for 20-bed CAH w/ rural health clinic; currently 2 physi-cians, 2 PAs, 1 ARNP on staff; shared call coverage 1:5; salary $200,000 + production bonuses + ER coverage pay; great benefits; H-1B and J-1 opportu-nity
KRC.0110.1104.01 Family Medicine KRC.0110.1104.02 Internal Medicine – for brand new 16-bed CAH w/ on-site rural health clinic; cur-
rently on staff: 1 physician, 2 PA/NP, some part-time assistance w/ call coverage; Providers staff 2 rural health clinics, cover ER and inpatients; current call is 1 day/week primary ER and 1 weekend/mo. Great benefits; salary in range of $150,000; J-1 and H-1 opportunity
KRC.0110.2101.08 Nurse Practitioner – for community health center w/ 2 satellite facilities; currently on staff: 3 support staff and 1 physician; no call coverage or weekends, schedule is Mon-Fri 8-5; competitive salary, excellent benefits
KRC.1108.1308.06 Physical Therapist – for new 20-bed CAH , 57-bed long term care unit and home health care; PT will provide services for inpatient/outpatient, orthopedic patients, athletic injuries, and sports medicine; Experienced therapists and new graduates are encouraged to apply; current staff in-cludes 1 PT and 2 PTAs; salary is $50,000 - $65,000, depends on experience; great benefits
KRC.1209.1805.05 Family Medicine – w/ OB for 25-bed CAH; currently on staff: 3 physicians and 3 PA/NPs; must have Kansas licensure or be eligible; salary and benefits are negotiable, competitive; J-1 visa opportunity
KRC.0210.0104.05 Family Physician – w/ OB for Rural Health Clinic to oversee PA, provide OB and various procedures; traditional call is shared with 2 other FP OB physicians; great teamwork with other providers in the area; salary is $165,000 - $180,000 w/ 1 year contract; great benefits
KRC.0410.1918.03 Registered Nurse(s) - for 17-bed CAH with Rural Health Clinic and Long-term Care Unit; RNs needed in hospital and long-term care facility; RNs do take monthly scheduled call; new graduates and experienced nurses encouraged to apply; salary starts at $43,680 and increases DOE, contract duration of 3-5 years; full benefits; opportu-nity for H1-B candidates
KRC.0410.1913.09 Internal Medicine – for 13-bed CAH with additional facilities, currently on staff: 2 physicians and 1 NP; call is shared among providers and is 1:4; salary range is $170,000 - $190,000+ incentives; full benefits
KRC.0410.1918.04 Family Medicine – for rural clinic attached to 17-bed CAH; physician will work in clinic Mon-Fri with ER coverage also; excellent ben-efits, salary starts at $140,000- $160,000 + bonus, contract duration of 3 years
14
15
Ellsworth lauded for collaborative efforts
The Winter 2010 issue of Rural Roads, a magazine published by the National
Rural Health Association, featured collabora-tive efforts in Ellsworth County as health care providers from the local hospital, county health department, and a rural health clinic prepared last spring for a H1N1 pandemic.
Administrators from the Ellsworth County Health Department and Ellsworth Medical Center began tailoring an emergency pre-paredness plan to address H1N1 last April, more than six months before they were able to receive the vaccine.
One effort targeted local schools with Sue Wolf, the hospital’s RN in charge of infection control and employee health, volunteering to vaccinate children and supply parents with flu-prevention and consent forms during parent-teacher conferences, as well as be on hand to answer questions. The Ellsworth Rural Health Clinics also provided a nurse to administer shots to students during regular school hours.
Long before the vaccine was shipped to Ellsworth County, the health department found itself fielding triple the usual number of calls as people inquired when they’d be able to be vaccinated. Many had seen on television that the vaccine was widely available in Wichita and didn’t understand why it had not reached them, said Ronda Kasiska, RN, and county health department administrator. “Everyone was wondering why we couldn’t get the vaccine.”
Health care administrators were wondering, too, but chalked it up to more populous areas getting the first shipments. Finally, the county received its first shipment of 28 doses in mid-October.
Another effort involved hospital admin-istrators allowing employees to access their illness benefit account to take time off if they experienced flu-like symptoms so they wouldn’t infect others.
“It encouraged them to not worry about coming back to work too early to hopefully avoid a relapse or spread of the disease,” Beth Vallier, Ellsworth Medical Center education, communication, and emergency preparedness coordinator, said in the article. “It’s better if they stay home and don’t have to worry about a paycheck.”
Ellsworth also had to work with the 13 other counties in the north-central region to get enough of the flu vaccine, said Kasiska,
who is part of the local emergency planning committee which meets monthly. Because of minimum order requirements, most counties alone did not have enough demand to order the required number of doses.
