SHS Supports La Raza at National Conference in KC – July 11-14

La RazaSwope Health Services is a proud sponsor and participant in the 2015 National Council of La Raza Annual Conference, held at the Kansas City Convention Center July 11-14.

SHS will use its booth at the conference to connect with participants and share information about SHS health services. The event typically attracts more than 2,000 participants from the Hispanic community.

“We will be there to reach out and strengthen our relationships with the Hispanic community,” said Michelle Keller, Vice President of Patient Services. “Part of our mission is to eliminate health disparities in our community, and that includes helping people overcome language barriers or lack of insurance to gain access to health care.”

The La Raza conference includes training, workshops, presentations and panel discussions on education, health care, the environment, workforce development, public policy and political action, family and housing issues, just to name a few topics.

The event also features a National Family Latino Expo, which is free and open to the public. The expo has family entertainment, activities and give-aways. It runs Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kansas City Convention Center.

The conference features national and local leaders, including the Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, and Mayors Sly James (KCMO) and Mark Holland (KCK). Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also speak at the conference.

For more information, visit the National Council of La Raza conference website. Be sure to visit SHS at La Raza!

 

 

 

Wow! 50 Years of Service: Help Us Congratulate Nurse Kathryn Adams!

Kathy AdamsSwope Health Services (SHS) is celebrating with Kathryn Adams, a licensed practical nurse in the Ob/Gyn department, for achieving recognition for 50 years of service as a nurse.

Ms. Adams, who joined SHS on Feb. 8, 1972, recently received a letter and Gold Certificate from the State of Missouri, recognizing her years of faithful service to the nursing profession.

The certificate and letter came in the mail — a surprise to Ms. Adams. Her colleagues, however, were quick to recognize and applaud Ms. Adams. She has a reputation as a role model, as someone her
co-workers can always count on, and as one who truly cares for her patients.

“Patients love her. She has heart. She has a truly caring and nurturing personality,” said Terra Winston, RN, Clinic Manager at SHS Belton and South Kansas City Center.

Winston recalled that Ms. Adams trained the staff when the South Kansas City facility opened. “She’s the kind of person you can always ask for help, and she never says no. She’s always willing to help.”

“She is a really sweet woman and and all-around good person,” Ms. Winston said.

Bertha Thomas, RN, SHS West and Wyandotte Clinic Manager, described Ms. Adams as setting the standard for care, for patients and her co-workers.

“She treats her patients like they are the most important person in the world at that moment,” Ms. Thomas said. “I’ve watched her do that. She makes patients know they are not just a number. She does the same with her co-workers.”

“She really strives for the best and she makes me want to do the best I can.”

Ms. Adams was in the second group of employees to be hired at Swope Health Services 43 years ago. She worked in the SHS original facility at the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church and recalls the closeness of the small team.

“Mr. Ellis used to say that we were a family, and we are,” she said, referring to Frank Ellis, SHS’s first chairman. She recalled outgrowing the original space at the church, the next facility and then moving to the current location. “This was supposed to be a place we couldn’t outgrow, but look at us now,” she said. “We must be doing something right.”

Ms. Adams plans to continue caring for patients at SHS.

“It hasn’t come across my mind to retire,” she said. “Actually, that’s something I’m dreading. I know a lot of people like to stay home, but I enjoy getting up and coming to work. We’ve got good patients, good doctors — it’s just a good place to work.”

Congratulations, Kathy. Swope Health Services is proud to have you as a member of our family.