Lawrence Business Magazine 2019 Q4 by Lawrence Business Magazine

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2019 Q4

Publisher: Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC Ann Frame Hertzog & Steven Hertzog Editor-in-Chief: Ann Frame Hertzog Chief Photographer: Steven Hertzog

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHERS

What is a Healthy Community? As we come to the end of the decade and start to look to the next, we thought this topic would be interesting to explore. What we learned was that creating a Healthy Community takes people and resources throughout the community working together. As a community, we are fortunate to have a strong community hospital and healthcare options. But we also have healthcare disparities that many in the community are working to balance. From making sure that we feed our community to creating programs to address mental health issues, we have a lot of challenges. In this issue, we try to explore some of the ways the challenges are being addressed and how we respond to them. We look at several different areas of healthcare and our community. These topics were chosen as a sample of healthcare areas and challenges; they do not, by any means, represent the total range of healthcare practices or outreach we have in Lawrence. But hopefully, they serve as a representation of our community and give our readers insight into this vital issue in our community. In looking at what a Healthy Community is, it is important to note that though this issue is focusing primarily on human health, a Healthy Community also needs healthy businesses. Healthy businesses are central to our community’s health and resources. This quote by former Surgeon General, Joycelyn Elders, is pertinent, “Health is more than the absence of disease. Health is about jobs and employment, education, the environment, and all of those things that go into making us healthy.” One of the ways to keep our local businesses healthy is to use, patronize, and shop from our local businesses. At any time of year and in particular during the holiday season, when everyone is busy and looking to save time, don’t go online, support your local businesses and make the conscious decision to go local. Remember, before you go online and buy from huge corporations that pay no local sales tax and many no taxes at all, it is the local businesses that are paying local taxes, employing local workers, sponsoring local teams, providing local resources and contributing to the health of our community. As a locally owned business, we appreciate everyone who supports local and contributes to the health and resources of our community. Happy New Year,

Ann Frame Hertzog Editor-in-Chief/Publisher

Steven Hertzog Chief Photographer/Publisher

Featured Writers: Tyler J. Allen Anne Brockhoff Joshua Falleaf Bob Luder Patricia A. Michaelis, Ph.D. Emily Mulligan Tara Trenary Liz Weslander Copy Editor: Tara Trenary Contributing Writers: Courtney Bernard

L-R Derrick Hurst , Dan Partridge, Cathy Dahl, Melissa Freiburger, and Russ Johnson Photo by: Steven Hertzog

Contributing Photographers: Jeff Burkhead Gaskins Photography Jerry Jost Earl Richardson Doug Stremel

INQUIRIES & ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT: info@LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com

www.LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC 3514 Clinton Parkway, Suite A-113 Lawrence, KS 66047 Lawrence Business Magazine, is published quarterly by Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC and is distributed by direct mail to businesses in the Lawrence & Douglas County Community. It is also distributed at key retail locations throughout the area and mailed to individual subscribers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reprinted or reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Statements and opinions printed in the Lawrence Business Magazine are the those of the author or advertiser and are not necessarily the opinion of Lawrence Business Magazine.

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2019 Q4

Contents Features: 11

Lawrence in Perspective:

An Eye On Prevention

by Bob Luder

Directing Mental Crisis by Emily Mulligan

Food Security

by Anne Brockhoff

Getting to the Heart of It

Community Health - Balancing Inequities

On the Cutting Edge

New Ways to Be Well

Find Your Zen

Pioneering Public Health by Patricia Michaelis, Ph.D.

by Bob Luder

by Joshua Falleaf by Tara Trenary by Liz Weslander by Tyler Allen

Departments: 5

Letter From the Publishers

16 LMH Health 18 Professional Spotlight

Russ Johnson, LMH Health

Local Scene

76 Newsmakers 78

Whose Desk?

Mission:

Lawrence Business Magazine: Telling the stories of people and businesses making a positive impact on Lawrence & Douglas County. /lawrencebusinessmagazine

@LawrenceBizMag

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com/SUBSCRIPTIONS

LAWRENCE & DOUGLAS CO [IN PERSPECTIVE]

Pioneering PUBLIC HEALTH by Patricia A. Michaelis, Ph.D., Historical Research & Archival Consulting photos courtesy of the Kansas State Historical Society, kansasmemory.org

Kansas medical doctor was a pioneer in public health, designing the flyswatter to help combat diseases spread by houseflies. This phrase became the motto of Dr. Samuel Crumbine, of the Kansas State Board of Health, as he campaigned statewide and nationally to improve public health in the early 1900s. Today, we take most of the health precautions he and other public health officials promoted for granted. But that was not the case at the turn of the last century. Crumbine became one of the pioneers in the field of public health in the United States, arguing for the prevention of disease. Lawrence and other Kansas communities benefited from his initiatives. Doctors were just beginning to understand how germs were transmitted and how everyday practices contributed to their spread. Cities and small towns had dirt streets, and horsedrawn vehicles were the primary mode of transportation.

Horse droppings were common on public streets. Windows and doors were unscreened. So flies could move freely in and out of houses and around the community. Towns had public water buckets with a single cup that was used by everyone, and “roller towels” were used to dry hands. Flies also spread germs from the common practice of spitting on sidewalks. These practices were the targets of Dr. Crumbine’s campaigns for better public health. Samuel Jay Crumbine was born in Emlenton, Pennsylvania, on Sept.17, 1862. His father was a mechanic and served in the 103rd Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War. However, he was captured by the confederates and died in Libby Prison before his son was born. Crumbine’s widowed mother raised him on a farm, and he attended public schools. 11

When he was 16, he was employed as a clerk in a drug store in Sugar Grove, where he decided he wanted to become a pharmacist. He moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and when he was 21, he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. He graduated as a physician in 1888, but he had moved to Spearville, Kansas, in Ford County, in 1885, where he was one of the owners of a drug store. After receiving his medical degree, he moved to Dodge City, where he built an extensive medical practice with a reputation as a skilled physician. In 1890, he married Katherine Zuercher. They had two children, Warren and Violet. Kansas Gov. William Stanley appointed Crumbine to the Kansas State Board of Health in 1899. He was named secretary (the equivalent of an agency head) in 1904. He served in that position until 1923. During his tenure, he initiated a number of campaigns to improve the public health of the state. One of his best-known efforts was the “Swat the Fly” campaign. Under his supervision, the State Board of Health released a publication that used graphic language to detail the health issues cause by flies. The following excerpts from a pamphlet published between 1910 and 1915 give a sense of Crumbine’s passion on this issue:

House Fly Catechism

Where is the house fly born? In filth, chiefly in horse manure and out-houses. Where does the fly live? Where there is filth. Is there anything too filthy for the fly to eat? No. Does the fly like clean food too? Yes, and it appears to be its delight to wipe its feet on clean food. How does he spread disease? By carrying infection on his legs and wings, and by “fly specks” after he has been feeding on infectious material. What diseases may the fly thus carry? He may convey typhoid fever, tuberculosis, cholera, dysentery and “summer complaint.” Did the fly ever kill anyone? He killed more American soldiers in the Spanish-American war than the bullets of the Spaniards; and was the direct cause of much of the typhoid fever in Kansas last year. How may we successfully fight the fly? By destroying or removing his breeding place, the manure pile: making the privy vault fly-proof, and keeping our yard clean; by screening the house; by the use of the wire swatter and sticky fly-paper.

In 1905, Crumbine designed the flyswatter, an adaption of a device on a yard stick called a fly bat. Another major target of Crumbine’s efforts was to combat the spread of tuberculosis (TB). The disease was a serious problem in the early 1900s because it was a highly variable communicable disease that affects especially the lungs but may spread to other areas (such as the kidney or spinal column). It is characterized by fever, cough and difficulty breathing. It is believed that he became concerned after seeing tuberculosis patients spitting on the floor of a train. Also, he watched a mother give her child a drink from a public drinking cup after it had been used by a TB patient. His targets in this campaign were common drinking cups and spitting in public places. He urged railroads and public facilities with drinking cups to replace their common cups with paper cups. He tested the cups from several trains and found they contained many kinds of bacteria, including tuberculosis. In 1909, the Kansas was the first state to 13

ban the public drinking cup. He wanted brick manufacturers to stamp bricks used in building sidewalks with “Don’t Spit on Sidewalk.” Crumbine believed this practice of spitting helped spread tuberculosis. It was rumored one brickmaker, Capital City Vitrified Brick and Paving Co., agreed to stamp every fourth brick with the slogan just to get Dr. Crumbine to leave them alone. Crumbine also tackled the issues of clean water and sewage disposal. It was common for towns to pump raw sewage into the most convenient waterway. Kansas passed water and sewage laws in 1907. In 1911, he urged hotels to change their sheets daily. Crumbine used various methods to get Kansans to support his efforts. He used the State Board of Health Bulletin to spread his messages, beginning each bulletin in 1913 and 1914 with a series of short sayings to get local public health officials to act. These included: The animal that eats at your table — the fly The man who harbors a breeding place for flies is an enemy of society Fingernail biters — bacteria eaters The unscreened home is the season’s greatest danger Civic cleanliness has its own reward — community health A “swat” in the early spring saves many times “nine” in the summer

Crumbine and his staff developed stereopticon lectures on various public-health topics that could be used by local officials across the state. He made numerous talks on his favorite subjects. The Topeka woman’s club asked Crumbine to prepare an outline for a study of public-health conditions, which became popular across the state, and the Board of Health’s supply of pamphlets on various topics was soon exhausted. Other states became interested, and Crumbine, who was serving as president of the Conference of State and Provincial Boards of Health in 1914, called for a committee to develop such a course of study for the United States. The American Medical Association supported the effort and was responsible for distributing the 19-lesson course. To try to encourage local action, the final lesson was titled “A Study of our Town,” to be used to identify community problems. In 1923, Crumbine moved to New York to become executive director of the American Child Health Association. He later worked for the Save the Children Foundation. He died in 1954. Samuel Crumbine was a relentless campaigner on any issue he felt endangered public health. Many of his campaigns were aimed at preventing the spread of communicable disease. During Crumbine’s 19-year tenure with the Kansas Board of Health, the state’s death rate continually decreased. His public-health innovations made Kansas a leader in protecting the health of its citizens, and his contributions were implemented across the United States. p

Dr. Jodie Barr visits with a pa2ent at the LMH Health Oncology & Hematology Center. There are more than 10,000 pa2ent visits to the center each year.

LMH Tackles Cancer With help from the Lawrence community, LMH Health Oncology successfully forges ahead. by Courtney Bernard, Development Coordinator, LMH Health Foundation, photo by Jason Daily

Patients don’t have to travel far from home to receive exceptional cancer treatment. LMH Health Oncology offers a multidisciplinary approach with the ability to treat all forms of cancer and serves as a beacon of hope for all community members, regardless of their ability to afford care. LMH Health Oncology offers clinical trials and high-risk and genetic screening. Dr. Jodie Barr, a physician at LMH Health Oncology & Hematology Center, says the personal care and connection is what also sets LMH Health Oncology apart from the rest. “We have a very personal touch with our patients here,” Barr explains. “With our great nursing staff, I’d rank it one of the top in the country. Our patients have a sense of comfort when they come in for treatment and that’s because of our team.” Generous community support during 16

the years through LMH Health Foundation has helped strengthen LMH Health Oncology. Recently, this support has made possible a new cancer survivorship program and bolstered funding to charitable care. “The community stands behind LMH Health,” Barr continues. “We are who we are because the community supports this hospital, and we are able to take care of everyone.”

Survivorship Program With the national population of cancer survivors growing, an increasing need exists to provide comprehensive cancer survivorship care to people living with and through their diagnoses. The vision of LMH Health Oncology’s new survivorship program is to develop a comprehensive, whole-person model of survivorship care across the continuum of cancer care.

A full-time nurse navigator position was needed for the program to launch. A generous gift from the late Frank Becker and his wife, Barbara, helped finance this position. Frank was treated at the LMH Health Oncology center for a little more than four years and said supporting the survivorship program and funding the position was a natural choice. “LMH Health has grown into an outstanding cancer treatment center,” Becker said in a 2018 interview. “Anytime I’ve visited, I’ve never heard anyone say a discouraging word. I’ve grown to see how good LMH Health is, and it needs a little extra help from all of us.” Amy Shealy, RN, started working as the survivorship program’s nurse navigator in January. The daughter of two nurses, Shealy enjoys developing relationships with LMH Health Oncology patients through their survivorship journey.

