Category: Wyandotte County

Scattered thunderstorms, rain possible

Scattered thunderstorms possible (National Weather Service graphic)

Scattered thunderstorms are possible Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

A stalled frontal boundary across southern Missouri, combined with a system lingering over the southwestern United States, will keep a persistent chance for thunderstorms in the region each of the days through the Memorial Day weekend.

These storms likely will be scattered in nature, but given the persistent warm and humid conditions, strong to even severe storms can’t be ruled out.

An outflow boundary from morning storms may allow redevelopment later this afternoon along a line from Wichita to Clinton and Rolla. This corridor has the highest potential for strong to severe storms later today. Further north, elevated storms may pulse up and down but will remain under severe limits.

Non-severe storms are anticipated into this weekend, with the highest potential tonight through midday Saturday. Rain will be scattered in nature, and not all areas will see rain, according to the weather service.

Friday’s high will be 78, with a 20 percent chance of rain. Saturday, the high will be 77, with a 60 percent chance of storms. Sunday, the high will be 82 with a 40 percent chance of storms, and Monday, Memorial Day, the temperature will reach 82 with a 40 percent chance of storms.

Thunderstorm outlook Saturday and Sunday (National Weather Service graphic)

Memorial Day weekend rain chances (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte Health Foundation names new president-CEO

Cathy Harding

The Wyandotte Health Foundation Board of Directors has announced the selection of Cathy Harding as its new president-CEO.

She will transition to the role in early July, succeeding founding President-CEO Bill Epperheimer, who will retire after nearly 17 years at the helm of WHF.

Harding has worked in the health care safety net environment for nearly two decades, focusing on initiatives that improve the health of low-income and uninsured individuals.

Since 2007, she has served as the executive director of the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, the Primary Care Association of Kansas. As such, Harding has worked with health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, members of the Kansas Legislature and health foundations across the state to promote health care access for underserved populations, including those in Wyandotte County.

A Kansas native, Harding previously held leadership positions with Ozark Tri-County Health Care Consortium and served as the Executive Director of the Flint Hills Community Health Center in Emporia.

The WHF Search Committee selected Harding from a “very strong slate of candidates.” Leon Logan, chair of the WHF board of directors, said, “We were impressed by Cathy’s strong passion for making a difference in the lives of others. She has dedicated much of her career to supporting safety net clinics and advocating for policies that improve population health. The board feels that her talents will be a great asset to the Wyandotte County community.”

“To have been selected as the CEO of the Wyandotte Health Foundation is a great honor, as well as a great responsibility that I do not take lightly. I’m excited about working with the board, stakeholders and citizens of this community to make an impact on the health of the county,” Harding said.

The Wyandotte Health Foundation was established in 1997 with proceeds from the sale of Bethany Medical Center to Columbia HCA. The organization ranks No. 18 on the Kansas City Business Journal’s list of top area charitable trusts and foundations, with approximately $40 million in assets.

WHF has awarded over $30 million to organizations providing health care services to uninsured and underinsured residents of Wyandotte County, including $1.8 million in grants in its 2013 funding cycle. The foundation recently announced a $1 million grant to the proposed $30 million Healthy Campus initiative in Kansas City, Kan.