Date: December 27, 2005
Contact: Barbara Schoof Conant
barbaraconant@aging.state.ks.us
Director of Communications
(785) 296-6154
Officials from the Kansas Department on Aging will be in Wichita on Friday, Jan. 6, 2006, to recognize T. Marie Hock-Rasdon, administrator at Medicalodge of Wichita, and her staff for their efforts in changing the culture of long-term care.
Medicalodge of Wichita 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 9:00 a.m. awards ceremony will be KDOA Deputy Secretary and Program and Policy Commissioner Janis DeBoer; 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; The Cedars, McPherson; Golden Heights Living Center, Garnett; Hillsboro Community Medical Center; Lakewood Rehabilitation, formerly Friendship Manor Rehabilitation Center, Haviland; Meadowlark Hills, Manhattan; Medicalodge of Kinsley; Pleasant View Home Inc., Inman, and Schowalter Villa, Hesston.
Medicalodge of Wichita, located in a residential neighborhood, has a large patio leading out to a beautifully landscaped backyard, where residents can play croquet, enjoy the gardens, weather permitting, or watch the squirrels play. A fish pond, complete with fountain and tropical fish, adds to the serenity. Neighborhood staffing provides residents with consistency of care, and “the overall feel of family is growing each day.” Activities include a cooking club, men’s sports night, the Red Hat Society, and Under 55 Activity Group.
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.