“I love our patients and knowing that I’m part of someone’s story,” Shealy says. “I’m glad to provide them with comfort and be the person they turn to in a very scary moment in their life.” Shealy partners with Lori Winfrey, an oncology nurse practitioner, to create a comprehensive survivorship care plan given to patients at their first appointment after treatment has ended. The plan outlines all of the important details about the patient’s journey from first diagnosis to last treatment, including medications, dosages and surgery dates. The survivorship team also includes a detailed care plan, outlining everything a survivor needs to do moving forward. Shealy and Winfrey continue to meet with survivors through the weeks, months and years after treatment to help make sure the survivors stay on track in all aspects of their health, from keeping up with medications and regular preventative exams to checking in on their mental health. “We are the bridge between the final cancer treatment and life afterward,” Shealy explains. “The survivorship team brings it all together and looks at each person holistically to make sure they stay healthy.” Shealy wants people to know that LMH Oncology has great resources and that community members don’t have to drive an hour away for treatment. “I’ve seen the ‘big guns,’ but I know a community hospital can do a great job at cancer treatment,” Shealy says. “We have five wonderful physicians who treat all of the cancers, and everyone works as a team. You always feel like you’re welcome here. It has been such a great experience coming to LMH Health.”

LMH Health receives no tax support from the city of Lawrence or Douglas County, and invests all excess revenues in services, equipment and facilities. The Help and Healing Fund and Catch a Break Fund are two options available to support oncology patients at LMH Health.

Help and Healing Fund In 2005, the LMH Health Foundation established the Help and Healing Fund to help any patient in need with expenses for medications, medical equipment or other necessities for healing and recovery after a hospital stay. The Help and Healing Fund provides up to $300 or a 30-day supply of medication that LMH Health physicians have prescribed. This assistance, which is critical to ensure patients stay on the path to healthy living and safe healing, is financed through gifts to LMH Health Foundation and the LMH Health Employee Campaign.

Catch a Break Fund

Charitable Care

The Catch a Break Fund at LMH Health Foundation helps cancer survivors in the community pay for day-to-day needs like medications, car repairs, utilities and food during one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Health care in the United States can come at a staggering cost to patients, and oncology care is no exception. As a community-owned, notfor-profit hospital, LMH Health serves the health-care needs of the community regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. Each year, LMH Health provides $25 million in charitable care.

In the last few weeks, the Catch a Break Fund has helped a patient purchase new clothing after significant weight loss from treatment and also helped a patient afford gas for trips to the hospital.

“This is a community hospital that has a charitable mission worth millions of dollars,” says Rebecca Smith, executive director of LMH Health Foundation. “That’s why LMH Health is different. That’s why it matters, and that’s why people care about it.”

Catch a Break is financed by gifts to LMH Health Foundation and event proceeds from the foundation’s annual Rock the Block— Kick Cancer event. p

‘

Everybody is innovative by nature. This is especially true of healthcare workers. The core part of my role is to empower people to voice their ideas and then create a safe space for them to further explore and evaluate their ideas. – Omkar Kulkarni, Chief Innovation Officer, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

PROFESSIONAL [ SPOTLIGHT ]

RUSS JOHNSON

PRESIDENT & CEO LMH HEALTH What is LMH Health’s most important commodity or service?

We are a missional organization creating healthy communities through exceptional health care, regardless of a person’s ability to pay. We are focusing on broad access and convenience across Lawrence and our surrounding communities. From expansion at our Maine Street Campus to our East Heights Family Clinic to the future West Campus—and through our primary and specialty care practices, new technologies, fitness and education programs, and community partnerships—we are committed to providing the high-quality services you need for a lifetime of healthy living close to home.

What is LMH Health’s most important priority?

This is a transformative time for health care, not just in Douglas County but nationwide. Medical treatment advances and technological innovations are growing at exponential levels. Simultaneously, health care costs skyrocket, creating hardship not only for hospitals but, more importantly, for patients. To continue to do right by our community during this evolution, LMH Health must evolve, too. We must continuously focus on being a more effective organization. We can’t just get through a change or effectively navigate a current challenge; we must become truly comfortable in the midst of change. We are faced with, and we will make, difficult decisions. But we will remember that we are a missional organization. At our core, our role as a service organization has never been bigger or more important. 18

What have been some of the most important aspects of your success?

Community support, the caliber or our medical staff and our amazing employees. Over the past two decades, LMH Health transformed from an ordinary community hospital into an exceptional one. The quality of care improved, the organization became financially sound and LMH Health moved to the “next level” as a community hospital. It’s no wonder that the citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County are absolutely passionate about this hospital. This passion and community support is further reflected by the level of philanthropic support we receive. As a not-for-profit community hospital that receives no tax support—yet provides millions of dollars every year in charitable care— community philanthropic support is crucial. Gifts to the LMH Health Foundation elevate the level of care we provide throughout the organization. Every day, we’re so grateful for this kind of support, as it has truly helped us grow into the hospital our community needs and deserves.

How many people do you work with, serve, interact with on a daily basis and are responsible to? Or for?

We’re fortunate to have the commitment of 1,800 talented employees, physicians and clinicians at LMH Health. The LMH Health Board of Trustees—the operating board of the hospital and the people to whom I answer—is comprised of nine individuals who are appointed by the mayor of Lawrence and approved by the full city commission. We work with nearly every provider in our service area, which extends outside of Douglas County and includes about 196,000 residents. Our 600-plus volunteers provide tremendous support to our operations and represent one of the largest youth volunteer programs anywhere. Each of these individuals takes his or her role extremely seriously—which makes it possible to provide medical care to an ever-growing community. On any given day, LMH Health provides 2,000 incidents of care across 30 locations. And we’re fortunate to have wonderful partners in the LMH Health Foundation—the more than 1,700 donors who provide philanthropic support each year provide a margin of excellence as we deliver exceptional care in exceptional facilities.

40 YEARS EXPERIENCE

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

How do you and your industry make a positive impact on the Lawrence community?

Our purpose, “A Partner for lifelong health,” is all about making a positive impact and fulfilling our significant social contract. LMH Health provides quality and compassionate health care—for all, regardless of ability to pay. In our first 10 months of this year, LMH Health has provided more than $13.5 million in uncompensated charitable care. As a community-owned, not-for-profit health-care system, charitable care is not only an imperative, it guides our decision-making every day. This is a big, complex business enterprise, but its heart is about the common good. Last month, we celebrated the grand opening of our East Heights Family Care Clinic. The new clinic, which was largely funded by philanthropic gifts, will serve an area of the community that had been previously underserved. We are building partnerships with our colleagues in mental health, addiction, food scarcity, housing, education and other agencies with whom we share a mission. We know that by working together as partners, we will have a broader, more enduring impact on our community’s health.

What do you see as your personal responsibility and the industry’s responsibility to the community? My personal responsibility is to provide leadership. To me, that means a clear sense of vision for the future, communicating that openly and setting the tone for the way in which we will pursue that vision. In the challenging and uncertain arena of health care, that can be daunting. Our leadership takes to heart our purpose statement: “A partner for life-

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long health,” and we are making real progress in keeping people healthy, in addition to treating them when they’re sick. Much of my responsibility now is to better understand how the role of the hospital is changing and the impact that social determinants have on people’s health and well-being—poverty, housing, abuse, genetics, unemployment, transportation, trauma and mental health. I see my responsibility as supporting our team’s ability to knit together a broad fabric of services, locations, technology and talent into a cohesive, effective and sustainable organization. Creating healthy communities is a team effort—it takes communication and collaboration among the many health and human service organizations across our community. We are partnering with other community nonprofits to find better and healthier solutions for everyone. We don’t have all the answers yet, but the level of interaction, dialogue and planning that’s taking place has the potential to become a model for other communities.

What inspires you? Is there a specific thing, person or incident?

What would you change about doing business (or working with businesses) in Lawrence?

Financial uncertainty. 2019 brought a downturn in hospital operating revenue and margin due to a number of factors that are common to nearly every hospital. These are challenging times for health-care providers, and unfortunately, we’re not insulated from that. Recently, we’ve experienced a significant change in our contractual agreements with commercial payers—this shifting insurance landscape signals where we are headed in health care, and the answer is clear: We must cost less. There is tremendous pressure on cost, because the country cannot afford the health-care system we have created. Even as a not-for-profit hospital, we must implement long-term and immediate strategies to address these factors. LMH Health is a very strong hospital with years of clinical, operational and financial excellence. We will continue that trend; we are dedicated to being an excellent steward of your community hospital.

My wife, Isabel, and I have grown to love Lawrence as a place to live and work. There is so much to appreciate about this community, the hospital and the business partners we work with. Through my involvement with the Chamber and EDC, I am learning about the challenge of adequate housing in Lawrence and the concerning prospects for meeting these needs over the next 10 years. I have no doubt that growth—significant growth—is in our future. I think our community would be well-served by a clearer, unified vision and purpose. One that helps guide how we will grow and prosper in a manner that recognizes and respects what’s best about the community while creating the opportunity for new families and businesses to share in what we love about Lawrence. That’s a tall order, but I think we should be taking it on. 20

What do you foresee as being the biggest challenge for the future of I am so fortunate to work in a field that is your industry? And how are you full of people who chose their career be- addressing or preparing for it? cause it combines analytical, diagnostic and motor skills with a deep sense of passion and purpose. I’m trained in economics and health administration, and so I have tremendous respect and awe, frankly, for the employees and clinicians that provide the care and make the decisions that actually save lives and lead to recovery. That is an enormous responsibility, and their work inspires me every day. One of my favorite things about LMH Health is hearing and sharing stories of team members who went above and beyond to support a patient facing a difficult situation. Every day, we see our volunteers, employees, caregivers and physicians take a personal approach to care—it is truly patient first. This is why we do what we do. It matters, and it’s inspiring.

What is the biggest challenge you feel your industry is facing now?

The country is struggling to figure out how we can afford our health-care system and keep the model of delivery we have. Those two goals may not be compatible, and it will mean significant pressure for change on multiple fronts: legislative actions, Medicare/Medicaid reform, the growth of consumerism, the major insurers exerting their muscle, new entrants into the market (Google, Apple, Amazon), vertical integration like Aetna and CVS, technological disruptors that move care out of facilities and into the home, and more consolidation of providers/hospitals. The result will be a dynamic market that requires flexibility, innovation, scale and capital to succeed. The challenge will be in developing our team (staff, physicians and advanced practice professionals, managers) to be adept at changing and improving our business at every level. As a community hospital, it will mean carefully considering strategic partnerships that provide scale and clinical integration while preserving local governance and autonomy. We are preparing for this every day by building the workplace culture and skills to succeed in a changing environment. We are engaging with clinicians throughout the community, developing points of service across our market that are convenient and consumer-friendly, investing in technologies that make a real difference in the care of our patients, advancing consumer access and convenience, which liberate clinicians and nurses to spend their time with the patients and not at the keyboard. We are expanding our analytics capability and utilizing data for optimal clinical and operational performance. Most importantly, we are committed to retaining and recruiting excellent staff that combine skill and expertise with compassion and service. If we get these things right, we’ll successfully navigate the choppy waters ahead. p

(785) 843-7700 / 3430 Iowa St. Lawrence, KS 66046 22

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An Eye on

Prevention by Bob Luder, photos by Steven Hertzog

Regular checkups are key when it comes to keeping your teeth, eyes and spine in optimal condition.

Medical and health specialists. They’re those practitioners, such as dentists, optometrists and ophthalmologists, chiropractors and podiatrists, who most see on a regular basis but many often take for granted. Those who are good arbiters of their own health presumably visit the dentist office twice every year for a six-month checkup. They most likely get their eyes checked once a year. And they visit a chiropractor or podiatrist whenever an issue develops with pain in the back or feet. There are those, however, who neglect these basic preventive steps for vital body parts. They go to the dentist only when a tooth or teeth are hurting so badly they can’t eat or sleep. They avoid the eye doctor until their vision becomes so blurred they can barely read or drive. They live with back pain until it gets so severe they can barely walk or stand upright.

These folks proceed at their own peril. As we’re learning more all the time, something as basic as regular prophylactic dental, eye and back care can prevent much more serious problems down the road, which might require medical treatment or even hospitalization. “We’re learning more all the time about how the mouth can be a great eye into the general health of the body,” says Dr. Brad Adams, DDS, a dentist at Free State Dental. “Bacteria in the mouth can play a big impact on other areas of the body. A lot of heart issues can be linked back to what’s found in the mouth. The same with diabetes.” Because of these findings, Adams says he feels that most people are very receptive to keeping regular appointments for checkups two to three times per year. “Even if it’s just to check blood pressure,” he says. “We can catch and keep an eye on things that can affect general overall health.” 23

Dr. Brad Adams conducts a dental exam on a patient R top to bottom: Dr Adams explains to a patient their x-rays Drs Adams, Newkirk and Van Blaricum of Free State Dental

Care for the Chompers When it comes to good preventive dental health, Adams says there are two major components he stresses to his patients. The first is maintaining a good diet. That might beg the question: What does keeping a trim waistline have to do with the health of my teeth? Plenty as it turns out. Adams says the American public has adopted diets high in sugar and acid content. The most prominent culprit of this is the consumption of sodas and juices. “Most people think fruit juices are good for you,” Adams says. “But many of those are very high in sugar content.” The worst offense, Adams says, is buying a large soda in the morning and then sipping on it all day. That allows the sugar in the soda to cling to the teeth all day, which causes decay. And diet soda? That’s bad, as well. “It’s true diet drinks have less sugar,” Adams says. “But diet beverages have high acid content, which can erode enamel and wear on teeth.” The second component, of course, is maintaining and reinforcing good dental hygiene. Typically, that includes brushing twice a day and flossing regularly. Adams strongly recommends using an electric toothbrush over a manual. “That takes hygiene to the next level,” he says.

