Swope Health

Celebrating the Nation’s Community Health Centers

July 31, 2019

Aug. 4-10, 2019, is National Health Center Week, a time to raise awareness and celebrate the accomplishments of America’s health centers.

According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, health centers serve 28 million patients a year – a number that grows every year along with the demand for affordable primary care.

The association sponsors the week of recognition under the theme “America’s Health Centers: Rooted in Communities.”

The theme includes special topics of focus on each day of the week:

Sunday, Aug. 4: Social Determinants Day. The social determinants of health are the socioeconomic conditions, environmental conditions, institutional and social networks that affect how a community lives, works and ages. By understanding patients’ clinical and non-clinical needs, health centers can take steps to improve health outcomes.
Monday, Aug. 5: Healthcare for the Homeless Day. This day celebrates and advocates for the Healthcare for the Homeless programs, which provide care to more than 1.3 million individuals experiencing homelessness nationwide. These programs address poor nutrition, inadequate hygiene, exposure to violence and weather-related illness and injury and the stress of housing instability faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Learn more from the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, which advocates the idea that no one deserves to be homeless.
Tuesday, Aug. 6: Agricultural Worker Day. Health centers serve 20 percent of the estimated 4.5 million agricultural workers in the United States, including migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and their families. Learn more from the National Center for Farmworker Health.
Wednesday, Aug. 7: Patient Appreciation Day. National Health Centers are required to have boards of directors are made up of at least 51 percent consumers. This means that patients from the community, representing the race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status of the community, have a voice in making health centers aware of needs and holding them accountable. Learn more from the Health Center Advocacy Network.
Thursday, Aug. 8: Stakeholder Appreciation Day. Health centers depend on legislative support to deliver on their mission, through the $7.8 billion in federal grant funding for the Community Health Center program. This is the day to recognize and applaud local, state and federal legislators whose advocacy is integral to the success of health centers across the nation.
Friday, Aug. 9: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day. This day provides a public “Thank You” to the associates at health centers who deliver high quality health care to patients in need.
Saturday, Aug. 10: Children’s Health Day. Health centers provide primary health care services to more than 8 million children in the United States. Programs include well-child exams, nutrition support, behavioral health services and events providing books, car seats, back-to-school supplies and much more – all to help children feel healthy, happy and empowered.

At Swope Health, all are welcome on Wednesday, August 7, Patient Appreciation Day, to enjoy healthy treats and snacks provided by United Healthcare. Swope Health associates are raising funds for homeless meals through a special barbecue luncheon on Health Center Staff Appreciation Day.

Swope Health is Open for Tours

June 28, 2019

Kristina Duran, Pediatric Support Specialist, met with members of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club during a recent vocational visit to Swope Health.

On a recent afternoon, more than a dozen members of the Kansas City Plaza Rotary Club assembled in the lobby of Building A at Swope Health Services. From there, the Rotarians walked through the entire facility – from pediatrics to behavioral health, dental to optical, pharmacy to radiology and more.

Directed by Dan Barnett, Swope Health Communications Specialist, the tour covered the history of Swope Health and introduced the visitors to staff associates who described their department’s operations and answered questions. Each department was marked with a poster on an easel.

The entire tour, which included frequent stops for questions and answers, took about an hour.

“We’re always happy to show the community how we operate,” said Michelle Keller, vice president of community engagement, development and outreach. “We love giving people a better understanding of all the services we offer at Swope Health.”

Plaza Rotary Club Collects Donations

Tours like this one led by Michelle Keller, right, cover both floors of the Swope Health Central facility with stops at the clinics and departments with community service offerings.

The Plaza Rotary club is a service organization. Its members had collected small bottles of single-use toiletries like shampoos, soaps and deodorants and donated them to the Swope Health homeless program, for clients served by the Swope Health Mobile Medical Unit. The tour was a chance to learn more about Swope Health.

All the club members left with deeper appreciation of the array of services offered. “I had no idea,” said Richard Cane, a Rotarian who made his first visit to Swope Health and peppered the tour guides with questions. Bob Merrigan, another member of the club, agreed. “I was very impressed with the entire outfit,” he said. “It’s obvious that this organization does good work for community.”

If you or your organization would like to tour Swope Health, please contact Dan Barnett at 816-599-5710 or dbarnett@swopehealth.org.

