Opinion

LETTER TO THE EDITOR, Susan Lukwago, Liberal

I am writing a letter in response to Ms. Carolyn Huddleston's letter in the paper Sept. 30, 2025.

Ms. Huddleston, thank you for caring very much about the pay to the staff of Seward County Health Department. Thank you for all the research. Did you come and talk with our Administrator, Brie Greeson as a part of your research? Did you come and talk with any of the staff of the Health Department? It is often helpful to ask questions of the people about whom you are talking, before presenting information about or for them. I say this with respect as a person who is also interested in research and accuracy.

I also (very happily) work at Seward County Health Department. I am a contracted dietitian there so I am not counted as a regular employee. I am also very blessed to contract with other health departments and with Southwest Medical Center. I share with you that most of us in public health are not in it for the money. We work in not-for-profit institutions. Why? Because we care about people, we want to serve people and most of all, we want to help people live the healthiest lives they are able to given the environment in which they/we live. It is hard work and some staff do not stay for long.

As you may know, it is a challenge to retain staff. It has become increasingly tougher to keep staff in healthcare, especially public health, especially in rural areas like ours. I trust the numbers you shared are correct as I do not make it my business to find out - or put on blast - the pay of others. However I share with you that our pay is absolutely comparable to other public health staff in Southwest Kansas, I also share with you that sometimes when regular raises from the County are not possible due to tight budgets - what? is that not what started all this? - when there is a rare opportunity to offer bonuses for staff retention, it is discussed and then implemented as judiciously as possible.

I invite you to please come visit us. Well, I will speak for myself first. Please come visit me at Seward County Health Department. I am there on Thursdays. I think my Supervisor and Administrator will welcome you too. I am writing this letter as a resident of Seward County and not on behalf of any place I am contracted to work.

Thank you again for caring, Ms. Huddleston. Truly. Hope to see or speak with you soon.