Since 1967 the current Forsyth Library building on the Fort
Hays State University campus has been a resource for students and the
community. But as storage and consumption of information changed significantly
with the advent of the internet, the building struggled to keep up.

But now, a major renovation looks to address that concern.

Beginning in the summer of 2024, work will begin on a $25
million overhaul of the facility, with an expected completion in 2026.

“If you think about the way we interact with information and
how that has changed, the building was never designed for that,” said Ginger
Williams, Dean of Library Services at Forsyth Library.

While the construction work is nearly a year away, planning
has been ongoing.

“We are wrapping up the design phase right now. I would say
it's about 98 percent set at this point,” Williams said.

The revamped facility will continue as a book repository,
but other features and services will be added.

“I think when you step inside the renovated building a few
years from now, you're not going to recognize Forsyth Library anymore as it is
today,” Williams said.

While minor renovations have adapted the building to fill
needs over the years, this project will bring together the facility, giving it
a “cohesive look,” she said.

“We are really going to have the main floor transformed into
a very active zone,” Williams said. “We're excited to bring in a cafe. We're
excited to really feature the Writing Center.”

And looking back at the building’s historic purpose, books
will also return to the first floor.

“We actually talked to students, and they said they want to
see books and know that they're in a library,” Williams said.

Feedback from students also indicated a desire for more collaborative
workspaces.

“Students have always had a need to find a place to study,”
Williams said. “And I think we are going to see students just streaming in for
all of the new study rooms.”

Natural lighting and books will be on full display in those
rooms.

“That's what they told us,” Williams said. “Because that
signals to them that this is a place I'm supposed to study, I'm supposed to get
my work done. And it signals it's really time to get down to business.”

Programming is also top of mind as the plans come together.

“We are actually designing a really great event space that
will be appropriate for lectures and other community events,” Williams said. “It's
really hard to fathom if you haven't seen the plans, the scope of change that is
coming to that building.”

The Institute for New Media Studies will also be inserted
into the building alongside a media lab, the Makerspace and an audio booth.

“It'll be kind of a technology corridor,” Williams said.

Those features will be made more prominent through the
redesign.

“Right now, the downstairs is not prime real estate at all,”
Williams said. “It's pretty drab, but we're doing a lot of intentional work to
make it exciting down there.”

A new amphitheater staircase will flow from the main
entrance to the MakerSpace. Another hole will be cut, making the Institute for
New Media Studies visible from the main floor.

Supporting the renovated facility, the project will also
update building systems, like HVAC and electrical infrastructure.

“This is no small thing,” said Alumni Office alumni director
Carolyn Tatro. “A major renovation of a building is truly something that is
hard to kind of swallow.”

But the majority of the project has already been paid for by
a $19 million grant from the National Institute for Standards and Technology.

Their contribution will help with the renovation and ongoing
maintenance costs in the future, she said.

Support for the remaining $6 million needed for the project
is ongoing.

“This is a great opportunity to show passion for the library,
passion for what students are doing,” Tatro said. “We were fortunate to receive
this federal grant. And, you know, we are grateful for Senator Moran for
helping the university secure this money, but it's going to take a little bit
more effort.”

Part of the fundraising will include naming opportunities in
the facility.

“We're lucky that we have one namespace so far, the Larry
and Lyn Fenwick Reading Room, that'll be a major improvement to our special
collections and university archives,” Williams said. “We've never had a true
reading room before. And so they're giving us our first one.”

That space will be appropriately climate controlled and
provide everything that rare materials need, she said.

While the work is ongoing, some services may relocate to
other buildings to remain available. Williams said they will provide updates on
the library website, <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/library/">fhsu.edu/library</a>.

Williams said the project will help better serve the
students and the community, even as life transitions more online daily.

“Libraries are more necessary now than I think they ever
have been,” she said. “We're swimming in information right now, and we all need
help figuring out how to manage that and how to access it.”

“We love being that academic hub and that center of
intellectual discourse, and we want to bring people together to talk about
things that are tough to talk about, but find a way to do that peacefully and
with all the information we can.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690568744571.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostSince 1967 the current Forsyth Library building on the Fort
Hays State University campus has been a resource for students and the
community. But as storage and consumption of information changed significantly
with the advent of the internet, the building struggled to keep up.But now, a major renovation looks to address that concern.Beginning in the summer of 2024, work will begin on a $25
million overhaul of the facility, with an expected completion in 2026.“If you think about the way we interact with information and
how that has changed, the building was never designed for that,” said Ginger
Williams, Dean of Library Services at Forsyth Library.<div><iframe title="FHSU Forsyth Library remodel to revamp and reimagine campus learning center" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=gr4ze-1465e3b-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=315" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>While the construction work is nearly a year away, planning
has been ongoing.“We are wrapping up the design phase right now. I would say
it's about 98 percent set at this point,” Williams said.The revamped facility will continue as a book repository,
but other features and services will be added.“I think when you step inside the renovated building a few
years from now, you're not going to recognize Forsyth Library anymore as it is
today,” Williams said.While minor renovations have adapted the building to fill
needs over the years, this project will bring together the facility, giving it
a “cohesive look,” she said.“We are really going to have the main floor transformed into
a very active zone,” Williams said. “We're excited to bring in a cafe. We're
excited to really feature the Writing Center.”And looking back at the building’s historic purpose, books
will also return to the first floor.“We actually talked to students, and they said they want to
see books and know that they're in a library,” Williams said.Feedback from students also indicated a desire for more collaborative
workspaces.“Students have always had a need to find a place to study,”
Williams said. “And I think we are going to see students just streaming in for
all of the new study rooms.”Natural lighting and books will be on full display in those
rooms.“That's what they told us,” Williams said. “Because that
signals to them that this is a place I'm supposed to study, I'm supposed to get
my work done. And it signals it's really time to get down to business.”Programming is also top of mind as the plans come together.“We are actually designing a really great event space that
will be appropriate for lectures and other community events,” Williams said. “It's
really hard to fathom if you haven't seen the plans, the scope of change that is
coming to that building.”The Institute for New Media Studies will also be inserted
into the building alongside a media lab, the Makerspace and an audio booth.“It'll be kind of a technology corridor,” Williams said.Those features will be made more prominent through the
redesign.“Right now, the downstairs is not prime real estate at all,”
Williams said. “It's pretty drab, but we're doing a lot of intentional work to
make it exciting down there.”A new amphitheater staircase will flow from the main
entrance to the MakerSpace. Another hole will be cut, making the Institute for
New Media Studies visible from the main floor.Supporting the renovated facility, the project will also
update building systems, like HVAC and electrical infrastructure.<h2>A major renovation with a major cost</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690568710360.jpeg" alt="Photo by James Bell/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Photo by James Bell/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>“This is no small thing,” said Alumni Office alumni director
Carolyn Tatro. “A major renovation of a building is truly something that is
hard to kind of swallow.”But the majority of the project has already been paid for by
a $19 million grant from the National Institute for Standards and Technology.Their contribution will help with the renovation and ongoing
maintenance costs in the future, she said.Support for the remaining $6 million needed for the project
is ongoing.“This is a great opportunity to show passion for the library,
passion for what students are doing,” Tatro said. “We were fortunate to receive
this federal grant. And, you know, we are grateful for Senator Moran for
helping the university secure this money, but it's going to take a little bit
more effort.”Part of the fundraising will include naming opportunities in
the facility.“We're lucky that we have one namespace so far, the Larry
and Lyn Fenwick Reading Room, that'll be a major improvement to our special
collections and university archives,” Williams said. “We've never had a true
reading room before. And so they're giving us our first one.”That space will be appropriately climate controlled and
provide everything that rare materials need, she said.While the work is ongoing, some services may relocate to
other buildings to remain available. Williams said they will provide updates on
the library website, <a href="https://www.fhsu.edu/library/">fhsu.edu/library</a>.Williams said the project will help better serve the
students and the community, even as life transitions more online daily.“Libraries are more necessary now than I think they ever
have been,” she said. “We're swimming in information right now, and we all need
help figuring out how to manage that and how to access it.”“We love being that academic hub and that center of
intellectual discourse, and we want to bring people together to talk about
things that are tough to talk about, but find a way to do that peacefully and
with all the information we can.”