Ebony Peterson, Community Health Worker, from the WIC program at Swope Health, talks with visitors about the “wraparound services” offered to provide assistance for women with young children. The coordinators provide guidance to services offering food, housing, baby supplies, transportation and more.

ReEngage Graduation Brings Affirmation, Tears of Joy

June 25, 2019

ReEngage recently celebrated five graduates from Imani House. Proudly displaying their certificates, starting second from left, are: Tamika Estes, Arisha Logan, Kimberly Happy, Demetrius Wilson, and Kentrell Spikes. The group is flanked, left, by Rodney Knott, Executive Director and founder of ReEngage, and right, Father Turbo Qualls of the St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church who led a prayer at the service.

A recent afternoon was another in a long string of rainy and grey days. But that Friday, inside the Imani House it was a different story altogether. Here the atmosphere was charged with a joyous energy, a sense of expectation and excitement.

Nearly every seat in the main activity room was taken but for the five seats of honor at the front of the room. These were the seats saved for the graduates of ReEngage, an intensive program to prepare its participants for taking a job, another step in a life of sobriety and stability.

Dressed for the Occasion

When they entered, the five graduates were dressed for the occasion – suits and dresses, every detail in perfect order. They took their seats at the front of the room and one of them, Tamika Estes, blinked away tears.

“This program made me a better person for my family, my church, my community,” she said. “It helped me be a better parent, be responsible, be determined and never give up. I learned to love myself without drugs. I learned that I am worthy.” Her eyes were full of tears again. “I am so grateful.”

How ReEngage Works

Over the course of three weeks, the ReEngage program challenges its participants to accept themselves and accept responsibility for their lives. Through daily meetings and assignments, the class works hard to break down negative feelings, deal with anger and frustration, and adopt tools to help make decisions for future success.

A primary tenet of the program is the difference between being a male and a man, a female and a woman, explains Rodney Knott, founder and executive director of ReEngage. The program also offers employment training, pre-employment screening, interviewing skills, mentoring, OSHA certification, referrals and support groups.

At the graduation, Rodney delivered a rousing talk. “There is hope for those who think there is no hope. There is always hope if you believe. It’s in here,” he said, pointing to his heart. The audience clapped, nodded and cheered in agreement.

The five participants are the third class referred by the Imani House staff. All had completed the Imani House program, as well as an after-care program. All had maintained sobriety for at least 28 days, said Sandra McMurtrey, Case Manager at Imani House.

The Graduating Class

Along with Tamika, the other members of the graduating class are Kimberly Happy, Arisha Logan, Kentrell Spikes and Demetrius Wilson.

“They endured and stayed with it,” Sandra said. “Now, we hope they will be an inspiration to other Imani House graduates.”

Tamika has embraced the challenge. “I want to help people like I have been helped,” she said. “My goal is to be a certified peer specialist. I’d love to come here to work.”

The goal will require completing her GED and then community college, staying drug free throughout.

Helping Graduates Find Work

As part of the ReEngage program, Rodney helps his graduates find work. Already, two of the five are starting jobs with a local manufacturer at a rate of $17 an hour. Others are pursuing opportunities for careers, like an earlier graduate and Imani House alumni Tara Anderson.

“I now have the knowledge of gaining a career instead of just a job,” she said. “My chances for a better future for my family and myself are improved from the lessons I learned. The program has opened up new opportunities for me. This class has improved my spirit and allowed me to open my heart to others. What I received from the ReEngage program were self-dignity and respect.”

ReEngage is part of a Workforce Development Program at Imani House, 3950 E. 51st St., Kansas City. Imani House is Swope Health’s outpatient treatment venue offering services to those dealing with issues stemming from alcohol or drug abuse. Imani House – named for the Swahili word for “faith” – provides services to more than 500 people each year.

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, please visit or contact Swope Health’s Behavioral Health team at (816) 922-1070 for an appointment.

Trauma-Informed Care Techniques… Because we care.

June 4, 2019

From left, Alicia Johnson, Residential Supervisor; Candice Owen, Residential Qualified Mental Health Professional; Chris Williams, Training and Development Specialist; and Carla Lee, Patient Community and Education Specialist, welcome Swope Health associates to the “Peaceful Pause.”

