Robert J. Erickson has been named president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Health Center. He will join St. Francis March 25.
Erickson is currently the regional chief operating officer for Aspirus Inc., Wausau, Wis. He joined Aspirus in 2000 as vice president of administration and was promoted to senior vice president of ambulatory services and senior vice president of business development. Previously, he worked for rehabilitation facilities in Arizona and in administrative capacities, including interim chief executive officer for Simi Valley Hospital and Health Care Services, Simi Valley, Calif.
Erickson has a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wis., and a master’s degree in speech and hearing science from Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz. He completed all coursework with honors for a doctorate in cognitive psychology in 1994 before making a career change to business administration.
Erickson served as president of the Wausau Early Bird Rotary and the Boys and Girls Club of Wausau and as a director for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Board of Advisers and the Centergy Alliance for Economic Development.
Erickson and his wife, Cindy, have three children.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
MAXIMUS TO OPEN A NEW SW LOCATION
Maximus Fitness and Wellness announced a new SW Maximus Fitness and Wellness @ Wood Valley is opening on March 3 at 2909 SW 37th, Topeka. The expanded SW Maximus will feature over 35,000 square feet of of fitness luxery, eight fitness studios, executive locker rooms, the only Induro Cycling-Enhanced Theater in Topeka, Les Mills Body Pump, and a professional and friendly Kids’ Klub.
Maximus invites the public to a free ribbon cutting with the Topeka Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 5, 4:30PM with free food and beverages, prizes and to the grand reopening on Saturday, March 6 from 10AM-2PM at the new SW Maximus at 2909 SW 37th. The grand reopening will feature free classes, free tours, prizes and drawings.
The new SW Maximus is located with Wood Valley Racquet Club, Northeast Kansas premiere tennis and racquet center featuring six indoor tennis courts, Olympic size swimming pool, racquetball and the new Double Bagel Café.
Maximus is the fitness club voted number one three years in a row in “Best of Topeka.”
Maximus invites the public to a free ribbon cutting with the Topeka Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 5, 4:30PM with free food and beverages, prizes and to the grand reopening on Saturday, March 6 from 10AM-2PM at the new SW Maximus at 2909 SW 37th. The grand reopening will feature free classes, free tours, prizes and drawings.
The new SW Maximus is located with Wood Valley Racquet Club, Northeast Kansas premiere tennis and racquet center featuring six indoor tennis courts, Olympic size swimming pool, racquetball and the new Double Bagel Café.
Maximus is the fitness club voted number one three years in a row in “Best of Topeka.”
Friday, February 12, 2010
St. Francis Health Center Among Top 5 Percent in Nation According to Quality Study
St. Francis Health Center has achieved HealthGrades’ 2010 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM based on its clinical quality performance. Mary Sweet, a HealthGrades representative, will present Grant Wicklund, St. Francis interim president and chief executive officer, with the award at a news conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, in the St. Francis Auditorium.
According to the HealthGrades study, patients admitted to a hospital receiving this award are, on average, 29 percent less likely to die and 9 percent less likely to suffer from a major complication. This year, only 269 of the nation’s nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals will receive this distinction.
“At St. Francis, we have a skillful and dedicated team of physicians, clinicians and employees,” Wicklund said. “It is because of their hard work and commitment that our patients and their families in northeast Kansas receive high-quality health care that is among the best in the nation.”
“The hospitals that have been designated as Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence™ have, across the board, been leaders in their commitment to delivering the highest quality patient care. Consumers can choose where they receive their health care and our study again highlights the tremendous disparity in quality between hospitals,” said Rick May, MD, HealthGrades senior physician consultant.
St. Francis Health Center is one of three hospitals in Kansas to receive the Clinical Excellence designation. The other hospitals are the University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kan, and Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita.
Additionally, St. Francis is:
• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI services
• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI medical treatment
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) in Kansas for coronary interventional procedures
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) for overall orthopedic services
• Ranked among the top five (No. 2) in Kansas for treatment of stroke
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) in Kansas for overall critical care
• Five-star rated for treatment of heart attack for three consecutive years (2008-10)
• Five-star rated for treatment of pneumonia for four consecutive years (2007-10)
• The recipient the HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ two years in a row (2009 and 2010).