🎙 FHSU Forsyth Library remodel to revamp and reimagine campus learning center

TOPEKA– Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced July 24 that Dr. Lindsey Dinkel has been appointed Superintendent at Larned State Hospital (LSH) effective August 20, 2023, when current Superintendent Lesia Dipman officially retires, according to a media release from the agency.

“Dr. Dinkel has the clinical and academic familiarity with hospital programs to seamlessly take over the role of superintendent and continue the hospital’s progress toward improved resident experiences and exceptional mental health care,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “I believe her range of professional knowledge is an asset that will enable her to transition smoothly and contribute immediately in this role.”

Dr. Dinkel has more than 10 years of experience in the mental health field including roles in clinical, administrative, research, and academic settings. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Fort Hays State University followed by her master’s degree in forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Dr. Dinkel became a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology in 2020 with a specialization in Mental Health Policy and Practice. She began as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Kansas in 2013 and became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in 2018. She has specialized in treating mental illness in the forensic population and held clinical roles in other settings including child welfare, in-patient psychiatric care, involuntary commitment, and outpatient community service. Dr. Dinkel has been an active adjunct instructor teaching in the fields of forensic psychology, criminal justice, and counseling. She has held several roles during her tenure at LSH, including contract therapist within the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, Chief Operations Officer, and Assistant Superintendent.&nbsp;

Dr. Dinkel will have a month to work alongside Superintendent Dipman to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.&nbsp;

“KDADS and the State of Kansas extends its sincere gratitude to Superintendent Dipman for her steadfast commitment to the Larned community, her staff, and the residents we care for at the hospital,”&nbsp;KDADS Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities Scott Brunner said. “Lesia has been instrumental in leading the hospital through some very challenging times in her years in this role and is known and respected for successfully tackling some of the unique concerns on campus as well as her administrative and crisis management skills. She has been a great asset who will be missed.”

&nbsp;LSH Superintendent Dipman has served the State of Kansas for 38 years, starting her career at LSH in 1984, working in various positions from food services to the nursing department, and in multiple departments, from the State Security Hospital to the adolescent unit and youth center. Dipman attended Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University (KSU) and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from KSU in 1994. By 2004, she was promoted to Director of Social Services at the hospital, and a year later earned a master’s degree in social work from Newman University in Wichita.&nbsp;

In 2006, Dipman transferred to the State Security Program at LSH as the Administrative Program Director, her most recent position before being named Acting Superintendent by KDADS Secretary Howard in February 2019, then Superintendent in May 2019.

In her nearly 5 years as Superintendent, Dipman was instrumental in leading LSH staff through the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting the hospital’s incident response plan to effectively operate in an infectious disease incident. She oversaw the isolation and quarantine processes in three separate hospital programs while continuing to admit patients regardless of COVID status and keep patients and staff safe. While other state agencies moved to remote work, Dipman’s staff continued to provide 24/7 care across hospital programs and units. She advocated for staff pay increases to retain direct care and security staff, including base pay increases, incentive payments during the pandemic, and incentives for hourly employees working through the COVID-19 public health emergency. Dipman also led the implementation effort for statutory changes passed in 2022 to increase the number of providers conducting forensic competency evaluations in jails and expanding mobile restoration services among more than 20 counties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575316643636.jpeg" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA– Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard announced July 24 that Dr. Lindsey Dinkel has been appointed Superintendent at Larned State Hospital (LSH) effective August 20, 2023, when current Superintendent Lesia Dipman officially retires, according to a media release from the agency.“Dr. Dinkel has the clinical and academic familiarity with hospital programs to seamlessly take over the role of superintendent and continue the hospital’s progress toward improved resident experiences and exceptional mental health care,”&nbsp;KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said. “I believe her range of professional knowledge is an asset that will enable her to transition smoothly and contribute immediately in this role.”Dr. Dinkel has more than 10 years of experience in the mental health field including roles in clinical, administrative, research, and academic settings. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Fort Hays State University followed by her master’s degree in forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.Dr. Dinkel became a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology in 2020 with a specialization in Mental Health Policy and Practice. She began as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Kansas in 2013 and became a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in 2018. She has specialized in treating mental illness in the forensic population and held clinical roles in other settings including child welfare, in-patient psychiatric care, involuntary commitment, and outpatient community service. Dr. Dinkel has been an active adjunct instructor teaching in the fields of forensic psychology, criminal justice, and counseling. She has held several roles during her tenure at LSH, including contract therapist within the Sexual Predator Treatment Program, Chief Operations Officer, and Assistant Superintendent.&nbsp;Dr. Dinkel will have a month to work alongside Superintendent Dipman to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.&nbsp;“KDADS and the State of Kansas extends its sincere gratitude to Superintendent Dipman for her steadfast commitment to the Larned community, her staff, and the residents we care for at the hospital,”&nbsp;KDADS Deputy Secretary of Hospitals and Facilities Scott Brunner said. “Lesia has been instrumental in leading the hospital through some very challenging times in her years in this role and is known and respected for successfully tackling some of the unique concerns on campus as well as her administrative and crisis management skills. She has been a great asset who will be missed.”&nbsp;LSH Superintendent Dipman has served the State of Kansas for 38 years, starting her career at LSH in 1984, working in various positions from food services to the nursing department, and in multiple departments, from the State Security Hospital to the adolescent unit and youth center. Dipman attended Fort Hays State University and Kansas State University (KSU) and earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from KSU in 1994. By 2004, she was promoted to Director of Social Services at the hospital, and a year later earned a master’s degree in social work from Newman University in Wichita.&nbsp;In 2006, Dipman transferred to the State Security Program at LSH as the Administrative Program Director, her most recent position before being named Acting Superintendent by KDADS Secretary Howard in February 2019, then Superintendent in May 2019.In her nearly 5 years as Superintendent, Dipman was instrumental in leading LSH staff through the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting the hospital’s incident response plan to effectively operate in an infectious disease incident. She oversaw the isolation and quarantine processes in three separate hospital programs while continuing to admit patients regardless of COVID status and keep patients and staff safe. While other state agencies moved to remote work, Dipman’s staff continued to provide 24/7 care across hospital programs and units. She advocated for staff pay increases to retain direct care and security staff, including base pay increases, incentive payments during the pandemic, and incentives for hourly employees working through the COVID-19 public health emergency. Dipman also led the implementation effort for statutory changes passed in 2022 to increase the number of providers conducting forensic competency evaluations in jails and expanding mobile restoration services among more than 20 counties.

FHSU grad appointed as new Superintendent at Larned State Hospital

By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KU Medical Center

The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on many shortcomings in rural health, and one of them was the lack of certified pulmonary rehabilitation specialists in rural areas. These are medical professionals in various fields who have received extra respiratory training to guide patients through therapies intended to enhance their breathing and strengthen their pulmonary system once it’s been damaged.

Faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center are leveraging a $1.54 million federal grant to get more trained pulmonary rehabilitation specialists into rural Kansas. The three-year grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) runs through 2025.