At Swope Health, associates use trauma-informed care techniques to offer support and coping skills to help people who feel depressed, frightened, angry, helpless, overwhelmed or stressed.

“Trauma-informed care is an awareness that everyone experiences trauma in their lives, in some way or another,” said Laurie Cox, Director of Integrated Recovery Services. “We understand that trauma can take a variety of forms and can cause a variety of responses. We recognize how common trauma is and we know that anyone who’s experienced trauma needs support and understanding.”

We See Trauma

All too frequently, associates at Swope Health see clients facing trauma, involving physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate about one in seven children will experience abuse each year, and the number increases for children in lower socioeconomic status.

Additionally, the CDC notes that one in four women experiences domestic violence, and one in five women experiences rape.

Trauma Reactions

D’Ambra Baker, Behavioral Health Consultant-Outreach, was on hand to explain how seeing through different colored lenses can stimulate different types of energy.

Reactions to trauma can vary widely. Some people may withdraw or feel depressed while others may respond with anger or violence. Recognizing the range of reactions is part of understanding trauma and providing care, Laurie said.

“We are here to help you manage your mental health and learn good strong coping skills,” she said.

Trauma Transformers

With that awareness, Swope Health has formed a team called the “Trauma Transformers” to use the techniques of trauma-informed care with the community and associates.

“We all need self-care,” said Carla Lee, Patient Community and Education Specialist and one of the Trauma Transformers leaders. “If we are not healthy mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually, we will not be able to help others be successful.”

Peaceful Pause

D’Ambra Baker, Behavioral Health Consultant-Outreach, was on hand to explain how seeing through different colored lenses can stimulate different types of energy

Play therapy included hands-on activities, like solving the Rubik’s cube puzzle.

To demonstrate self-care at Swope Health, the Trauma Transformers host periodic events and activities for associates. In May, the team sponsored a “Peaceful Pause” – relaxation stations set up to allow associates to take a break from their work to achieve a moment of peace and mindfulness. The event used color therapy, aromatherapy, play therapy and coloring stations for associates to explore. Associates also were treated to healthy snacks– reminders of the importance of physical health, too.

More than 70 associates took advantage of the peaceful pause, which featured soothing music and soft lighting during the two-hour event. Some wore colored sunglasses to experience differing energy levels while reading inspirational notes; others experimented with the sensations caused by a variety of aromatic oils.

“We want you to know that we care about you, and we want you to take care of yourself, too,” Carla said.

Every day, someone feels depressed, frightened, angry or helpless. Every day, Swope Health stands ready to offer assessments, treatment, support and coping skills. You can visit or call the Behavioral Health team at (816) 922-1070 for an appointment.

Resources:

Access-Crisis-Intervention Mental Health Crisis Hotline at 1-888-279-8188
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Explore a Career with Swope Health!

May 16, 2019

Swope Health is hosting a career fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City.

The fair is free and open to anyone who is interested in learning about Swope Health. Hiring managers from most departments will be on hand to talk with applicants, and candidates will be able to fill out applications on the spot.

“We want members of the community to come and talk with us about what it’s like to work here,” said Reiko Reliford, Senior HR Manager. “We’re seeking talented people who want to be part of our mission.”

All departments – from patient services, healthcare and behavioral health, to facilities, IT, accounting and transportation – will accept applications and resumes. Candidates can check the Swope Health website for specific job openings. Positions may be located at Swope Health Central or any of eight metro area locations.

Reiko suggests candidates come dressed for success, with copies of their resume and reference letters.

“Hiring managers may interview candidates during the event and there could be on-the-spot job offers,” she said. “You’ll want to be ready to impress!”

Any job offers will be subject to successful completion of a background check and drug screening, she added.

Candidates should be age 18 or older to apply. Swope Health is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. Swope Health will consider all applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

The Swope Health mission:

Improve the health and wellness of the community by delivering accessible, quality comprehensive patient care.

New Translation Services: We Listen and Understand

March 29, 2019

Adult Clinic Medical Assistant Monique Anderson enjoys using the new system, which uses video calls to facilitate better communications between patients and providers speaking different languages.

It has just gotten a little easier to communicate across multiple languages while visiting with your providers at Swope Health.

That’s thanks to a new mobile translation service offered on iPads in a feature that looks and feels familiar to patients, a lot like using FaceTime or other video chat services.

