Category: Health

30 Miles in 30 Days Challenge returning to KCKCC

by Kelly Rogge, KCKCC

The KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center is starting the New Year by helping the campus community develop a healthier lifestyle.

The 30 Miles in 30 Days Challenge starts Feb. 10. Its purpose is to encourage students, staff, faculty and community members to complete at least one mile of cardiovascular activity every day for a month. That includes walking, jogging, riding a bike or one mile on an elliptical machine.

“It takes 21 to 30 days to break old habits and create new habits,” said Pam Hall, wellness specialist at the KCKCC Wellness and Fitness Center. “We want to make it personally challenging, have individuals make a real change and re-pattern their fitness routine.”

Upon registering, individuals will receive a Tracking Card, which is what they will turn in at the end of the 30 Miles in 30 Days Challenge to show the activity logged. Participants mark the box for each day they complete a mile. When the challenge ends March 14, individuals will submit their completed cards for a chance at winning a prize. The Tracking Card does not include any Sundays.

The 30 Miles in 30 Days Challenge is also for those that may already be exercising.

“Make this a personal challenge for yourself,” Hall said. “Say you already do two miles of exercise a day. For one mile, make yourself go faster than you normally would.”

For more information or to register for the challenge, contact Pam Hall at [email protected] or at 913-288-7368. Individuals can also register by calling the Wellness & Fitness Center at 913-288-7610 or visiting the front desk.

Lawrence area patient tests negative for coronavirus strain

A patient from the Lawrence, Kansas, area who was being tested for the novel 2019 coronavirus strain is not infected with the virus, according to an announcement Saturday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.


Negative results were received Saturday after testing was performed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


“We are pleased that test results were negative and that the patient remains in good health. He had been released from LMH Health and was in a monitored, isolated living space following CDC guidelines,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE secretary, said in a news release. “He will now be able to resume his normal routine, and there is no risk to the public.”


KDHE continues to work with CDC and local partners to detect and respond to any possible cases that might occur in Kansas in the future. In this instance, Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department played a key role in assisting the state, according to the KDHE.

“Local, state and federal public health partners plan, prepare and drill for these types of events,” Dr. Farah Ahmed, KDHE state epidemiologist, said. “Our health care and public health infrastructure works hard every day to protect the public from infectious and contagious diseases, and we learn from these responses so we can continue to improve.”


Coronavirus infections initially were diagnosed in Wuhan City, China, and have since been reported in travelers from this city to other locations in China and other countries including the United States. No cases have been confirmed in Kansas.


At this time of year, respiratory illnesses are most likely due to infection with influenza or other viruses that cause the common cold. It’s important to take precautions to be protected from these infections, including washing one’s hands, avoiding touching one’s face and getting an annual flu shot.


Persons who recently traveled to Hubei Province, China, and developed fever with respiratory symptoms within 14 days of their travel, or have had contact with someone who is suspected to have 2019 novel coronavirus, should stay home and call their health care provider, according to the KDHE. For additional information on the 2019 novel coronavirus, visit the website at http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm. For more information about 2019 novel coronavirus, visit CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html.

KU Health System breaks ground for new proton therapy facility in KCK

Dr. Ronny Rotondo, director of proton therapy, spoke Jan. 30 at the groundbreaking presentation for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

A groundbreaking was held Thursday for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System at 39th and Rainbow, Kansas City, Kansas.

The new proton therapy facility will be the first in the region, according to KU Health System officials.

The advanced form of radiation treatment uses protons, not x-rays, to attack tumors, officials stated. It will minimize radiation exposure to healthy organs and surrounding tissue.

The facility is being built next to the Richard and Annette Bloch Radiation Oncology Pavilion on the main campus of KU Health System.

Dr. Terance Tsue, vice president and physician-in-chief of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, spoke Jan. 30 at the groundbreaking presentation for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
Tammy Peterman, president of the Kansas City division and executive vice president, chief operating officer, chief nursing officer for the University of Kansas Health System, spoke Jan. 30 at the groundbreaking presentation for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
Greg Graves, chairman of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority Board, spoke Jan. 30 at the groundbreaking presentation for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
Bob Page, president and CEO of the University of Kansas Health System, spoke Jan. 30 at the groundbreaking presentation for a new proton therapy facility at the University of Kansas Health System, Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by William Crum)
State Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore, external liaison for KU Hospital, was at the groundbreaking presentation Jan. 30 and said she was excited about the new proton therapy facility. (Photo by William Crum)