Thanks for 49 Growing Years!

‘

You don’t have to brush all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep. – Anonymous

’

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www.dalewilleycdjr.com Even with all that—staying away from food and drinks high in sugar content and maintaining strong dental hygiene habits—it’s still important to visit the dentist at least twice a year for checkups. Adams says he and the two other dentists at his practice perform routine procedures such as cleanings and X-rays, but also spend a lot of time with patients on education, teaching good hygiene practices and why they might have developed an issue, or how to avoid one. For instance, Adams says, most people don’t know the bacteria we inherit is different person-to-person. That’s why someone might develop cavities and other oral issues more easily, while others can seemingly have poor dental hygiene habits yet suffer few problems or issues. “I think most people know now that they should be taking care of their teeth,” Adams says. “Whether that happens is sometimes another thing. “We’re constantly trying to educate on taking care of teeth to improve quality of life,” he continues. “We’re constantly trying to fight that good fight.”

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Dr. Bilal Farhat, M.D. of Lawrence Eye Care Associates gives an eye exam to his patient

The Eyes Have It As much as people can neglect or put off seeking regular, proper dental checkups, folks can be even more negligent when it comes to caring for one of the organs used most in day-to-day life: the eyes. That’s probably because problems with the eyes often can seem minor, even unnoticeable, until they become so acute as to require urgent care or even surgery. But it’s just as important to receive regular eye checks as it is to visit the dentist or any other specialist. “Everyone should have their eyes checked with full dilation once a year, especially if you’re over 50,” says Dr. Bilal Farhat, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Lawrence Eye Care Associates. Those eye exams, performed by ophthalmologists or optometrists, become crucial in searching for eye diseases that might start in childhood and grow more with age, he explains. Prior to starting school, children should have a complete eye exam and be checked for glasses since missing something might lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. With increasing age, your eye doctor checks for conditions such as the development of cataracts, a clouding of a normally clear lens; glaucoma, an eye condition involving eye pressure that damages the optic nerve; and macular degeneration, which typically is genetic or age-related. Many of these eye conditions have slow onset leading to permanent, unexpected vision loss. “If you’re diabetic, it’s a requirement from a primary doctor to have an annual eye exam for diabetic retinopathy,” Farhat says. A healthy diet and exercise, and controlling blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are just as important for the eye as the rest of the body. Patients also are checked for more simple issues such as the need for vision correction with glasses or contacts, and dry eye. 26

There also are several measures people with sensitive eyes can take at home to help alleviate discomfort and blurred vision. Many people suffer from dry eye, and there are a variety of over-the-counter drops that help lubricate the eyes and alleviate those symptoms. Farhat says warm compresses, eyelid scrubs and in-home humidifiers also can be of help. Sunglasses also are beneficial, as they can decrease light sensitivity and provide protection against ultraviolet light. Vitamins also might help with eye and vision health, such as over-the-counter eye vitamins for macular degeneration and omega-3 fish oils for dry eye. Those who wear contact lenses should maintain good hygiene practices. Never sleep, bathe or swim in them. Change as directed. And something that many contactwearers forget: Cases should be kept clean. Never wash cases or contacts with tap water since it can contain infectious organisms, Farhat cautions. With increasing age, everyone eventually develops cataracts causing decreased vision and glare. Cataract removal is the most common surgery performed in medicine. An eye doctor will monitor for cataracts as part of an annual exam, and an ophthalmologist can help patients see better when cataracts start to affect everyday life. Of course, everyone should remain cognizant of any changes in vision that can come with aging, genetics or disease. If treatment is needed, Lawrence Eye Care Associates offers a range of services, all available in Lawrence, which include

cataract removal, cornea transplantation and LASIK surgery, which reshapes the cornea to change the way light is focused within the eye relieving the need for glasses or contacts. “People should check their family history,” Farhat says. “Those people that have a family history of eye disease should be extra vigilant with their eye exams.”

Strong Spine, Core to Good Health As anyone who’s suffered from it can attest, back pain or any affiliated pain from a bad back can make even the simplest exercise—like getting out of bed—torturous. For years, chiropractic health practices (the manipulation of vertebrae to ease pressure on nerves) were seen by many as medical outliers or worse. Long-term physical therapy and massage was considered more “legitimate” health practices. During the years, those opinions have largely shifted, and chiropractic is more widely accepted as a practical and effective form of pain relief and long-lasting health, especially when combined with the aforementioned physical therapy and massage. Dr. Rob Jones, D.C., of Peak Performance Health Center, combines all of those treatments in helping those in need, including some University of Kansas athletes, with back and structural issues. “I guess you could say I’m kind of a chiropractor/physical therapist/athletic trainer/strength coach,” says Jones, whose book, “Protect Your Back 101,” was published last year. “I use chiropractic adjustments if necessary, but I also prescribe a lot of home self-care. Things like proper stretching techniques and proper cooling down from workouts. “I set my practice up where I’m diversified,” he continues. Jones also incorporates a technique known as activerelease therapy (ART), which uses deep-tissue massage along with movement of injured or sore muscle fibers, tendons and ligaments. The manipulation of those sore fibers allows them to loosen and heal more quickly and properly. “I recognize where there’s tightness and where there’s pain,” Jones says. “I try to prevent that first then seek to heal it.” Jones says about 80 percent of the patients he sees suffer from cumulative trauma or microtrauma—issues that mount up after a long period of over- or misuse—as opposed to macrotrauma, which includes sprains and ligament tears. He says he has two goals when he treats patients: get them out of pain, then help them so they don’t have to keep coming back.

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He believes in functional movement, or moving the joints and limbs correctly so they function properly and remain healthy. Thus, it’s not uncommon to catch Jones using his cell phone camera to record patients walking up and down his hallways. In watching his patients’ walking gates and movement in slow motion, he can detect where imbalances or imperfections might exist. “I’m kind of known around town as the chiropractor who does different things,” he says. “I would hope it’s the future (of chiropractic medicine).” Jones also hopes it’s a positive step in gaining even more credibility for a medical field that’s becoming more mainstream all the time. “In many areas in the medical field, chiropractic is still thought of as voodoo,” he says. “But I’ve had doctors buy into what I do. They like the fact that it’s therapybased. Medical doctors are the gateway to health care, and they seem to be more receptive to chiropractors who use a more rehabilitation model. “I think we’re garnering more respect for the profession,” he continues. “There’s a ton of good research out there. And it’s showing that it’s effective.” p

Dr. Rob Jones, D.C. owner of Peak Performance Health Center uses a spine model to communicate to his patient the inner mechanics of the human spine. Dr. Jones works with his patients to perfect proper form to get the maximum results out of physical therapy and exercises.

Directing Mental by Emily Mulligan, photos by Steven Hertzog

How the Integrated Crisis Team is collaborating in a groundbreaking effort to address services.

The Monopoly card phrasing is “Do not pass go. Do not collect $200,” when the player must go directly to a spot on the board. In the realm of addiction treatment, it isn’t quite worded that way, but when a person in the throes of addiction requests help, it is best to act on that request immediately and without detours – before the person changes their mind. Until recently, addicts who presented in the Emergency Department at LMH Health and asked for help with detoxification or rehabilitation could receive referrals but no immediate assistance and certainly no financial help or transportation help to check into facilities. 30

That changed drastically in early 2018 when the Emergency Department’s behavioral health team, the Integrated Crisis Team (ICT), began collaborating with multiple area agencies in a groundbreaking effort to provide supportive, seamless transfers directly from LMH to area detox facilities for patients who requested it. Using county funds to help patients pay detox costs, DCCCA, Heartland RADAC (Regional Alcohol & Drug Assessment Center), Bert Nash and LMH concocted a plan to place non-medical staff in the ER dedicated to counseling substance abusers about how to get help, should they choose to. The care model, to be used for patients who qualified for non-medical detox, known as “social detox,” was a novel approach to social detox but combined some best practices from mental health and addiction treatment. Quite literally, the patients were to be met where they were – in the Emergency Department – and provided with on-the-spot counseling from a peer who had “lived experience” with addiction recovery. From there, the peer support could locate a social detox facility, give the patient a ride directly to that facility (most are outside Douglas County) and secure payment for the process through Douglas County funds earmarked for behavioral health or the patient’s health insurance coverage.

Crisis

“We know that treatment is effective and that people recover. But you have to have a system in place,” says Bob Tryanski, Douglas County’s director of behavioral health projects.

MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING IN DOUGLAS COUNTY The social detox program was active before the November 2018 vote in which voters approved a ¼-cent sales tax to fund a behavioral health campus, which will be constructed north of Bert Nash and LMH, in the 1000 block of West 2nd St.. A previous proposal for a mental health campus, which controversially was tied to expansion of the Douglas County Jail, failed in a 2016 vote.

Tryanski says that the county and other entities had a pressing need to serve the mental health challenges facing the community, in spite of the lack of a comprehensive facility, so the agencies forged ahead with other possibilities before the 2018 vote. In January 2018, the Integrated Crisis Team formed to oversee the five-bed Emergency Department unit at LMH Health dedicated to behavioral health. Now headed by Derrick Hurst, who started in March 2018, the unit is staffed by nurses, doctors and master’s-level behavioral health professionals who consult patients who are suicidal, are experiencing a mental health episode and/or who have addiction challenges. Tryanski says that the ICT represents embracing the fact that mental health patients show up in the ER and need help at all hours, as opposed to forcing those people to seek help from agencies that only operate in the traditional work week. “We’re trying to change the culture in the ER. Now we send the message to patients that, ‘You’re exactly where you should be, and we’ll get you to the help you need,’” he says. He says that eventually, he hopes the behavioral health campus, when it is completed in 2021, will serve as the “front door” for people experiencing mental illness. In the meantime, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department has embarked on detailed data collection from the ICT’s experience, to ensure that plans for the campus will reflect the county’s actual needs. Also, there have been four psychiatrists hired to the area in the past 18 months, to bolster the community’s response to mental health needs.

DISMANTLING BARRIERS TO DETOX Prior to the ICT, patients often missed the window of opportunity for social detox, because even with the best of intentions, ultimately they left the ER and resumed their normal patterns. “The problem was that there were too many barriers to getting people to start recovery who wanted to go,” ICT Director Hurst says. “There were barriers getting them to say ‘yes,’ to finding a place they could go, and they didn’t have the resources to get there.” Although securing transportation and financial assistance keeps the patient moving in the recovery process, Hurst says that the peer supports in the ER have made the biggest impact on patients opting to go for social detox. “Now, we have someone who can come and sit down and actually talk to the patient, while the Emergency Department staff fulfills its medical duties. The peer has lived experience in addiction recovery and knows what to say and do,” Hurst says. 31

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I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health. – Voltaire

L-R: Bob Tryanski Director of Behavioral Health Projects, Jason Hess Executive Director Heartland RADAC, Sandra J. Dixon Director of Behavioral Health Services, Derrick Hurst Director, Integrated Crisis Team Lawrence Memorial Hospital

OPTING INTO SOCIAL DETOX Here is how the process works, from arriving in the ER under the influence of a substance to taking up the offer of social detox and beginning the rehabilitation process. Once the Emergency staff has stabilized the patient medically and determines that they could be a candidate for social detox, the patient is moved to the ER’s behavioral health unit (if they aren’t already there). A social worker or behavioral health consultant contacts DCCCA to request a peer support so that the peer can discuss the idea of social detox with the patient. “It’s one thing for a medical professional or social worker to say, ‘I recommend you detox.’ A peer support can say from their own experience, ‘It’s not that scary.’ The patient listens to the peer and can say, ‘This person is like me and there is hope because of them,’” says Sandra Dixon, director of behavioral health services for DCCCA. Patients can begin to see themselves reflected in the peer support as they recuperate from the worst of the crisis in the ER. “The peers are there to amplify the patient voice in the treatment process. They become a valuable part of the treatment team,” Hurst says.