Sharon Trongaard, Adult Medicine Practice Manager, says the new service, provided by CyraCom, is an improvement over the previous method. In the past, when a patient or provider needed translation services to communicate, they would both move to the one room in the Adult clinic that was equipped with a phone. Then, using the landline phone, they’d place a call to the service and have communications translated by the person at CyraCom.

“When the room was in use, patients would have to wait,” she said. “Now, we just roll in the iPad and make a video call. The sound quality is great and patients feel like they have an advocate.”

Monique Anderson, Registered Medical Assistant, is a fan of the new system, which has been in use almost three months in the Adult Clinic.

“Patients like being able to see the person they are communicating with,” she said. “It feels more connected and more personal.”

At the other end of the call, CyraCom translators can see the patient and provider. The translators can also observe body language and help facilitate good information sharing across more than 100 languages, including sign language.

“This gives us a more modern feel too,” Monique added. “We’re up to speed. It helps the patients feel more comfortable and we get a better understanding of the patient’s needs. The patient gets a better understanding of what I’m trying to relate.”

With the successful trial in the Adult Clinic, Swope Health will begin adding the mobile translation stations to all clinics.

Don’t let language stand in the way of your health care. Make an appointment to visit Swope Health at (816) 923-5800 and be confident you will be understood in your native language.

The new translation service uses iPads to place video calls where the translator, patient and provider can all see each other and communicate openly.

Welcome to Swope Health’s Amazon Smile site!

March 25, 2019

If you’re a fan of Amazon.com, you’re already aware of how easy it is to shop online and get your purchases delivered – quickly – right to your door. Now there’s a way you can support your shopping habit and Swope Health at the same time!

It’s called Amazon Smile. In this program, the AmazonSmile Foundation donates 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to a charitable organization.

Swope Health has joined this program to raise funds for patients and to make it easier for shoppers to support programs like our Healthcare for the Homeless and Adult Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (CPRP) Day programs.

Amazon operates the Swope Health Smile site with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on product detail pages.

“The funds we receive from the AmazonSmile program will go to the Patients in Need fund,” said Amy Kuhnlein, Manager of Development and Community Affairs. “This fund helps patients with immediate needs that might otherwise go unmet.”

Each request for a grant from the Patients in Need Fund is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. In the past we’ve helped with medications, eye glasses, bus passes, dentures and more.

In addition to the AmazonSmile program, Swope Health has set up “Wishlist” pages to make it easy for anyone to assist with needed supplies. For example, see:

Homeless outreach – This page supports the Community Outreach Clinic and Swope Health’s Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), which visits homeless shelters throughout the metro area to provide healthcare.
The Adult CPRC Day program – This page supports the program that focus on building life skills through topics like gardening, cooking and art. Supplies for these activities are always welcome.

If you choose to purchase any items on these Wishlists, you can opt to have the items delivered directly to Swope Health.

Here is how you can help Swope Health every time you shop at Amazon:

Sharing healthcare expertise across cultures.

March 9, 2019

Swope Health Hosts Nursing Students from Japan

Swope Health hosted a group of nursing students from St. Luke’s International University in Tokyo, Japan.

Japanese nursing graduate students recently visited Swope Health to learn more about how we care for our homeless patients.

Rachel Melson, Nurse Practitioner in the Outreach Department, led the students on a tour of Swope Health’s Central facility, highlighting the array of medical and behavioral health services we make available to all of our patients, including our homeless clients.

Rachel explained that the homeless community generally lacks access to medical care, so they receive less preventive care and fewer screenings, and generally face worse outcomes in hospitalizations than the general population. Chronic illness, such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, are common diagnoses, along with substance abuse and mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis and depression.

The students took notes throughout and asked questions.

Some of the questions were about registration procedures (How do you know a patient’s income?), some were medical (What is PCP?) and some were political (How has healthcare changed under President Trump?). The most intriguing questions were personal: Why do you do this? What is most important to you?

“Our goal is for people to leave healthier than when they came in,” Rachel said. “It’s all about connecting. If I give someone a medication but don’t make a connection, we’re not helping. It’s about making a connection and meeting the patients wherever they are, addressing whatever they need.”

The students are training for nursing professions in public health settings.

