Cristina Janney – Page 28 – Hays Post Archive

FHSU, Norton PD officers graduate from training

Posted on May 19, 2019May 17, 2019

YODER — Fifty-nine new law enforcement officers graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) on May 10. U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran was the speaker for the ceremony in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium.

The new officers were members of the 255th basic training class at the center. Located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder, near Hutchinson, the center is a division of University of Kansas Professional & Continuing Education.

The graduates, who began their training Feb. 4, represented 43 municipal, county and state law enforcement agencies from across Kansas.

Graduates receive certificates of course completion from KLETC and Kansas law enforcement certification from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s law enforcement licensing authority. The training course fulfills the state requirement for law enforcement training. Classroom lectures and hands-on applications help train officers to solve the increasingly complex problems they face in the line of duty.

Established by the Kansas Legislature in 1968, the center trains the majority of municipal, county and state law enforcement officers in Kansas and oversees the training of the remaining officers at seven authorized and certified academy programs operated by local law enforcement agencies and the Kansas Highway Patrol.

About 300 officers enroll annually in KLETC 14-week basic training programs. The center offers continuing education and specialized training to over 10,000 Kansas officers each year.

Graduates who granted permission to release their names are listed below by county and agency.

Ellis County

Fort Hays State University Police Department in Hays – Eric Gerard, patrol officer

Norton County

Norton Police Department in Norton – Kaleb Tuxhorn, patrol officer

Atchison County

Atchison Police Department in Atchison – Thomas Moore, patrol officer

Barber County

Medicine Lodge Police Department in Medicine Lodge – Jerry Swart, patrol officer

Brown County

Iowa Tribal Police Department in White Cloud – Nicholas Hilderbrand, patrol officer

Butler County

Rose Hill Police Department in Rose Hill – Stephen Frahm, patrol officer

Butler County Sheriff’s Office in El Dorado – Solomon Snowbarger, deputy

Cherokee County

Galena Police Department in Galena – Kyle West, patrol officer

Cowley County

Winfield Police Department in Winfield – Stephen Linarez, patrol officer

Crawford County

Pittsburg Police Department in Pittsburg – Nicholas Cook and Aaron Jarvis, patrol officers

Douglas County

University of Kansas Police Department in Lawrence – Eli Hodge, patrol officer

Finney County

Garden City Police Department in Garden City – Ofelia Aguero and Julian Garcia, patrol officers

Ford County

Ford County Sheriff’s Department in Dodge City – Morris Jones, deputy

Dodge City Police Department in Dodge City – Dominic Randall, patrol officer

Franklin County

Ottawa Police Department in Ottawa – Holly Ewert, patrol officer

Geary County

Junction City Police Department in Junction City – Zachary Mitchell, patrol officer

Greeley County

Greeley County Sheriff’s Office in Tribune – Garrett Wright, patrol officer

Kingman County

Kingman Police Department in Kingman – Casey Goble, patrol officer

Kiowa County

Kiowa County Sheriff’s Department in Greensburg – Preston Capansky, deputy

Leavenworth County

Leavenworth Police Department in Leavenworth – Jordan Green, Paul Lednicky and Joshua Parrott, patrol officers

Tonganoxie Police Department in Tonganoxie – Eric Janesko, patrol officer

Marion County

Marion County Sheriff’s Department in Marion – Mason Hinz, deputy

Marshall County

Blue Rapids Police Department in Blue Rapids – Christopher Flood, patrol officer

Marysville Police Department in Marysville – Bryant Frerking, patrol officer

Miami County

Miami County Sheriff’s Office in Paola – Willis Miller, patrol officer

Miami County Sheriff’s Office in Paola – Dylan Yinger, deputy

Paola Police Department in Paola – Mitchell Gabbert and Keith Myers, patrol officers

Mitchell County

Beloit Police Department in Beloit – Andrew Mai, patrol officer

Montgomery County

Independence Police Department in Independence – Richard Sherley, patrol officer

Pottawatomie County

Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office in Westmoreland – Cody Smith, patrol officer

Reno County

Hutchinson Police Department in Hutchinson – Trevor Nobbs, patrol officer

Riley County

Riley County Police Department in Manhattan – Kathryn Bunnell, Matthew Horne, Leland O’Brien, James Scotti and Raymond Springer, patrol officers

