The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) honored employees who reached service milestones of ten, fifteen, and twenty years during its annual Employee Service Awards Dinner held June 5, 2025, an event dedicated to celebrating the people whose dedication and service continue to fuel CHC/SEK’s mission to provide compassionate, accessible healthcare for all.
Now in its 22nd year, CHC/SEK has grown from a handful of staff and into one of the largest community health centers in the nation.
This year’s celebration held special significance as CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai was recognized as a 20-year employee, marking two decades of transformative leadership and vision. In a powerful tribute to her role in the organization’s founding, Postai was presented with the original typewriter she used to write the grant that helped launch CHC/SEK.
“On this typewriter was written a grant that dared us all to dream, to imagine a world made better through kindness, marking the beginning of a journey of vision, courage, and unwavering dedication to healthcare the way it should be,” said Jason Wesco, President and Chief Strategy Officer, as he read the inscription on the gift. “In honor of Krista Postai for 20 years of extraordinary service, steadfast leadership, and a heart committed to the health and hope of Southeast Kansas. With deepest gratitude, from your CHC/SEK family.”
Service Milestones
20-Year Employees
- Krista Postai, CEO, Pittsburg
- Dr. Linda Bean, CCO, Pittsburg
- Carrie Sanders, Certified Coder
15-Year Employees
- Jeanna Keizer, RDH, Baxter Springs
- Jessica Corado, MA, Pittsburg
- Ashley Neely, LCPC, Dir. of School Based Behavioral Health, Columbus
- Reina Wilson, RDH, Dental Care Coordinator, Iola
10-Year Employees
- Dr. Charles Wanker, Physician, Iola
- Lydia McCoy, RDH, Baxter Springs
- Tara Parkison, Practice Manager, Baxter Springs
- Taelor Lewis, MA, Fort Scott
- Jodee Valley, RN, Pittsburg
- Dr. David Andersen, Dentist, Iola
- Nicole Buckley, Billing Specialist, Pittsburg
- Lisa Feiveson, Certified Medical and Risk Coder, Pittsburg
- Tarah Cuppett, APRN-C, Pittsburg
- Kelsey James, 340-B Specialist, Pittsburg,
- Jason Wesco, President & CSO, Pittsburg
- Ariel Harryman, Dir. of Clinical Projects, Pittsburg
Honoring Extraordinary Service
Each year, CHC/SEK presents two prestigious awards that honor outstanding commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
The Sheridan Award, CHC/SEK’s highest honor, was awarded to Ginger Hubbard, Director of Environmental Services, for her long-standing service and deep embodiment of the organization’s core values. Named for Mother Bernard Sheridan, who brought healthcare to the region in 1903, the award celebrates those who serve with compassion, integrity, and dedication.
“This year’s honoree represents, as well as anyone, our core values of service, stewardship, excellence, dignity, and, above all, kindness. Our honoree has brought an incredible work ethic, high expectations, genuine hospitality, a sharp eye for detail, a love of beauty, a sneaky sense of humor and that ever apparent grace that has shaped our culture,” Wesco said. “Ginger, your work at CHC/SEK has never just been about a job. It has been a mission, a calling. You bring heart, warmth, and humanity to all the many tasks you take on and we are all deeply grateful not simply for what you do, but for who you are.”
The Judy Award, named in honor of longtime CHC/SEK board member Judy Westhoff, was presented to Dr. Dan Shipp, former President of Pittsburg State University. A community partner and visionary leader, Shipp was instrumental in strengthening ties between the university and CHC/SEK, helping lay the groundwork for CHC/SEK’s operation of the Bryant Student Health Center on campus.
“He understands that impact isn’t just about scale—it’s about depth. And because of his support, we have gone deeper into a campus community that very much needs us and he allowed us to do so in a matter of months,” Wesco said. “He absolutely appreciates the connection, as we do, between health and learning. And as a result, we’ve found ways to do more, reach further, and serve better.”