Dave Burnett, Ph.D., associate dean for community engagement and workforce initiatives in KU School of Health Professions, said “the light bulb just went off” when the grant application suggested pulmonary rehabilitation as a potential focus area. “The reality of the situation is that there are not enough folks with specialized (pulmonary rehab) training in Kansas, and that’s the gap that we needed to improve,” he said.

Even though the HRSA established the grant with COVID in mind, Burnett said more pulmonary rehabilitation specialists in Kansas would be an advantage for other respiratory problems, too. He quoted a federal statistic indicating that only 4% of all COPD patients eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation under Medicaid or Medicare actually received that rehabilitation.

“In addition to a lack of clinicians with specialized training in pulmonary rehabilitation, there is a scarcity of actual (pulmonary rehabilitation) programs, especially in rural communities,” said Burnett, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science in KU School of Health Professions.

A collaboration between Health Professions and Nursing

The grant-funded initiative is called the Interprofessional COVID Academic Network, or I-CAN. Burnett contacted Cynthia Teel, Ph.D., FAAN, professor and associate dean of academic affairs in KU School of Nursing, to make the initiative interprofessional.

“We want to bring together the skills that respiratory therapists have and the skills that registered nurses have, and bring these skill sets together for the benefit of the patient,” Teel explained. “We’ve started with respiratory therapy and nursing as the two professions in this stage of the grant, but it in no way has to be limited to only those two professions.”

The initiative currently has three major parts. First, faculty reviewed the curriculum of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aarc.org/education/online-courses/pulmonary-rehabilitation-certificate-course/">pulmonary rehabilitation certificate already offered by the American Association of Respiratory Care</a>&nbsp;(AARC) to assure its appropriateness for treating long COVID.

Second, primary investigators reached out to faculty at KU School of Nursing-Salina as well as instructors of nursing and respiratory care programs at Kansas community colleges that serve rural populations. These educators then incorporated elements of the pulmonary rehabilitation curriculum into existing classes, and students were able to use grant funds to cover the costs of certification.

Delyna “Dee” Bohnenblust, director of the nursing program at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas, said the initiative gave nursing faculty and students a “wonderful opportunity” to improve their skills. Parsons is located in southeast Kansas, 150 miles from Kansas City. “We are very rural, and we don’t have the same resources available that you’re going to have in the larger metropolitan areas,” Bohnenblust said.

All eight members of the Labette Community College nursing faculty became certified in pulmonary rehabilitation, and following extra training incorporated into their last class before graduation, all 29 nursing graduates of the Class of 2023 became certified as well.

“Respiratory nursing has always been part of the general nursing curriculum, but it does not lend itself to the depth that this certification allowed,” Bohnenblust said. “We looked at this truly as an opportunity as we’re coming out of the COVID pandemic for students to feel more prepared as they graduate our program and move into entry-level nursing positions.”

Seward County Community College, Liberal, has had 10 respiratory therapy students and two respiratory therapy faculty members certified in pulmonary rehabilitation via the new initiative.

Janae Zachary, director of respiratory therapy, said the certification builds student confidence. “Only a small part of the respiratory therapy curriculum is currently dedicated to reviewing cardiopulmonary rehab,” she said. “The access provided by I-CAN to the AARC Pulmonary Rehabilitation certification program certainly covers it more completely and supports their competency in this area.”

Seward County Community College’s nursing program is now considering adding pulmonary rehabilitation via the new initiative as well, Zachary said.

&nbsp;Expanding the initiative to current professionals

The third element of the network, currently under development, is to contact hospitals and clinics so nurses, respiratory therapists and other medical clinicians currently in practice have an opportunity to be certified as pulmonary rehabilitation specialists.

“We’re committed to increasing skills in the rural health care workforce, and we also have recognized the importance of trying to provide meaningful resources for people who have had COVID-19 and who are dealing with the aftermath of long COVID,” Teel said.

“Now, especially, as the resources available during the acute portion of the pandemic are being discontinued and we move into a more post-pandemic phase, this project has given us the opportunity to ask, ‘What are the needs of the people in our communities, and what can we do to improve things for the people with those needs?’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689022244278.jpeg" alt="Three-year grant promotes and facilitates the certification of nurses and respiratory therapists in pulmonary rehabilitation, especially for those planning to work in rural Kansas. KU Medical Center" />
 <figcaption>Three-year grant promotes and facilitates the certification of nurses and respiratory therapists in pulmonary rehabilitation, especially for those planning to work in rural Kansas. KU Medical Center</figcaption>
 </figure>By ANNE CHRISTIANSEN-BULLERS KU Medical CenterThe COVID-19 pandemic shed light on many shortcomings in rural health, and one of them was the lack of certified pulmonary rehabilitation specialists in rural areas. These are medical professionals in various fields who have received extra respiratory training to guide patients through therapies intended to enhance their breathing and strengthen their pulmonary system once it’s been damaged.Faculty at the University of Kansas Medical Center are leveraging a $1.54 million federal grant to get more trained pulmonary rehabilitation specialists into rural Kansas. The three-year grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) runs through 2025.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689021983900.jpeg" alt="Dave Burnett, Ph.D." />
 <figcaption>Dave Burnett, Ph.D.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dave Burnett, Ph.D., associate dean for community engagement and workforce initiatives in KU School of Health Professions, said “the light bulb just went off” when the grant application suggested pulmonary rehabilitation as a potential focus area. “The reality of the situation is that there are not enough folks with specialized (pulmonary rehab) training in Kansas, and that’s the gap that we needed to improve,” he said.Even though the HRSA established the grant with COVID in mind, Burnett said more pulmonary rehabilitation specialists in Kansas would be an advantage for other respiratory problems, too. He quoted a federal statistic indicating that only 4% of all COPD patients eligible for pulmonary rehabilitation under Medicaid or Medicare actually received that rehabilitation.“In addition to a lack of clinicians with specialized training in pulmonary rehabilitation, there is a scarcity of actual (pulmonary rehabilitation) programs, especially in rural communities,” said Burnett, who is also an associate professor in the Department of Respiratory Care and Diagnostic Science in KU School of Health Professions.<h2>A collaboration between Health Professions and Nursing</h2>The grant-funded initiative is called the Interprofessional COVID Academic Network, or I-CAN. Burnett contacted Cynthia Teel, Ph.D., FAAN, professor and associate dean of academic affairs in KU School of Nursing, to make the initiative interprofessional.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689021940798.jpeg" alt="&nbsp; Cynthia Teel, Ph.D.,&nbsp;FAAN&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Cynthia Teel, Ph.D.,&nbsp;FAAN&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“We want to bring together the skills that respiratory therapists have and the skills that registered nurses have, and bring these skill sets together for the benefit of the patient,” Teel explained. “We’ve started with respiratory therapy and nursing as the two professions in this stage of the grant, but it in no way has to be limited to only those two professions.”The initiative currently has three major parts. First, faculty reviewed the curriculum of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aarc.org/education/online-courses/pulmonary-rehabilitation-certificate-course/">pulmonary rehabilitation certificate already offered by the American Association of Respiratory Care</a>&nbsp;(AARC) to assure its appropriateness for treating long COVID.Second, primary investigators reached out to faculty at KU School of Nursing-Salina as well as instructors of nursing and respiratory care programs at Kansas community colleges that serve rural populations. These educators then incorporated elements of the pulmonary rehabilitation curriculum into existing classes, and students were able to use grant funds to cover the costs of certification.<h2>Two examples from community colleges</h2>Delyna “Dee” Bohnenblust, director of the nursing program at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kansas, said the initiative gave nursing faculty and students a “wonderful opportunity” to improve their skills. Parsons is located in southeast Kansas, 150 miles from Kansas City. “We are very rural, and we don’t have the same resources available that you’re going to have in the larger metropolitan areas,” Bohnenblust said.All eight members of the Labette Community College nursing faculty became certified in pulmonary rehabilitation, and following extra training incorporated into their last class before graduation, all 29 nursing graduates of the Class of 2023 became certified as well.“Respiratory nursing has always been part of the general nursing curriculum, but it does not lend itself to the depth that this certification allowed,” Bohnenblust said. “We looked at this truly as an opportunity as we’re coming out of the COVID pandemic for students to feel more prepared as they graduate our program and move into entry-level nursing positions.”Seward County Community College, Liberal, has had 10 respiratory therapy students and two respiratory therapy faculty members certified in pulmonary rehabilitation via the new initiative.Janae Zachary, director of respiratory therapy, said the certification builds student confidence. “Only a small part of the respiratory therapy curriculum is currently dedicated to reviewing cardiopulmonary rehab,” she said. “The access provided by I-CAN to the AARC Pulmonary Rehabilitation certification program certainly covers it more completely and supports their competency in this area.”Seward County Community College’s nursing program is now considering adding pulmonary rehabilitation via the new initiative as well, Zachary said.<h2>&nbsp;Expanding the initiative to current professionals</h2>The third element of the network, currently under development, is to contact hospitals and clinics so nurses, respiratory therapists and other medical clinicians currently in practice have an opportunity to be certified as pulmonary rehabilitation specialists.“We’re committed to increasing skills in the rural health care workforce, and we also have recognized the importance of trying to provide meaningful resources for people who have had COVID-19 and who are dealing with the aftermath of long COVID,” Teel said.“Now, especially, as the resources available during the acute portion of the pandemic are being discontinued and we move into a more post-pandemic phase, this project has given us the opportunity to ask, ‘What are the needs of the people in our communities, and what can we do to improve things for the people with those needs?’”

