News

Western Kansas Community Foundation

GARDEN CITY – The Honorable Steve Morris is the recipient of the 2024 Community Betterment Award. Morris was recognized at a Founders & Funders dinner hosted by Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) on Aug. 22.

Established in 2021, the award celebrates community philanthropy in all its facets. It honors community members who served as a WKCF board member, donor, and ambassador – and who made a significant contribution to the community at large – through their leadership, philanthropy and service.

ELLY GRIMM

   • Leader & Times

There has been much work going on to update the Kansas child welfare system, and according to a recent report, there has been positive progress in that.

According to a release from the State of Kansas, foster children receiving mental health and trauma screenings by qualified, trained professionals within 30 days of entering care continues to increase, according to the independent Neutral Third Party in the McIntyre class action lawsuit settlement.

Bank of the Plains

HUTCHINSON – Bank of the Plains is pleased to announce Tina Call, who currently serves as the Chief Risk Officer, has been promoted to the role of President effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Call will begin to transition into her new role for the remainder of 2024, while continuing to build the Risk Management Program and Department.

Current President and CEO Gene Dikeman will continue as CEO of Bank of the Plains following Call’s transition into the President position in 2025.

ROBERT PIERCE

   • Leader & Times

Southwest Medical Center’s Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Care Center performs a variety of services for patients, and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Firas Kawtharani believes many people in the area are not aware of those services.

This is why Kawtharani also feels the annual Community Health Fair hosted by SWMC is a great opportunity to educate people on what is department has to offer.