Saline County

Salina Police Department in Salina – Joshua Groot, Alyssa Rivera and Kyle Truitt, patrol officers

Saline County Sheriff’s Office in Salina – Kevin Shankle, deputy

Sedgwick County

Derby Police Department in Derby – Gabriel Gutierrez, patrol officer

Shawnee County

Kansas Bureau of Investigation in Topeka – Jamie Funk, special agent

Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office in Topeka – Luke Williams, deputy

Wyandotte County

University of Kansas Medical Center Police Department in Kansas City – Adam Drybread and Hanif Gray, patrol officers

Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department in Kansas City – Stephen Dyer and William Green, deputies.

Artist to exhibit railroad paintings as part of Nicodemus Chautauqua

Posted on May 19, 2019May 13, 2019

Submitted

During the 2019 Nicodemus Chautauqua several paintings, originals and prints will be on display by local artist Mike Boss.

Boss resides in Hill City and has spent years painting scenes from the railroad past. Boss was mentored by artist Jack Lynnwood from Los Angeles, who painted many posters for Hollywood and for the Northrop Corporation.

Boss also is a base player, with training from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and K-State. He has played with Hays Symphony and other venues around the state.

Most of Mike’s prints can be seen in area banks, libraries and businesses. His love for the railroad and its impact on Kansas is depicted in his many railroad paintings. His 2007 painting titled, “Sunset on an Era UP U23 at Hill City, KS,” of Union Pacific engine 247 coming into Hill City graces the cover of the recent railroad book, “Union Pacific’s Plainville Branch,” by Larry Dilts of Colby.

The National Park Service and the Nicodemus Historical Society are sponsoring the event and will include Boss’ exhibit from May 20 to June 1 at the Visitor Center.

The Nicodemus Chautauqua will be noon to 5 p.m. May 25 in Nicodemus. The event is titled “Steel Wheels, Steel Rails and Hell on Wheels” and will discuss the railroad bypassing the community.

Downtown Hays Market set to kickoff Saturday; new online store June 1

Posted on May 19, 2019May 15, 2019

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Downtown Hays Market is set to open Saturday, May 25 with much of your favorite produce and products.

The market will be open from 7:30 to 11 a.m. every Saturday through October in the Union Pacific Plaza Pavilion, 10th and Main, Hays.

Sara Bloom, Downtown Hays Development Corp. executive director, said the market set a record last year with almost 80 vendors and the market is hoping to exceed that this year.

“Last year was our biggest year to date for the market,” Bloom said. “We credit a lot of that to our wonderful new downtown pavilion. It has changed the whole atmosphere and feel of the event. It has really created that gathering place that we were striving for. We are excited for that to continue to play an integral part in the Downtown Hays Market and continue to see this program grow.”

About 40 percent of those vendors in 2018 were not local, but came from across the state.

“People can expect a wide variety of products at the Downtown Hays Market,” Bloom said. “A lot of people come looking for fresh produce, which we absolutely have, but I think they are surprised at the variety of vendors when they get there.

“You can purchase custom T-shirts. You can purchase leather earrings. You can purchase crocheted water balloons. We have people who are serving coffee and breakfast. We have cheesecakes, and every item you can possibly imagine can be found at the Downtown Hays Market.”

The market does not turn vendors away. There is no fee for vendors nor maximum or minimum markets in which vendors must participate. You can find more on becoming a vendor on the DHDC website.

The market again this year will have theme days, including opportunities for non-profits to interact with the public, Master Gardener events, and markets with activities for children. The Girl Scouts featured a booth with education about sex trafficking at a past market and another themed day featured photos with pets.

“We are looking for anything that will make the market stand out, make it a little bit more special and specifically make it a fun place for families to gather on any given Saturday,” Bloom said.

Coffee will be offered free again this year and will be provided by Hays business, Black Label.

Starting June 1, Downtown Hays Market will be offering an online store. Each vendor will be able to stock one item in the store, such as earrings, jam or an ornament. Customers can order online and have the product or products shipped directly to them or to someone as a gift. Gift boxes for multiple items will be available.

Customers will also be able to purchase market-branded items, such as T-shirts and bags.

