PITTSBURG — The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) has appointed Taylor Panczer as its program director for infectious diseases.
The program provides care for those with hepatitis and tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and HIV.
Panczer holds a bachelor of science in health science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a master of public health from Montclair State University.
Panczer began working for CHC/SEK in 2021 as a diabetes program manager and later as its STI/HIV outreach coordinator.
Most recently she has served as the Wellness and Student Advocacy Services Coordinator through CHC/SEK’s partnership with Pittsburg State University. She will continue in this role alongside her new responsibilities.
As program director, Panczer will work closely with Julie Stewart, MD, Terra Livingston, APRN-C, and the infectious disease team to further develop patient programs. Stewart and Livingston are both certified HIV specialists through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.
Panczer joined CHC/SEK in February 2021 as the Diabetes Program Manager and later served as the STI/HIV Outreach Coordinator. The infectious disease team also provides service coordination, case management, educational outreach, and sexually transmitted infection testing.
Panczer said the challenges of poverty heighten the need for the program.
“Finances, transportation, and access to food and housing can all serve as barriers to receiving care,” Panczer said in a press release. “For example, if a patient lacks stable housing, it can be much harder for them to stay consistent with medications that require refrigeration.”
