Becky Johnson, new director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, wants to bring more public awareness to the agency.
Along the way, shes learning more about the agency herself.
Im surprised at how many people dont realize what type of services we offer, Johnson said.
That includes services like child care licensing, CPR training, help with KanCare enrollment and emergency preparedness in coordination with local and state agencies and other health departments. The department also offers a variety of health-related services, such as tests and screenings, immunizations, breastfeeding support, family planning, Healthy Start Home Visits and the Women-Infant-Children (WIC) program.
Health departments are supported by local professionals who promote the health and well-being of the community and region, Johnson said. She hopes to change a perception that only low-income families use health department services. Most of the services are open to everyone, and the department accepts private and government insurance.
Ultimately, shed like to consider expanding the types of services offered.
Because of my passion for public health, I have a lot of ideas of positive things we can do, she said.
Johnson took over the position April 1. Former director Chardel Hastings will take over the Woodson County Health Department in Yates Center as a nurse, effective May 1. Johnson said she appreciates having guidance from Hastings as she transitions into the position. Although she has supervisory experience, she is still learning about the various grants, budgets and administrative tasks required of the position.
JOHNSON became interested in healthcare while in high school. She spent time talking to the school nurse and decided to pursue a similar occupation. Shes worked in the behavioral nursing field but most recently served as school nurse for the Fort Scott school district.
She especially enjoys working with children, which she hopes to continue in her new role.
This job is all about helping children and families in general, she said.
As a school nurse, Johnson understood the importance of immunizations. Its an area she is quite passionate about.
Shes concerned about a recent trend for families to skip immunizations and said studies have proven vaccines do not cause adverse health effects. Instead, fewer immunizations have led to outbreaks of childhood diseases that havent been seen in generations.
For example, the CDC reports measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, with cases since then attributed to travelers who get measles abroad and bring it to the country. But outbreaks have been more common in recent years, mostly in areas with larger populations of those who have not been vaccinated. So far this year, more than 555 cases have measles have been confirmed in 20 states. Thats the second-greatest number of cases since 2000 and its just April.
My generation, compared to my parents generation, we have not grown up seeing the effects of these diseases so we arent scared by that, Johnson said. We can prevent all this disease and death and heartache. Ive seen people who had lifelong problems from polio and Im sure they would have chosen to prevent that if they could. As a parent, I want to do everything I can to prevent something like that in my child.