KU initiative lets rural-based students, professionals access training for pulmonary conditions

Some producers may be anxious this year to find out the germination percent of the wheat they harvest, to see if it will make suitable seed. 

If they do a home germination test too soon after harvest, they may be shocked at the low germination percentage – unless the test is done correctly. That’s because wheat has a post-harvest dormancy requirement (some varieties more so than others). Even high-quality seed will not germinate at its maximum capacity right after harvest in most cases. This post-harvest dormancy is important to help decrease the chances of pre-harvest sprouting in case harvest is delayed due to weather conditions or other reasons.

To get around that, for the first several weeks after harvest, it’s important to make sure the wheat is pre-chilled before taking a germination test. Any reputable seed lab will do that on a routine basis. Producers testing their seed at home should also pre-chill the wheat by planting it and putting it in the refrigerator at about 40 degrees for five days. If the seed is not pre-chilled, producers should wait a month and a half after harvest before testing for germination.

There is some difference among varieties regarding how long their post-harvest dormancy requirement is – so much so that some varieties are more prone to pre-harvest sprouting. 

Hard white wheat varieties with poor sprouting tolerance, for example, have almost no summer dormancy requirement. They will germinate almost as soon as the seed is harvested. Other varieties have a relatively long summer dormancy requirement, and may not germinate well for five or six weeks after harvest unless the seed is pre-chilled. By Labor Day, all varieties will have lost their summer dormancy and should germinate unless the seed is defective in some way.

If there is any question about the viability of the seed, it is well worth the cost to have the seed tested for germination by a professional seed laboratory. This is especially true in areas where there was freeze damage, severe drought or heat stresses during grain filling, a rain delay at harvest, or wheat head scab.

Professional lab testing -having your seed professionally tested for germination is always a good practice - but with the severe drought and heat stress on the wheat crop in many areas this year, it is highly recommended. 

To have an official germination test on the seed, send a two-pound sample to: Kansas Crop Improvement Association &nbsp;2000 Kimball Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502

A germination test for non-members of KCIA will cost $20.00 and a sample submittal form can be printed off from the KCIA website: <a href="https://www.kscrop.org/seed-lab.html">www.kscrop.org/seed-lab.html</a>

Other seed quality tests are also available and are listed on the submittal form. A companion article in this eUpdate discusses the Accelerated Aging test that can help identify weak seed lots beyond the standard germination test.

If you want to do a germination test at home go to our web site <a href="http://www.cottonwood@ksu.edu">www.cottonwood@ksu.edu</a> and click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics for the details of how to conduct it properly.

Information provided by Eric Fabrizius, Kansas Crop Improvement Association and Romulo Lollato, Extension Wheat and Forages Specialist.

Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681266655144.jpeg" alt="Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;Courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension.&nbsp;Courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Some producers may be anxious this year to find out the germination percent of the wheat they harvest, to see if it will make suitable seed. If they do a home germination test too soon after harvest, they may be shocked at the low germination percentage – unless the test is done correctly. That’s because wheat has a post-harvest dormancy requirement (some varieties more so than others). Even high-quality seed will not germinate at its maximum capacity right after harvest in most cases. This post-harvest dormancy is important to help decrease the chances of pre-harvest sprouting in case harvest is delayed due to weather conditions or other reasons.To get around that, for the first several weeks after harvest, it’s important to make sure the wheat is pre-chilled before taking a germination test. Any reputable seed lab will do that on a routine basis. Producers testing their seed at home should also pre-chill the wheat by planting it and putting it in the refrigerator at about 40 degrees for five days. If the seed is not pre-chilled, producers should wait a month and a half after harvest before testing for germination.There is some difference among varieties regarding how long their post-harvest dormancy requirement is – so much so that some varieties are more prone to pre-harvest sprouting. Hard white wheat varieties with poor sprouting tolerance, for example, have almost no summer dormancy requirement. They will germinate almost as soon as the seed is harvested. Other varieties have a relatively long summer dormancy requirement, and may not germinate well for five or six weeks after harvest unless the seed is pre-chilled. By Labor Day, all varieties will have lost their summer dormancy and should germinate unless the seed is defective in some way.If there is any question about the viability of the seed, it is well worth the cost to have the seed tested for germination by a professional seed laboratory. This is especially true in areas where there was freeze damage, severe drought or heat stresses during grain filling, a rain delay at harvest, or wheat head scab.Professional lab testing -having your seed professionally tested for germination is always a good practice - but with the severe drought and heat stress on the wheat crop in many areas this year, it is highly recommended. To have an official germination test on the seed, send a two-pound sample to: Kansas Crop Improvement Association &nbsp;2000 Kimball Ave. Manhattan, KS 66502A germination test for non-members of KCIA will cost $20.00 and a sample submittal form can be printed off from the KCIA website: <a href="https://www.kscrop.org/seed-lab.html">www.kscrop.org/seed-lab.html</a>Other seed quality tests are also available and are listed on the submittal form. A companion article in this eUpdate discusses the Accelerated Aging test that can help identify weak seed lots beyond the standard germination test. If you want to do a germination test at home go to our web site <a href="http://www.cottonwood@ksu.edu">www.cottonwood@ksu.edu</a> and click onto the Crops and Livestock tab and look under Hot Topics for the details of how to conduct it properly.Information provided by Eric Fabrizius, Kansas Crop Improvement Association and Romulo Lollato, Extension Wheat and Forages Specialist.Stacy Campbell is a Crop Production Extension agent in the Cottonwood District (which includes Barton and Ellis counties) for K-State Research and Extension. You can contact him by e-mail at scampbel@ksu.edu or by calling 785-628-9430.

CAMPBELL: Germination tests for wheat seed at home and professional lab

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690559401196.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

Beginning Monday, July 31, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., the 400 block of W. 15th Street between Elm and Walnut, and the 1800 block of Ash in Hays will be undergoing curb and brick repair/replacement. 

