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PARSONS, KANSAS – Labette Health was recognized for its community-driven efforts upon receiving the 2016-17 “Kansas CAN Best Practice Award” from Kansas State Department of Education for outstanding practices in Child Nutrition & Wellness.

Presented by Cheryl Johnson, director of Child Nutrition & Wellness, Linda Johnson, Labette Health’s Food & Nutrition Director, accepted the award with recognition from members of the Kansas State Board of Education in Topeka at the Landon State Office Building on Tuesday. Labette Health was the only hospital recognized within the state of Kansas, and one of the eight facilities honored.

Working with Johnson is Labette Health dietician, Elaine Hudson, who helped fuel the push for integrating nutrition and wellness programs with the Parsons school district. According to Hudson, Labette Health has been assisting the school district with providing meals and healthy eating habits for the last four years, including this summer.

“We’ve made over 18,000 lunches, 175 breakfasts, and over 650 snacks,” Hudson said prior to the award ceremony.

The plaque that Johnson received on behalf of the hospital was signed by KSDE chairman, Jim Porter, Dr. Randy Watson, commissioner, and Dale Dennis, deputy commissioner.

Cheryl Johnson thanked both Johnson, Hudson, and Labette Health’s employees for their partnerships with the Parsons Recreation Commission, the school district, and the City of Parsons.

“We can’t appreciate these efforts enough,” Johnson added. “With their partnerships, they’ve served 14,000 kids in the last three years. Not only that, but they offer educational measures of teaching youth healthy eating habits. Elaine visits more than 800 students a month on this alone.”

The KSDE’s vision, while aimed at each student, is “more child focused, providing support and resources for individual success and requires everyone to work together to make it a reality.”

The purpose of these programs, according to the KSDE, is to “encourage and reward outstanding practices in Child Nutrition & Wellness programs in Kansas” that support this vision.

“We are grateful for the commission’s support, and the continuous efforts of these organizations for implementing innovative meal pattern strategies,” Johnson said. “With Labette Health’s success, we believe it supports the CAN vision.”

About Labette Health

Labette Health is a 99 bed licensed hospital that provides acute, intensive and inpatient rehabilitation services. Labette Health, renowned for its comprehensive healthcare services, state-of-the-art technology and skilled medical staff, has earned national recognition for patient safety and has been serving a six-county area since 1961. Labette Health has earned numerous quality awards by CareChex, including ranking in the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient safety.