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Chase County Kansas Historical
Sketches
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CHASE COUNTY NURSING CENTER
In 1967 a group of citizens from Chase County
began holding serious discussions regarding the
need for a modern skilled nursing home in the County. A survey of the County proved the need for a
facility of a minimum of 55 beds and financial consultants from Municipal Securities, Inc., in Wichita
completed a financial feasibility study for the operation of. the home and concluded that it could
operate successfully, The City of Cottonwood Falls
gave approval for the issuance of industrial revenue
bonds in the amount of $315,000 for the construction of the new nursing center in November, 1968.
Chase County Nursing Center, Inc. was formed
in November, 1968 with the following members on
the Board of Directors: Charles W. Wurth, President; Dr. L.F. McKee, Gerald Dieker, G.T. Dawson, George Gutsch, and R.R. Mushrush.
A site was selected in the industrial area of
southeast Cottonwood Falls on Highway 177, Contracts were let and construction began in November
1968 and the facility opened June 20, 1969.
The open house for the people of Chase County to view the new structure was one of the most
successful open houses ever held in the State as
more than 1200 people toured the building. In a few
months the facility was operating at a maximum
capacity of residents, and during the first three
years of operation 121 people had been served by
Chase County Nursing Center.
The nursing and rehabilitation care rendered
this facility is recognized throughout Kansas as
one of the most advanced nursing home programs
in the State. The concept that many can be rehabilitated to a better health status has held true throughout the three years of operation of this home.
Many have been returned to their own families or
to independent living while others who have been
completely bedfast at the time they came into the
home, are now able to move about with relative
ease and enjoy many of the comforts of their former lives. The nursing center services those primarily in the Chase County area although people
from other counties have sought this home out because of its excellent reputation.
The nursing home operates at an annual budget of approximately $200,000 and employs 28-30
people year round. Mr. John B. Johnson is administrator and has been since the formation of the corporation in 1968. The stock of the nursing home is
owned by Mis-American Nursing Centers, Inc,, a
Kansas corporation with twelve similar health facilities located in Kansas communities the size
of Cottonwood Falls. Future plans of the nursing
center call for an addition to be built to provide
housing for residents requiring minimal supervised
living, but still requiring medical availability close
at hand.
The success of the nursing home has been due
primarily to the dedication of the staff of the home
and the cooperation of all the citizens of Chase
County. More than 34 organizations donate some
time and energy to volunteer efforts of the home
and attention given by the citizens to residents of
the nursing home is truly unique. A dynamic arts
and crafts program, reading, recreational programs,
gardening, picnicing, etc., are common-place with
the residents of the home due to the involvement
of the community and its wonderful volunteers.
You are urged and cordially invited to visit at
any time. We feel that you will agree that this is a
truly unique experience in nursing home care.
Chase County Centennial, 1872 - 1972
by Lorna Marvin
Please submit your historical sketches.
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Tom & Carolyn Ward
for the limited use of the KSGenWeb Project.
Permission is granted for use only on an official KSGenWeb page.
The USGenWeb Logo was designed by Linda Cole.
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