“We really feel this will be a popular addition to the website,” Bloom said, “and it gives people the opportunity to give gifts to their loved ones from Kansas, from their home they love. We have a lot of visitors who come in, and they are only able to shop once and wish they could do more. Well, now they can.”

DHDC will handle shipping and handling for the online market store. The vendors will keep the proceeds from their items that are sold. For more information on this program, contact the DHDC. The online store will be a part of the new DHDC website.

DHDC will again sponsor the Bargains on the Bricks sidewalk sale. This year it will be Saturday, July 27.

Vendors do not have to be a Downtown Hays Market vendor or a downtown business to participate. Cost for a booth is $75. A reduced rate is available for market vendors. Non-profits can participate in Bargains on the Bricks free of charge.

Ellis, neighboring counties see decrease in unemployment in April

Posted on May 17, 2019

KDOLS

Preliminary estimates reported by the Kansas Department of Labor and Bureau of Labor Statistics show a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.5 percent in April. This was unchanged from March and up from 3.4 percent in April 2018.

“Kansas job growth bounced back in April after a slow start in 2019,” said Secretary Delía García. “This was positive news along with strong growth in hourly earnings over the last 12 months.”

Seasonally adjusted job estimates indicate total Kansas nonfarm jobs increased by 6,900 from March. Private sector jobs, a subset of total nonfarm jobs, increased by 5,600 from the previous month.

Since April 2018, Kansas gained 12,400 seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs and 10,500 private sector jobs.

“Job growth in Kansas rebounded in April, following weather-related declines in early 2019,” said Labor Economist, Emilie Doerksen. “Two industries showed significant growth over the month, with professional and business services increasing by 2,900 jobs and the construction industry adding 1,600 jobs in April.”

Ellis County’s rate was down .4 percent from March. The unemployment rates, which were up in March for Trego and Rooks counties, but decreased in April. Trego County’s rate went from 4.1 percent to 3.6 percent and Rooks County went from 4.3 percent to 3.6 percent.

Unemployment rates for Ness and Barton Counties fell to below 3 percent, and Russell County was at 3 percent, and Rush County was at 3.4 percent, which were all decreases over the previous month.

However, Rush, Rooks, Russell and Trego counties all had slight increases in unemployment year over year.

Visitation canceled at Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility

Posted on May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

KDOC

Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility has been experiencing an increase in the presence of contraband drugs in the facility. This has resulted in one offender death and several offenders being hospitalized as a result of drug use. Contraband interdiction efforts have been increased.

As a result, all visitation with offenders has been suspended this weekend, May 18 – 19, 2019.

Herschel Benton Betts

Posted on May 17, 2019

Herschel Benton Betts

November 15, 1926 – May 15, 2019

Memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, May 20, 2019 at Oberlin United Methodist Church, 102 N. Cass Ave. Oberlin, KS 67749.

Burial will be at the Oberlin Cemetery, North Martin Ave. Oberlin, KS 67749.

Memorial contributions can be made to Oberlin Library, Oberlin Country Club Golf Course, Memorial Tree Project At Oberlin Cemetery and Fort Hays State University Foundation.

A full obituary is pending with Pauls Funeral Home.

Update: USD 489 partnering with the United Way on volunteer website

Posted on May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Update 3:22 p.m. Friday, May 17: The location of this event has been changed to the Hays High School multipurpose room.

USD 489

USD 489 is partnering with the United Way of Ellis County and nwksvolunteers.org to better facilitate and organize volunteers for various events within the school district and the community next year.

Join the school district on Tuesday, May 21 in the Hays High School multipurpose room to see how you can help have a positive impact on the Hays community. The informational meeting will start at 6 p.m. and should only last one hour. A hot dog feed will be provided to guests who attend.

Adults 18 and older are invited to register as a volunteer. Children are welcome to attend with their parents if childcare is not available that evening.

Volunteers who sign up to work directly with children will be required to pass a background check. Please have your photo ID/driver’s license and social security number available for the background check that evening if you wish to volunteer for events over the summer that work directly with children.

