TOPEKA — Gov. Sam Brownback announced today several appointments to various Kansas commissions and boards. Among the appointments:

Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas

The council monitors and evaluates implementation of the state plan for helping disabled Kansans live in the environment of their choice.

• Timothy Hornik of Lawrence, a social worker who has served in a variety of professional settings, including as a volunteer for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a consultant for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Process. He has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas. Hornik represents an individual with a disability.

• Patrick Jonas of Wichita, a licensed physical therapist who has served as President and CEO of the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas, Inc., since 2000. He has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Wichita State University. Jonas is a consumer representative.

• Sandra Shire of Independence is the director of various programs at the Four County Mental Health Center in Independence. She previously served as a social worker with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Shire is a consumer representative.

• Cindi Unruh of Newton, executive director of the Independent Living Resource Center in Wichita, has spent more than 10 years working in development for nonprofit organizations. Unruh is a consumer representative.

• Dawn Masqua of Mayetta works in vocational rehabilitation for Prairie Band Pottawatomie Social Services. She has a master’s degree in social work from Washburn University. Masqua is a tribal/vocational rehabilitation representative.

Kansas State Board of Healing Arts

The board regulates doctors, dentists and a broad array of other medical professionals.

• Dr. Robin Durrett of Great Bend, a general surgeon in Hoisington. He has a doctoral degree in osteopathy from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. Durrett is being appointed to represent osteopathic medicine.

Physician Assistant Council

The council advises the State Board of Healing Arts regarding issues involving physicians assistants.

• Jay Wedel of Hesston, a certified physician assistant at Mid-Kansas Family Practice, also is a member of the Kansas Board of Healing Arts. He has a master's degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska School of Medicine. Wedel is being reappointed to represent physician assistants.

Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

The board is responsible for licensing and regulating social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction and other professional counselors, psychologists and master-level psychologists.

• Kathryn Herzog of Wichita has a master's degree in nursing from the University of Texas. She has been the chief executive of Delaware Hospice, a vice president of the Baptist Hospital of Southeast Texas in Beaumont, director of the Cancer Treatment Programs at Humana Hospital in Houston and is currently co-owner of a small business in Wichita. Herzog is appointed as a public member.

Kansas Physical Therapy Advisory Council

The Physical Therapy Advisory Council advises the State Board of Healing Arts on examination and registration of physical therapists.

• Ric Baird of Silver Lake, a physical therapist with Interactive Physical Therapy and Wellness Center in Topeka, has a doctorate in physical therapy from Des Moines University. Baird is a representative of physical therapists.

Kansas Advisory Committee on Trauma

The committee provides recommendations to the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on the development and implementation of a statewide trauma system.

• Dr. Michael Machen of Quinter, a senior partner with Bluestem Medical and a courtesy staff member at hospitals in Hays, Oakley and Salina. Machen is a representative of the Northwest Regional Trauma Council.

• Dennis Mauk of Wichita, the deputy director of Sedgwick County Emergency Medical Service (EMS). He has been an EMT lab instructor with Cowley County Community College and Butler County Community College. Mauk represents urban ambulance service administrators.

• James Higgins of Burlington, the owner of Pharmacies Plus and the EMS director for Coffey County. He served in the Navy for 26 years. Higgins is a representative of the EMS Association.

• Marvin VanBlaricon of Salina, the EMS director for Clay County. He has worked in emergency services for more than 30 years. VanBlaricon is a representative for rural members of the KS EMS/ENT Association.

• Dr. Roy Danks of Holton, a graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City. He was commissioned in the Army Reserve in 2007, and was deployed to Afghanistan as a trauma surgeon in 2011 and to Iraq in 2009. Danks will be a representative of osteopathic medicine.

People interested in serving on a commission or board can apply via the Office of Appointments.