Health Partnership’s Opening Doors Benefit Recognizes Local Dentist and Olathe Fire Department
By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach
Health Partnership Clinic’s (HPC) annual Opening Doors Benefit is going live and virtual this year. The fundraising event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 from Noon to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom.
To learn how you can attend, visit https://hpcks.org/2020-opening-doors-benefit/.
This year, HPC will recognize Nevin Waters, DDS, Olathe, Kan., a former clinic board member and Dental Director with the Founders Award, and the Olathe Fire Department with the Leadership Impact Award.
Founders Award
The Founders Award honors an individual who has significantly impacted the health and wellness of the communities we serve. It is because of Dr. Waters’ vision and collaborative spirit that dental services are offered today at Health Partnership. Under his leadership and direction in 2002, he secured donated mobile dental equipment and forged partnerships with UMKC Dental School and Johnson County Community College to provide volunteer staffing. Over the years, dental services have expanded to include both children and adults and inside and outside of our walls.
Dr. Waters is singly responsible for laying the foundation of our dental services. Not only is he an excellent practitioner, but his experience in private practice, commitment to oral health in our community and the ability to lead set our clinic apart in the early days. In addition, he provided that expertise as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors for several years. It is fitting he be recognized for these outstanding contributions.
Dr. Waters continues in private practice with his daughter, Lindsay Davidson, DDS, in Olathe and is involved in a mobile dental practice serving Kansas and Missouri, treating primarily underserved children. He is a member and past president of the Fifth District Dental Association of Kansas, Kansas Dental Association and Kansas Dental Lifeline Network. He is past president of the Olathe Sertoma Club and was recognized as the UMKC Alumni of the Year in 2009 and Character Award in Healthcare by Olathe Character Council in 2003. Dr. Waters is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists. Before entering private practice in 1975, he served as a captain in the Air Force. He and wife, Lois, reside in Olathe.
Leadership Impact Award
The clinic also is recognizing the Olathe Fire Department with the Leadership Impact Award. This award recognizes efforts of an individual or organization that has advanced the mission and philosophy of Health Partnership and has contributed leadership expertise in the promotion of HPC, health care and wellness in the communities served by the clinic.
In 2015, Olathe Health, Olathe Fire Department and Health Partnership established a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program. Together, we have worked diligently to provide direct patient care with same day appointments and chronic disease follow up care to reduce overuse of the Emergency Room and 911 services. Because of this innovative program, we have been able to help thousands of underserved Olathe residents who are frequent 911 callers, people with chronic diseases or elderly or disabled individuals trying to live independently. The team also works with individuals experiencing homelessness and educates school children. The MIT team includes Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-C and Kevin Harris, MIH/Firefighter/Paramedic.
Under Chief Jeff DeGraffenreid’s leadership and the ongoing support of Olathe Health, we have been able to match people with the right resources at the right time. The MIH team performs medical assessments, determines needs and helps connect patients with the appropriate care solutions in the community. A Health Partnership nurse practitioner is part of the team. The goal is to help residents navigate health and community resources and establish a medical home at our clinic.
Although we are disappointed that we will not meet in person this year, we’re are happy to be able to recognize Dr. Waters and the Olathe Fire Department. We invite everyone to tune in our event on Sept. 3 by visiting our website.
2020 Event Sponsors
Event sponsors include Platinum level: AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Medical Staff, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Overland Park Regional Medical Staff; Gold level: Olathe Health; Silver level: AdventHealth Ottawa, BKD, LLP Scott Gold/Dana Gold, Bridge Builder Tax and Legal Services, PA; Bronze level: PMG, Inc., Sunflower Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Whole Foods Market, Luncheon level: AdventHealth, Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Bank of Blue Valley, Cigna Health Care, Creative Planning, Kansas Gas, Lakemary Center, Olathe Fire Department; and supporters Blue Gurus and Holmes Murphy.
For more information about our live and virtual event, please contact Debbie Sparks, Development/ Marketing Manager, at 913-433-7592.