Trego Community High School 2019 graduates

Posted on May 17, 2019May 17, 2019

Trego Community High School graduation will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

KELBY	ASCHENBRENNER
WILLY	BARNEY
LEYTON	BROCK
ADRIANNE	CARR
JULIAN	COKER
AUSTIN	CRAMER
WESTON	DEAVER
TREYGAN	DESAIR
ADRIAN	DIETZ
BRENNA	FLAX
HELEN	GIEFER
MADISON	HAFLIGER
TJ	HAFLIGER
CALUB	HORTON
JENNA	HOWARD
CAMBRIE	KEMP
EMMA	KOSTIC
LOUISE	LEHY
DALTON	MAI
PAIGE	POST
TAYLOR	RIEDEL
DALLAS	SCHNEIDER
KEAGAN	SHUBERT
JORDAN	SHULL
RYAN	TOWNLEY
NATHANIEL	WERTH
EVAN	WILDS
AARON	WINDHOLZ
LACEY	WINDHOLZ

Plainville High School 2019 graduates

Posted on May 17, 2019May 10, 2019

The Plainville High School graduation will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18.

Below are the graduating seniors.

Bear, Mackenzie Lee
Birdsall, Pearl Marie
Brack, Ava Aroon
Cole, Alyssa Marguerite
Copeland, Tanner John
Dopita, Jacey Ellen
Douglas, Noah Eugene
Eubanks, Joey Lee
Ganoung, Dalton James
Gilliland, Rachel Marie
Hays, Izak Logan
Holmes, Jenae Jean
Junkermeier, Ryan WA Keith
LeMarr, Macie Jeanene
McClellan, Kathryn Lea
McLaughlin, Vincent Darrel
Mitchell, Vanessa Raee
Nuss, Logan Rae
Reusch, Dalis David
Reusch, Hannah May-Cheyenne
Reusch, Savannah Paige
Rohr, Brandon Thomas
Sowles, Alyssa Renee
Spiess, Kobe Andrew Blake
Staab, Brennan Keith
Steed, David Rai
Westhusin, Kathryn Kristine
Yost, Chandler Evan

Marshall Samuel Maupin

Posted on May 16, 2019

Marshall Samuel Maupin, 88, of Paradise, Kansas, died on Friday, May 3, 2019, at his home in Paradise.

He was born on March 14, 1931, in rural Paradise to Marshall T and Anna Bertha Marie (Eulert) Maupin.

Due to a farm accident, Anna passed away in December 1932 and his dad later married Margaret Weller (Pooley) in 1952.

Marshall Samuel was commonly known (as) Sam, and he attended grade school at the Paradise Dell Country School and later graduated from Paradise Rural High School in 1949.

He had a love for music and was asked to fill in for a drummer at one of the many country dances he attended and that is where he met and fell in love with his wife of 68 years, Rita Mae Wallace. They were married on July 25, 1950.

Their marriage was blessed with three boys, Marshall Thomas (Tom), Samuel Terry (Terry) and Timothy Douglas.

In Sam’s early years he had a love for farming and ranching. His dad helped him start this venture while Sam also worked outside jobs in the oilfield and dirt construction to support his growing family. He eventually transitioned to a full-time farmer rancher and also operated a dairy until the late 1980’s.

He continued with his cow/calf operation and farming after the dairy was no longer something he and Rita wanted to continue. Sam was active in his farm operations until the Good Lord called him home.

Spending time with family visiting, eating, and celebrating birthdays and holidays was of utmost importance to him. You could also find Sam over the years at local sporting events, watching his grandchildren and then his great grandchildren!

Sam also enjoyed his volunteer work. He was a loyal member and promoter of the Waldo Lions Club, being a member for 50+ years and recently served at the last pancake feed.

He enjoyed attending farm auctions and weekly sales at the local livestock barns. He also was a longtime school board member, served on the Mount Hermon Cemetery Board and helped lobby for the formation of the Paradise Rural Fire Department.

Sam also held in high regard the foundational views of the Democratic Party and would vote hands down for them whether right or wrong! As a result of this stubbornness, all of Sam’s family are now die hard conservative Republicans!