 The city of Hays urges the use of caution in these areas and regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. 

If there are any questions, please call Morgan Brothers Construction at 785-432-3104 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586874819476.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>City of Hays&nbsp;Beginning Monday, July 31, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., the 400 block of W. 15th Street between Elm and Walnut, and the 1800 block of Ash in Hays will be undergoing curb and brick repair/replacement. The city of Hays urges the use of caution in these areas and regrets any inconvenience this may cause to the public. If there are any questions, please call Morgan Brothers Construction at 785-432-3104 or the Office of Project Management at 785-628-7350.

Brick repair begins Monday on two Hays streets 

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.growhays.com/" target="_blank">Grow Hays</a> executive director Doug Williams discusses the budget process for city and county governments in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="City, county governments preparing 2024 budgets" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:600px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=zsghn-1468df2-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=f6f6f6&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.growhays.com/" target="_blank">Grow Hays</a> executive director Doug Williams discusses the budget process for city and county governments in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: City, county governments preparing 2024 budgets

OK, I’m officially fed-up with weathermen and news anchors telling me that statistics show overwhelmingly that human beings are happiest during the summer. Those of you that know us at all are aware that Joyce and I absolutely hate the heat of summer. My dad was just the opposite; in weather like we’ve had the last week, he would have had windows open and MAYBE the ceiling fan going, but certainly not the AC. I keep thinking that as I get older, I’ll get more of his love for the heat. But nope, the older I get, the worse I hate it. I feel tired and drug-out by mid-morning, have absolutely zero energy, and the only joy I get from days like this is the fact that it will be dark again in a few hours and I can just go to bed. The Kansas summer heat is the main reason we no longer have a boat. Once it got hot, which often coincides with some of the summer’s best fishing, the boat sat in the shed. I heard that a local popcorn farm has erected a giant dome over all this year’s popcorn fields to contain all the popcorn that is popping right on the stalks. They now call their farm the Jiffy Pop Farm.

We’ve all heard the usual one-liners about how hot it is, but here are a few new ones I’ve come up with.

It’s so hot that a woman in the McDonalds drive-thru intentionally spilled her coffee in her lap to cool off.

It’s so hot that the beggar sitting outside Walmart today had a sign that read “Will work for shade.”

It’s so hot that beer guts and big butts no longer keep people from wearing shorts.

It’s so hot that CRP now stands for Crispy Rotational Pasture.

it’s so hot that congress actually have to take their hands out of OUR pockets to fan themselves.

There was a knock at the door the other day, and when I opened it there stood someone I’ve never met before asking if they could stick their head in our freezer for a couple minutes.

It’s so hot that the camels at the Sedgwick Co. Zoo want transferred to the Sahara Desert where it’s cooler.

It’s so hot that my niece’s pigs are complaining about sweating like humans.

I’m going to ask that the next time someone plans a pandemic, they wait till summer so I couldn’t care less about leavin’ the house anyway.

It’s so hot that just today I saw a fire hydrant chasing a dog, hoping to get peed-on.

It so hot today that all the artificial flowers at the cemetery are dying.

And finally, its so hot that professional hockey teams are considering playing on rollerblades this year because the ice won’t freeze.

Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574696211722.png" alt="Steve Gilliland" />
 <figcaption>Steve Gilliland</figcaption>
 </figure>OK, I’m officially fed-up with weathermen and news anchors telling me that statistics show overwhelmingly that human beings are happiest during the summer. Those of you that know us at all are aware that Joyce and I absolutely hate the heat of summer. My dad was just the opposite; in weather like we’ve had the last week, he would have had windows open and MAYBE the ceiling fan going, but certainly not the AC. I keep thinking that as I get older, I’ll get more of his love for the heat. But nope, the older I get, the worse I hate it. I feel tired and drug-out by mid-morning, have absolutely zero energy, and the only joy I get from days like this is the fact that it will be dark again in a few hours and I can just go to bed. The Kansas summer heat is the main reason we no longer have a boat. Once it got hot, which often coincides with some of the summer’s best fishing, the boat sat in the shed. I heard that a local popcorn farm has erected a giant dome over all this year’s popcorn fields to contain all the popcorn that is popping right on the stalks. They now call their farm the Jiffy Pop Farm.We’ve all heard the usual one-liners about how hot it is, but here are a few new ones I’ve come up with.It’s so hot that a woman in the McDonalds drive-thru intentionally spilled her coffee in her lap to cool off.It’s so hot that the beggar sitting outside Walmart today had a sign that read “Will work for shade.”It’s so hot that beer guts and big butts no longer keep people from wearing shorts.It’s so hot that CRP now stands for Crispy Rotational Pasture.it’s so hot that congress actually have to take their hands out of OUR pockets to fan themselves.There was a knock at the door the other day, and when I opened it there stood someone I’ve never met before asking if they could stick their head in our freezer for a couple minutes.It’s so hot that the camels at the Sedgwick Co. Zoo want transferred to the Sahara Desert where it’s cooler.It’s so hot that my niece’s pigs are complaining about sweating like humans.I’m going to ask that the next time someone plans a pandemic, they wait till summer so I couldn’t care less about leavin’ the house anyway.It’s so hot that just today I saw a fire hydrant chasing a dog, hoping to get peed-on.It so hot today that all the artificial flowers at the cemetery are dying.And finally, its so hot that professional hockey teams are considering playing on rollerblades this year because the ice won’t freeze.Continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors.Steve can be contacted by email at stevenrgilliland@gmail.com.

Exploring Outdoors Kansas: It’s So Hot that….

ATWOOD—The oldest living
siblings, according to the Guinness World Records’ latest documentation, hail
from Wisconsin. 

But a small town in
Kansas can boast of its own record of sorts.

The combined age of
those four sisters from Wisconsin as of August 2022 was 389. Their average age
when they set the world record about a year ago was 97.25. The oldest was 101
years, and the other three were in their 90s.

The Holub sisters from
Rawlins County in northwest Kansas grew up together and raised their families
about 20 miles from each other. They reunited and lived together under the same
roof again after all three had celebrated their 100th birthday. 

The average age of
these native Kansans when their story appeared in the July issue of The
Register – the official newspaper of the Salina Diocese – was 103.3, with the
oldest being 105.

Their combined age was
310. No, that is not a typo. 

This hard-working,
faithful family from our neck of the woods might not have made the list of
Guinness World Records.

But their story is a
good one. It’s one for the ages. 

By DIANE
GASPER-O’BRIEN Salina Diocese
“Register”

Three sisters sit at a
table eating their lunch in a well-known location that overlooks a beautiful
lake in Atwood.

It’s obvious who is
the eldest, the one looking out for her younger sisters. Her name is Julia, and
when Julia speaks, Lucy and Frances listen.

On a spring day in
May, Julia tells her siblings they can’t have dessert today because they didn’t
eat their vegetables. 

Lucy probably didn’t
care because her birthday was coming soon, and she knew she would get to eat
cake then.

A couple of weeks
later on June 11, Lucy did indeed get that cake. So did Julia and Frances because celebrating special days are commonplace in this facility – the Good
Samaritan Center.

Besides, it’s a big
deal when someone celebrates their 104th birthday – especially when her older
sister, 105-year-old Julia, and the baby of the family, 101-year-old Frances,
are sitting on either side of her.

Everyone in town knows
these centenarian siblings, and they are a big deal every day.

Natives of Rawlins
County, the three girls born to Florian and Frances Holub, attribute their
longevity to hard work and strong faith and, of course, listening to what Julia
tells them.

