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As Pathways Grant Coordinator, McWhirt will lead efforts to improve health equity and promote sustainable community development in Cowley County. Her work will focus on fostering collaboration among local organizations, managing grant-funded projects, and advancing initiatives that encourage healthy lifestyles and stronger connections within the community.

McWhirt’s background as the Rural Champion for the Kansas Office of Rural Prosperity has prepared her well for this position. In that role, she spearheaded projects to address food insecurity, promote horticultural therapy, and strengthen local food systems. Her dedication to empowering communities through education and collaboration has made her a respected leader in the region.

“I’m honored to join RISE Cowley in this capacity and excited to build on the incredible momentum of the Pathways program,” said McWhirt. “Together, we can continue creating a healthier, more vibrant Cowley County.”

McWhirt is the former Office Administrator of the Cowley County Historical Society Museum. During her tenure, she implemented innovative programs, secured grant funding, and built strong community partnerships. Her diverse experience highlights her dedication to service and her ability to connect with people from all backgrounds.

RISE Cowley and the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas initiative aim to empower local communities to create lasting change. With McWhirt’s leadership, Cowley County is poised to take the next steps toward a healthier, more inclusive future.

For more information, please visit risecowley.org.

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To commemorate the project’s completion, representatives from the Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce, City of Winfield, RISE Cowley, and BCBSKS held a ribbon cutting on Monday.  

“This project is about connections,” said City of Winfield Manager Taggart Wall. “We’re enhancing access to a necessary food source while increasing walkability and safety. We’re also connecting our citizens to more opportunities to be active, such as the walking paths and fit trail.”

The new six-foot sidewalk along 19th Avenue allows for safe pedestrian access to the grocery center and other community areas, including the downtown commercial center and the Broadway Sports Complex.

Wall explained that the new sidewalks improve vehicular and pedestrian safety by separating pedestrians from the roadway and drainage in Winfield’s busiest commercial area where an estimated 5,000 vehicles use the road each day. “I’ve seen people dragging their groceries through the street after a hard rain. This will help alleviate that inconvenience for those on foot.”

The project also helps connect the recently completed Broadway Sports Complex Trail – a paved path constructed under a Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks grant – and the west levee system trails.

RISE Cowley is a coalition of like-minded organizations dedicated to making Cowley County a healthier place to live, work, and play. 

“Providing access regardless of transportation and income means is essential to improving the health outcomes in our county,” noted current RISE Cowley president Sarah Johnson. “This project exemplifies what our coalition and Pathways is all about.”

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“Our coalition supported this effort to make outdoor activities at the lake more accessible to all,” says Sarah Johnson, RISE Cowley steering committee president. “Winfield City Lake is a destination for families to enjoy, and providing this water safety measure removes a barrier for many.” 

RISE Cowley partnered with Winfield Fire/EMS to create a life jacket loaner program at Winfield City Lake. The life jacket loaner board will be housed on the bath house by the swim beach for maximum visual exposure. This location also provides cover to keep the life jackets out of the elements as much as possible. Signage will also be mounted to the side of the bath house with information about the program and how to wear a lifejacket properly.

Jaron Mertz, Winfield Fire/EMS Lieutenant/Paramedic, stated that they have been thinking of implementing the program for a while but were unable to secure funding until Operations Support Specialist, Jessica Dibble thought to bring the program to RISE Cowley. 

Mertz shared that the average response time to an emergency at the lake is between 15 and 20 minutes.  

“We are hopeful that the life jackets will decrease the number of times that Winfield Fire/EMS is called to the lake and will make a life-saving difference as help is on its way.”  

In order to make health and safety a priority, RISE Cowley has set aside funds for mini-grants. These funds help move forward healthy initiatives in Cowley County.

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RISE Cowley partnered with Legacy Regional Community Foundation and USD 471 to purchase an inflatable high-jump mat for the school’s track and field team. The new mat will benefit athletes from both Dexter and Cedar Vale junior high and high school.

Legacy CEO Yazmin Wood shared with the RISE Cowley steering committee that high-jump athletes had been without a mat for two years. Athletes had to either arrive at a track meet early to practice or go to another facility entirely.

“When we heard from Yazmin about the hardships the students were enduring just to participate in the sport, we knew we needed to help,” says RISE Cowley President Sarah Johnson. “This mini-grant meets the mission of RISE Cowley by removing barriers for youth to engage in physical activity.”