This is the eighth year that HealthGrades has independently analyzed the clinical quality performance of all nonfederal hospitals across the country in 26 procedures and diagnoses. In the Distinguished Hospital Study, the company reviewed 40 million hospitalization records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. Participation is not voluntary, and no hospital can opt out of being rated. All hospitals that participate in the Medicare program were part of the independent study. Hospitals that receive the HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM are those hospitals that rank in the top 5 percent when all 26 individual scores are aggregated into an overall score.
A full copy of the study can be found at www.healthgrades.com.
According to the HealthGrades study, patients admitted to a hospital receiving this award are, on average, 29 percent less likely to die and 9 percent less likely to suffer from a major complication. This year, only 269 of the nation’s nearly 5,000 nonfederal hospitals will receive this distinction.
“At St. Francis, we have a skillful and dedicated team of physicians, clinicians and employees,” Wicklund said. “It is because of their hard work and commitment that our patients and their families in northeast Kansas receive high-quality health care that is among the best in the nation.”
“The hospitals that have been designated as Distinguished Hospitals for Clinical Excellence™ have, across the board, been leaders in their commitment to delivering the highest quality patient care. Consumers can choose where they receive their health care and our study again highlights the tremendous disparity in quality between hospitals,” said Rick May, MD, HealthGrades senior physician consultant.
St. Francis Health Center is one of three hospitals in Kansas to receive the Clinical Excellence designation. The other hospitals are the University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kan, and Via Christi Regional Medical Center, Wichita.
Additionally, St. Francis is:
• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI services
• Ranked No. 1 in Kansas for GI medical treatment
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) in Kansas for coronary interventional procedures
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) for overall orthopedic services
• Ranked among the top five (No. 2) in Kansas for treatment of stroke
• Ranked among the top five (No. 3) in Kansas for overall critical care
• Five-star rated for treatment of heart attack for three consecutive years (2008-10)
• Five-star rated for treatment of pneumonia for four consecutive years (2007-10)
• The recipient the HealthGrades Stroke Care Excellence Award™ two years in a row (2009 and 2010).
This is the eighth year that HealthGrades has independently analyzed the clinical quality performance of all nonfederal hospitals across the country in 26 procedures and diagnoses. In the Distinguished Hospital Study, the company reviewed 40 million hospitalization records from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, during the years 2006, 2007 and 2008. Participation is not voluntary, and no hospital can opt out of being rated. All hospitals that participate in the Medicare program were part of the independent study. Hospitals that receive the HealthGrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical ExcellenceTM are those hospitals that rank in the top 5 percent when all 26 individual scores are aggregated into an overall score.
A full copy of the study can be found at www.healthgrades.com.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Heartland Visioning to Hold Community Meeting to Discuss Downtown Redevelopment
Heartland Visioning would like to invite the community to join a discussion about downtown redevelopment of Kansas Avenue and Eighth Avenue from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 25, 2010 in the Regency Ballroom of the Ramada at Sixth and Madison.
In the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan, an overwhelming majority of the community wanted downtown redevelopment and revitalization. Heartland Visioning is creating an opportunity for the community to come discuss redeveloping downtown Topeka, particularly Kansas Avenue and Eighth Avenue.
William Beteta, Executive Director of Heartland Visioning said, “Our goal at Heartland Visioning is to provide opportunities for community collaboration in the implementation of the strategic plan, and we want to make sure the community is included in the discussion of downtown redevelopment from the beginning.”
Heartland Visioning is a community-wide initiative to develop and implement a shared strategic vision for what we want our community to be in 5, 10, 20 years. Our community is defined as Shawnee County which includes: Auburn, Rossville, Topeka, Silver Lake, Willard, and unincorporated Shawnee County.
For more information please contact the Heartland Visioning office at 785.231.6006 or info@heartlandvisioning.com. We are also on facebook.com/HeartlandVision and twitter.com/HeartlandVision.
In the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan, an overwhelming majority of the community wanted downtown redevelopment and revitalization. Heartland Visioning is creating an opportunity for the community to come discuss redeveloping downtown Topeka, particularly Kansas Avenue and Eighth Avenue.
William Beteta, Executive Director of Heartland Visioning said, “Our goal at Heartland Visioning is to provide opportunities for community collaboration in the implementation of the strategic plan, and we want to make sure the community is included in the discussion of downtown redevelopment from the beginning.”