They all grew up
working alongside their dad on the family farm. The older girls began their
strong Catholic upbringing at St. John Nepomucene Parish near Beardsley and
later attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. The St. John church was
completed the same year Julia was born (in 1917).

“We even went to
church on Saturdays for catechism,” Julia said, “and in the summertime, we went
into town every day for two weeks of catechism.”

“The only time we
missed church was because of muddy roads,” Lucy added, “and then we prayed at
home.”

All three Holub
sisters married farmers, and thus a life of hard work continued.

They raised their
families within 20 miles of each other and often spent time together,
especially on Sundays and holidays.

On this particular
day, Joanna Shormann, one of Julia’s daughters who lives in Colorado, was
visiting her mother and her aunts at the Good Samaritan Center. Joanna’s
younger brother, Marty Kopriva, joined them from his farm near Atwood.

“We have great
memories of being able to spend so much time with all our cousins and aunts and
uncles,” Joanna said as Marty shook his head in agreement.

“I can remember Aunt
Lucy helping Grandpa on the farm,” Marty added. “I rode in the truck with Lucy
when I was a little boy.”

And I think to myself, “What a
wonderful world!”

There were a lot of
smiles and laughter while reminiscing about the wonderful life they agree they
were blessed with.

They remembered
driving the tractor on the farm, walking 2 miles to school in Beardsley and
listening to the radio before they got a television. 

They talked about how
they were all born at home and how they grew up speaking Czech – both sets of
grandparents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia – and learned to speak English
when they went to school. 

“I remember them
teaching me English one word at a time,” Frances said of her older siblings.

The Holub sisters grew
even closer in their later years.

After their children
were grown and their spouses had passed away, Julia Kopriva, Lucy Pochop and
Frances Kompus moved into Atwood. At one time, they lived in three apartments
next to each other and played cards together nearly every night.

Frances and Lucy moved
to the Good Samaritan Center a few years ago and became roommates again, just
like they did in childhood. Julia continued to live on her own independently
until shortly before her 105th birthday.

Once all three were
reunited under one roof last year, they continued to visit each other, play
bingo, attend Mass together on Wednesday and eat every meal together – where
Julia has the last say.

“Well, they say I boss
them around,” Julia said with a smile.

“But do we listen?”
Frances asked, prompting a laugh from everyone around them.

“We absolutely love
having the sisters here with us,” said Marie Sis, activities director at the
Good Samaritan Center. “We are honored to have them live here.”

To
know “the sisters,” to which they are affectionately referred, is to love them.
They are well-known in the area and have even gained national attention. When
Frances turned 100 in 2021, the sisters were featured in a story in USA Today.

These girls could
have been an ideal backdrop for Norman Rockwell, one of America’s most popular
storytellers of the 20th century, with his detailed, sentimental paintings of
everyday Americana.

Collectively, the
Holub sisters have celebrated 100-year-old birthdays together 13 times.

Mention another
family get-together, and their eyes light up as they look forward to
celebrating Julia’s 106th birthday in just a few months on Nov. 5.

Soon after that will
come Christmas, one of the family’s favorite holidays. Joanna tells of how her
mother still decorated her house for Christmas at age 104, carefully arranging
the same nativity set she had set up for nearly 85 years.

For those who know
them, the Holub sisters’ story is better than a Norman Rockwell painting.

Editor’s note: This day with the Holub sisters (May 24,
2023) will always remain a special memory for all involved. Frances passed away
on June 28, and Julia and Lucy are now adjusting to life without their “baby
sister.” But like everything they have faced in life, Joanna says, “their faith
will get them through.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664194720.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664433622.jpeg" alt="From left, Atwood sisters Frances Kompus, Lucy Pochop and Julia Kopriva enjoy an afternoon of reminiscing at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. Photo by Diane Gasper-O'Brien" />
 <figcaption>From left, Atwood sisters Frances Kompus, Lucy Pochop and Julia Kopriva enjoy an afternoon of reminiscing at the Good Samaritan Center in Atwood. Photo by Diane Gasper-O'Brien</figcaption>
 </figure>ATWOOD—The oldest living
siblings, according to the Guinness World Records’ latest documentation, hail
from Wisconsin. But a small town in
Kansas can boast of its own record of sorts.The combined age of
those four sisters from Wisconsin as of August 2022 was 389. Their average age
when they set the world record about a year ago was 97.25. The oldest was 101
years, and the other three were in their 90s.The Holub sisters from
Rawlins County in northwest Kansas grew up together and raised their families
about 20 miles from each other. They reunited and lived together under the same
roof again after all three had celebrated their 100th birthday. The average age of
these native Kansans when their story appeared in the July issue of The
Register – the official newspaper of the Salina Diocese – was 103.3, with the
oldest being 105.Their combined age was
310. No, that is not a typo. This hard-working,
faithful family from our neck of the woods might not have made the list of
Guinness World Records.But their story is a
good one. It’s one for the ages. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664568020.jpeg" alt="Some of the family’s favorite photos of the centenarian siblings are one of 1-year-old Julia taken in late 1918 or early 1919 and one of the three sisters during their younger years – Frances (4 years), Lucy (6) and Julia (8). Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Some of the family’s favorite photos of the centenarian siblings are one of 1-year-old Julia taken in late 1918 or early 1919 and one of the three sisters during their younger years – Frances (4 years), Lucy (6) and Julia (8). Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By DIANE
GASPER-O’BRIEN Salina Diocese
“Register”Three sisters sit at a
table eating their lunch in a well-known location that overlooks a beautiful
lake in Atwood.It’s obvious who is
the eldest, the one looking out for her younger sisters. Her name is Julia, and
when Julia speaks, Lucy and Frances listen.On a spring day in
May, Julia tells her siblings they can’t have dessert today because they didn’t
eat their vegetables. Lucy probably didn’t
care because her birthday was coming soon, and she knew she would get to eat
cake then.A couple of weeks
later on June 11, Lucy did indeed get that cake. So did Julia and Frances because celebrating special days are commonplace in this facility – the Good
Samaritan Center.Besides, it’s a big
deal when someone celebrates their 104th birthday – especially when her older
sister, 105-year-old Julia, and the baby of the family, 101-year-old Frances,
are sitting on either side of her.Everyone in town knows
these centenarian siblings, and they are a big deal every day.<h2>Lifetime residents of northwest
Kansas</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664622897.jpeg" alt="One of the highlights on Wednesdays for sisters Julia Kopriva, far left, and Lucy Pochop, third from left, is attending Mass in the chapel at the Good Samaritan Center. Also pictured are another Good Samaritan resident, Jackie Urban, second from left; activities director Marie Sis, far right; and Father Henry Saw Lone at the altar. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien" />
 <figcaption>One of the highlights on Wednesdays for sisters Julia Kopriva, far left, and Lucy Pochop, third from left, is attending Mass in the chapel at the Good Samaritan Center. Also pictured are another Good Samaritan resident, Jackie Urban, second from left; activities director Marie Sis, far right; and Father Henry Saw Lone at the altar. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien</figcaption>
 </figure>Natives of Rawlins
County, the three girls born to Florian and Frances Holub, attribute their
longevity to hard work and strong faith and, of course, listening to what Julia
tells them.They all grew up
working alongside their dad on the family farm. The older girls began their
strong Catholic upbringing at St. John Nepomucene Parish near Beardsley and
later attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Atwood. The St. John church was
completed the same year Julia was born (in 1917).“We even went to
church on Saturdays for catechism,” Julia said, “and in the summertime, we went
into town every day for two weeks of catechism.”“The only time we
missed church was because of muddy roads,” Lucy added, “and then we prayed at
home.”All three Holub
sisters married farmers, and thus a life of hard work continued.They raised their
families within 20 miles of each other and often spent time together,
especially on Sundays and holidays.On this particular
day, Joanna Shormann, one of Julia’s daughters who lives in Colorado, was
visiting her mother and her aunts at the Good Samaritan Center. Joanna’s
younger brother, Marty Kopriva, joined them from his farm near Atwood.“We have great
memories of being able to spend so much time with all our cousins and aunts and
uncles,” Joanna said as Marty shook his head in agreement.“I can remember Aunt
Lucy helping Grandpa on the farm,” Marty added. “I rode in the truck with Lucy
when I was a little boy.”<h2>And I think to myself, “What a
wonderful world!”</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664670034.jpeg" alt="Praying the rosary has been an important part of the sisters’ lives for more than a century. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien" />
 <figcaption>Praying the rosary has been an important part of the sisters’ lives for more than a century. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien</figcaption>
 </figure>There were a lot of
smiles and laughter while reminiscing about the wonderful life they agree they
were blessed with.They remembered
driving the tractor on the farm, walking 2 miles to school in Beardsley and
listening to the radio before they got a television. They talked about how
they were all born at home and how they grew up speaking Czech – both sets of
grandparents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia – and learned to speak English
when they went to school. “I remember them
teaching me English one word at a time,” Frances said of her older siblings.The Holub sisters grew
even closer in their later years.After their children
were grown and their spouses had passed away, Julia Kopriva, Lucy Pochop and
Frances Kompus moved into Atwood. At one time, they lived in three apartments
next to each other and played cards together nearly every night.Frances and Lucy moved
to the Good Samaritan Center a few years ago and became roommates again, just
like they did in childhood. Julia continued to live on her own independently
until shortly before her 105th birthday.Once all three were
reunited under one roof last year, they continued to visit each other, play
bingo, attend Mass together on Wednesday and eat every meal together – where
Julia has the last say.“Well, they say I boss
them around,” Julia said with a smile.“But do we listen?”
Frances asked, prompting a laugh from everyone around them.“We absolutely love
having the sisters here with us,” said Marie Sis, activities director at the
Good Samaritan Center. “We are honored to have them live here.”To
know “the sisters,” to which they are affectionately referred, is to love them.
They are well-known in the area and have even gained national attention. When
Frances turned 100 in 2021, the sisters were featured in a story in USA Today.These girls could
have been an ideal backdrop for Norman Rockwell, one of America’s most popular
storytellers of the 20th century, with his detailed, sentimental paintings of
everyday Americana.<h2>Family is their foundation</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664700042.jpeg" alt="Julia Kopriva still pedals the NuStep elliptical machine at age 105. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien" />
 <figcaption>Julia Kopriva still pedals the NuStep elliptical machine at age 105. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien</figcaption>
 </figure>Collectively, the
Holub sisters have celebrated 100-year-old birthdays together 13 times.Mention another
family get-together, and their eyes light up as they look forward to
celebrating Julia’s 106th birthday in just a few months on Nov. 5.Soon after that will
come Christmas, one of the family’s favorite holidays. Joanna tells of how her
mother still decorated her house for Christmas at age 104, carefully arranging
the same nativity set she had set up for nearly 85 years.For those who know
them, the Holub sisters’ story is better than a Norman Rockwell painting.Editor’s note: This day with the Holub sisters (May 24,
2023) will always remain a special memory for all involved. Frances passed away
on June 28, and Julia and Lucy are now adjusting to life without their “baby
sister.” But like everything they have faced in life, Joanna says, “their faith
will get them through.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690664748967.jpeg" alt="Just like the Holub sisters, the St. John Nepomucene Church near Beardsley, where the older girls began their Catholic faith, has survived quite well for more than a century. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien" />
 <figcaption>Just like the Holub sisters, the St. John Nepomucene Church near Beardsley, where the older girls began their Catholic faith, has survived quite well for more than a century. Photo by Diane Gasper-O’Brien</figcaption>
 </figure>