Irving Elementary PTO requested that RISE Cowley partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Habits to purchase an adjustable basketball goal. The new adjustable basketball goal will increase activity during inclement weather and allow younger students to play as well. Currently, the school has just one, full-sized basketball goal. The school is hoping to resurface the blacktop this summer and then will install the new goal for the coming school year.

USD 471 physical education teacher, Whitney Killman noted in her application the importance of students getting involved outside of the classroom, promoting being active, building relationships, and influencing good decision-making.

“RISE Cowley approved Irving’s request because we agree whole-heartedly with Ms. Killman,” says Johnson. “An adjustable goal will be an excellent addition to the school property to encourage people of any age or size to move more.”  

Health is a priority, but it oftentimes falls to the bottom of the list of needs as life happens. To help combat that, RISE Cowley has set aside some funds for mini-grants. These funds help move forward healthy initiatives in Cowley County. 

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Health is shaped by many factors, including type of job, economic status, level of education and access to healthy foods and transportation. The availability of data, evidence, guidance and stories has further broadened understanding about health in communities. Improving the factors that shape health often requires a multifaceted approach that involves mobilizing the community to act, considering the impacts of policies on health, working across sectors and elevating voices of individuals with lived experience.

On November 29, 2022, Legacy, A Regional Community Foundation in Cowley County, in collaboration with RISE Cowley and USD 470 Early Literacy Initiative, hosted an innovative and groundbreaking Data Walk event to engage community partners, including frontline service providers, nonprofit directors, city/county/state officials, school district officials, private philanthropies and passionate community leaders, in a meaningful conversation about improving the health of children in their community.

The Data Walk was an effective and engaging way to tell the story of children’s health by using data. During Cowley County’s Data Walk, participants in small groups walked around a room, viewed data posters, and discussed underlining issues and creative policy and system-focused solutions. The participants also had an opportunity to hear reflections from the full group, facilitated by Ed O’Malley, President & CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation.

The Kansas Health Institute worked closely with Legacy leadership to conduct data analysis and design of the Data Walk posters. The following organizations provided funding and support for the event: Kansas Health Foundation, Pathways to a Healthy Kansas — an initiative by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, Kansas Association of Community Foundations and the Charles S. Mott Foundation.

To learn more about this initiative, please visit Legacy Foundation – Cowley Kids DATA.

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Downtown Doc Walks is a free, community walking program led by a local healthcare provider. Meet-ups take place monthly on the first Thursday of the month with a goal to walk one mile. A quick health talk by the walk leader kicks off the event which lasts under an hour. Each month is sponsored by a different Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce business. Walks start at the Chamber office with a stop at the sponsoring business for a healthy snack. No pre-registration is necessary. Simply show up and sign a waiver your first time. Participants earn incentives for participating, including a drawing for chamber checks at each walk. To stay up-to-date on upcoming walks, join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/482425933839903

The first Health Care Coffee Talk discussed Medicare supplement and replacement plans, presented by William Newton Hospital’s Business Office Director Taylor Stonerock and SCK Health’s Director of Revenue Cycle Jimmie Seacat. The next session presented by South Central Kansas Area on Aging covered Medicaid qualifications and free services.

SCK Health’s director of marketing Taylor Schwartz said these initiatives came about during a building session for the local health coalition.

“We are excited to partner with key players in health care in Cowley County. Through the RISE Health Care Collaborative, we are bringing a cohesive message to our community and breaking down barriers to care,” Schwartz said.

Sarah Johnson, director of marketing, strategy and communications for William Newton Hospital, said the education series helps address several unmet needs identified in the 2021 Cowley County health assessment.

“One of the key takeaways from the needs assessment was that our local health care providers have a lot to offer right here in Cowley County, but that many aren’t aware of the abundance of services available close to home,” Johnson said. “Our goal with Health Care Coffee Talks is to answer questions and provide information in a casual format.”

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Over 320 kiddos came out for the 26th Annual Arkalalah Fun Run. RISE Cowley is proud to host this event for the 4th year. Ark City Christian Academy took home the Active Achievers Award among private schools and USD 470 - Arkansas City Public Schools Roosevelt Elementary won among public schools. Thank you to our sponsors, the Arkalalah Committee and KanPak, and to our volunteers including our coalition members, Cowley College athletes, Story of a Runner, and SAFE Kids Cowley County for making this day possible!

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