Heartland Visioning is a community-wide initiative to develop and implement a shared strategic vision for what we want our community to be in 5, 10, 20 years. Our community is defined as Shawnee County which includes: Auburn, Rossville, Topeka, Silver Lake, Willard, and unincorporated Shawnee County.
For more information please contact the Heartland Visioning office at 785.231.6006 or info@heartlandvisioning.com. We are also on facebook.com/HeartlandVision and twitter.com/HeartlandVision.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
GO TOPEKA ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY RELEASED
Projects resulting from GO Topeka’s 2009 efforts will have a net benefit of more than $15 million for the City of Topeka and Shawnee County over the next ten years, according to a report issued by Impact DataSource, an Austin, Texas, economic consulting, research and analysis firm.
GO Topeka, a subsidiary of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, is funded by the countywide half-cent economic development sales tax, which generates around $5 million annually, as well as private funding for attraction of new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and acquiring and managing assets necessary to support and retain primary jobs. The dispersion of that money is overseen by the Joint Economic Development Organization, comprised of elected officials from both Shawnee County and the City of Topeka.
The announced projects in 2009 included the new Home Depot Rapid Deployment Center, the purchase of the former Payless ShoeSource Distribution Center by PTMW, Inc. and expansions at the existing U.S. Foodservice, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Frito-Lay plants. Together, these projects retained 1,575 jobs and created 463 new jobs with a combined average wage of $48,250.
The study estimates that the benefits will continue to grow over the next ten years, with 3,770 direct and indirect jobs added, resulting in 762 new residents in Shawnee County. Of those 762 new residents, 254 will be from direct and indirect workers moving into the county, with 64 new residential properties to be built for those incoming residents. The salaries to be paid to direct and indirect workers over the next ten years exceeds $2 billion, with nearly $777 million worth of taxable sales and purchases expected in the county over that decade.
“These are exactly the sort of results voters expected when they passed the half-cent sales tax for economic development, the Topeka Blvd. Bridge and specific ballot listed road projects,” said Doug Kinsinger, president and CEO of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka. “The efforts of GO Topeka have always been to ensure the promising future of Topeka and Shawnee County, and we will continue to do so for the people of the region.”
After the extraction of all incentive costs and the cost of services resulting from announced projects, the City of Topeka is expected to see nearly $10.8 million worth of net benefits over the next ten years due to the operations of GO Topeka’s 2009 announced projects, while Shawnee County is expected to net approximately $4.4 million. The study estimates Washburn University will see just over $5 million in net benefits over the ten-year span, while the Auburn/Washburn school district will see about $1.2 million and Seaman school district would see just over $1 million. Impact DataSource also predicts about $104.5 million in net benefits to the State of Kansas in the next decade.
“This is a great return on the investment for economic development and is worth celebrating,” said Steve Jenkins, senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka. “In addition to the benefits to other taxing entities and the wages being added to the community for the next decade, we continue to see a growth in the primary job sector that drives growth of small businesses and improvement of the community’s quality of life. This is what the community envisioned when the sales tax for economic development was passed by the voters.”
GO Topeka, a subsidiary of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, is funded by the countywide half-cent economic development sales tax, which generates around $5 million annually, as well as private funding for attraction of new businesses, expansion of existing businesses, and acquiring and managing assets necessary to support and retain primary jobs. The dispersion of that money is overseen by the Joint Economic Development Organization, comprised of elected officials from both Shawnee County and the City of Topeka.
The announced projects in 2009 included the new Home Depot Rapid Deployment Center, the purchase of the former Payless ShoeSource Distribution Center by PTMW, Inc. and expansions at the existing U.S. Foodservice, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Frito-Lay plants. Together, these projects retained 1,575 jobs and created 463 new jobs with a combined average wage of $48,250.
The study estimates that the benefits will continue to grow over the next ten years, with 3,770 direct and indirect jobs added, resulting in 762 new residents in Shawnee County. Of those 762 new residents, 254 will be from direct and indirect workers moving into the county, with 64 new residential properties to be built for those incoming residents. The salaries to be paid to direct and indirect workers over the next ten years exceeds $2 billion, with nearly $777 million worth of taxable sales and purchases expected in the county over that decade.
