The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus

Join us in celebrating our incredible structural heart team, who performed their 100th Watchman™ procedure today!

This one-time, minimally invasive procedure offers a lifesaving option for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AFib) who need an alternative to blood thinners to lower their stroke risk.

To mark this special occasion, we gathered with the patients who received the procedure over the past year, proudly wearing nametags indicating their number in the 100 procedures we celebrated since our first one in August 2023.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated cardiologists, nurses and healthcare professionals for their exceptional care. We also appreciate our patients and their families for their trust and support, which inspires us to provide compassionate and innovative healthcare every day.

To learn more about the Watchman™ procedure and schedule a consultation with our cardiology team, visit kutopeka.com/services/cardiology-services.

Are you looking to give back to your community? Interested in learning about the healthcare industry? Need volunteer service hours? Love helping others? If you answered YES! Then we have some great volunteer opportunities available now! Learn more and apply at kutopeka.com/volunteer.

Join us in welcoming Gerard Pryor, APRN, to St. Francis Campus Family Medicine. Gerard is a certified family nurse practitioner dedicated to preventative care, patient education, and collaborating with patients to effectively prevent and manage chronic conditions. "I believe in promoting wellness through nutrition, activity, and lifestyle improvements, and managing chronic conditions based on patients' priorities," Gerard said.

Gerard has been a team member at St. Francis for seven years, most recently serving as a nurse in inpatient cardiology. "During my time as a student in the outpatient setting, the supportive and approachable nature of the staff reinforced my desire to align my career with the mission and values of St. Francis," shared Gerard.

Outside of work, Gerard is actively involved as an actor and volunteers for the Flint Hills Shakespeare Festival. He also enjoys spending time with his four children and working on home improvement projects.

Gerard is welcoming new patients at our Family Medicine location at Brewster Place in Topeka at 1101 SW 29th Street. To schedule an appointment, call 785-379-4600 or visit KUTopeka.com/PrimaryCare.

Our cancer center was overwhelmed with the gracious donation of 106 beautifully handcrafted, crocheted blankets donated by women at the Topeka Correctional Facility last week.

These blankets were created by 30 residents over the last four months as part of the facility’s substance abuse program, which helps women work through trauma and addiction. Using donated yarn, they learned to crochet, a skill that offers many benefits for recovery while also giving back to the community.

“I hope the blankets put a smile on a patient’s face, knowing someone is thinking about them in their time of need. I know it makes a difference to me to give back to the community,” stated one of the donors.

We are incredibly grateful for this touching act of kindness and the positive impact it will have on our patients.

This past Saturday, we joined the excitement and fun at Topeka’s Pride Palooza! We handed out over 900 bottles of water to beat the heat and shared our commitment to creating safe spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. At St. Francis, we know people thrive when they feel respected and accepted as their true selves. Every day, we strive to foster a culture of belonging for our patients, their families, and one another. Thank you, Topeka Pride and event sponsors, for hosting this incredible event for our community! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Join us in congratulating our 2024 Pharmacy Department Award recipients and honorees! We're proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of our residents, interns and employees who were recently honored at their annual awards banquet. These individuals have shown dedication and commitment to our pharmacy department, our hospital, and most importantly, our patients. Thank you for your hard work and excellence!

Shalen Williams, PharmD, APPE Student Preceptor of the Year
Tony Pokphanh, PharmD, Pharmacy Residency Preceptor of the Year
Amanda Peterson, CPhT, Pharmacy Technician Preceptor of the Year

Completion of Post-Graduate Year 1 Pharmacy Residency:
Ryan Lozano, PharmD
Michaela Schiffelbein, PharmD

Clinical Intern Recognitions:
Priscilla Liu, Pharmacy Intern
Sabrina Flint, Pharmacy Intern
Lora Wikstrom, Pharmacy Intern

Join us in welcoming Meagan Morris, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, to our neurology team!

Meagan works both independently and collaboratively with physicians to deliver exceptional care for a variety of neurological conditions, including epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), migraines, neuropathy, and dementia. She provides individualized, patient-centered care, tailoring treatments to each patient's unique needs and encourages active participation in their care plans.