Social detox takes about two to four days, during which people must be in a safe place and have access to hydration and healthy food. Douglas County only has two beds where patients can do social detox, and both of those are for women, at First Step at Lakeview, if the beds are open. Male patients – and female patients when First Step is full – must leave the county and go to a facility in Johnson County, Kansas City, Kan., Topeka or even as far as Wichita. “When you look at the peer support fellowship program, that is the embodiment of the work that we do. These people have been through the systems and recovery, and now they get to give back a little bit and help people do the same thing,” says Jason Hess, executive director of Heartland RADAC. The peer arrives at the ER prepared to make arrangements at a social detox facility and transport the patient. This is the point where the Monopoly refrain comes into play. The peer brings clothing and personal hygiene items so that the patient can leave straight from LMH with everything they need for their detox experience. “We try to coordinate it all to be quick. Every time there is a stop, there is an opportunity for that person not to go ahead with recovery. We use the time well: What happens in the car is important with the peer support, because they con33

tinue the message of offering hope,” Dixon says. Once the patient is settled in the social detox facility and begins to feel better after a day or two, a Heartland RADAC care coordinator pays them a visit. “At detox, the care coordinator asks people what they want to accomplish. Often, that is one of the first times they get asked that question. When you ask and start there, they have a stake in the game,” Hess says. “It is pretty rare that they don’t want to do something different.” The Heartland RADAC care coordinators can arrange for the patient to go to a rehab facility either in Kansas or away, the patient’s choice. Rehab paperwork can get started in the field to help speed up the process, should the patient choose rehab. Typically, patients return home for some interval between detox and rehab, because they may need to make arrangements with their jobs or find someone to care for their pets. While in rehab, the care coordinator keeps in touch to see how things are going. Once the patient has completed rehab, he or she can return to Lawrence or relocate, whichever they choose, and the care coordinator will keep tabs as he or she reenters regular life.

UNIQUE AGENCY COLLABORATION IN KANSAS The agencies dreamed up the collaboration for social detox, inspired by the county’s focus on improving community mental health. “We’re all in it for the right thing. We all want to reduce medical costs and keep people with mental illness out of jail,” says Dixon of DCCCA. “The county paid us to experiment. This doesn’t happen anywhere else.” Most of the people who use the social detox program are uninsured and in general have fewer resources. Yet, Hess says, Lawrence is a “resourcerich place,” so this collaboration begins to connect people with the resources. “How can we make our work easier to access? There is a spirit of creativity in the county, which is cool to watch. The county has put real resources into this and has stayed involved and interested – that really isn’t something you see in other places,” Hess says. 34

Officer Amber Rhoden, Lawrence Police Department Mental Health Team works closely with the Behavioral Health Crisis Team as they can be the first contact for individuals in our community who may be experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

NUMBERS TO GO BY Already since beginning data collection in early 2018, there are statistics that help tell a story of community mental health in Douglas County. In the LMH Emergency Department, from March to December of 2018, 71% of patients chose to be placed in detox, and 73% of those patients completed detox. From January to October of 2019, 75% of patients chose detox, and 74% of those patients completed detox. More than 200 people completed detox during those 20 months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re sending more people to social detox than we estimated. Every intervention is an opportunity; every start of recovery helps them get better. We are planting seeds that might grow into something,â&#x20AC;? Hurst says. In general, the behavioral health unit in the Emergency Department is also being put to good use. In 2018, there were more than 4,000 visits categorized as either mental health, substance usage or both. A little more than 10% of overall visits to the emergency room were for mental health presentation in 2018.

Derrick Hurst, Director for the Integrated Crisis Team, stands in the LMH space that was renovated specifically to create the safest environment possible to meet the needs of community members seeking help in the ED who are experiencing behavioral health emergencies. Eddie Zertuche, Emergency Department Registered Nurse. The addition of cameras allows for heightened levels of constant observation in a way that feel less intrusive then previous options without sacrificing safety.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CAMPUS PROGRESS In November, construction crews broke ground to begin the housing elements of the behavioral health campus. A transitional group home with 10 beds and a 10-unit apartment complex will occupy part of the site. The group home will be for people who need short-term housing as they recover from a mental health crisis, such as medical detox, and the apartments will be longer-term housing for those who have ongoing behavioral issues. All of the agencies agree that having stable housing is crucial for anyone with mental illness or in crisis, which is why the group home and apartments are part of the plan. The housing is being paid for by its own collaboration of entities: city of Lawrence affordable housing funds, county funds, the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The crisis center is slated to be open around 2021 and is not yet under construction. It will have 14 beds and be open 24/7, with patients able to stay up to 14 days. p

Food by Anne Brockhoff, photos by Steven Hertzog

Lawrence and Douglas County have much to be proud of, from top-ranked universities to a growing population, dynamic retail environment and strong real estate market. That makes this truth hard to swallow: Almost 16% of the county’s residents aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. According to a 2017 study by Feeding America, the country’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, 18,730 people here don’t have consistent access to enough food for a healthy, active life. They span all ages, ethnic groups and educational backgrounds. Some have jobs; some don’t. Many also struggle variously with health care, transportation and housing. In short, hunger fits no profile. “Hunger looks like everyone,” says Ryan Bowersox, director of outreach and marketing for Just Food, a Douglas County food bank that serves about 13,000 clients a year. “They’re the students outside Henry’s (Coffee Shop). They’re bus drivers, service-industry workers and Just Food, together with the Douglas County Food Policy Council, Sunrise Project, school districts, businesses and countless other organizations and volunteers, is dedicated to eradicating hunger in Lawrence and Douglas County. Doing so is essential to building a healthy community and robust economy, says Jude McDaniel, a founding partner of McDaniel Knutson Financial Partners. “We have to find a way to support people that empowers them to take control over their own lives,” McDaniel says. “We have to help them get jobs, get food, get housing. That’s what a good community does.” 40

Security Lawrence and Douglas County are growing, but so too is the number of residents who don’t have regular access to enough food to lead a healthy life.

Sunrise Project hosts an International Food Festival. Lunch was provided by community members from around the globe. Sunrise founder Melissa Freiburger (top right) smiles while bringing out another plate of international cuisine.

There’s clearly a need. Just Food’s total client visits rose 15% last year, and the number of seniors served has jumped two-thirds over the past four years, according to its 2018-19 annual report. People might earn too little to buy enough food, or they’ve lost their job or had an unexpected expense. Sixty-one percent have suffered temporary financial setbacks that could become intractable but for the availability of food assistance, says Elizabeth Keever, Just Food’s executive director. “They hit a bump in the road and need something to help them get by,” she says. “We’re preventing them from sliding deeper into a difficult economic situation.” 41

A Comprehensive Approach Just Food’s main pantry in East Lawrence is open four days a week. Smaller pantries, called cupboards, operate at elementary, middle and high schools; the University of Kansas (KU), Haskell Indian Nations University and elsewhere. In October, Just Food launched a mobile pantry called the Cruising Cupboard. It’s testing potential Lawrence sites now and will make monthly visits to Baldwin City, Eudora and Lecompton. There are classes on preparing healthy meals for less than $2 a serving and a community garden. The Pots and Pan-Try offers necessary kitchen equipment, and KitchenWorks trains young people seeking a career in the hospitality industry. Food recovery is also key, and Just Food in 2018 recovered $2 million worth of food that would have otherwise been thrown away. Keever says while some area supermarkets and eateries, including Limestone Pizza Kitchen and Bon Bon!, have food recovery built into their business plans, others find it difficult. Donors receive a $1.68 tax credit for each pound of food donated, but rules about what can be donated and how vary depending on the source. Keever hopes a tool kit being developed by Susan Harvey, an assistant professor in KU’s school of education, will simplify the process and encourage more restaurants, institutions and convenience stores to participate. “It doesn’t hit the landfill, there’s a tax benefit, and it’s something Douglas County cares about,” she says. Just Food’s comprehensive approach appeals to McDaniel, whose company is among Just Food’s financial donors. But the main reason it backs the organization? Its chief compliance officer and chief operations officer, Karey Chester, is also Just Food’s treasurer. “Karey is so passionate about Just Food,” says McDaniel, who notes the company offers all employees two paid volunteer days a year. “They’ve turned into being a great partner for us.”

Just Food (top to bottom) Information and help desk inside the Just Foods store. Executive Director Elizabeth Keever sorts through fresh peppers in the warehouse. Volunteers organize packaged goods to be put out front for customers.

Any cost to McDaniel Knutson is more than offset by the good such involvement does, McDaniel says. “We have found that anything our staff gets involved in that causes them to grow experientially, emotionally and socially—it all comes back into how they deal with clients,” she says. “We all benefit from that, plus it makes our community better.”

Solving the Hunger Equation The hunger equation is complex, though. Issues like housing, sales taxes, transportation and health care have an outsize impact on people struggling with food insecurity. Businesses have a stake in solving those problems, because the outcome directly impacts Douglas County’s economic vitality, says Kim Criner Ritchie, the sustainability and food systems analyst for Douglas County. “If you’re a business owner, and you rely on tourism and people coming to participate in this community, the more vibrant and healthy it is, the more attractive it is to people who want to live and work here,” says Ritchie, who is also the county’s liaison to the Douglas County Food Policy Council (DCFPC). Formed in 2010, the DCFPC is a joint Lawrence-Douglas County advisory board that counsels elected officials on both barriers and opportunities throughout the local food system. Its Food Policy Plan, adopted in 2017 by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and the Lawrence City Commission, addresses all facets of how food is produced, bought, eaten and disposed of. The DCFPC is now working to implement the plan, and its several working groups are open to the public. One focuses on agricultural practices and economic development, and another explores ways of reducing food waste. A third is tackling food access and equity. “We do have so many resources and have so many progressive organizations and people that it’s easy to overlook that there are challenges,” explains Ritchie, who adds that the group held a community gathering in November to update the public on its work. “Hunger and food access are big problems.” They’re also linked to other issues. Food insecurity correlates to higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and increased medical costs. Housing and transportation take a bite out of family food budgets. Seniors living on a fixed income might have seen their savings slashed by the recession of 2008 or are trying to help their own kids financially. “People seem to have this attitude that you need to go help yourself, that if you’re not helping yourself, you’re lazy, or you didn’t save,” says Michele Dillon, the Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging’s Douglas/Jefferson County lead and a member of the DCFPC’s health equity working group. Rural areas present even bigger obstacles to people who don’t have reliable transportation or who live far from a grocery store. Outside of Lawrence, only Eudora and Baldwin City have supermarkets; the Perry-Lecompton Thriftway closed in late 2018. Dillon, whose agency provides nutrition and other services to seniors, urges business owners to study and seek opportunities in underserved areas. Get to know your neighbors, she says. Find out what they need and be creative in helping them.

(top) Jude McDaniel, founding partner, McDaniel Knutson Financial Partners. (bottom) Just Foods volunteer stocks the shelves in the Just Food store.

“Everybody looks at the big picture then thinks, ‘I can’t help everybody,’ ” she says. “Well, you can’t. But you can help the people in your backyard or the people in your neighborhood.” 43

Fueling Change Through Food That’s certainly Sunrise Project’s goal. The nonprofit fosters a sense of community among people from diverse cultures, neighborhoods, ages and socioeconomic status while gathering them together to cook, grow and share food. “Our foundational goal is building an equitable community,” says Melissa Freiburger, who helped launch Sunrise Project almost six years ago in a former garden center at 15th and Learnard streets and is now its executive director. “We use food as a powerful lever to bring people together and build social justice.” More than 100 people typically attend twice-monthly, free community meals, which are financed in part by a Sunflower Foundation grant and prepared by volunteers. One recently featured Indian food; another was an international festival with traditional dishes from China, Thailand, Peru and elsewhere. Events have included a pie auction, a Korean cooking class and a forum to introduce school board candidates. Community coordinators collaborated with the DCFPC to gather input for the Food System Plan, developed a leadership training program called Activate Your Voice!, enabled by a Kansas Health Foundation grant and work to engage both volunteers and area residents. Sunrise Project also grows food, both in its on-site garden and at two orchards near Burroughs Creek. All are maintained by staff and volunteers, and there are regular workshops and volunteer days where people can learn as they help. There’s no charge for harvesting food—anyone can take what they need for free. “It’s an alternative model that exists outside the system of purchasing food,” Freiburger says. “You don’t have to fill out a form to prove you’re deserving of it.” Kids are another priority. Sunrise Project conducts lunchtime tastings at area schools (one in September introduced the applelike jujube, pawpaws and okra), as well as cooking sessions where students learn to make pasta or burritos right in their classrooms. Jessica Cooney (client services) and Ryan Bowersox (marketing and outreach) operate Stuff the Bus for Just Food in The Merc parking lot.

“When you work with schools, you’re reaching kids from all backgrounds,” Freiburger explains. “This is just democratizing engagement with food for all the kids to have that experience.”

Sunrise Project strives to complement USD 497’s school garden program by assisting with those at the Cordley and New York elementary schools, and it will help install one at Kennedy Elementary this year. All of the district’s elementary and middle schools will then have their own gardens except for Sunflower Elementary; that one is waiting on grant approval.

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Both high schools have greenhouses and hope to add gardens in the future. In addition, the district buys local food for school cafeterias and has a garden-based curriculum, Farm 2 School field trips and related initiatives.

More than ever before, there is a global understanding that long-term social, economic, and environmental “It’s important for students to learn about development would be impossible and to take an interest in the foods they are putting in their bodies,” says Scott Cinnamon, without healthy families, Cordley Elementary School principal. “It’s also important for students to understand that we are all a communities, and countries. . part of the community and to learn how they can contribute.”

