While it isn’t technically correct to say that Jyl Nokes started in on the ground floor at Heart of Kansas Family Health Care, she has played major roles in the agency’s “exponential” growth during the past 24 years.
Nokes, who began her career at Heart of Kansas in September 2001, will retire from her chief-operations-officer position at the end of July.
A retirement party is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, July 31 at Dry Lake Brewing, 1305 Main.
“I started as a part-time office assistant back when the clinic was known as We Care,” Nokes said. “Over the years, I also have filled in temporarily as the chief executive officer and chief financial officer.”
We Care opened in 1995 in the 3000 block of 10th Street. Five years later, the next location was 1908 12th.
“The following year we received the grant to become a Federally Qualified Health Center,” Nokes recalled. “We are a safety net for people who are uninsured or underinsured through the use of a sliding-fee scale.
“However, we always accept patients who do have insurance. All our services and providers are here for everyone.”
The move to the main clinic’s current location at 1905 19th came in 2003. The name changed to Heart of Kansas Family Health Care in 2009.
“The name ‘We Care’ didn’t really describe our mission. We would get calls from people who asked what we cared about,” Nokes laughed.
To illustrate the growth of Heart of Kansas, Nokes was the seventh employee at the clinic; today, there are approximately 90.
“We have always focused on primary care for our patients,” she noted. “Nevertheless, even in the early years we offered some behavioral-health and case-management services. Both primary and behavioral care have expanded significantly over the years, which led to our building getting a bit overcrowded.
“The answer was renting the annex building for six years and then purchasing it last year to accommodate the growth. This annex, which is just south of the main building, is home to behavioral-health services and administrative positions.”
One of the most important service additions is the full gamut of general dentistry, Nokes commented. Three dentists serve Heart of Kansas patients on the east side of the main building.
“This is so important because dental health is crucial to our overall health,” Nokes said. “We have been so fortunate to recruit three professional, compassionate dentists.”
Throughout her time as COO, Nokes has had a long list of responsibilities. They include: payroll; accounts payable; information-technology assistance; coordination of departments; ensuring the effective use of resources; and numerous other financial and administrative duties.
Nokes wanted to spend her career at Heart of Kansas because “I have always liked the people here and have enjoyed watching the agency grow. Also, I have always liked the work I do; there is something different every day.
“And maybe the best part has been the rewards of working in public health to accommodate those who can’t afford insurance.”
During her retirement, Nokes looks forward to traveling with her husband and “taking one day at a time.”
Brett Middleton, chief executive officer, noted “we are all happy for Jyl and hope she enjoys a well-deserved retirement. She has served Heart of Kansas in so many roles over the years to the benefit of our patients and providers. We will miss her.”
Heart of Kansas Family Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center, which allows it to be a safety net for patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Its professional providers also welcome those with insurance at the Great Bend, Larned and Stafford locations. Heart of Kansas is open to everyone.