“Our region worked well together and figured out how to get the vaccine,” she said.
Whether luck or preparedness, Ellsworth experienced very few serious flu cases this winter, and none needed hospital admission. Ellsworth also was one of the few counties in Kansas to have no laboratory-confirmed cases of H1N1.
Our region worked well together and figured out how to get the vaccine.
Ronda Kasiska, RN County health department administrator
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
16
Terry L. Mills, MDNewton Kan.
Editor’snote: This is the fourth in a series of articles highlighting a rural health provider. If you know someone who would be an interesting subject, contact Amanda Gardner at [email protected].
When Terry Mills, MD, a Texas native and University of Oklahoma College of Medicine graduate, was invited for an interview in Newton, KS, he had to look at a map to see where it was located.
It was 1999, and he’d struck a deal with his wife, Dianna, that it was her turn to choose what direction they moved. She had followed him to medical school, and they were then in Waco, Texas, where she was completing a doctorate in psychology at Baylor University and he was finishing his residency. As a family physician, he was confident he could find a position wherever they ended up.
She had applied for internship programs and been interviewed in eight states, and Dr. Mills had applications filled out and ready to mail for licenses in all eight states. She landed her first-place choice – a spot at a collaborative psychology program that included KU Medical School-Wichita and Newton-based Prairie View – so they prepared to move to south-central Kansas.
Dr. Mills had never met Rick Kellerman, MD, chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at KU School of Medicine-Wichita but had heard of him, so he gave his office a call. “Dr. Kellerman’s secretary literally tore yellow pages out
of the phone book – this was before Google – and mailed them to me,” Dr. Mills recalled.
He mailed out several letters, and among the responses was a request for an interview at Wichita Clinic Bethel in Newton, population 17,000. The smallest place either he or Dianna had ever lived was Waco, which has a population of about 122,000. He admits now, with a laugh, that all he knew about Kansas was Jayhawk basketball.
After finding Newton on a map and going for an interview, he accepted a position, though he refused to sign the standard three-year contract. “I was sure we’d be there only two years – one year
for my wife’s internship and another for a year of supervised practice,” he said. “That was 11 years, three children, and two houses ago. We just love Newton and Kansas.”
They have found the
“smaller, tighter-knit community” an excellent place to raise their three sons – Matthew, Mark, and Micah – who
Continued on next page
I was sure we’d be there only two years - one year for my wife’s internship and another for a year of supervised practice. That was 11 years, three children and two houses ago. We just love Newton and Kansas.
Terry L. Mills, MD
17
range in age from 4 to 9. Dianna now practices part-time as a clinical psychologist through Prairie View with the public schools in Newton.
In addition to enjoying the community, Dr. Mills has found Wichita Clinic Bethel to be supportive of his military service and occasional deployments with the 4204th U.S. Army Hospital unit based in Topeka. He inherited a commitment to serving his country from his father, and soon after graduating from medical school, Dr. Mills walked into an Army recruiting office in south Oklahoma City and signed up.
He credits the clinic with making it possible for him to continue service as a major in the Medical Corps for the U.S. Army Reserves. He was deployed to Germany in 2001, followed by a stint at a U.S. base in 2002. In 2005, he was ready to board a flight to Abu Ghraib when the deployment was canceled because of the controversy over prisoner treatment.
He spent the first four months of 2008 at the 325 Combat Support Hospital in Al Asad, Iraq, where he served as an ER doctor on a Marine base. He said he felt safe because the base was 40 square miles, completely enclosed and “guarded by 18,000 Marines.” Dr. Mills was part of a team of 12-15 physicians that rotated quarterly through the hospital. He felt well-equipped, technology-wise, though the hospital did not have MRI capabilities.
“It is only because of the incredible support from my local partners and the administration that I have been able to stay in the military,” he said. “My partners work very hard while I’m gone.”
Dr. Mills also has a physician assistant or nurse practitioner to help maintain continuity of care with patients while he’s gone. Because he is a commissioned officer, his commitment is open-ended.
He feels fortunate to have been able to serve in Iraq and “see the deep level of their gratitude. It was great to be there and serve my country and be part of something bigger than yourself.”
After returning from Iraq, he assumed the presidency of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (KAFP), which has 900 active physician members. Ever since Dr. Mills was a young boy growing up in Houston, he knew
he wanted to practice family medicine. “I wanted to be the doctor who touches people and listens to your chest when you’re in the office,” he said.
Commitment to service is what defines Dr. Mills’ life: service to his patients through his practice, service to his profession through KAFP, and service to his country through the military.