Businesses including Cottin’s Hardware & Rental have also embraced that message. Owner Linda Cottin has long held a weekly farmers’ market in the store’s parking lot, and about a decade ago, she spearheaded a “100% local” lunch at Cordley. Throwing her support behind Sunrise Project by donating supplies, helping secure grant funding and serving as a networking resource was a natural move. Everybody deserves healthy food, and communities are responsible for making sure people have access to all the necessities of life, Cottin says. If business owners need another reason to get involved, she has one word for them: sustainability. “If we look at sustainability as a community, as a business owner, the only way I’m going to be able to maintain a business is if I have customers who have jobs, can afford to live around here and are healthy enough to stay alive,” Cottin says. p

– Gro Harlem Brundtland

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(top to bottom) L-R Michael Steinle, Hugh Carter and Kim Criner Ritchie listen together at a community meeting hosted by the Douglas County Food Policy Council in the Santa Fe Depot. Michael Steinle, the acting chair of the DC Food Policy Council, gives the public an update on the local food system plan. Members of The DC Food Policy Council meet in Eudora.

Though genetics play a major role in whether you will develop heart disease, don’t forget about the importance of diet and exercise.

Getting to the Heart of It by Bob Luder, photos by Steven Hertzog

now or in the future. The most important has to do with who gave birth to you. Genetics play a major role in coronary artery disease, especially with two forms of disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy and familial atrial fibrillation. “If you know the heart histories of your great-grandparents and grandparents,” Dreiling says, “you have a good idea of how long you’ll live.” Hypertension, abnormally high blood pressure and especially arterial blood pressure, is a major cause of heart disease and can be genetic or dietary, explains Dreiling, who estimates he’s performed some 10,000 catheterization procedures in his 30-plus years of practice. If parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents lived with hypertension, it’s quite possible it was passed down through generations. Hypertension also can be prompted by a diet that includes a high amount of sodium.

In this internet age of Google and YouTube, information and advice about anything, including good heart health and wellness, is readily available at the touch of your fingertips. Walking regularly, eating a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, and staying away from smoking and alcohol are just a few of what are an endless array of tips, opinions and programs that promote and encourage healthy tickers.

“If you can pull it out of a freezer or icebox, or take it out of sealed packaging, don’t eat it,” Dreiling says. “Things like processed meats contain a lot of sodium.” He advises simply not buying salt when visiting the grocery store. “If you don’t have salt in the house, you can’t eat it,” he says. “If you cook your own food and don’t have salt in it, you’re eating a hearthealthy diet.”

And that gets to the second major factor that contributes to heart disease: being overweight. It’s vital to maintain a suitable body weight. But according to at least one heart expert, it’s prob- Have your BMI—body mass index, which is weight indexed to height— ably wise to treat much of what is on the internet checked and take steps to get within the medically recommended about heart and heart health with a sharp degree range. of skepticism. Opinions are a dime a dozen. Facts “Thirty percent of the people I see have a BMI (body mass index) of 25 are all that matter. or less,” says Dreiling, referring to those within the range of a healthy “Expert opinion is worthless,” says Dr. Roger Dreil- weight/BMI. “Obesity is an epidemic in this country, and that contribing, MD, interventional cardiologist at Lawrence utes to hypertension and sleep apnea.” Memorial Hospital. “Show me the data.”

Lastly, exercise. Daily exercise of at least 20 minutes can go a long That data, he says, points to a couple of key fac- way toward maintaining good heart health. tors when it comes to heart health and whether “These are the things we have control over,” Dreiling says. “Everything one might be at risk of developing heart disease in moderation.” 46

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If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.

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– Mickey Mantle

Dr. Roger Dreiling, MD, interventional cardiologist in the new state of the art cardiology unit at LMH.

Men vs. Women

supply of oxygen to the heart muscle. Angina can accompany or be a precursor of a heart attack.

Once upon a time, it generally was believed that heart disease was a plight specified to men only. Women didn’t have to concern themselves about it. That was because in the past, women were largely ignored when it came to the study of heart health and heart disease.

Angina can be brought on by high stress levels, Dreiling says. But he dismisses anxiety and stress as real contributors to heart disease, while admitting there is something known as “broken heart syndrome,” an extreme grief reaction in which the science is not completely understood.

“Historically, women were not well-represented in cardiac trials,” says Dr. Christina Salazar, MD, a cardiologist at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. “In all major trials; women’s representation was low.”

“I don’t think (someone under stress is) any more or less prone to developing disease,” he says. “Most (who are prone to disease) are liable to be smokers, overweight or drug users.”

In more recent times, the opposite has been proven true. Studies have shown that cardio disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. And many of the risk factors for women with heart disease are the same as for men. Some, however, like obesity and diabetes, affect women more.

There also could be hormonal factors in play when women reach menopause, but more study is needed in that area, Salazar explains.

Unfortunately, the news doesn’t get much better for women. “Women tend to do worse (than men) when they are diagnosed,” Salazar says. “And while cardiac disease has been on the decline in recent years, it hasn’t been as much in women.” The reason for that, she continues, is the same reason women’s health, in general, often suffers more than males: They simply don’t take the time to take care of themselves. That could explain why women tend to deal with blocked arterial disease more in their 70s as opposed to 60s for men. “Women tend to not receive as much therapy,” Salazar says. “They tend to focus on other things than themselves.” There are other differences in heart issues among those of the opposite gender. Dreiling and Salazar agree men tend to present symptoms of heart problems, on average, about 10 years earlier than women. When men do present, it’s usually in the form of a heart attack. When women present, it’s typically angina, or chest pain caused by an inadequate

Also, blockages in women tend to be in the smaller capillaries compared to men, whose blockages typically occur in the larger, major arteries and veins. Salazar suggests thinking of it in terms of tree limbs growing smaller the farther they grow from the trunk. “Women’s heart disease is usually more microvascular, or the little limbs on trees,” she says. “In most of those instances, the only treatment is medical therapy.” “The data has shown that microvessel disease may be more due to gender, smoking and diabetes,” Dreiling says. Despite the increasing awareness of women’s heart health, Dreiling says that most of his experience in treating heart disease involves men. “For every five catheterizations I do, the ratio is four men to one woman,” he states. The good news for women, Salazar says, is that increasing communication avenues such as social media are helping raise more awareness for women and heart-health issues, bringing about more national panel discussions on related topics. 47

Dr. Christina Salazar, MD, cardiologist talks to her patient using a heart model.

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Strokes and Treatment Hypertension, along with high cholesterol levels, are contributors to a condition formally known as carotid atherosclerosis. It is more commonly referred to as a stroke. Strokes are the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of long-term disability, claiming the lives of more than 134,000 people annually. They are caused when one develops plaqueâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;fatty, waxy substances that form deposits on arterial wallsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;that reduce blood flow. When one experiences a rupture of one of these plaque deposits, a stroke occurs. Dreiling says there also are embolic strokes, which is an instance of a blood clot in the heart that travels to the brain. It occurs when there is atrial fibrillation (an irregular, rapid heart rate) and is a more common form of stroke. It also can be a more dangerous form of stroke in that it often can go unrecognized. There are, however, visible signs of carotid atherosclerotic strokes, which is important because the sooner a stroke can be treated, the better chance of survival and recovery. A common acronym to remember for stroke awareness is F.A.S.T. to help recognize symptoms and know what to do.

F: Face weakness A: Arm weakness S: Speech difficulties T: Time to call 9-1-1

If caught early enough, aspirin can be a stop-gap treatment for atherosclerotic carotid disease. However, Dreiling warns that aspirin is rarely suitable for patients experiencing atrial fibrillation. In most cases, stroke is not inevitable. Knowing the health risks and managing blood pressure and diabetes through good nutrition and exercise habits are the keys to avoiding one of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most common heart disease-related maladies. 48

Tests for Heart Health There are a number of at-home self-checks people suspicious of heart issues can perform to assess their risk. Do you have symptoms? Is there chest discomfort, shortness of breath or ankle swelling? How long have symptoms been present? When were they first noticed? Finally, again, checking family history is important. There also are a number of formal testing procedures folks can undergo at their doctors’ offices or a hospital that can go a long way toward assessing heart health. The foremost test used is the electrocardiogram, more commonly referred to as an EKG, in which electrodes are secured to the patient’s chest, and an electronic readout of heart activity is recorded. From that readout, a cardiologist can determine whether one has experienced a heart attack or is having one. A stress test, of which there are several iterations, basically involves hooking patients up to an EKG and placing them on a treadmill to record how the heart reacts to being put under stress through physical work. “We’ve found some instances where women have falsepositive tests,” Dreiling says. “(To get an accurate test), it needs to be someone who can walk and has a normal (sitting) EKG.” He explains there also are treadmill EKGs where the patient is injected with a radioactive substance, and photographs are taken of heart activity to determine where blockages exist. In addition, there are chemical stress tests that dilate the arteries to check for blockages. “A normal stress test means that medicine will do everything I can do for you,” Dreiling adds. Cardiologists today also can perform computed tomography (CT) scans looking specifically at coronary activity. These scans are called CTA, or computed tomographic angiography. There’s a CT scan that looks specifically for calcium, one of the major culprits in plaque buildup and blockages. It calculates a coronary calcium score, which detects the quantity of plaque in the arteries, and often is used on patients reluctant to ingest a pill or undergo a traditional stress test. The means to determine heart health and disease risk are vast, whether by at-home self-assessment or formally by a medical provider. What’s important is to not judge solely on the opinions of others or strictly follow the advice of friends. Check the facts. Stay in tune with how you feel. And stay well-educated on your family’s heart-health history. As Dreiling says, “Show me the data.” “There’s an age where you don’t have to worry about heart health, and that’s 95,” he says. “If you’re born in the U.S. and are eating a western diet, then you should always be cognizant of your health.” p

‘

Health is more than the absence of disease. Health is about jobs and employment, education, the environment, and all of those things that go into making us healthy.

’ Community Health – Joycelyn Elders

Balancing Inequities Race, cost of living and other divergent factors in community lead to development of a county health plan. by Joshua Falleaf, photos by Steven Hertzog

Paired with the 2018 Douglas County Community Health Assessment, the 2018 Health Equity Report presents some startling health disparities in Lawrence. Chris Tilden, research project manager at the KU Center for Public Partnerships and Research, says, “We recognize that there are disparities in health that are dependent upon who you are and where you live. If you look at race and ethnicity, if you look at economic well-being, there are differences in health in different populations.” The Health Equity Report states: “It is important to note that race and ethnicity are often linked with disparities,” largely because the social determinants affecting health, such as “social, economic, and environmental factors,” negatively impact some more than others. However, such health inequities “are avoidable.” 50

Director of Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department (LDCHD) Dan Partridge and many community coalitions are determined to provide the education and resources necessary to make Lawrence a healthier place for all. In response to the findings, the LDCHD developed the Douglas County Community Health Plan, and underpinning it all is a commitment to making a healthy life available to every member of the community. “We have a responsibility for our health,” Partridge says, “but we also have a responsibility for each other’s health. There’s a community level to that, and some people need help. Resources are not equally distributed, so some people need a little more than others when it comes to opportunities for good health. And that’s what that plan tries to do.” The Community Health Plan defines Health Equity as “a fair and just oppor-

tunity to be healthier.” The Plan focuses on goals that “remove obstacles to health such as poverty and discrimination, and their consequences, which in this plan includes the lack of access to safe and affordable housing, behavioral health care, jobs that reduce poverty, and healthy foods and built environments that facilitate active living.” Each of these areas, for many reasons, affect some disproportionately more than others. Tilden, also former director of Community Health, adds, “Recognizing that there are root causes behind those disparities that are oftentimes rooted in social and structural inequities, we need to work to fix these if we’re going to see a narrowing of the gap.” A brief review of the Health Equity Report shows that Lawrence is susceptible to the same structural discrimination that affects other communities. Addressing the root causes is com-

Left: Vickie Collie-Akers, Beth Llewellyn and Dan Partridge stand outside the Douglas County Community Health Facility.

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plicated. They are the same historical biases that have plagued many minority and economically disadvantaged populations. That they still exist is evidence the systems that have historically perpetuated them persist, even in the Free State. But there are good minds and generous spirits working together to explore, innovate and narrow that gap.

Safe and Affordable Housing The relatively high cost for housing in Douglas County consumes resources that families could be using on education, healthy food and health care. According to the 2017 Health Assessment, there is more than a 10% lower rate of home ownership here than in the rest of Kansas, and more than half of “renters spend 30% or more of their household income on housing.” The assessment finds that a resident “must earn $16.25/hour or $33,800 a year to afford a 2-bedroom apartment.” The median income of black and Asian populations falls roughly $2,500 and $5,500 below this mark. “But I think part of the reason it raised up on the Community Health Plan is maybe the more indirect,” says Vicki CollieAkers, associate professor at the KU Medical Center and liaison for the Academic Health Department. “If people are spending too much of their income on housing, [then there are] trade-offs they have to make to be able to do that.” Many residents who find themselves in this situation are likely to experience significant increases in stress, anxiety and other associated negative health outcomes.