N'Wester: More than a century of sisterly love

HaysMed announces the successful implementation of the Optimizer Smart Mini System implant under the expertise of Dr. Kent Gleed, cardiologist at the DeBakey Heart Clinic.&nbsp; This procedure marks a significant milestone in cardiac healthcare and enhancing patient care.

The Optimizer Smart Mini System is an advanced medical device designed to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from moderate to severe heart failure. Specifically developed for patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy, this innovative system helps restore the heart's natural function and significantly reduces the debilitating symptoms associated with heart failure.

The device is implanted in a small pocket under the skin of the upper chest, along with pacemaker leads that are placed in the heart's right ventricular septum, while the patient is under light sedation. After implantation, the physician custom-programs and activates the device for the patient.

Unlike a pacemaker or a defibrillator, the Optimizer system is designed to control the strength of contraction of the heart muscle rather than the rhythm.

The implant is an outpatient procedure, and most patients can return home soon after the implant is complete. Plus, most patients can return to everyday activities shortly after the procedure.

Dr. Kent Gleed, who performed the procedure, expressed his excitement about the potential benefits for patients. He stated, "The introduction of the Optimizer Smart Mini System at HaysMed signifies a new era in cardiac care. This cutting-edge technology offers hope to patients who have been living with the burdensome symptoms of heart failure. By optimizing cardiac function, we can enhance their quality of life and potentially reduce hospital readmissions."

Terry Siek, chief nursing officer and vice president for patient care, shared his enthusiasm for being able to provide this innovative service to patients at HaysMed. He commented, "We are thrilled to offer the Optimizer Smart Mini System implant to our patients. It aligns with our commitment to deliver exceptional healthcare and improve patient outcomes. This technology allows us to expand our cardiac treatment options, providing our patients with state-of-the-art care right here in our community."

The Optimizer Smart Mini System implant represents a significant advancement in the field of cardiology, offering a potential lifeline for patients with heart failure who have exhausted other treatment options. By collaborating with leading physicians like Gleed and investing in cutting-edge medical technologies, HaysMed continues to demonstrate its dedication to delivering superior patient-centered care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689884248444.jpeg" alt="Dr. Kent Gleed (HaysMed photo)" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Kent Gleed (HaysMed photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>HaysMedHaysMed announces the successful implementation of the Optimizer Smart Mini System implant under the expertise of Dr. Kent Gleed, cardiologist at the DeBakey Heart Clinic.&nbsp; This procedure marks a significant milestone in cardiac healthcare and enhancing patient care.The Optimizer Smart Mini System is an advanced medical device designed to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from moderate to severe heart failure. Specifically developed for patients who remain symptomatic despite optimal medical therapy, this innovative system helps restore the heart's natural function and significantly reduces the debilitating symptoms associated with heart failure.The device is implanted in a small pocket under the skin of the upper chest, along with pacemaker leads that are placed in the heart's right ventricular septum, while the patient is under light sedation. After implantation, the physician custom-programs and activates the device for the patient.Unlike a pacemaker or a defibrillator, the Optimizer system is designed to control the strength of contraction of the heart muscle rather than the rhythm.The implant is an outpatient procedure, and most patients can return home soon after the implant is complete. Plus, most patients can return to everyday activities shortly after the procedure.Dr. Kent Gleed, who performed the procedure, expressed his excitement about the potential benefits for patients. He stated, "The introduction of the Optimizer Smart Mini System at HaysMed signifies a new era in cardiac care. This cutting-edge technology offers hope to patients who have been living with the burdensome symptoms of heart failure. By optimizing cardiac function, we can enhance their quality of life and potentially reduce hospital readmissions."Terry Siek, chief nursing officer and vice president for patient care, shared his enthusiasm for being able to provide this innovative service to patients at HaysMed. He commented, "We are thrilled to offer the Optimizer Smart Mini System implant to our patients. It aligns with our commitment to deliver exceptional healthcare and improve patient outcomes. This technology allows us to expand our cardiac treatment options, providing our patients with state-of-the-art care right here in our community."The Optimizer Smart Mini System implant represents a significant advancement in the field of cardiology, offering a potential lifeline for patients with heart failure who have exhausted other treatment options. By collaborating with leading physicians like Gleed and investing in cutting-edge medical technologies, HaysMed continues to demonstrate its dedication to delivering superior patient-centered care.