Dr. Mills began a long tradition of service through the American Academy of Family Physicians while still a medical student when he was elected to the national board. He was active in both the Oklahoma and Texas state orga-nizations before moving to Kansas.
“It’s a way to magnify the efforts you do locally on a person-to-person basis and an oppor-tunity to advocate for health solutions and policies that will affect all patients,” Dr. Mills said.
Through his role at KAFP, Dr. Mills became a proponent of patient-centered medical home, a model of care in which a patient establishes an ongoing relationship with a health care provider who directs and coordinates the patient’s needs across the health care system.
This concept and a renewed interest in family medicine are among the reasons he urges current medical students to seriously consider family medicine as a profession.
“It’s a fantastic time to be going into family medicine,” Dr. Mills said. “After decades of failure to invest in primary care, we’re seeing a renewed commitment to the importance of primary care.”
Spotlight continued from PAGe 16
Kansasc o n n e c t i o n s
18
The Kansas Sampler Festival re-cently announced its 8 Wonders
of Kansas Geography. After 24 finalists were chosen and 12,400 votes were cast, the state’s most impressive geographical sites were announced.
The eight winners are located in all parts of the state, and each would make wonderful destinations for a weekend outing.
Theyare:nAlcoveSpring,Blue RapidsnCoronadoHeights,LindsborgnFour-StateLookout,White
CloudnGypHillsScenicDriveand
GypsumHillsScenicByway(Barber and Comanche counties)
nKonzaPrairie,Manhattan
nMaxwellWildlifeRefuge,Can-ton
nMushroomRockStatePark,Ellsworth County, and Rock City, Minneapolis
nPillsburyCrossing,near Man-hattan
Some of the state’s natural landmarks were not eligible for this contest because they already had been voted one of the overall 8 Wonders of Kansas. Those places also are great places to visit: Monument Rock & Castle Rock, Gove County; Quivira National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms, Stafford and Barton counties; and Tallgrass Prai-rie Preserve and the Flint Hills, Chase County.
“Though some are less familiar to the
general public, each should be seen and appreciated for what they bring to the Kansas landscape and story,” said Marci Penner, foundation director. “Our geog-raphy is one of our best assets.”
The Kansas Sampler Festival, an annual event to showcase what the state has to offer, was held May 1-2 in Leavenworth. More than 300 exhibitors provided information, demonstrations and samples. For the first time, authors and artists had tents, and there was a wine and beer garden. The original Ma-haffie stagecoach also offered rides.
Links to the 8 Wonders and Kansas Sampler Festival can be found at kansas-sampler.org.
See the Wonders of Kansas this Spring
Alcove Springs - photo by Tom Parker
Coronado Heights - photo by Jim Turner Four-state Lookout - photo by Harland Schuster
Gyp Hills Scenic Drive - Kansas Sampler Foundation Konza Prairie- photo by flinthillstrallgrass.org
Maxwell Wildlife Refuge - photo by Jim Griggs
Pillsbury Crossing - photo by Dennis Toll
Mushroom Rock - Kansas Dept of Wildlife and Parks / Rock City - photo by Eldon Clark
19
P awnee County’s only hospital was saved from closing when its op-
eration was taken over by Hays Medical Center on March 1.
Last summer, Catholic Health Initia-tives had announced that it would close St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Larned, but the state attorney general filed a lawsuit to preserve the hospital’s critical access designation, which provides for increased Medicare reim-bursement, an important component in keeping small-town hospitals open.
An agreement was struck in late February that allowed for the 25-bed hospital to be managed by Hays Med Partners-Pawnee County and renamed Pawnee Valley Community Hospital.
The agreement provides for the hospital to be locally owned and all assets re-tained by Pawnee County, though Hays Medical Center will lease the equipment and facility for five years.
“After months of work on the part of so many in Pawnee County, it is gratifying to see those efforts come to fruition,” Dr. John Jeter, president/CEO
of Hays Med said in making the an-nouncement. “Local ownership is truly key.”
While the agreement between Hays Med and the Pawnee County Com-mission is for five years, both parties anticipate a longer partnership.
The hospital, which has a staff of 25, is in the process of hiring a permanent administrator. After the March 1 transi-tion, the swing-bed program, in-patient physical therapy, and respiratory therapy services were re-opened. Additional plans call for expanding laboratory and diagnostic imaging services through Hays Med mobile units as well as start-ing a telemedicine connection with Hays.