Survivors include his wife Rita of Paradise, brother, Randall Weller and wife Phyllis of Hill City, Kansas, sons Tom Maupin and wife Deborah of Paradise, Terry Maupin and companion Mary of Paradise and Tim Maupin and wife Rita of Urbana Illinois ,11 grandchildren Quentin (Audrey) Maupin, Erin Maupin , Holly (Weston) Kraus, Heather (Tanner) Lyle, Barry (Nicole) Maupin, Tessa Maupin, Korte (Levi) Warren, Shane (Jordan) Maupin, Shannon Maupin, Monica Wahquahboshkuk and Benjamin (Jessica) Crane and 28 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Elois Irene Loskot Clark (Maupin) of Sutherlin, Oregon.

A memorial service to celebrate Sam’s life will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, 2019, at the Paradise United Methodist Church in Paradise, with Pastor Stacy Ellsworth officiating. A graveside service will follow at the Mount Hermon Cemetery near Paradise.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be given to the Waldo Lions Club, Paradise United Methodist Church and Peace Lutheran Church of Natoma and can be sent to the mortuary.

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Hays Arts Council opens summer class registrations; camps added

Posted on May 16, 2019

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Children create sculptures in a HAC ceramics class last summer. File photo

The Hays Arts Council has opened registration for its summer art programs.

The HAC has many repeat classes however, Creativity Camps are new this year offering four half-days of activities, including painting, drawing, crafts and sculpture.

A mid-morning or afternoon snack will be offered depending on the session. Camps are offered from 1 to 5 p.m. June 3-6 and July 22-25 for children 8-12. Additional courses will be offered from 9 to 11:45 p.m. July 22-25 for children 6-8.

Cost is $48 per child per session.

Camps will be at the Hays Arts Center Annex, 1010 Main St., Hays.

“Kids who love art will love spending four days in a row making nothing but art for four hours,” said Brenda Meder, HAC executive director.

Meder said the HAC tried to time the camps so they would work well with parents’ schedules.

“The main thing I like about it, quite frankly, is that parents that have to work and cannot be jumping in and out of their day — they just don’t have that liberty — I am hoping that is who this will serve best. You can drop your child off on the way back from your lunch break, and you don’t have to pick them up again until 5.”

“Pop Art” POW! is also new this year. Children will explore the style of Andy Warhol and comic books with bright colors and humor. The children will be drawing and painting and exploring design.

For children who want a shorter experience, the HAC will offer four One-Day Wonders for children 6-12. These include Summer Fun on Monday June 24, Flower Power on Tuesday, June 25, Beads and Bangles on Wednesday, June 26 and Red, White and Blue on Wednesday July 3. Costs range form $12 to $14. Times and dates vary. Check the HAC website for more details.

Call of the Wild is back again this year with the aid of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History. These are two-day experiences in which children learn about snakes, turtles, frogs or lizards. They will meet live Sternberg animal ambassadors and then create art based on what they have learned about their new animal friends.

“We went with all the things we have done in the past that have just gone over so well,” Meder said. “Really all our classes are pretty nice and broad in their focus, so the kids get a variety of creative elements unless it is very specific like photography or ceramics.

“Some of the one-day things are a little bit more craft oriented, but it gives the kids a chance to be creative and to be painting and to be gluing and to be cutting and just be exploring artistic materials and mediums and seeing what they come up with.”

For older children, the HAC offers more focused classes, including photography, stained glass, theater, wheel-thrown pottery and ceramics.

See a complete list of classes below or view the class list on the HAC website. Class space is limited. The HAC regularly updates the website when classes are full. You can also call the HAC at 785-625-7522 or email Meder at [email protected] for more information.

KU announces local spring graduates

Posted on May 16, 2019

LAWRENCE — The names of almost 5,000 candidates for degree from the University of Kansas this spring — representing 90 Kansas counties; 45 other states, territories, and Washington, D.C.; and 49 other countries — have been announced by the University Registrar. Degrees are officially conferred in June.

Many candidates will choose to participate in KU’s annual Commencement ceremony, which will take place Sunday, May 19. That information is available at commencement.ku.edu.

Local students are listed below.

