Tips to Stay Safe this Fourth of July

The fourth of July holiday is often filled with lots of family fun including activities such as pool parties, barbecues, outdoor games and fireworks.

Amid the holiday festivities parents may overlook important safety precautions. By keeping a few key Fourth of July safety tips in mind, parents can help keep children safe while still enjoying the holiday fun.

Leave the Fireworks to the Experts

Happy 4th of July!The National Safety Council (NSC) advises everyone to stay away from all consumer fireworks and to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by professionals.

A new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finds a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25 percent in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates. Fireworks can result in burns, scars, disfigurement and even death. In 2021, there were an estimated 1,500 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 1,100 involving sparklers. At least nine people died from fireworks-related incidents in 2021.

Every year, sparklers can be found in the hands of children along parade routes and at festivals, but they are a lot more dangerous than people think. Many parents don’t realize that they burn at about 2,000 degrees-hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing and many children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.

  • Families should attend community fireworks displays run by trained professionals rather than using fireworks at home.
  • Be sure to stay at least 500 feet away from the show.

Be Vigilant About Water Safety

Safety Tips for 4th of JulyAnother common fourth of July activity is swimming in pools and lakes. It is important to remember to never leave children unattended around bodies of water. According to the NSC approximately 19 children drown during the fourth of July holiday each year.

  • Children should always be monitored while in the water. Adults should take turns watching the children in 15-30-minute intervals.
  • Sign your children up for age-appropriate swimming lessons, but keep in mind even with swimming lessons children should still be monitored closely.
  • Never use floatation devices or water wings when swimming or teaching your child to swim.
  • Learn CPR and rescue techniques.
  • Establish and communicate clear rules for the pool such as:
    • Do not push or jump on others, no diving or running, etc.
  • Children should always wear life jackets while on a boat, personal watercraft and in open bodies of water.
  • Never consume alcohol when operating a boat, and always make sure everyone is wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
  • Sunblock, hydration and supervision are all essential water safety precautions that help keep the day fun and safe.

Barbecue Grill Safety

Safety Tips for 4th of JulyNothing beats a barbecue with friends and family.  Just remember these tips to keep everyone safe.

  • Create a barbecue only zone. Children and pets should not come within three feet of the barbecue grill once it is turned on. Remind your children that the barbecue is just like the stove, it gets extremely hot, and they can be burned. Keep pets contained away from the grill while it is in use.
  • Grill in a well-ventilated area, away from your house and deck. Every year grills and smokers cause thousands of fires, hundreds of injuries and deaths and millions of dollars in damage.
  • Be prepared for an emergency by keeping a fire extinguisher and a spray bottle of water nearby.
  • Use long handled barbecue utensils to keep the chef safe.
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.

Protect Your Skin and Avoid Dehydration

  • Limit your sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 30 which will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen often.
  • If you are swimming, you should reapply sunscreen hourly or at least every two hours.
  • Drink plenty of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid drinking beverages that are caffeinated or contain alcohol.
  • Dress appropriately and wear a hat.
  • During hot weather, watch for signs of heat stroke-hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid shallow breathing. If it’s suspected someone is suffering from heat stroke:
    • Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place.
    • Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person
    • Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down.

Our clinic will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in observance of Independence Day.
To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 913-648-2266.

Health Partnership raises funds for uninsured and underinsured

2022 Annual LuncheonHealth Partnership Clinic (HPC) provides more than $3 million in uncompensated care annually. With nearly 60 percent of uninsured patients coupled with unprecedented financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 Pandemic and compounded by supply chain and staffing disruptions and inflation, the need is great. HPC will host a benefit luncheon, Opening Doors, on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

The fundraiser, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, Olathe Conference Center, 10401 S. Ridgeview Rd., Olathe, Kan., begins at 11:30 am. The event includes lunch, a brief program, video and awards. Christel Bell from FOX 4 News will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Tickets are $100 each. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling 913-433-7592.

The Opening Doors Luncheon is an opportunity to put a human face on the challenges vulnerable neighbors face each day—particularly accessing affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care. Guests will also learn about the clinic and the financial support that is needed to continue our mission. Our goal is to raise $65,000. We are very thankful for the generosity of our returning and new sponsors.

2022 Annual LuncheonTo date, top sponsors include the Medical staffs of AdventHealth and Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Olathe Health, AdventHealth, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Bridge Builder Tax and Legal Services PA, Fry Orthodontic Specialists, Heartland Regional Alcohol & Drug Assessment Center, Coleman Associates, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Creative Planning, Kansas Gas and Olathe Fire Department. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by calling 913-433-7592.

At HPC, we offer a full range of primary care services, including  pediatric medical and dental care as well as adult primary care and access to behavioral health care. Our team provides individualized, compassionate and family-centered care. In order to provide quality, affordable and accessible care to everyone in the community, we rely on the generosity of our residents, community leaders and area businesses. By working together, we can improve health and impact lives.

To learn more, visit us at https://hpcks.org/opening-doors-luncheon-2023/.

