Newsworthy

Here are today’s updates:

• Tracy O’Rourke Recognized for Exceptional Service and Leadership
• Dana Balderrama, M.D., Joins Stormont Vail Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Team
• Wear your Favorite Football Attire Friday, Saturday AND Sunday
• Violence Intervention Program Awarded Funding

Tracy O’Rourke Recognized for Exceptional Service and Leadership

We proudly announce that Tracy O’Rourke, FACHE, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been named the American College of Healthcare Executives’ 2023 Kansas Regent Award Recipient for demonstrating exceptional service and leadership to the Kansas chapter and the profession.

Tracy’s achievement was recognized today in a surprise ceremony at the Stormont Vail Health Topeka Hospital during the morning Administrative Huddle. Leaders of the Kansas Chapter joined the Stormont Vail team as Tracy was honored.

“Tracy is a staunch advocate for community engagement and involvement and has served as a director on multiple boards,” said Richard “Wes” Hoyt, Jr., FACHE and ACHE Regent. The American College of Healthcare Executives grants awards to executives who champion organizational development internally and in the community through local, state, or provincial activities.

Tracy is a 28-year member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, joining when she was a student at the University of Missouri. She has been very active in the Kansas chapter and has mentored many individuals who were interested in furthering professional development through the organization. To learn more about the ACHE Recognition Program, visit https://www.ache.org/about-ache/news-and-awards/ache-recognition-program.

Congratulations, Tracy, we are proud of you and your accomplishments!

Dana Balderrama, M.D., Joins Stormont Vail Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Team

Stormont Vail Health welcomes Dr. Dana Balderrama, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in hand, reconstructive, and microsurgery, to the Stormont Vail Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery team in Topeka.

Dr. Balderrama completed a five-year general surgery residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersville, California, and two additional plastic surgery and hand microsurgery fellowships at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. His extensive education and training, plus 20 years of experience, allow Dr. Balderrama to treat various patients and issues effectively.

“Every patient I see is different,” said Dr. Balderrama. “I could treat melanoma, lymph node dissections, and breast augmentations on the same day as a hand fracture or fuse a wrist. All these patients come with unique problems and different communities. You have to know how to talk to people from different backgrounds, upbringings, and communities.” Dr. Balderrama, welcome to Stormont Vail!

Wear your Favorite Football Attire Friday, Saturday AND Sunday

The Kansas City Chiefs meet the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at 2 p.m. Sunday in Baltimore. That means Stormont Vail Health team members can wear your favorite football team attire and show your team spirit – Chiefs, Ravens or whoever! The dress code exception for football attire is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Violence Intervention Program Awarded Funding

A team of community partners in Shawnee County, which includes a variety of agencies, organizations and community members, was recently awarded funding to develop a youth and community violence prevention action team.

Coalition members include representatives of Stormont Vail Health – Teresa Taylor, Trauma Outreach and Forensic Program Manager, and Annie Buckland, Injury and Violence Prevention Coordinator. Other coalition organizations include social service agencies, faith organizations and governmental entities.

“As our community was grieving a violent time period, this team formed with the shared goal of taking action. Every individual and organization at the table thus far has shown exceptional dedication to creating an intentional, comprehensive, and holistic approach to community violence. The team is eager to begin additional collaborations and engagement of neighborhoods,” said Teresa Taylor.

The group has been meeting regularly to strategize the launch of an evidence-based, community-led

violence intervention program utilizing a public health approach. The team is currently in the process of engaging additional multidisciplinary stakeholders and community members, obtaining and reviewing wide-ranging datasets to understand violence risk and protective factors in our community, researching evidence-based Community Violence Intervention (CVI) strategies, and pursuing funding to implement the strategy selected.

Grant funding will support resources to complete a comprehensive community violence assessment, and implement one or more CVI strategies, engaging with training and technical assistance providers to assist with CVI implementation and training.

The funding is through the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

We together,

Dr. Kenagy