Larned hospital continues operating
A s with many counties statewide, Pratt, Stafford, Kiowa, Kingman,
and Barber County are designated as ar-eas with a shortage of health and mental health professionals. Realizing a need for additional assistance with area school children, the South Central Kansas Spe-cial Education Cooperative (SCKSEC) not only adopted telehealth, but the staff quickly expanded the service from one video-conferencing system in Pratt, to seven additional schools and learning centers in the cooperative’s catchment area.
Telehealth services were initiated at the cooperative’s home office in Pratt to provide a variety of clinical and edu-cational services that were not readily available in the community. Partnering with the University of Kansas Center for Telemedicine & Telehealth, SCKSEC was able to offer students in the district access to specialists including pediatric psychiatry, behavioral pediatrics, autism screening, and pediatric weight manage-ment. Additionally, SCKSEC students, families, and teachers have access to educational programming through Connected Kansas Kids, a project that
provides information about physical and mental health diagnoses to education professionals, health care professionals, and others interested in learning how to support the needs of children and adolescents.
Because one system at SCKSEC’s home office, while helpful, was not enough to serve all the students in need, they took telehealth on the road to the schools in their district.
“After we started the program on a very small basis with one machine, we knew we had to expand because of the tremendous benefits to our students, parents, and the school community,” said Dr. Lynn Ahrens, Director of Spe-cial Education, SCKSEC, “After a small beginning, we were booked continu-ously for our one station; therefore, we expanded and are still running out of slots for professional help. The team at KUMC is phenomenal. We could not do without their services. The rapport with the providers is unparalleled.”
In three years, SCKSEC has added seven additional schools in Stafford, St. John, Iuka, Kingman, Greensburg, Sharon, and Kiowa to their telehealth
network, often utilizing existing video conferencing systems that were typically used for distance education.
“Once the family is acclimated to these services, the parents request con-tinuation with school involvement,” said Dr. Ahrens. “This provides an extraor-dinary team working for the betterment of student emotional, physical, and educational experiences in the school and in the home.”
Growing since 2007, SCKSEC has become a model for other education and special education cooperatives statewide. Nearby educational coopera-tives have visited Pratt to learn how they use their telehealth systems, the benefits students, parents, and teachers receive, and how to expand the services offered to students.
Telehealth services are provided in partnership with the University of Kansas Center for Telemedicine & Telehealth (KUCTT) which strives to improve the health of Kansans and advance the outreach and academic mis-sion of the Kansas University Medical Center.
Cooperative maximizes telehealth availability
From the Director continued from PAGe 2
Coffey Health System. Under his leader-ship, CHS has grown from a struggling hospital to one offering a wide range of health care services in Coffey and Woodson Counties. Dennis also is a member of the KHA Board of Direc-tors. During the past two years, he has become a sought-out voice for describ-ing the effects of health care reform in rural America as a participant in a number of statewide health care reform press conferences and legislative round-table discussions.
The Grassroots Champions Award is presented annually to one individual from each state. Dennis will be recognized at the AHA An-nual Meeting in April. Con-gratulations, Dennis.
Match Day! Fourth-year
medical students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine gathered
in auditoriums on the Kansas City and Wichita campuses March 18 to learn where they would be spending the next three to six years of their lives. After months of going through the interview process, the annual national Resident Matching Program day arrived. Students nationwide had the chance to finally see where their residencies would take them.
As for students in Kansas, the hour arrived at 11 a.m., with friends and family excitedly waiting to watch their loved one tear open their envelope and
reveal the news. We found out Kansas is retaining 30 percent of the graduates. Twenty-nine students from the Kansas City campus and 21 from the Wichita campus will com-plete all or part of
their residencies in the state. Students completing their residencies outside
Kansas disperse across the country from New York to California. They will rep-resent Kansas in 30 different states and
Washington D.C.Of the 2010 class, 50 percent have
selected a residency in primary care with 32 going into internal medicine, 28 in family medicine, 18 in pediatrics and 4 in medicine-pediatrics.
Congratulations to all the fourth-year medical students!
Publication ScheduleIf you have an idea for an article in
Kansas Connections, we welcome your input. Please send information to the KU School of Medicine-Wichita, 1010 N. Kansas, Wichita, KS 67214-3199. Ideas are also welcomed by telephone at 316-293-2649; fax, 316-293-2671; or e-mail, [email protected].
Sign up to receive Kansas Connections online
Kansas Connections is available online for viewing, in an easy-to-print format. If you would like to sign up to receive e-mail alerts four times a year, letting you know when the newest issue is available, please visit www.ruralhealth.kumc.edu and click the Kansas Connections drop-down menu.
Molly Kirkhart, opening her letter to discover she matched in Ob-Gyn at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC.photo by Mike Shepherd