HaysMed hospital introduces new implant system for heart failure patients

PRATT&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is conducting a five-year review of the lists of Kansas species that are endangered, threatened or Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). 

Endangered is the most imperiled category of the three, and species on the SINC list are deemed to require conservation measures to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. 

A five-year review is required by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1975. 

Any individual or group can petition KDWP to propose an addition, deletion, or modification to the current lists by providing pertinent scientific information required within the petition form.

KDWP relies on the Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee to assist with the review process. The task committee, including Elmer Finck at Fort Hays State University, consists of seven members representing various disciplines, and include staff from state and federal agencies and state universities.

To determine if a full review is warranted, the task committee examines updated scientific information and research for any species petitioned for a listing change. Species experts are consulted and all available data is evaluated during the full review. 

These recommendations, and any amendments to them, are published in the Kansas Register for public comment for at least 90 days. After a full review is completed, the task committee makes recommendations to the KDWP Secretary and any changes to the lists must be approved by the KDWP Commission following a public hearing.

At the last five-year review completed in 2019, the Arkansas darter was removed from the threatened list and added to the SINC list. The Wabash pigtoe mussel was removed from the SINC list, and the cylindrical papershell mussel was added to the endangered list.

The state endangered list currently includes 11 invertebrates, five fish, two amphibians, two birds and two mammals. The state threatened list includes six invertebrates, 10 fish, six amphibians, three reptiles, one turtle, two birds and one mammal. The state SINC list includes 82 species.

A recent survey conducted by Responsive Management – an internationally recognized research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues – found that conservation of threatened and endangered wildlife remains important among Kansans. Some interesting findings included:

Petitions must be received by October 5, 2023 to be considered for the current five-year review. 

Petition forms can be downloaded at: <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/2023-Five-Year-Review">https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/2023-Five-Year-Review</a> and submitted electronically to kdwpt.ess@ks.gov or mailed to KDWP, Attn: Ecological Services, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124-8174.

For more information, including a list of the current threatened and endangered species in Kansas, visit <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife">ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689021162807.jpeg" alt="The Cylindrical Papershell is a&nbsp;relatively short-lived (10 years) freshwater mussel that was formerly documented in most rivers of northern Kansas. Currently, it is found in limited reaches of the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers.&nbsp; Courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks" />
 <figcaption>The Cylindrical Papershell is a&nbsp;relatively short-lived (10 years) freshwater mussel that was formerly documented in most rivers of northern Kansas. Currently, it is found in limited reaches of the Smoky Hill and Saline Rivers.&nbsp; Courtesy Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks</figcaption>
 </figure>KDWPPRATT&nbsp;– The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is conducting a five-year review of the lists of Kansas species that are endangered, threatened or Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). Endangered is the most imperiled category of the three, and species on the SINC list are deemed to require conservation measures to prevent them from becoming threatened or endangered. A five-year review is required by the Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1975. Any individual or group can petition KDWP to propose an addition, deletion, or modification to the current lists by providing pertinent scientific information required within the petition form. KDWP relies on the Threatened and Endangered Species Task Committee to assist with the review process. The task committee, including Elmer Finck at Fort Hays State University, consists of seven members representing various disciplines, and include staff from state and federal agencies and state universities. To determine if a full review is warranted, the task committee examines updated scientific information and research for any species petitioned for a listing change. Species experts are consulted and all available data is evaluated during the full review. These recommendations, and any amendments to them, are published in the Kansas Register for public comment for at least 90 days. After a full review is completed, the task committee makes recommendations to the KDWP Secretary and any changes to the lists must be approved by the KDWP Commission following a public hearing.At the last five-year review completed in 2019, the Arkansas darter was removed from the threatened list and added to the SINC list. The Wabash pigtoe mussel was removed from the SINC list, and the cylindrical papershell mussel was added to the endangered list.The state endangered list currently includes 11 invertebrates, five fish, two amphibians, two birds and two mammals. The state threatened list includes six invertebrates, 10 fish, six amphibians, three reptiles, one turtle, two birds and one mammal. The state SINC list includes 82 species.A recent survey conducted by Responsive Management – an internationally recognized research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues – found that conservation of threatened and endangered wildlife remains important among Kansans. Some interesting findings included:<ul>
 <li>A majority of Kansas residents (94 percent) agreed that the KDWP should continue to identify and protect habitat critical to threatened and endangered species.</li><li>A majority (84 percent) of residents agree with the statement, “Wildlife that is threatened and endangered in Kansas yet abundant in other states should still be protected in Kansas.”</li>
 </ul>Petitions must be received by October 5, 2023 to be considered for the current five-year review. Petition forms can be downloaded at: <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/2023-Five-Year-Review">https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/2023-Five-Year-Review</a> and submitted electronically to kdwpt.ess@ks.gov or mailed to KDWP, Attn: Ecological Services, 512 SE 25th Ave., Pratt, KS 67124-8174.For more information, including a list of the current threatened and endangered species in Kansas, visit <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife">ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife</a>.

Public can submit to Kan. species in need of conservation lists

The Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in August. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643373407439.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>KDOTThe Kansas Department of Transportation expresses its appreciation for employees celebrating state service anniversaries in August. KDOT is proud to acknowledge them for the long-term dedication they have provided to the state of Kansas.Those celebrating 45 years:<ul>
 <li>Mark Becker, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Plainville</li><li>Ricky Gitchel, Highway Maintenance Supervisor,&nbsp;Phillipsburg</li><li>Gary Rutledge, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Edgerton</li>
 </ul>Those celebrating 35 years:<ul>
 <li>William Hughes, Professional Civil Engineer II,&nbsp;Valley Falls</li>
 </ul>Those celebrating 25 years:<ul>
 <li>Sharron Holliday, Legal Assistant,&nbsp;Denison</li><li>Jeremiah Jacobs, Equipment Mechanic,&nbsp;Girard</li>
 </ul>Those celebrating 20 years:<ul>
 <li>Craig Kenyon, Equipment Operator Senior,&nbsp;Hutchinson</li>
 </ul>Those celebrating 15 years:<ul>
 <li>David Davis, Equipment Operator Specialist,&nbsp;Elmdale</li><li>Michael Gager, Engineering Technician Specialist,&nbsp;Topeka</li><li>Jodi Kirk, Assistant Bureau Chief,&nbsp;Manhattan</li><li>James Stumbaugh, Public Service Administrator II,&nbsp;Tecumseh</li><li>Michele Tiedeman, Senior Administrative Assistant,&nbsp;De Soto</li><li>Andrew Wilson, Area Engineer,&nbsp;Wichita</li>
 </ul>Those celebrating 10 years:<ul>
 <li>Stephen Lacey, Electronics Technologist,&nbsp;Holton</li><li>Luke Rosdahl, Management Analyst I,&nbsp;Topeka</li><li>Alan Waymaster, Equipment Operator,&nbsp;Ellsworth</li>
 </ul>

NW Kansas KDOT employees celebrate service anniversaries

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690559375664.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

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