General Updates
Congratulations to KHI Board Chair Janet Stanek!
The chair of KHI’s Board of Directors, Janet Stanek, was appointed by Governor Laura Kelly as Secretary, Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE). Everyone at KHI congratulates Janet on this important role in our state!
Search Process for New KHI CEO
Bob announced last month that he would not be renewing his contract after 24 years of service at KHI. He will be at KHI through May 15, 2022. Teresa Miller, Kansas Health Foundation President & CEO, recognized Bob’s impactful role in Kansas public health: “He has helped bring greater awareness to critical health issues across Kansas, building a strong reputation for trusted, nonpartisan research, education and engagement on health-related policies that impact the health of all Kansans.” And we couldn’t agree more! Bob is keeping staff up to date on the search process for KHI’s new CEO, and at this time, the KHI Board of Directors is working to select the right professional search firm to conduct a national search.
Replicon Year-End Trainings
JoDonna will be presenting KHI’s Replicon Year-End trainings via Teams. Everyone must sign up for these trainings so we can get this important business tool up and running going into 2022 and beyond. Training classes are scheduled for:
Project Management Training: Dec. 7 & 9
Report Training: Dec. 13 & 14
Expense Training: Dec. 15 & 16
*There will be a short quiz following the training sessions.
Lunch will be provided in January for everyone who participates!
2022 Flexible Spending Account
The deadline to enroll in the 2022 Flexible Spending Account is December 30, 2021. If you do not alter your account, it will remain unchanged.
November Communications Metrics
KHI in the News
Kansas health officials plan COVID-19 being endemic omicron variant, Topeka Capital-Journal (December 5)
Health expert: COVID-19 surge could be on the way as winter approaches, KSNT (November 16)
https://www.ksnt.com/health/coronavirus/health-expert-covid-19-surge-could-be-on-the-way-as-winter-approaches/ (November 16)
Holiday gatherings ‘encouraged’ this year, here’s how to stay safe, KSNT (November 16)
New Staff: Angela Wu
Hi, I’m Angela
I am the new analyst at KHI and I am very excited about working with all of you and making meaningful contributions to the team. My background is quite diverse: molecular science, business and data science. Before joining KHI, I worked as a chemist, a territory account manager and a bioinformatician. I am very grateful for this opportunity at KHI where I get to apply my technical skills on the subjects that I had limited exposure to, but with great interest.
Although I never lived in Kansas, I was born in a town not too far from it in Warrensburg, Missouri. I was brought back to Taiwan as an infant once my parents got their degrees in MO. I spent most of my childhood in Taiwan and I later came to the States by myself for high school and was very fortunate to stay with a loving host family in Colorado. That’s where I experienced the true outdoor activities and their awesome nature. After I finished college there, I moved to California for work. About five years later, I went to St. Louis for my master’s degree, and that’s where I met my husband. We got married in August 2021 online due to the pandemic. He is now doing postdoc in Urban Planning at the University of Toronto.
Moving to a completely new place alone is a bit scary for me especially as I get older, but I also like to explore new stuff. I enjoy nature if there are no crazy bugs and I’m a big foodie.
Fun Fact about me:
I would say my most dedicated and consistent interest is ballet. My first dream job was to be a ballerina, but I’ve come to realize that any dancing opportunity is a blessing.
New Staff: Emma Uridge
Hello everyone!
My name is Emma, and I am the new research assistant joining KHI. I look forward to getting to know you all and assisting in the important work KHI does. Before joining KHI, I was an Environmental Public Health Specialist at the Kansas City Missouri Health Department. I specialized in food safety but had other duties such as Covid-19 related investigations and coordinating inspections for summer feeding programs throughout the metro. Prior to that, I interned at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and SS&C Technologies. My academic background includes a bachelors in community health education from the University of Kansas, and I am currently betraying my fellow Jayhawks as I pursue my MPH from Kansas State University. My emphasis area is in food safety and biosecurity.
When I am not studying, I love spending time with my family. Family time typically consists of a colorful charcuterie board and a new episode of Succession. I also love to cook and try new recipes, especially Vietnamese and Korean dishes. When I am not in the mood to cook, I enjoy finding new spots in KC to try with my friends. Some favorite spots of mine include Seven Swans Creperie and Clay and Fire. Other hobbies of mine include (but are not limited to): antiquing, camping, hiking, yoga, traveling and reading.
That is just a small snapshot of my interests, but I am always looking into new experiences and interests to explore. Thank you for making it this far in learning about me, I am excited to learn more about you all!
Holiday Team Luncheon
KHI is having a staff holiday luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 15, from 11:30 AM to 1 PM in the Combined Bluestem. The luncheon will be held in conjunction with our Toys for Tots contribution campaign.
This holiday season, help bring smiles to children and parents who have registered with Toys for Tots. Topeka Toys for Tots donates toys to less fortunate children within 15 counties across Kansas. They provided over 18,500 toys to children last year. The Counties served are Nemaha, Brown, Jackson, Geary, Wabaunsee, Shawnee, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Morris, Osage, Riley, Pottawatomie, Atchison and Franklin.
Recommendations for Donations
(They are low in Girls’ toys overall and in 11 to 12 Boys and Girls items.)
All age groups: Books, Board Games, Bikes, Scooters and Helmets
Newborn-2 Years Girls and Boys: Educational, Books, Music/Sounds, Activity Walkers
3-5 Years Boys: Hot wheels, Trains, Tractors, Small Sporting Goods, Super Heros
3-5 Years Girls: Dolls/Princess, Dress Up
6-7 Years Boys: Sporting goods, science, remote control cars
6-7 Years Girls: Arts and Crafts, Jewelry, Hair Stuff
8-10 Years Boys: Sporting Goods, Science, Remote Control Cars/Helicopters, Backpacks
8-10 Years Girls: Sporting Goods, Science, Arts and Crafts, Purses, Bags, Jewelry
11-12 Years Boys: Basket Balls, Footballs, Skateboards, Bath and Hygiene Products, Bags
11-12 Years Girls: Curling Irons, Straighteners, Nail Polish, Jewelry, Arts and Crafts, Purses
The holiday luncheon is open to all staff, and bringing a unwrapped toy is optional. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. We will deliver the toys to the Toys for Tots warehouse the following day.
While KHI is providing a healthy lunch, staff can bring holiday treats.
Celebrations
Happy Anniversary
Nancy Ruf, 9 years
Job Openings
The following positions are now open. We are actively recruiting through a variety of channels. If you know someone who would qualify for one or more of our open positions, please share the details from our website at https://www.khi.org/careers
Welcome, Emma and Angela! Thank you for sharing these interesting personal notes! - Miranda