CITY OF HAYS

The annual alley cleanup in Hays continues.

Check out the map for a progress update.

By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post

This weekend, in the spirit of Halloween, the Fort Hays State University Collegiate DECA will be hosting the annual Mall-o-Ween event inside Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine, Oct. 29 from noon to 2 p.m.

“The event’s purpose is to raise money for nonprofits and student organizations,” said Ashley Nease, chair of the FHSU Collegiate DECA. “All proceeds go toward the organizations participating and the hosts, to benefit their community work and student activities.”

Currently, there are 18 organizations signed up, Nease said the group still is finalizing the list of organizations and is encouraging more to sign up. You can find the registration form and liability agreement at the bottom of this page.

Mall-o-Ween is held inside Big Creek Crossing and is a trick-or-treat opportunity for kids of all ages.  Opportunities to play games, win prizes and enter a costume contest are all apart of the annual Halloween-themed event.

The costume contest involves three age categories — 0-3 years, 4-8 years, and 9-18 years.

Signup for the costume contest starts at 10 a.m., with judging beginning at 11 a.m.

Childreen interested in this opportunity can sign up for free in the center court of Big Creek Crossing the morning of the event.

The kids games are hosted by one of the nonprofits or school organizations participating in the event. Games will begin as soon as the costume contest has ended.

Each game requires one ticket to play, and tickets can be purchased for $1 each in the center court prior the beginning of the games and during the game period.

2016 Mall-o-ween game booth registration

2016 Mall-o-ween liability and indemnity agreement

WASHINGTON — The National Committee for Quality Assurance announced that First Care Clinic of Hays has received NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, participative relationships.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows that medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Recognition shows that First Care Clinic has the tools, systems and resources to provide its patients with the right care, at the right time.”

To earn recognition, which is valid for three years, First Care Clinic demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

To find clinicians and their practices with NCQA PCMH Recognition, visit https://recognition.ncqa.org. 


By BECKY KISER and COOPER SLOUGH
Hays Post

A crowd of about 50 Fort Hays State University students and a few faculty members gathered on the lawn in front of FHSU President Dr. Mirta Martin’s house Monday to show their support of her.

“Fort Hays’ future. Our future is Mirta,” they chanted near a temporary bright yellow sign with the words “We Support Our President.”

Martin was the subject of criticism by some faculty members in an anonymous survey conducted recently by the FHSU Docking Institute of Public Affairs.

Results of that survey were shared with the Kansas Board of Regents last Thursday, Oct. 20, by FHSU Faculty Senate President Carl Miller, associate professor of philosophy. KBOR members were on campus for a regular meeting and dedication of the business college.

“It seemed like there were some faculty that were speaking their concerns and kind of saying what they believed on the situation. … As students, we need to take the opportunity to be heard, as well,” said FHSU student Jared Tadlock following the on-campus rally.

One female student who did not want to be identified said she feels a kinship with Martin.

“She has a really similar story to what I have so I really connect with her,” she said. “She comes out to all of our art shows, our concerts, everything. I’ve never felt so supported by such a big figure in a university.”

Tadlock said Martin has also made a “great impact on my own life and my academic experience.”

“When Dr. Martin came to this school, it was pretty clear she wanted to make this a better institution for us,” Tadlock added. “So if we’re not using our voices to express our gratitude — it’s something I felt needed to be done.”

“President Martin is the future, and she’s bringing the change we haven’t had,” agreed faculty member Amanda Ergun, ESL (English as a Second Language) program director. “We had the same leadership for 27 years.

“With all change, big and small, people kick and scream. This is change that will benefit the university as a whole. Some people as individuals are directly impacted in a way they don’t really desire, but as a whole, this is for the betterment of the entire university,” Ergun said.

Fliers were handed out with contact information for the Kansas Board of Regents.

In an email Monday evening to Hays Post, Dr. Gary Brinker, director of the Docking Institute, wrote there have been “some inaccurate interpretations of the results, and being the person who administered the survey, I need to address those inaccuracies immediately.”

Brinker told Hays Post late Tuesday afternoon he had just met with the chair of the university IRB (Institutional Review Board) which Brinker said is responsible for protecting human subjects used in research.

“I was told ‘do not disseminate any more information on the survey’ until the IRB reviews it,” Brinker said. “I expect them to meet as soon as possible, within the next three days or so. I plan to write and distribute a press release afterward.”

Brinker wrote in a second email Tuesday evening “I anticipate that no potential harm to subjects will be found and that my commentary of the survey and the validity of the way the results have been characterized will be released to you within a few days.”