Ellis

Vincent B Bailey, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Caitlin Nicole Billinger, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Ashley Lauren Cossaart, Hays, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Bachelor of Arts in French, Francophone and Italian Studies

Lucas J Diehl, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Kirsten C Ellard, Hays, Bachelor of Social Work

Mariah Brenae Haley, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Biology

Courtney K Keener, Hays, Master of Social Work

Kelly Cathleen Koenigsman, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Education

Mikayla Jo Linn, Hays, Doctor of Pharmacy

Blake McClung, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Business in Accounting

Emily Rose McPherson, Hays, Bachelor of Science in Education

Emily Ann Pfeifer, Hays, Doctor of Medicine

Taylor Mark Pfeifer, Hays, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Brady T Rohr, Hays, Doctor of Pharmacy & Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Studies

Sarah Emmalee Rooney, Hays, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Tina Tinkel, Hays, Doctor of Nursing Practice

Owen P Toepfer, Hays, Bachelor of Arts in Classical Languages & Bachelor of Arts in English

Britney Lynn Werth, Hays, Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies

Norton

Dakota Drew Dreher, Norton, Doctor of Medicine

Osborne

Justin L Theleman, Natoma, Doctor of Medicine

Seth David Conway, Osborne, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Phillips

Bailey Elizabeth Imm, Agra, Doctor of Pharmacy

Brant Nathan Cox, Long Island, Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Rooks

Hannah M Berland, Damar, Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology

Kylee Shae, Plainville, Doctor of Pharmacy

Andrew P Bellerive, Stockton, Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

Russell

Miranda Kay Clark, Russell, Juris Doctor

Kierra Cherie Mitchell, Russell, Bachelor of Science in Journalism

Jessie Danielle Reilly, Russell, Bachelor of Science in Business in Supply Chain Management

Kristen Suzanne Rios, Russell, Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Smith

Carmen Michelle Engelke, Cedar, Master of Social Work

Trego

Nicole Marie Martin, Collyer, Doctor of Physical Therapy.

FHSU nursing students headed to Dominican Republic to provide medical aid

Posted on May 16, 2019May 15, 2019

A FHSU nursing student attends to a patient at the hospital in San José de las Matas, Dominican Republic. Ten FHSU nurses will travel to the Dominican in June as part of a Medical Ministry International trip.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Fort Hays State University Nursing Associate Professor Kathleen Ward has been taking FHSU nursing students on overseas summer learning trips for 10 years, but after she took a group to Dominican Republic, she knew that is where she and her students were most needed.

“I needed to be taking these students to a third-world country where they can provide actual nursing care to people who really need it. There are people who are really in need,” Ward said.

A FHSU nursing student fills a prescription at a Dominican pharmacy on a previous Medical Ministry International trip.

Ward and 10 BSN students will be traveling to San José de las Matas, Dominican Republic June 8-22. The students have all taken a one-hour preparatory course for the trip this spring.

The students will be working with Medical Ministry International, a non-profit group that provides medical relief across the globe. Ward became acquainted with the group when one her students moved to the Dominican Republic to work with the group.

Physicians, specialists and dentists from across the United States also volunteer with the program. Ward’s husband is a dentist and has traveled with the nurses in the past, but will be unable to this year.

“That is another thing that is nice,” Ward said. “These people get to see how that interprofessional part of nursing [works]. … These physicians are very open. They are very willing to teach. They want to let the nursing students do whatever they can to get the best experience. It’s a fabulous experience.”

The students will rotate through a variety of duties during their time in the Dominican, including pre- and post-operative care, working in a traveling clinic, working in the pharmacy, providing medication education, and teaching health education and proper hygiene.

The San José de las Matas, Dominican Republic, operating room is only open when Medical Ministry Internal volunteers, which will include FHSU nursing students in June, are on site.

“It is a major need,” Ward said of health care in the Dominican. “Some of them are poor and so they have a larger need. Every year we have numerous people who come and need surgeries. One year we went, and there was this baby who had a cleft lip.”

Many of the procedures would be considered basic health care in the United States, Ward said. The surgical suite in the hospital at San José de las Matas is only open while the mission volunteers are there.

The students happened to be working at the hospital when a patient accidentally cut off his fingers. The clinic also regularly sees patients with major infections who have no other access to medical care.

Education and prevention is important as well, Ward said. The water is unsafe to drink, so the students teach residents how to purify their water. They teach youth how to brush their teeth and women about female hygiene.

“They teach how to prevent sexually transmitted infections, because that is rampant down there,” Ward said.

Nursing students load boxes to buses every day while they are in the Dominican and travel to rural villages to conduct clinics.

