Visit with Kansans
Last week, the Senate adjourned to celebrate President’s Day, giving me the opportunity to meet with Kansans from around the state. I visit schools, businesses, organizations, and medical facilities to listen to the needs of our communities and hear first-hand about the challenges Kansans are facing and how I can help. I did.
Midwest Transplant Network
Tuesday morning, I took a tour with the staff of Midwest Transplant Network’s Organ Recovery Suite and Donor Care Unit in Westwood. Since 1973, they have been a vital part of the organ donation chain in the Midwest and throughout the United States, working with local hospital partners.
I also had the opportunity to discuss ways to streamline the organ donation process and my bill. Securing the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network (OPTN) Act; This will dissolve the exclusive contract currently held by the Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).
Thank you to Midwest Transplant Network CEO Jan Finn and the network staff for meeting with me.
net smart
I visited NetSmart with Overland Park Mayor Kurt Skoog to learn more about NetSmart’s mission and commitment to healthcare coordination in the United States. We followed up NetSmart’s visit to Washington DC and had the pleasure of discussing: Ensuring excellence in mental health law; This would permanently authorize Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) under Medicaid. There are 21 His CCBHCs in Kansas, providing critical crisis care and His 24/7 services to those in need of behavioral health services.
Netsmart is leveraging data from Overland Park and surrounding cities to power Johnson County Mental Health’s Cooperative Responder Program and increase regional preparedness. Additionally, NetSmart is advocating for increased rural telehealth services to help people across the state access life-saving medical care.
We would like to thank Netsmart COO Tom Herzog, Senior Vice President Scott Green, and Mayor Skoog for giving us a tour of the facility.
Osawatomie City and economic developers
This week, I met with City of Osawatomie and economic development officials to learn about growth opportunities in the region. A variety of city officials, business owners, and community development leaders highlighted the challenges facing the region and ways to foster regional growth. The city has recently made investments in the community to foster tourism growth.
We also discussed the John Brown Memorial Park and Museum State Historic Site in Osawatomi, which commemorates the Battle of Osawatomi, and the efforts being made to include it in the National Historical Park System.
I would like to thank Osawatomie City for hosting me and everyone who participated in this discussion.
Neosho County Community College
This week I toured the Mitchell Career and Technology Center at Neosho County Community College. Led by President Dr. Brian Inbody, the facility, which opened in 2022, offers space for programs such as aviation structures, industrial maintenance technology, construction technology and welding. These programs provide students with both the necessary skills and practical experience to succeed in competitive industries across the state and nation.
During the tour, I visited with representatives from KansasWorks and the TRIO program. These programs connect students with career opportunities, help identify federal grant options, and provide free training that details career options. Thank you to Dr. Brian Inbody, Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Jensen, and Chanute City Manager Todd Newman for joining us on the tour.
southeast kansas company
On Wednesday, I visited with executives from Southeast Kansas Inc. (SEK Inc.), a regional coalition of business leaders representing 12 counties in southeastern Kansas. SEK Inc. hosts manufacturer forums and regional conferences to address issues impacting the community, such as affordable housing and child care costs. These forums provide a space for community leaders to collaborate and foster local economic growth.
We would like to thank Executive Director Patty Ann Sanborn and President Sam Budrow for allowing us to join them in Humboldt, and Southeast Kansas Corporation for their dedication to making Kansas a great place to call home. Masu.
Allen Community College
Later Wednesday, I visited Allen Community College (ACC) and met with new president Dr. Bruce Moses, who gave me a tour of the campus and shared information about several programs, including ACC’s Early Childhood Education Certificate. At ACC, students who earn an associate degree in early childhood education automatically meet Head Start and Early Head Start instructional requirements. This is a step that will help address the region-wide child care workforce shortage.
ACC is also working on offering a variety of new programs, including machine tool specialty, medical assistant, and emergency medical services training. ACC leaders understand the need for emergency services and child care professionals across the country and appreciate their dedication to providing Kansans with educational opportunities to meet the needs of that workforce. I am.
Thank you to Dr. Moses, his staff, Board President Becky Nilges, and Iola Chamber of Commerce Director Robin Sharry for taking the time to tour and visit with me.
Bishop Ward High School
This week I stopped by Bishop Ward High School. I recently had the pleasure of meeting students who were in my Washington, DC office for the March for Life. During the tour, I met with various staff and faculty members and learned about the different classes and experiences Bishop Ward offers.
Thank you to Emily Jimenez, Nieves Vasquez, Daniel Sandoval, Rafael Zamora, Ezequiel Hernandez, Jessica Serrano, Raul Gonzalez Jr., and Father Tim Skoch for showing us around the school.
Call on Biden to delete TikTok
On February 11th, President Biden’s campaign posted for the first time on TikTok. TikTok is a Chinese-owned social media platform that U.S. national security officials have said poses a threat to Americans’ sensitive personal data. President Biden has used the platform to send mixed messages about the threat posed by TikTok, despite warnings his administration has issued to Americans. This week, my colleagues and I worked together to send a letter to President Biden urging him to shut down the account and reaffirm that TikTok is a national security threat. I will continue to work with his colleagues to prevent U.S. data from being collected by foreign adversaries.
You can read more about my letter here.
National Diet Building Tour
Colby’s Brett Dempewolf
Nicole Dempewolf of Colby
Megan Emerson of Topeka
Hoxie’s Patrick Heim
Hoxie’s Stacey Heim
Caitlin Huffman of Kansas City
Oakley’s Zachary Michaelis
Auburn’s Claire Olde
Oakley’s Christopher Shilts
Katrin Selk of Kansas City
Larry Ammel of Colby
Sherry Ammel of Colby
Everett Weissgerber of Tecumseh
Tecumseh’s Landon Wisegerber
Melissa Weisgerber of Tecumseh
Paul Wisegerber of Tecumseh
American Psychological Association
Jason Marusek of Overland Park
Midwest Transplant Network
anna weinstein in westwood
WAN rack
David Soffer of Overland Park
Wichita State University
Neil Allen of Wichita
Paul Maguire of Wichita