2022 Annual Luncheon

HPC Celebrates 30 Years of Health and Hope

Amy Falk

Amy Falk, CEO

Thirty years ago, Johnson County adults—who were uninsured and needed acute and chronic disease care—typically accessed care through emergency rooms. This type of episodic care created a financial drain on both patients and hospitals and more importantly, did not provide continuous and comprehensive care. Hospital and community leaders banded together and opened Health Partnership of Johnson County in 1992 to fill that gap. This “free” primary care clinic provided limited adult acute and chronic disease care with volunteer providers and staff.

Over the last 30 years, the clinic, which is now known as Health Partnership Clinic (HPC), has continued to grow to meet the changing needs of Johnson County and the surrounding area. The clinic has provided an estimated 390,000 patient visits since opening its doors.

Click here for a snapshot of Health Partnership’s Milestones over the last 30 years!

  • Health Partnership Clinic - Celebrating 30 YearsIn 2012, the clinic received Federally Qualified Health Center designation opening the door to offer pediatric and adult medicine and dental services on a sliding fee discount in Olathe, Kan.
  • In addition, the Paola clinic opened—serving Miami County, and the clinic’s dental outreach program began.
  • In 2013, the clinic launched its behavioral health services, in 2015, this model of care was expanded to Franklin County and in 2016, the Shawnee Mission Clinic on the campus of AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, opened.
  • Since then, the clinic launched a school-based clinic at Merriam Park Elementary School in Merriam, Kan. and in 2021 relocated services to Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kan. It also provides Substance Abuse and Medication-Assisted Treatment Services.
  • During the intervening years, the clinic has added staff and services to continue to meet the needs of the communities it serves. HPC is ranked among the top 20 percent of health centers nationally for best overall clinical performance (2021).

HPC is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in Johnson, Miami and Franklin Counties

As the only federally qualified health center in Johnson, Miami and Franklin Counties, we are proud to provide quality, affordable and accessible health care to the uninsured, those underinsured and individuals with insurance. Many residents have received care at one of our clinic sites over the years, and they have seen many changes in staff, structure and services. We thank all those for trusting HPC to provide care for the last 30 years, and we look forward to serving and expanding services well into the future.

This milestone is one that has not been easily reached over the years. The dedicated efforts of staff, volunteers, providers and by the Board of Directors laying plans to keep HPC a viable, growing entity in the future will ensure our success. We hope our patients, staff and community take the opportunity to remember the past struggles and successes, celebrate where we are now, but look forward to the future with bright optimism on what we are about to achieve.

The 30th Celebration Committee

The clinic has formed a 30th Celebration Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing and Outreach. Committee members include Carolina Barraza, MA-Shawnee Mission; Maureen Caro, APRN, FNP-C, Medical Provider; Christina Cook, Dental Hygienist; JoJo Delgado, PSR-Ottawa; Judy Janes, Volunteer; Andrea Madrigal, MA-Olathe; Darren Odum, Board Member, Billie Reese-Turner, Billing/Patient Services, Director; Debbie Sparks, Development/Marketing, Manager; and Tom Wilhauk, Executive Assistant.

The clinic will celebrate throughout the year. Plans include its annual Opening Doors fundraising luncheon event in April, staff activities including t-shirts, a time capsule, coloring and video essay contests for school partners and a community open house in August.

To learn more, visit us at hpcks.org/HPC30.

Happy Thanksgiving from Health Partnership Clinic!

Happy Thanksgiving 2019Happy Thanksgiving! We wish to express our appreciation to you for placing your confidence and trust in us. Serving you is our pleasure.

To observe the Thanksgiving holiday, we will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 and 29. We will reopen on Monday, Dec. 2.

For a full listing of our holiday hours, click below.

https://hpcks.org/contact/

May you enjoy good company, good food and peace in your heart this Thanksgiving season!

HPC Celebrates Medical Assistants Recognition Week October 21st-25th

Medical Assistants Week - 3rd Week of October

Post written by Wael S. Mourad, MD, MHCM, FAAFP, Family Physician and Chief Health Officer

A medical assistant (MA) is an allied health professional who supports the work of physicians and other providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners, in a variety of clinical settings. MAs can become certified through an accredited program and perform routine tasks and procedures that support the providers’ responsibilities and tasks. They typically work in an ambulatory clinic setting, but can also work in urgent care facilities as well as hospital settings, assisted living facilities and even in administrative and research settings.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook online, employment of MAs is expected to grow by 23 percent, much faster than the average for all occupations through 2028.

Medical Assistants at Health Partnership Clinic

At HPC, we have about 13 MAs with a diverse array of backgrounds. Some of our MAs came to us from completely different industries, such as the hospitality sector. Some were practicing physicians in their home countries. And some first stepped foot in Health Partnership as students and were hired when their training was complete.

A strong medical assistant can make or break a clinic. They are a provider’s extra “eyes and ears” for great patient care.

MAs help check patients in and obtain their vital signs and can often get additional history about a patient’s illness and well-being that the patient may not have disclosed to the provider. They help support a provider with all the paperwork requirements for great and timely patient care as well as communicating with patients, colleagues and outside entities, freeing up the provider to focus on seeing patients.