“These are exactly the sort of results voters expected when they passed the half-cent sales tax for economic development, the Topeka Blvd. Bridge and specific ballot listed road projects,” said Doug Kinsinger, president and CEO of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka. “The efforts of GO Topeka have always been to ensure the promising future of Topeka and Shawnee County, and we will continue to do so for the people of the region.”
After the extraction of all incentive costs and the cost of services resulting from announced projects, the City of Topeka is expected to see nearly $10.8 million worth of net benefits over the next ten years due to the operations of GO Topeka’s 2009 announced projects, while Shawnee County is expected to net approximately $4.4 million. The study estimates Washburn University will see just over $5 million in net benefits over the ten-year span, while the Auburn/Washburn school district will see about $1.2 million and Seaman school district would see just over $1 million. Impact DataSource also predicts about $104.5 million in net benefits to the State of Kansas in the next decade.
“This is a great return on the investment for economic development and is worth celebrating,” said Steve Jenkins, senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka. “In addition to the benefits to other taxing entities and the wages being added to the community for the next decade, we continue to see a growth in the primary job sector that drives growth of small businesses and improvement of the community’s quality of life. This is what the community envisioned when the sales tax for economic development was passed by the voters.”
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Resurrection debate: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead?
Michael Licona, author and New Testament historian, and Richard Carrier, author and speaker, will debate the question of the resurrection - if Jesus rose from the dead - at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in Washburn Room A, Memorial Union, Washburn University. The event is free and open to the public.
Licona wrote “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus.” He also was interviewed by Lee Strobel in his book, “The Case for the Real Jesus,” and Stobel’s video, “The Case for Christ.”
Carrier is a professional historian, published philosopher, and prominent defender of the American free thought movement. He has appeared across the country and on national television defending sound historical methods and the ethical worldview of secular nationalism.
Washburn University’s student organization, Christian Challenge, and the Atheist Community of Topeka are sponsoring the event. For more information, contact Craig Freerksen at (785) 806-4255.
Licona wrote “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus.” He also was interviewed by Lee Strobel in his book, “The Case for the Real Jesus,” and Stobel’s video, “The Case for Christ.”
Carrier is a professional historian, published philosopher, and prominent defender of the American free thought movement. He has appeared across the country and on national television defending sound historical methods and the ethical worldview of secular nationalism.
Washburn University’s student organization, Christian Challenge, and the Atheist Community of Topeka are sponsoring the event. For more information, contact Craig Freerksen at (785) 806-4255.
Topeka Edward Jones Branch Office Supports Project Topeka - Community Food Drive
Jonathan Didde, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Topeka, is supporting Project Topeka by using his office as a drop-off location for a food drive.
Local residents and businesses may help those less fortunate in the community by bringing in items to the Edward Jones branch office during regular business hours from January 27th to February 28th.
The branch address is: 5844 SW Huntoon, Ste 300 in Topeka.
Local residents and businesses may help those less fortunate in the community by bringing in items to the Edward Jones branch office during regular business hours from January 27th to February 28th.
The branch address is: 5844 SW Huntoon, Ste 300 in Topeka.
Monday, January 25, 2010
ERC selects 30th Annual Designers’ Showhouse Sites
ERC Resource & Referral announces sites for the 30th Annual Designers’ Showhouse, an annual grassroots fundraiser for the non-profit, community service agency. The event raises critically needed support for ERC though a partnership between ERC, local home owners, and area designers and craftsmen. This year, ERC has select two homes with unique features to transform and showcase for public tours and activities:
A historic, Victorian home at 1621 SW Boswell, in the College Hill neighborhood --- The home built by the Sweet family in 1922 has been a private residence, a home for unwed mothers and was recently purchased by the United Methodist Church as a campus ecumenical ministry center. The first and second floors are identical, however, the first floor will be transformed into a gathering room, small group conference space, offices and fellowship areas. The second floor will be transformed into communal student residences featuring bedrooms; bathrooms; and kitchen, dining and living room space.
A new construction home at 5029 NW Derby Drive in North Topeka --- This 3400 square-foot home is being built in the Sterling Chase housing edition by Russ King Homes for a Topeka family. The home will feature "green," or environmentally friendly, construction techniques and energy efficiencies, and will be rated as an Energy Star home. This project will help educate the public about the latest in "green" building, as well as showcase the creativity of area decorators and interior designers.