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Several proposals to make appropriate housing more accessible include increasing housing density and multifamily spaces so less of the purchase price includes land costs. Also, local leadership continues to seek federal and state resources to decrease rental costs through vouchers and other methods, though these efforts present other challenges.

Behavioral Health “In some ways, [the social component] is implicit in the strategies you see in the Plan,” Collie-Akers explains. This factors even more significantly in the behavioral health goal of the Plan. “There’s a lot of discussion about how do you strengthen peer networks to support people with different substance abuse disorders or mental health challenges?” Collie-Akers continues. “How do you view assets in the community that are delivered through people that have walked that road before and make sure there’s social support?” 51

“Community” is best suited to improve the health of each other. As such, the goal is to “create an integrated system of care that moves from crisis and illness as a norm to recovery and prevention as a practice.” This practice focuses on proactive measures as opposed to reactive. 23.2% of adults reporting as having been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 44-year-olds. Prevention and access is the priority. Much of the effort to address behavioral health involves utilizing resources we already have available. For instance, findings from the 2017 Community Health Assessment suggest there is an “overall satisfaction with the local public health system.”

Food and Healthy-Built Environment Based on the United States Department of Agriculture criteria, areas of Southwest Lawrence, North Lawrence and East Lawrence are identified as food deserts because residents in these locations who have lower incomes also have low and limited access to grocery stores. Food insecurity—meaning limited or uncertain availability of or uncertain ability to access nutritionally adequate foods— results in hunger, weight gain and premature death, according to the Community Health Assessment. Many of those suffering from such insecurity are children. Now a national leader in the field, the Douglas County Food Policy Council (DCFPC) has been developing an understanding of and responding appropriately to local food issues since its formation in 2010. One of the Council’s largest accomplishments is the completion of the Douglas County Food System Plan in 2017. This Plan is a comprehensive look at how local farmers, grocers, consumers, restaurants and others provide and consume healthy and sustainable foods within the local community. The Community Health Plan is also geared to increase access to healthy foods by way of multiple modes of transportation. The 2016 Citizens Survey “found that only 26% of community residents felt safe navigating community intersections by bicycle.” One group of concerned citizens has welcomed the opportunity to support safe transportation within and throughout the community.

Top to Bottom: Beth Llewellyn, director of community health at the Health Department Vickie Collie-Akers, associate professor at the KU Medical Center and liaison for the Academic Health Department Dan Partridge, Director of Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department

Originally founded to address diet and activity, LiveWell recently has been focused on “creating a more connected system” in Lawrence. One of its projects has been the Lawrence Loop. Once finished, the 22-mile trail around the city of Lawrence will “connect us to each other, because it gets people out in the community and interacting with each other,” says Jeff Severin, director of Campus Planning & Sustainability at the University of Kansas and member of Friends of Lawrence Area Trails (FLAT). Working to build health into the infrastructure of the com-

munity, LiveWell is a “coalition of community leaders” who “aim to change everyday places—neighborhoods, schools, after-school programs, workplaces, restaurants and city streets—into environments where people thrive.” Its mission is to lead “a movement to build communities that support the health and well-being of all.” As a result, this safe and efficient mobility can provide easier access to the nutritional foods people want. The DCFPC, LiveWell and many other organizations have joined efforts to make a healthy Lawrence much more of a reality through many initiatives, including the USDA Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive program and Double Up Food Bucks, which support farmers and low-income families in providing support for fresh fruits and vegetables. In 2019, Be Active Safe Routes program aims to “reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, increasing the opportunity to be physically active and building community cohesion” throughout Lawrence and neighboring communities. Complete Streets, a similar plan that was approved by the Lawrence City Commission in December 2018, compels that planning “consider all aspects of multimodal transportation in the design and implementation of street and related infrastructure projects.”

Poverty and Jobs Clear inequities exist when looking at the poverty rates of African American and Asian populations in the Lawrence community, both groups dealing with median incomes numbers that fall below the $33,800 a year necessary to rent, as noted above. Well-paying jobs could relieve the stress of expensive housing responsibilities for residents. However, according to the Community Health Plan, understanding how to address poverty and jobs in the city “will require further data gathering and analysis.” Beth Llewellyn, director of community health at the Health Department, admits, “That’s the one issue area that didn’t have a goal except a plan to plan. And we’re in the middle of that process.” While education plays a part, Llewellyn knows it’s much more complicated than one might hope, particularly when dealing with “multigenerational poverty. Do you have the social structures and supports to be able to hold on to a job or stay in school? Are there implicit biases in the system that folks feel like they’re not getting the employment opportunities in the places that have higher wages?” LDCHD director Partridge remains diligent. “Like with any big problem,” he says, “you break it down into pieces. It’s the education that goes into it. It’s the barriers to employment, whether that be transportation, childcare, discrimination … You just peel it all apart and figure out where can progress be made in our community?” 53

Healthier Together According to the 2019 Douglas County Community Health Plan, the way to a better, stronger, healthier Lawrence is a path better taken together. Llewellyn asks: “Who do we have to be for one another?” Of course, the answer to this question implicitly involves who we become as a result of the neighbors with whom and the community in which we live. “The Community Health Plan is not the big idea,” Partridge says. “The big idea is that improving health is everyone’s work. It’s your work. It’s my work. … It’s everyone’s in this community. In our private and professional lives—it’s all of our work.”

Companies right here in Lawrence create innovative technology for the health-care industry to save lives all across the globe.

In order to truly grow and thrive, to improve where we can and celebrate the successes we have had in this remarkable place, Lawrencians must boost one another’s strengths and embrace one another’s challenges; we all have plenty of both. In doing so, we will increase our successes, improve upon our weaknesses and continue to become a community for all. p

Technology plays a crucial role in many industries, but health care is one of the most important. Technological advances in medicine in areas such as biotechnology, information technology, pharmaceuticals and the development of medical devices and equipment have helped physicians better diagnose and treat patients, saving lives, sustaining health, curing illnesses and improving overall quality of life for people all across the globe.

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According to top doctors and researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education, the Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2019 include: alternative therapy for pain, the advent of AI in health care, expanded window for acute stroke intervention, advances in immunotherapy for cancer treatment, patient-specific products achieved with 3-D printing, virtual and mixed reality for medical education, visor for prehospital stroke diagnosis, innovation in robotic surgery, mitral and tricuspid valve percutaneous replacement and repair and RNA-based therapies. “As a clinician and researcher, I’m excited about the potential to use technology to paint a more comprehensive picture of health—much of which happens outside the four walls of the clinic,” says Jessica Mega, MD, MPH,

Cathy Zhan, Ph.D., Senior Scientist I, Biological Sciences pipetting reagents into a screening assay plate

On the Cutting Edge by Tara Trenary, photos by Steven Hertzog

chief medical and scientific officer at Verily, a research organization focused on using technology to better understand health, in a Sept. 2019 Web MD article on health-care innovations. “Using advanced sensors or mobile technology, for example, we can more richly capture information across day-to-day life and empower patients, doctors and care teams to more proactively address health.”

Local Connection These innovations are not just being developed at The Mayo Clinic, Cedars Sinai, Johns Hopkins and other predominant research facilities, but also right here in Kansas. “Lawrence has all the makings of a tech hot spot,” explains GR Underwood, president of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) at the University of Kansas (KU). The BTBC is an equal partnership among the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, The University of Kansas and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce to support the bioscience and technology industries in northeastern Kansas. These entities initially came together and pooled their resources for the purposes of high-tech and life-sciences economic development, specifically to leverage all the resources at KU.

The BTBC acts as an incubator facility on KU’s West Campus that houses such health-care tech companies as HylaPharm, Ligand, BioFluidica, Sunflower Genomics, Crititech, ViroVax, Clara Biotech, Oak Therapeutics, BrightEHR and KanPro, all of which are on the cutting edge of innovation in health care. (The Center also houses other types of startup and spinoff businesses, as well as large, private-industry satellite offices that seek proximity to KU.) Along with housing the businesses, the BTBC also offers business planning, revenue and financial modeling, marketing analysis, competitive landscape assessment and help with raising capital, among several other support services. “We’re not just an office and lab building. We wrap them with any support mechanisms we can that will accelerate their growth,” Underwood says. The Center “creates, recruits, grows and retains high-tech and life-sciences companies into northeast Kansas and specifically Lawrence.” Many of the companies associated with the BTBC were started by KU researchers, while others are here simply to be near the university. “KU is a major research institution,” Underwood explains. “The goal is to get it [research] out into the community for the greater good.” Talent is another driver, Underwood continues. Companies are always looking for good people. And high-tech and life55

PROFESSIONAL

sciences companies tend to grow and scale rapidly. “They pay more than your average job, and that’s what we care about. We want to create high-paying jobs that create wealth in the local community.”

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For that reason, the BTBC has plans to expand into a research and business park on KU’s West Campus in the near future.

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Dan Aires, CEO of Hylapharm

One of the companies that got its start through the BTBC is HylaPharm, a university spinout developing cancer therapies with promising results in pet dogs. The strategy is to reverse tumor-induced immune suppression and decrease side effects of cancer treatments in human patients.

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“Most cancer therapy is administered IV [intravenously] or orally, which means the entire body is exposed to potential side effects,” explains Daniel Aires, CEO of HylaPharm. “Direct injection gets the drug where it is needed and can be very effective while reducing or even avoiding the systemic side effects. In some cases, it can eliminate the need for systemic chemotherapy or surgery.” He says the goal with immune therapies is to get the patient’s immune system to recognize the tumor as something that should not be there and destroy it. “Checkpoint inhibitors” are a recent advancement that stop the “checkpoint” (immune system cells that fight the tumor) from turning off the cells that kill the tumor. However, many patients don’t have activated immune cells to start with, so drugs for stop-

ping the checkpoint are not effective. One drug created by HylaPharm works by causing the immune system to create the activated immune cells. “There have been many important advances in treating cancer recently,” Aires says. “However, it remains a very challenging disease to treat. Many patients are not responding to current therapies. New ideas and new therapies are needed.” With around five employees engaged in research, development and testing, HylaPharm is developing new therapeutics but has not yet progressed to the point of FDA approval, which means it has not yet begun clinical testing with human patients. But that is the goal.

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“Reducing side effects and extending the life of cancer patients is important to both the patients and their families,” Aires says. “Our innovations have the potential to make cancer care better for large numbers of patients.”

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Dan Flynn, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer & Founder, with Chase Crawley, Scientist I, Chemistry (Reviewing data from a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Another company focused on treating cancer and improving the lives of those living with cancer is Deciphera Pharmaceuticals. Based on a proprietary “Kinase Switch Control Inhibitor” platform, the company has developed a diverse pipeline of differentiated, wholly owned, orally administered drug candidates that include three clinical-stage and two research-stage programs. It focuses on three areas of cancer drug research that target: 1) tumor driver mutations (kinases that are mutated and drive tumor growth) 2) cancer immunotherapy and 3) cancer cell metabolism. Daniel Flynn, founder, executive vice president and chief scientific officer, explains the largest protein family in the 57

Anu Gupta, Ph.D., Principal Investigator, Biological Sciences pipetting reagents into a screening assay plate

human genome that could be targeted to treat human disease, especially in cancer, is a protein family called “kinases.” Kinases are regulated in human cells by shape changes, controlled by embedded molecular switches that toggle the kinase between active and inactive shapes. In many cancers, these switches are deregulated, leading to uncontrolled kinase activation. “We build these drugs to bind into broken switches in these cancer-containing kinases and develop these drugs to treat cancer patients in need of durable, transformative therapies. Our platform enables the discovery of drug candidates to treat a myriad of different cancers,” Flynn explains. Deciphera’s staff of MDs, PhDs, biochemists, chemists, cell biologists and pharmaceutical scientists focuses on discovering new therapeutics. “Our switch control inhibitor platform uses Xray crystallography (structure-based drug design) and proprietary screening methods to identify and refine development candidates for progression into human cancer trials,” Flynn explains. We are currently readying to manufacture and sell our first cancer drug, ripretinib, as early as next year, Flynn says. A new drug application will be submitted to the FDA in the first quarter of 2020. Deciphera Pharmaceutical’s technology will “provide meaningful new treatments for cancer patients that provide best-in-class or first-in-class therapeutics to extend life and … quality of life” to those patients who currently have no approved therapy or are receiving therapy that is not durable or well-tolerated. “The prize we keep our eye on is providing cancer drugs that make a difference in people’s lives, and that keeps us going,” he says. 58

TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO COMMERCE

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785.832-2110 Learn more at btbcku.com

Top: Ed Bloch prepares a client for a Cereset session. Bottom: Jena Bloch listens to her client during a counseling session at the Life Enrichment Center. Inset: Bloch’s son Zach uses Cereset’s home device regularly to help keep his brain in balance and relaxed.

Cereset A licensed therapist for 30 years, Ed Bloch had become frustrated with what he perceived as a lack of depth in the outcomes associated with psychotherapy. As he searched for a solution, he stumbled upon a company in Arizona that was working with an advanced neurotechnology that allowed the brain to recondition itself. After several sessions, Bloch realized he’d found something uniquely different.

