Public health is about people, said Karen Winkelman, director of the Barton County Health Department. With that in mind, her staff joined Tuesday’s Barton County Commission meeting on Tuesday, where April 6-12 was proclaimed National Public Health Week.
“Healthy citizens are the greatest asset that any community can have,” Winkelman said, quoting from the book “Leading Health: How you and 30,000 Kansans help communities thrive,” by Ed O’Malley, CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation.
She gave copies of the book to each commissioner as she described how public health includes preventing illness before it happens. It takes a partnership with schools and health-care providers, as well as the public, to provide service, education and prevention measures.
The commissioners also took time to recognize Evan Cushenbery, described by Winkelman as a proud supporter of public services for several years.
“As leadership changed at the start of COVID, Evan showed up on my doorstep with the contribution of money to help the mental health of our staff,” Winkelman said. This was used to buy small treats and provide a meal.
“He valued the importance of keeping mental health on the forefront before we even knew we needed it, and he has done that several years in a row,” she continued.
“Last year, I felt that we needed something more permanent. So on our wall in the back of our clerical area, we have the public health logo and our name, which is a very inviting welcome to our department. And this past year, we were able to purchase a backdrop so that we have a place for photo ops and presentations. All because of Evan.”
Winkelman concluded by saying Cushenbery is a lifelong Barton County resident and a humble man. “He’s giving back in a silent way. So today it’s not silent. I want to thank you, and this is a plaque in recognition of your support of public health. Thank you.”
Proclamation 2025-06
National Public Health Week
WHEREAS, the week of April 6, 2026, is National Public Health Week and the theme is “Ready. Set. Action!” highlighting that public health actions occurring through scientific discoveries, legislation and community initiatives have significantly improved the health of all Americans; and
WHEREAS, significant strides have been made in public health since the inception of National Public Health Week in 1994, including the following public health successes to include reduced childhood mortality, smoking rates, HIV / AIDS deaths and lead poisoning and improvements made in mental health awareness and treatment, the impact of climate change and pandemic preparedness; and
WHEREAS, racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States continue to experience disparities in the burden of illness and death as compared with the entire population of the United States; and
WHEREAS, a person’s health status can differ drastically by ZIP code due to differences in the built environment, environmental quality, community context, access to healthy food, access to education and access to health care; and
WHEREAS, public health organizations use National Public Health Week to educate public policymakers, public health professionals and the public on issues that are important to improving the health of the people of the United States; and
WHEREAS, public health professionals help communities prevent, prepare for, withstand and recover from the impact of a full range of health threats, ranging from infectious disease outbreaks to natural disaster preparedness; and
WHEREAS, efforts to adequately support public health and the prevention of disease and injury can continue to transform a health system focused on treating illness into a health system focused on preventing disease and injury and promoting wellness.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED by the Board of County Commissioners of Barton County, Kansas, that the week of April 6-12, 2026, is hereby proclaimed as National Public Health Week in Barton County, Kansas, and we call upon our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers and leaders to recognize the contribution of scientists, local, state and federal legislators, community activists, including public health workers in
(1) adopting initiatives that have significantly improved the health and longevity of the people of our state; and
(2) encouraging continual vigilance to promote health and well-being for all citizens, as the theme states, “Ready. Set. Action!”
Dated this 7th day of April, 2026
Board of County Commissioners