"This year’s event is a little different from the previous 29 Showhouses. We are featuring two homes. We have never featured ‘green building’ before. The timing seemed right as our society is becoming more aware and interested in green building techniques and learning ways to conserve energy. The north home will create public awareness and entertain at the same time," said Reva Wywadis, ERC executive director. "The Topeka Home Builders Association Green Council is heavily involved with the project."
"The home on Boswell is interesting because of it’s history and intended use as a campus ministry and student residence. It will create new and interesting design challenges for our interior designers as they help transform the space into a functional, livable, yet fun environment that appeals to the college crowd and young-at-heart," said Wywadis.
Because the home on Boswell is an ecumenical ministry with limited funding, ERC is encouraging local businesses and philanthropic community members to consider adopting a room to provide the funding necessary to makeover the property. "We really need the support of the community on this showhouse property. Community support will benefit two local non-profits---ERC and Campus Ministry at Washburn University."
"We have a lot of space this year to design and decorate. We need area designers to help us transform both properties with the latest and greatest design trends, while keeping the intended purpose of both properties," said Wywadis.
Local businesses and individuals interested in supporting the project and area designers interested in decorating a room at either property are asked to contact Reva Wywadis at ERC Resource & Referral at 785-357-5171 as soon as possible.
A "bare bones" showing of both properties is scheduled for February 18-21, 2010. The Bare Bones Preview kicks off the Showhouse event by giving the public the chance to tour both properties for $5 before work begins. Special events at area showrooms are also being planned this year in conjunction with the Bare Bones Preview showing.
Visit www.ercrefer. org for updates on the 30th Annual ERC Designers’ Showhouses and associated events.
A historic, Victorian home at 1621 SW Boswell, in the College Hill neighborhood --- The home built by the Sweet family in 1922 has been a private residence, a home for unwed mothers and was recently purchased by the United Methodist Church as a campus ecumenical ministry center. The first and second floors are identical, however, the first floor will be transformed into a gathering room, small group conference space, offices and fellowship areas. The second floor will be transformed into communal student residences featuring bedrooms; bathrooms; and kitchen, dining and living room space.
A new construction home at 5029 NW Derby Drive in North Topeka --- This 3400 square-foot home is being built in the Sterling Chase housing edition by Russ King Homes for a Topeka family. The home will feature "green," or environmentally friendly, construction techniques and energy efficiencies, and will be rated as an Energy Star home. This project will help educate the public about the latest in "green" building, as well as showcase the creativity of area decorators and interior designers.
"This year’s event is a little different from the previous 29 Showhouses. We are featuring two homes. We have never featured ‘green building’ before. The timing seemed right as our society is becoming more aware and interested in green building techniques and learning ways to conserve energy. The north home will create public awareness and entertain at the same time," said Reva Wywadis, ERC executive director. "The Topeka Home Builders Association Green Council is heavily involved with the project."
"The home on Boswell is interesting because of it’s history and intended use as a campus ministry and student residence. It will create new and interesting design challenges for our interior designers as they help transform the space into a functional, livable, yet fun environment that appeals to the college crowd and young-at-heart," said Wywadis.
Because the home on Boswell is an ecumenical ministry with limited funding, ERC is encouraging local businesses and philanthropic community members to consider adopting a room to provide the funding necessary to makeover the property. "We really need the support of the community on this showhouse property. Community support will benefit two local non-profits---ERC and Campus Ministry at Washburn University."
"We have a lot of space this year to design and decorate. We need area designers to help us transform both properties with the latest and greatest design trends, while keeping the intended purpose of both properties," said Wywadis.
Local businesses and individuals interested in supporting the project and area designers interested in decorating a room at either property are asked to contact Reva Wywadis at ERC Resource & Referral at 785-357-5171 as soon as possible.
A "bare bones" showing of both properties is scheduled for February 18-21, 2010. The Bare Bones Preview kicks off the Showhouse event by giving the public the chance to tour both properties for $5 before work begins. Special events at area showrooms are also being planned this year in conjunction with the Bare Bones Preview showing.
Visit www.ercrefer. org for updates on the 30th Annual ERC Designers’ Showhouses and associated events.
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