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“The first thing I noticed … was that colors were more vibrant. Then … I realized I was sleeping better, waking with more energy … operating with greater ease,” he explains. “I had become more patient, more relaxed.” It was at this point that Bloch knew what he had to do: take this technology back to Lawrence and blend it with the Life 59

GR Underwood, President of the Bioscience and Technology Business Center

Enrichment Center (LEC) he and his wife, Jena, opened here in 2002. With the original intent of providing eating-disorder services to the area, the Center is now the counseling arm of the couple’s businesses, providing psychotherapy and counseling for many different mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, trauma recovery and grief. Once part of the LEC, Cereset’s BrainEcho technology, has continued to evolve and grow on its own as a franchise. The process involves using brain-initiated sound to relax the brain, allowing it to reset and rebalance itself, and freeing it of the “freeze” or “fight-or-flight” states. Initially doing 10 sessions with 10 to 15 follow-up sessions, the process has steadily become more client-friendly and now only requires five sessions and sometimes no follow-up sessions. There is also now a home device that enables the client to maintain the outcomes from the sessions in only minutes a day. “Most of us have brains that have been traumatized, physically or psychologically, during our life, sometimes repeatedly,” Bloch explains. “Modern life alone can create significant imbalances in our brains and make life more difficult. Sometimes we don’t even know we are operating at less than peak efficiency. We think that our experience is optimal when, in fact, we are struggling.” This process “serves as a mirror for the brain to recognize its imbalances,” he adds. Through the BrainEcho process, the brain “sees” those areas that need adjustment and goes to work resetting and rebalancing itself. 60

‘

When public and private sectors combine intellectual and other resources, more can be achieved.

’

– Gro Harlem Brundtland

Clients seek out Cereset for many reasons: reactivity, poor motivation, poor energy, poor sleep, post-trauma struggles, mood instability, stress-related struggles, anxiousness, poor focus and concentration. A completely noninvasive process, clients can sleep during their hourlong sessions. “We do not target symptoms, and we are not a medical device,” Bloch explains. “We simply allow the brain to relax, rebalance and reset itself.” The primary response clients achieve is greater sleep quality.

Tech-Forward Through technology’s integration with areas like disease prevention, surgical procedures, better access to information and medical telecommunications, the health-care industry, as well as patients around the world, continue to benefit. Companies focused on innovating in the health-care industry for the common good must evolve and change with the times, and that’s exactly what many local, innovative companies are doing, making groundbreaking discoveries to benefit the industry and people as they exist today. “Lawrence is a great place, an awesome community,” BTBC’s Underwood says. “There’s a ton of opportunity with the entrepreneurs in the community and those coming out of the university. We just need to harness all that potential.” p

New Ways To Be Well

Having performed over 1,000 daVinci surgeries since 2006, Dr Cathy Dahl is a pioneer in the use of robotics in urogynecology, helping patients treat prolapse, pelvic pain and incontinence.

These specialists focus on educating and offering alternatives to patients in the later years of their lives. by Liz Weslander, photos by Steven Hertzog

OB-GYNs are most commonly associated with delivering babies and caring for women in their childbearing years. But once those babies grow up, and the reproductive years come to an end, a woman’s pelvis still needs love. While incontinence, pelvic prolapse, vaginal atrophy and other physical and emotional challenges that tend to show up around menopause are not nearly as fun to talk about as pregnancy and babies, they should not be ignored. Dr. Cathy Dahl and Dr. Samantha Durland are two local physicians who started out as OBGYNs but have since followed unique paths to create distinct practices that focus on optimizing the health and comfort of women in mid-life and beyond. These doctors are improving the lives of women through innovative and integrative approaches. 62

Addressing the Symptoms Pelvic Health Specialists, is the practice of Dahl, who in 2013, became the first board-certified urogynecologist in the state of Kansas. Urogynecology is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology that focuses on pelvic-floor disorders and requires additional training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She is currently the only board-certified urogynecologist in the Lawrence and Topeka area. Dahl says her practice most commonly treats urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, pelvic prolapse and pelvic pain through a variety of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Because the symptoms for these conditions can overlap, Dahl says patient visits at her practice last 45 minutes to an hour to allow plenty of time to thoroughly address symptoms. “There are lot of things we do in this specialty, and we offer lots of surgical and nonsurgical options,” Dahl explains. “We make sure we address the symptoms patients are having and assess what they are really related to. We make sure that patients go home with answers to the question they came with.”

While surgery is sometimes the best option for Dahl’s patients, she also offers a number of innovative, minimally invasive procedures and will always try to match patients with those treatments when appropriate. In 2020, Pelvic Health Specialists will add pelvic-floor physical therapist Sarah White-Hamilton, DPT, to the practice. Pelvic-floor physical therapy can help with surgical recovery but is often a viable, nonsurgical option for patients dealing with pelvic issues. “If someone is coming to me, and they are having urinary leaks and don’t want to have surgery, then a lot of times my urinary incontinence patients don’t have to have surgery,” White-Hamilton explains. “There are also some degrees of pelvic prolapse where we can stabilize things and make people more comfortable with strengthening and coordination. That’s what I like about working with Dr. Dahl, is that she gives them all the options.” White-Hamilton says the role of a pelvic-floor physical therapist is to help patients gain coordination in their pelvic-floor muscles, which starts with helping patients understand exactly where the pelvic-floor muscles are located. “A lot of the time, I say ‘pelvic floor,’ and people give me a blank stare because, in our society, there is not a lot of education around that. It’s getting better, but we don’t know our bodies all that well,” Hamilton says. “I hear so many women who say they have been dealing with their symptoms for 20 years and didn’t think there was anything they could do about it. I just want to scream from the rooftops with a bullhorn that there is hope, and there is help.” Once a patient has a proper awareness of the location of the pelvic-floor muscles, she can start to address specific issues. White-Hamilton says common symptoms she addresses are leaking when laughing, coughing or sneezing, or needing to constantly run to the bathroom. While strengthening the pelvic floor is usually part of the picture, symptoms such as pain with intercourse, difficulty emptying the bladder and constipation are often the result of tight pelvic-floor muscles, which means working with patients to relax the muscles, she continues. “One of the biggest misconceptions about pelvic-floor physical therapy is that it’s all about the Kegels; but if your muscles are tight, and you cannot relax, there it absolutely no point in trying to strengthen it,” White-Hamilton explains. In addition to physical therapy for the pelvic floor, Dahl’s practice also offers bladder Botox treatment for urinary incontinence, where Botox is injected into the muscle of the bladder in order to decrease muscular contractions. While this procedure has been available for 20 years, the FDA did not approve Botox for overactive bladder until 2013. The FDA approval means that insurance will now cover in-office bladder Botox treatments, which is convenient for the patient.

THE LAWRENCE

ROTARY CLUB Since 1917 Community Engagement with a Global Perspective Join us in working to make Lawrence and the world a better place. Enjoy the fellowship of business, community, and university leaders while helping provide clean water, nutrition, sanitation, medicine and immunizations, and education to millions of children and adults worldwide. Help promote world understanding and peace through youth and adult exchange programs and scholarships. Support local projects and charities including the Lawrence Rotary Arboretum and new back-to-school shoes for children. The Lawrence Rotary Club

Mondays - noon to 1:00 p.m. at Maceli's, 1031 New Hampshire Street For more information: rotarylawrence@gmail.com www.LawrenceRotaryClub.org facebook.com/LawrenceRotary

PROVIDING HEALTH CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WELCOMING ALL WHO NEED CARE ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS PRIMARY CARE BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH DENTAL CARE

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To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. – Buddha

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Lisa Russell, APRN

Dr. Samantha Durland performs a skin rejuvenation procedure with the Secret RF - a microneedling device that uses radio frequency to deliver an individualized treatment for fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and photo damage

Neuromodulation, which works through an implantable device that regulates sacral nerves to relieve both urinary and fecal incontinence, is another minimally invasive and innovative treatment Dahl offers. “It’s kind of like a pacemaker would be for the heart, but it’s for pelvic nerves,” Dahl explains. “It is one of my favorite things we do here, because it changes people’s lives.” She says her practice manages its own neuromodulation devices, which is not typical but provides both convenience and better patient outcome. “We test the device here to see if it helps patients, and if it does, we take one visit to the operating room to implant the hardware,” Dahl explains. “Most physicians don’t program and manage the devices afterwards, but we do, and we are able to make sure patients really get the best outcome.” Vaginal rejuvenation laser treatment for vaginal atrophy is another innovative procedure Dahl’s practice offers. Vaginal atrophy is caused by a drop in hormone levels, which often occurs during menopause or after childbirth, she explains. The drop in hormones causes the vaginal area to get dry and the tissue to thin, which can cause pain during sexual activity, general irritation and infection. Vaginal rejuvenation laser therapy stimulates the production of healthy vaginal tissue and is a good alternative for those who cannot, or prefer not to, do estrogen-replacement therapy, the more traditional treatment for vaginal atrophy. The primary downside of the vaginal rejuvenation procedure is that it is not covered by insurance, so patients have to pay out of pocket, Dahl says. 64

L: Dr Durland sitting on the front desk at Simple Wellness R: Samantha White-Hamilton, pelvic-floor physical therapist at Pelvic Health Specialists.

Navigating the System While treatments that are not covered by insurance have some obvious downsides, Dr. Samantha Durland, MD, another local OB-GYN who works with the middle-aged population, has found working outside of insurance can mean more options for patients. Durland has been a practicing OB-GYN for two decades, but in 2015, she completed a fellowship in Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, and then became board-certified in antiaging and regenerative medicine. Durland has since shifted the focus of her practice from traditional OB-GYN to an integrative model that treats both women and men, and operates outside of insurance. “I tend to help people with noninvasive procedures by combining holistic and classic westernized approaches,” Durland explains. “That’s something I couldn’t really do in traditional medicine. I have moved to where I am right now in a journey to help people get better in a way that makes more sense to me.” Durland’s practice, Simple Wellness, 4811 Bob Billings Pkwy., offers a broad spectrum of wellness and antiaging services. She says rising deductibles and lack of transparency of costs contributed to her decision not to work with insurance networks. Not being contractually obligated to the insurance companies allows her to navigate the system more cost-effectively and offer patients more choices. “Lawrence is a very educated community, and there are a lot of people seeking alternatives,” Durland says. “One size does not fit all, and I need to have all the options open. At this point in time, I am not restricted in my ability to have conversations with patients about what options are out there. That lack of restriction hopefully allows me to do a better job.” Middle-aged women make up a large portion of Durland’s patients, and Durland says getting women comfortable with talking about the issues they face is an important aspect of her practice.

“The post-childbearing years are when women start to feel tired all the time, and things like stress urinary incontinence or sexual function start to come up,” Durland explains. “People are afraid to talk about it and don’t even know how to start the dialogue - and can end up feeling very alone. You are not alone; you are normal, and it happens to all of us. So much of what I love to do is listen and try to demystify a lot of emotion that we have with conversations about things happening to our body.” One nontraditional treatment Simple Wellness offers for menopausal women is bioidentical hormone-replacement therapy, which uses natural hormones to replace those lost in the aging process. “In classic westernized medicine, hormone-replacement therapy is usually pharmaceuticals,” Durland says. “Bioidentical hormone-replacement therapy is making sure that the chemical structure that you are returning to the body are the same chemicals that the body produces. It also includes testosterone for women, which is not typically considered in traditional western medicine.” Durland offers vaginal rejuvenation laser therapy similar to treatment offered by Dahl but also performs platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for vaginal rejuvenation. “It’s a process where we take your blood and spin down your healing factors, and then inject that back into the area that we would like to heal,” Durland says. “It is a complement to a lot of procedures, because the human body is the best at healing itself.” PRP can also be used to treat erectile dysfunction, and, as an added bonus, the procedure also is one of the only nonsurgical male enhancement treatments that can increase penis size. “I think the statistic is that 80 percent of the family medical decisions are made by a female,” Durland says. “So a lot of males that we see have been sent by significant others. But once you get them in here, and they start talking, it’s really about education and understanding alternatives and options, and not feeling alone.” p 65

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If you know the art of deep breathing, you have the strength, wisdom and courage of ten tigers. – Chinese adage

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F ind Your Zen These local establishments practice holistic health, which allow people to pursue more natural ways to maintain their health and bodies. by Tyler Allen, photos by Steven Hertzog

Do you suffer from migraines? Body aches and pains? Recovering from an injury? Or simply need to de-stress? As a former track-and-field athlete and now full-time graduate student, I know all too well the various aches, strains and pains of the body. I also know of the great lengths to which many go to get quality insurance and cover the costs of their health and wellness. Being in college and constantly on the move, and not a big fan of doctors’ offices and taking medicine, I decided to spend some time educating myself on the philosophy and practice of holistic health. Holistic health is “an approach to life,” explains Suzan Walter, cofounder and current president of the America Holistic Health Association. Rather than looking at a specific part or pain of the body, holistic health is looking to examine, treat 66

and maintain the “mind, body and spirit” as a whole and in connection with the environment in which an individual lives. In comparison to modern-day western practices, holistic health has been around for thousands of years and stems from cultural practices and traditions of various indigenous groups. Today, as people are looking for more natural and affordable ways to tend to their bodies, these practices have reestablished themselves in modern medicine. The city of Lawrence being such a diverse community, many of its businesses serve in this particular health-care area. More importantly, many of these practices complement one another in their treatments. CBD (cannabidiol) and acupuncture go hand in hand in alleviating the mind, body and spirit of aches, pains and stress. When looking to practice a more holistic way of living, there are many options to choose from in Lawrence.

