Virtual Event — County Health Rankings: Education, Health and COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues to cast a spotlight on schools as hubs for a range of services beyond education, it is more vital than ever to identify opportunities for different community partners to support these needs. On Tuesday, September 22, Kansas Health Institute, Kansas Hospital Association and Kansas State Department of Education co-hosted the 2020 County Health Rankings virtual event that brought together about 200 people from across the state.

Access these publications in the Documents & Downloads section.

A recording of the convening is below:

Virtual Event — County Health Rankings: Education, Health and COVID-19

The convening focused on the interplay between education and health; innovative partnerships between schools, hospitals and other sectors; and strategies to leverage the County Health Rankings data. Opening remarks were delivered by Gov. Laura Kelly. The event featured two panels. The first panel included Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers; Randy Watson, Ed.D., M.S., Kansas Commissioner of Education, Kansas State Department of Education; and Tiffany Anderson, Ed.D., superintendent, Topeka Public Schools. The second panel, moderated by Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association, included Melissa Rooker, executive director, Kansas Children’s Cabinet; Austin Gillard, F.A.C.H.E., CEO, Clay County Medical Center; and Todd Carter, Ed.D., district administrator, USD 480, Liberal. Charles Hunt, M.P.H, Senior Analyst, Kansas Health Institute, provided an update on what is new in the 2020 County Health Rankings.

The event also featured Algoma County, Wisc., represented by Teal VanLanen, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize Winner. Closing remarks were provided by KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, M.D.

Media coverage:

• WIBW
• The Topeka Capital-Journal

Funding for this event is provided by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaborative program between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Special thanks to Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha for convening their community around the County Health Rankings as part of this event.

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

The Kansas Hospital Association is a voluntary, non-profit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 217 member facilities, of which 123 are full-service, community hospitals. KHA and its affiliates provide a wide array of services to the hospitals of Kansas and the Midwest region. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is: “Optimal Health for Kansans.”

The Kansas State Department of Education provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state’s K-12 education system. KSDE administers the state’s governance of education, standards and assessments, special education services, child nutrition and wellness, title programs and services, career and technical education, and financial aid. It is the goal of the agency to provide all Kansas children with equal access to a quality, high-level education that promotes student achievement and prepares all students for global success.