Kansas Department of Health and Environment

A Russell woman is among six new members appointed by Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Susan Mosier to the Governor’s Council on Fitness.

The new members are Joyce Ellis, Russell; Jeffrey Koeing, Manhattan; Margie Miller, Topeka; Erik Sartorius, Topeka; Wyatt Thompson, Manhattan; and David Toland, Iola.

Ellis earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in health and human performance from Fort Hays State University. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Kansas State University. Dr. Ellis currently serves as an Associate Professor at Fort Hays State University in the Department of Health and Human Performance. She taught in public schools for 21 years prior to earning her Ph.D. and moving to the university level.

The Governor’s Council on ‪#‎Fitness‬ (GCOF) advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices and prevention of tobacco use.

The ‪#‎GCOF‬ hosts the annual Kansas Obesity Summit in the fall and manages the ‪#‎GetActiveKansas‬ campaign with a network of more than 100 Physical Activity Champions across the state.