Curtis R. Brown, M.D., Michael L. Mulhern, M.D., Ph.D., and Mary Pat Lange, M.D. Providing state of the art care continuously and exclusively in Lawrence since 1990. Laser Cataract Surgery and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgeries Performed in Lawrence. Ask your provider to call Drs Lange, Mulhern and Brown for your eye surgical needs.

1112 W 6th Street, Suite 214, Lawrence KS 66044 785-841-2280 www.lawrenceeyecare.org

CBD American Shaman CBD American Shaman, located on West Sixth Street, opened in July 2018. After attending a three-day conference, during which Dr. Jesse Lopez, medical director and chief medical officer, and Dr. Robert Kaufmann, director of research for Shaman Botanicals, educated visitors on CBD and the American Shaman franchise, Brandon Zoeller and his wife, Heather, knew they wanted a shop of their own. Being raised in a family of chiropractors (grandfather, father and uncle), Brandon always practiced holistic health and believed in the body’s ability to heal itself. He chose not to study chiropractic therapy but instead started the CBD business not only because of the conference but also an injury he had at the time. Prior to attending the conference, Brandon pulled his low-sciatic nerve and developed plantar fasciitis, causing him to walk oddly and endure never-ending moments of discomfort. Taking notice, friends applied a topical CBD cream to his affected areas, and within just a few minutes, Brandon began to feel his pain lessen. He soon got rid of his six-Advil-a-day and three-Tylenol-PM-anight routine, and switched to a CBD water-soluble twice a day with a topical treatment for 45 days. “I told my wife, ‘I don’t hurt ... I don’t remember the last time I hurt.’” Because of his experience and the experiences of close friends and family, Brandon wanted his clientele to see CBD was a good alternative for health and wellness. Entering American Shaman, numerous plants add to the feeling of calm. To the left sit two chairs and a couch with a coffee table separating them and a TV flashing with shop information. This intentional setup was so Brandon’s clients “feel like you’re walking into your living room or a doctors’ office, a place where everyone can ask questions comfortably,” Brandon explains. For those not familiar with the history of CBD, industrial hemp (more commonly known as CBD) was banned in many states by the late 1930s, but by 1940, it was discov68

Left: A spacious room welcomes clients to American Shaman CBD Below: America Shaman owners Brandon and Heather Zoeller .

ered to be beneficial to the body during research. It was not until the 1990s when it was discovered that human beings have a CBD system and receptors in our bodies that produce and receive CBD. Brandon refers to this system, scientifically known as endocannabinoid, as “our internet. It tells the body where things need to go, what things need to do,” and can only function at its best if cared for properly. In 1937, hemp production was issued a taxation in the United States to limit the spread of the plant. Before this governing limitation, CBD was found in many things (such as livestock because they were being fed it) and was readily available for consumption, which helped to keep the endocannabinoid system running properly. By keeping the endocannabinoid system going, we are helping our bodies reach homeostasis. Brandon recommends taking CBD oil as a soluble that can be mixed into any beverage or as a topical cream, which is used to target specific areas. The cream travels through all seven layers of the skin down to the bone and heals from the bone out. He also recommends microdosing, where you are taking/treating with CBC in small doses over an extended period of time. American Shaman’s top-of-the-line nanotechnology allows for 90 to 100% absorption, which can not be found in many oil-based carriers. This “nano” unit of measure ensures the CBD penetrates the point and doesn’t just pass through the body. Brandon personally treats his clients as patients, making sure they are properly educated about CBD and are treating it as medicine with an assigned dosage and schedule. He says, “It is important for everyday citizens to have op-

tions … the price of health care has gotten ridiculous. There needs to be an affordable alternative that works.” He also believes in helping many without ripping them off. “If we let the Big Pharma get ahold of this, they’ll take it away and price it out of the average American’s pocketbook.” To keep this from happening, Brandon has gotten friends involved, educated them and encouraged them into opening their own shops in various other states. His key to maintaining his business and boosting clientele is educating his employees extensively on CBD so they can educate customers creating a worthwhile experience.

Lawrence Acupuncture and Mud & Lotus Located in the 800 block of New Hampshire Street, Lawrence Acupuncture and Mud & Lotus: Outdoor Soaking Tub and Sauna are sister businesses you won’t want to pass up. Owner Shannon Spann-Ryan plays meditation music and keeps the lights low for increased relaxation and Zen. Various massage and acupuncture rooms line the halls. Having spent five years in school and also in practice, Shannon wanted to bring her passion for traditional Chinese medicine to the city of Lawrence, while also changing the mind-set of how self care can be practiced. She felt her firsthand experiences with hot springs could help introduce the Lawrence community to self care in a “sociable, fun and luxurious” way. 69

Aaron Combs

Isaac Combs • • • • •

• • • •

Agility, Speed, and Power Training Injury Prevention / Pre Habilitation 1 on 1, Couples, Small Group Training Athletic Strength Development By Appt Only

ART (Active Release techniques) MYK (Myokinesthetics) Sports Massage & Bodywork Cupping

4910 Wakarusa Ct, suite A • Lawrence KS 66047 • (785) 766-0763 70

The practice of acupuncture (the insertion of thin needles at strategic points of the body) dates back 5,000 years and has been logged historically in ancient Chinese history. It is one of the five branches of traditional Chinese medicine that includes bodywork techniques (cupping, gua sha, and massage), herbalism (use of herbs for healing), energy work (tai chi being one example) and nutrition, which is knowing what foods help cure different ailments and bring balance to the body. Influenced by Daoism (Taoism) philosophy, this medical practice looks at nature and the body as parallels and the balance between the two. Shannon’s training allows her to work and treat the body as a whole rather than working on individual problems. Having once suffered from cystic acne, Shannon aided herself through herbalism and creating her own natural skin-care products. Using her philosophy of “getting to the root of the problem and not masking symptoms,’’ she says she has helped to heal others through her business. Though some are skeptical, Shannon helps boost her clientele and educates the community on her practices by offering free classes. Her most recent courses focused on what it meant to truly detoxify and how to detoxify the liver, and explained the history of ancient Chinese medicine. As someone who understands the role of the pharmaceutical business, Shannon also wants people to know there are alternative ways to read the signals your body gives you and take care of it. “I want to help people suffer less,” she says, and find ways to tend to the “basic maintenance of the body.” For beginners, Shannon recommends coming to visit and trying the “Release Me” treatment, designed to release pent-up stress, anxiety and muscle tension. It includes a 60-minute, individualized acupuncture session followed by a 60-minute tub and sauna session. Mud & Lotus is equipped with private changing rooms, private showers with raindrop shower heads, an outdoor Zen garden and a cedar hot tub filled with chlorine-free, mineral-rich water covered by a pavilion. This experience includes tea and towels. “The ‘Release Me’ session is good for someone who just finished a big exam, has a big occasion coming up or someone who is looking to get a weight lifted off of them from pent-up stress and tension,” Shannon explains. To learn more about holistic health practices, visit the American Holistic Health Association at ahha.org. p Top to Bottom: A warm reception area welcomes in clients to Mud & Lotus Owner Shannon Spann-Ryan places sterile hair-thin needles into specific acupuncture points on the body to promote healing Mud & Lotus features an all cedar chlorine-free hot tub with mineral water Lawrence Acupuncture and Mud & Lotus, New Hampshire location

BEERS ON THE KAW RIVER KEEPERS photos by Jerry Jost

THE LOCAL

[SCENE] HEARTLAND HEALTH KANSAS HALF MARATHON & 5K photos by Dan Partridge

LAWRENCE CHAMBER SCHMOOZA PALOOZA

photos by Gaskins Photography Collections

THE LOCAL

[SCENE]

FAMILY PROMISE GOLF TOURNAMENT photos by Steven Hertzog

VANGO DINNER ON THE CURVE

photos by Doug Stremel and Earl Richardson

VALOR 2019 FIRST RESPONDER HONOREES

NEWS [MAKERS] Easter named Lawrence Community Bank President for INTRUST Bank

Lifesaving and Silver Valor Award

FG4FR Winner

Gold Valor Award

INTRUST Bank is pleased to announce Beth Easter as community bank president overseeing the Lawrence, KS, market. She will assume her new role effective immediately. Easter’s tenure with INTRUST started in 2011 in business development and progressed to a commercial relationship manager. As community bank president, she will oversee consumer operations in both Lawrence and Topeka and the commercial initiatives in Lawrence. “Beth has always demonstrated excellent business development and customer services skills that make her well suited for this role” said Stan Ricketts, executive vice president at INTRUST Bank. Ricketts continued, “Her commitment to INTRUST and to the Lawrence community exemplify the core values our organization is built on, and we’re excited for Beth to be in this leadership position.” Easter is actively involved in the Lawrence community and statewide organizations, which include the Kansas Housing Association, Kansas and Nebraska Schools of Banking, Kansas Banker Association’s lending committee, and Cadre Lawrence.

Danny Pacheco joins Allen Press as Vice President, Print Sales

Meritorious Valor Award Johnson

Allen Press, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Danny Pacheco as Vice President, Print Sales. Danny brings over 25 years of experience in printing sales and operations. “I’m incredibly excited to join such an amazing team and I look forward to helping drive the future growth of Allen Press,” he said. Pacheco will oversee sales of Allen Press’ diverse portfolio of commercial print products, including specialty ﬁnishing and direct mail.

Meritorious Valor Award Hoelscher

Before joining Allen Press, Danny held various roles with Publication Printers, gaining extensive knowledge in print management, pre-press, binding, mailing and distribution, as well as in-depth sales experience.

& PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Edmonds Duncan Advisors is pleased to announce that Patrick Brown has joined the firm as an advisor and Director of Risk Management As Director of Risk management, Pat brings over 18 years of investment and insurance planning expertise to the Edmonds Duncan team. Prior to receiving his MBA, Patrick attended the University of Kansas, where he was a 3 year starter and a team captain for the Jayhawks Football program. He began his investment career at American Century, then successfully navigated Smith Barney’s training program before being recruited by Merrill Lynch. In 2009, Pat established his own independent advisory practice, Abram Brown Consultants which merged with Edmonds Duncan RIA, LLC in October of 2019. Patrick will be working with the firm’s clients to identify the most efficient and cost effective means of protecting themselves and their families, businesses and properties from losses associated with unanticipated events. Consistent with the mission and culture of Edmonds Duncan, Pat approaches insurance from the perspective of what is in the best interests of our clients. He is licensed to advise on and provide a wide range of insurance solutions including but not limited to Life, Disability, Long Term Care, Property and Casualty, Group Health, Event, Specialty, and Medicare Plans.

KLWN’s Morning Host Tyler Jones Earns Five Awards from the Native American Journalist Association KLWN Lawrence Morning Host Tyler Jones recently picked up five awards from the Native American Journalists Association in Minneapolis, MN. Jones was awarded for both his work in radio and print for KLWN and NDNSports.com. His Saturday sports program, “Thinking Out Loud” was the recipient of the “General Excellence in Coverage” Award as well. In 2017 and 2018, Jones was a fellow and mentor for the Native American Journalists Association’s Student Newsroom in Los Angeles, CA and Miami, FL. He is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a Native of Broken Arrow, OK. “I am very humbled and grateful to be recognized by the Native American Journalists Association to receive the highest honor of my young career so far,” Jones stated. “Everyday is a blessing to get to do what I do and I am thankful for my bosses Jonathan Monk and John Flood for giving me the opportunity to do so. My parents inspired and supported me from a very young age to chase any dream I wanted. I was fortunate enough to find my passion from a very young age and I am just getting started!” Jones has been with KLWN since 2014, when he was just 18 years of age. You can hear him live every Weekday Morning from 6-8am and Saturdays from 7-10am on 101.7 and 1320 KLWN.

Michele Hammann, CPA, CVA receives Experienced Leader Award at KSCPA Awards Kansas Society of CPA’s Awards announced award winners at their annual luncheon with Michele Hammann, CPA, CVA receiving the Experienced Leader Award Winner. Hammann is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Shareholder of SS&C Solutions, Inc. and Vice President of Summers, Spencer & Company, PA.Lawrence, Kansas. Hammann is a Graduate of The University of Kansas (BSBA and MAC AIS) 77

WHOSE DESK ? Be the first to correctly guess which local business figure works behind this desk. Winner receives a $50 gift card to 23rd Street Brewery. facebook.com/lawrencebusinessmagazine