The Long View: Time to Take Care of Your Eyes

January 8, 2019

Dr. Vincent Parsons, right, demonstrates a glaucoma screening on Norma Owens. Norma is an optometric assistant at Swope Health.

January is the month designated to raise awareness of glaucoma, one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness.

Seeing that clean, new calendar makes it a good time to schedule an eye exam and learn more about taking care of your eyes. At Swope Health, you can call for an appointment with our optical team at 816-923-5800.

Facts About Glaucoma

Vincent Parsons, O.D., Swope Health’s director of optometry, shared some facts about glaucoma:

More than 3 million people in the U.S. have glaucoma. Half of the people who have it don’t know they have it.
Glaucoma is usually associated with seniors who are age 60 or older, but it can affect anyone at any age.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in African Americans. It’s also prevalent in Hispanic populations.
There is no cure for glaucoma, but early identification can slow the progress of the disease.

According to the National Eye Institute, glaucoma actually refers to a group of diseases that affect the optic nerve in the eye. The optic nerve, a bundle of more than a million nerve fibers, connects the retina of the eye with the brain.

“Throughout most of the disease, there are no symptoms and you can’t tell if you have it,” Dr. Parsons said. “That’s why it’s important to have a glaucoma exam.”

The disease is detected through a visual field test, to see if you have lost side vision or peripheral vision. The optometrist also will use a magnifying glass to look for damage to the optic nerve. Finally, the optometrist will use eye drops to numb your eyes, and perform a test to measure your eye pressure and determine the thickness of your cornea.

Treatment

If you are diagnosed with glaucoma, you may be treated with medicines to lower the pressure in the eyes. These medicines may be in the form of eye drops or pills, and need to be taken regularly to be effective in preventing the disease from progressing. In some cases, surgery is recommended to lower pressure in the eyes.

In advanced or very advanced stages of glaucoma, you gradually lose your peripheral vision – it appears as if you are looking through a tunnel.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the number of blind and visually impaired people in the U.S. will double by 2030 as the population ages. Taking care of vision health with a visit to the optometrist can help reduce that number and improve health, wellness and quality of life.

“Glaucoma can occur at any age,” Dr. Parsons said. “If you haven’t had an exam by age 40, it’s a good time to start.”

Why wait? Start now with an eye exam: call 816-923-5800 to schedule an appointment.

New Year, New Look!

January 3, 2019

By Michelle Keller, Vice President, Community Engagement, Development & Outreach.

Hello! Do you see something different here today?

We have created a new look for Swope Health, at the same time we celebrate 50 years of service to our community.

The leadership team and Board of Directors agreed a new look would be an excellent way to kick off our next 50 years.

Why a new look?

As we reflected on our years of service, we also evaluated how we perform – our strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.

We identified four pillars to define our service to the community, and we re-imagined how we could show you our commitment, starting with our name. The new look should guide us into the future.

First, the four pillars of our service:

Understanding: We relate to you, no matter where you are in your healthcare journey.
Invested: We’re committed to the communities we serve and the people who need care.
Accessible: Our knowledge, services and caring providers are available to everyone.
Skilled: Our staff delivers high-quality, expert care at every moment.

We worked with a professional branding firm, Native Digital, whose team challenged us with a question: If Swope Health was a person, what kind of person would we be?

We came up with three ideas: We would want you to think of us as a friend, counselor and advocate.

As a friend, we listen, care about you and work hard to have mutual trust. We speak your language.

As a counselor, we drive you to better understand yourself and to become the best you can be, through empathy, guidance and wisdom.

As an advocate, we are invested in your success and we boost you up so you can achieve your goals. We’re with you on your path to health.

And it’s that idea – a path leading to a healthier, happier life – that sparked the change to the logo.

We widened the bottom of the “S” to make it look more like a path, the flowing start of a journey. We also simplified the look of the lettering and made it less formal, more friendly.

Then finally, we jazzed up the colors! We want to be clean, bright and fresh.

You’ll see vibrant colors throughout our presence: pink and maroon, dark blue and light blue, dark green and light green.

All of this comes together in our new look. I hope this gives you a peek into our thinking and I hope you will see us in a new light.

Let us know how we’re doing in meeting our pillars and serving as your friend, counselor and advocate.

Comments always welcome – use the text box below or send an email to editor@SwopeHealth.org.