Meagan's passion for medicine began early in her career, spending seven years as a veterinary technician before transitioning to nursing. She holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing from Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha, Nebraska, and completed her doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing in Omaha. Meagan enjoys treating a wide range of neurological conditions and is always eager to learn new approaches to enhance patient care.

For more information about Meagan and our neurology services visit KUTopeka.com/Services/Neurological-Care.

This week, St. Francis Campus proudly hosted our Annual Nursing Skills Fair, bringing together over 500 nursing professionals, staff from various inpatient units and procedural areas, and nursing students from Highland Community College!

Organized by our clinical educators, the Olympic-themed event was a blend of fun and learning, emphasizing our commitment to continuous improvement and top-tier patient care. Over three days, participants explored 32 educational displays and hands-on learning stations, mastering new clinical techniques and innovative patient care strategies.

This event underscores our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in care and ongoing professional development, ensuring the best outcomes for our patients. If you're passionate about healthcare and looking to join a team that values the culture of teamwork, continual learning and excellence in patient care, join us! Apply at jobs.ardenthealth.com/st-francis-campus.

June is Men's Health Month, a crucial time to emphasize proactive healthcare for men. St. Francis Campus is excited to announce the introduction of groundbreaking technologies in prostate cancer detection and management, setting new standards in patient care for the greater Topeka community with our MRI-guided fusion biopsy technology.

This state-of-the-art, minimally invasive procedure reduces infection risk, improves imaging accuracy and potentially increases cancer detection rates. By integrating MRI and transrectal ultrasound technology, we can precisely target suspicious tissue for biopsy.

Dr. Leigh Gilpin, D.O., urologist, explains, "Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. This advanced procedure enhances our ability to detect and treat it with unparalleled precision."

Celebrate Men's Health Month by encouraging the men in your life to take charge of their health. Early detection and advanced treatments are key to combating prostate cancer.

Learn more about our MRI-guided fusion biopsy technology at kutopeka.com/news/university-kansas-health-system-st-francis-campus-forefront-improving-accuracy-prostate.

As we commemorate Juneteenth, we honor the resilience, courage and contributions of the Black community. Let's continue to work toward justice, equality and freedom for all.

Healthcare Risk Management Week highlights the importance of proactive risk management in ensuring patient safety and quality care. Our Healthcare Risk Management teams work together to identify and mitigate risks, making healthcare environments safer for all.

Wishing all the amazing dads and father figures out there a happy Father's Day! Thank you for your love, guidance and unwavering support. Today, we celebrate you and all that you do.

Prioritize your health for yourself and the loved ones in your life by making an appointment with your primary care provider today. Need to find a provider? Visit KUTopeka.com/PrimaryCare or call 1-833-4NEWDOC (1-833-463-9362) to schedule an appointment.

During National Nursing Assistant Week, we honor the compassionate caregivers who provide essential support and comfort to patients every day. Your dedication and kindness make a difference in countless lives. Thank you for all you do!

In support of the American Hospital Association’s Hospitals Against Violence initiative, we stand united on this Friday in our commitment to creating safe and peaceful environments for team members and patients. Together, we’re working to prevent violence and promote healing and hope across healthcare and throughout our community.

Today, we celebrate the resilience and strength of cancer survivors on National Cancer Survivor's Day. Your courage inspires us all, and we stand with you in solidarity. This day serves as an opportunity to raise awareness and support for survivors everywhere.

Recognizing signs of hernia is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment. Symptoms like a visible bulge, discomfort, or difficulty with bowel movements shouldn't be ignored. Prompt treatment prevents complications and improves outcomes. If you're experiencing any signs, don't wait – talk with your doctor and ask for a referral to General, Vascular and Bariatric Surgery at The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus. For more information, call 785-232-0444 or visit us online at kutopeka.com/services/surgery

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈 We stand with the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating love, diversity and inclusion. We’re committed to our continued mission of providing safe spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.