In addition to providing life-changing medical services, Ward said the students receive valuable training.

“I think it is important for those students because it give them a greater appreciation of what nursing really can do,” she said. “It gives you a gratification. These people are so appreciative. They are so happy for you to do anything for them. If you give them a Band-Aid, they’re happy, which is totally different than the health care in the United States. …

“It gives you that self-fulling feeling that you are really helping people.”

She said the trips also give students an opportunity to meet and work with people of different cultures.

“They just have a better understanding of how to care for people,” she said. “Even when they go out in their own practice when they graduate and move on, they are going to have a greater appreciation for somebody who comes in and is of a different nationality, who can’t speak our language, because most of these students don’t speak Spanish.”

The Spanish dialect spoken in the Dominican is unique to the region, and Medical Ministry International uses interpreters.

Meagan Karlin, 22, is graduating this weekend with her BSN. She went on the Dominican trip last summer.

“I learned so much about the therapeutic relationship. I did not speak the language, and we had to find other ways to communicate,” she said. “I see how fortunate and blessed we are. I think we take for granted running water. We have water to run to brush our teeth, but they have no access to clean water.”

The residents in the Dominican have to pay for water and haul it to their homes. They can’t get it out of sink. So they told Karlin they had to use their water sparingly.

“They said, ‘I have to make it as long as I can.’ It was very sad,” Karlin said.

She said working in pre- and post-op had a substantial effect on her.

“I think the biggest thing was when I was working in the hospital. A 22-year-old came in for breast reduction. She came by herself,” Karlin said. “She was the same age as me. She was surrounded by strangers. They tried to get a spinal epidural in for surgery three times.

“As they tried to get that in, I tried to gain her trust. We developed a relationship. I told her it was OK. We connected on a whole other level. I was with her through surgery and post-op until she was able to go home.”

Karlin said she learned much about the Dominican culture, which is based heavily on relationships with friends and family, and their religion, which is primarily Catholic.

“I talked to a woman who had lost her son. She had lost so many family members. I told her I was sorry to hear that. She said she was OK with it because he was with the Lord and that she would get there eventually,” Karlin said. “They are so thankful for the small things.”

The students are selling FHSU-branded nursing merchandise to raise funds for the trip. Each nurse has to raise $950 for airfare and another $1,400 to pay for lodging, transportation and food while they are in the Dominican.

They are also trying to collect medical supplies for the trip.

This includes over-the-counter basics, such as vitamins and ibuprofen. Prenatal vitamins are especially needed. Medications must be unexpired and unopened.

“They have a lot of problems with back aches because of working in the fields,” Ward said. “They have a lot of GI problems because of their diets. They don’t eat the healthiest, so we have a a lot of stomach problems and things like that.”

Donors can bring items to the FHSU Nursing Department office Stroup Hall 120B on the FHSU campus.

Below is a listed of the needed supplies.

VITAMINS

Adult vitamins with and without iron
Children’s vitamins with and without iron
Infant vitamins
Prenatal vitamins
Folic acid
Vitamin C, D, & E
Magnesium
Calcium
Iron

ANALGESICS

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 500mg
Children’s Tylenol
Ibuprofen 200mg
Aspirin 81 mg
Naproxen (Aleve) 220mg & 500mg
Midol
Migraine Relief

EYES

Saline eye drops

RESPIRATORY

Dextromethorphan (Vicks Dayquil cough)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg tabs, 12.5mg liquid (no 50mg)
Loratadine (Claritin) 10mg
Liquid Loratadine (Claritin)
Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 5mg, 10mg & liquid
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
Mucinex
Nasal Saline
Nasal decongestant spray
Robafen (Cough Medication)

GASTROINTESTINAL

Fiber
Colace
Gas X
Ranitidine (Zantac)
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Hemorrhoid treatments
Tums

GYN & UROLOGY

Vaginal suppositories for yeast infection (clotrimazole/miconazole)

TOPICALS

A & D cream
Selsun Blue
Acne meds
Gentle face wash
Muscle rub
Nail fungal treatments
Wart treatments
Cold sore cream
Zinc oxide (Diaper rash creams)
Vicks
Triple antibiotic ointment
Clotrimazole-Antifungal cream
Hydrocortisone creams

Band-Aids – Especially for children