For Immediate Release

Date: December 27, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154

Medicalodge of Kinsley receives award

Officials from the Kansas Department on Aging will be in Kinsley on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, to recognize Janel Burr, administrator at Medicalodge of Kinsley, and her staff for their efforts in changing the culture of long-term care.

Medicalodge of Kinsley is one of 10 Kansas nursing homes to earn a 2005 award for Promoting Excellent Alternatives in Kansas Nursing Homes (PEAK). This is the fourth year KDOA has presented PEAK awards to recognize homes that are moving away from institutional models of the past to person-centered care in a home-like environment.

The presentation is open to the public. On hand for the 9:30 a.m. awards ceremony will be Bill McDaniel, KDOA director of Nursing Facilities (NF) and Client Assessment, Referral and Evaluation (CARE) programs and Dave Halferty and Patsy Samson, senior managers in the KDOA NF/CARE Division.

Also receiving 2005 PEAK awards are: Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor; Hillsboro Community Medical Center; Lakewood Rehabilitation, formerly Friendship Manor Rehabilitation Center, Haviland; Golden Heights Living Center, Garnett; Medicalodge of Wichita; The Cedars, McPherson; Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan; Pleasant View Home Inc., Inman; and Schowalter Villa, Hesston.

Medicalodge of Kinsley is making great strides towards changing the way nursing homes are perceived, and has earned this year’s Edwards County Chamber of Commerce “Small Business Award.” Staff have made a concerted effort to bring community activities to the facility, including sponsorship of a motorcycle rally. Approximately 25 bikers paraded through town and then set up in the facility’s parking lot, where burgers and hot dogs awaited. Four residents took advantage of an offer for a motorcycle ride, which produced “smiles a mile long.”

Sponsors of the PEAK Awards are Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, St. Francis Health Center, Harrah’s Prairie Band Casino, Heartland Sales and Chemicals, Golden Eagle Casino, Kansas Advocates for Better Care and Health-E-Equip. More information about the PEAK Initiative is available on this website.