Are you passionate about leading with empathy and making a positive impact on patient care? St. Francis is actively seeking a talented ICU nurse manager to join our exceptional team in Topeka, Kansas!

We offer our team members medical, vision, dental health insurance, health savings and flexible spending accounts, competitive pay, paid time off, 401k retirement plan with company match, employee assistance program and more.

Learn more and apply today at https://jobs.ardenthealth.com/st-francis-campus/jobs/91372?lang=en-us.

We are pleased to introduce Kassie Lukasz, APRN, as our newest provider in cardiology!

Kassie is already a familiar face at St. Francis, having dedicated the past five years to caring for patients as a registered nurse in our telemetry unit. Her positive experiences with her team and our welcoming culture inspired her to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) at St. Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Science, Rockhurst University. Now, she brings her passion for patient-centered care to our cardiology team.

Kassie is passionate about fostering patient-provider relationships and empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being. She believes in creating personalized care plans tailored to each patient's unique needs and values, striving to enhance their quality of life and overall well-being.

Kassie will soon be seeing cardiology patients at our Heart and Vascular Center located at 600 SW College Ave. in Topeka. For more information about Kassie and our cardiology services, visit KUTopeka.com/Heart or call 785-233-9643.

This National EMS Week, we salute the brave men and women of EMS teams who serve on the frontlines, saving lives every day. Your courage and quick action make a world of difference. Thank you for answering the call to care for others.

Join us in congratulating our Annual Nursing Awards recipients for their contributions to the care delivered to our patients, their families and each other every day.

Pusitz Award:
An award recognizing LPNs, Techs, CMAs and CNAs who have distinguished themselves by going beyond the usual demands of their duties.
• Heather Johnson, Medical Weight Loss and Endocrinology
• Markie Boos, 7-Medical
• Marie Morris, Medical Weight Loss
• Abigail Rowe, Telemetry
• Samantha Davis, Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Brenda Jones, Telemetry

Friend of Nursing:
An award recognizing an associate or department outside of nursing that contributes to teamwork or patient-centered care.
• Information Technology and Clinical Information

Nursing Excellence:
An award for registered nurses who exhibit expert clinical competency and exceptional role modeling behaviors by following Service Excellence standards.
• New Grad RN Award – Eric Wineinger, Emergency Department
• Advance Practice RN Award – Angie Bachelor, Heart and Vascular Center
• Nurse Mentor Award – Marla Flanagan, Diabetes Education
• Nurse Excellence/Outpatient Award – Gail Tilghman, Family Medicine Urish location
• Nurse Excellence/Inpatient Award – Collin Monhollon, Emergency Department

Nursing Leader:
• Patty Handley, Director of Nursing
Serving as nursing director and interim chief nursing officer in the past year, Patty was recognized for exceptional leadership, dedication to patient care, team support, staff recruitment and enhancing nursing processes. Her balanced approach to administrative duties, fiscal responsibility, and work-life balance sets her apart as an exemplary leader and an inspiration in the nursing profession.

Join us in supporting Relay For Life of Shawnee County!

We're proud to sponsor and participate in this year's event, celebrating the resilience of cancer survivors, honoring loved ones lost, and uniting in the fight against cancer. Join us at Hummer Sports Park tomorrow, Friday, May 17, from 6 to 11 p.m.

For event details visit https://secure.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=107254&pg=informational&sid=212807&name=event-details.

Join us in congratulating Brianna Becker, DAISY Award winner and registered nurse in our telemetry unit. Brianna “Bri” was nominated by a patient’s family for her kindness, compassion and excellent care shown in every single interaction with their dad and the entire family.

"Bri would remember stories about my dad and engage in conversation with him daily, lifting his spirits. I am confident Bri’s care was a critical part of his recovery," stated the daughter of the patient in Bri’s nomination.

The DAISY Award recognizes nurses like Bri who go above and beyond, making a meaningful difference in the lives of those they care for. Congratulations, Bri, on this well-deserved recognition!

To learn more about the DAISY Award program and to nominate a nurse from St. Francis Campus who has made a difference in your life, visit kutopeka.com/daisy-award-extraordinary-nurses-nomination-form.