DeeDee Martin told Allen County commissioners Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department wanted to expand services it offered in Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson counties.
Martin, co-interim administrator for nursing, and Sara Frederick, co-interim administrator for finance, gave commissioners a brief look into the future, as well as a brochure outlining services available.
Martin said among services the agency soon may offer was lab work, blood tests that to date were available only at a doctor’s office or Allen County Hospital. Cost would be $40.
“We want to promote healthy living,” said Martin.
That’s a piggyback with Thrive Allen County’s theme, and meant to be, Martin said.
The agency is working with Thrive on a grant to create a community drive to promote healthy living.
Components, she said, would be to monitor community health trends and encourage healthy eating and exercise.
“We want to work with people,” said Martin. “We want to be proactive.
In response to a question from Commissioner Rob Francis, Martin said the agency had a private setting to test for sexually transmitted diseases, but “we have no medical support for treatment,” done through a physician.
SEK MULTI-COUNTY Health Department helps with planning family; has a walk-in immunization clinic on Mondays in Iola; and does Kan Be Healthy Screenings.
The Kan Be project is for Medicaid-eligible children up to 18. They receive full physicals, hearing and vision tests and lab work.
Staff members do home visits to mentor and help pregnant mothers and parents of newborns. They provide parents with resources and referrals for assistant programs.
Other services are basic adult physicals for employment, as well as foster care and adoptions; school physicals, except for athletic participation; blood pressure and blood sugar checks; and pregnancy tests.
The Iola office is open from 8 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicaid coverages are accepted, Medicare for flu and pneumonia immunizations.
Frederick pointed out that full explanation of services was available on the agency’s website, www.sekmchd.org, or at the Iola office, 221 S. Jefferson Ave.