The medical assistant advocates for his or her provider as well, and the provider and medical assistant form the core of the patient care team. That is why at HPC, they typically sit in the same room or pod during clinics, to facilitate optimal communication. They are part of the backbone of a successful clinic.

We are very grateful for our MAs at HPC:

Diangie Bonilla Acosta; Carolina Barraza; Dalia Barron; Kaliece Brown; Traci Gentry; Jessica Grate; Silivia Heredia; Mayra Lemus; Adriana Lund; Andrea Madrigal; Teresa Najera; Tracie Ostermeier and Taylor Sanders.

Without them, the clinic would grind to a halt. If you see or know a MA, please thank them for all the work that they do!

HPC supports National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in April

Drug Disposal 2019Saturday, April 27, 2019 marks National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. This day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. To learn more and available locations, click here.

The week of April 29-May 3, several of HPC’s clinic sites will have free information to help educate patients and the community about the Opioid Epidemic. Information will include prevention tips on how to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medications and how to prevent drug misuse and protect the environment. Materials are available in English and Spanish.

Drug Disposal

A limited number of free drug disposal bags will also be available on a first-come, first- served basis at the following clinic sites during regular work hours:

Olathe: 407 S. Clairborne Rd., Ste. 104

Paola: 1604 Industrial Park Dr.

Ottawa:  107 S. Main St.

Drug Disposal 2019Last year, HPC received a $285,000 grant to enhance its mental health and substance treatment services. The funds allowed the clinic to add behavioral health staff members, increase funding for patient transportation, provide clinical staff training and support other related services.

Did you know?

  • An estimated 130+ people die every day from an opioid-related drug overdose.
  • 4 million people misuse prescription opioids each year.
  • 1 million people have an opioid use disorder.
  • 5 percent of 12th graders used a prescription drug without a prescription in 2017.
  • Over 70 percent of patients reported that their prescription opioids were not stored in secured containers.

Health Partnership Clinic Plans Opening Door Fundraising Luncheon

Invite2Post written by Catherine Rice, VP of Marketing and Outreach

With 50 percent of Health Partnership Clinic’s patients without health insurance and health care cost on the rise, funding is always a challenge.

To continue welcoming those seeking affordable, accessible and quality health care, the clinic is planning its annual fundraising luncheon, Opening Doors.

The event will be Thursday, Nov. 8, at the Overland Park Convention Center, in Overland Park, Kan.

The luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m., will include a brief program, video and an awards ceremony. Tickets are $100 each; sponsorships are still available.

In 26 years, HPC has grown from a small doctor’s office with volunteer physicians, nurses and staff to four clinic sites (Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Paola and Ottawa) in three counties with nearly 70 employees.

HPC provides nearly 37,000 patient visits annually and serves as a lifeline for almost 15,000 adults and children.

According to Amy Falk, CEO, HPC offers a full range of services focusing on newborn and pediatric medical and dental care as well as adult primary care, specialty care and access to behavioral health care.

“At HPC, we’ve always opened our doors to those most in need. We provide individualized, compassionate and family-centered care in a welcoming environment and are committed to improving the health of our community by providing access to patient education and top-notch integrated care.”

For more information about the Opening Doors Luncheon, please call Debbie Sparks at 913-433-7592.

FREE Community Health & Wellness Fair July 28

COR LogoThe United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood will be hosting a free Community Health & Wellness Fair, partnering with the Health Partnership Clinic as well as other health & safety organizations in the community on Saturday, July 28 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

You deserve to feel good!

Everyone has competing priorities in life, and it’s easy to put your own health and wellness on the back burner as you move through the responsibilities and obligations of everyday life.

Take this Saturday morning to put your focus on your own health, and the health of your family with fun and educational resources for people of all ages.

VBC_DAY3_4 Please join us in a day of workshops, conversations, and activities surrounding key health resources available right here in our community, free of charge!

Here are some of the things you can participate in at this event:

  • Health resources, door prizes, a Kids Zone and giveaways
  • On-Site Mammograms
  • Conversations about Mental Health, Mindfulness and Stress Reduction
  • Free Yoga and Family Zumba classes
  • On-site pet adoptions & READ Pals service dogs
  • Hands-Only CPR training with Johnson County MedACT
  • Cooking for Disease Prevention
  • Dementia Care & Senior Living resources and workshops
  • ….and more!

COR Exterior

How do I get there?

Church of the Resurrection’s Leawood campus is located between Roe and Nall at 137th Street.

This event will be held in the B Building, check parking lot signage for the B Building and Foundry. Full address if you’d like to use a GPS is 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224.

For a full list of activities, classes and workshops available and to register online visit www.cor.org/events.

If you don’t have a chance to register, that’s OK. There will be plenty of activities that don’t require you to pre-register.

To make sure you get a seat in a specific workshop or class, we do recommend you register online. Individuals who pre-register and attend a class or workshop will automatically be entered in a drawing to receive a door prize!

Questions? Contact Jennifer.Bryan@cor.org or call the church at 913=897-0120.