Business briefs
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 09:32 a.m., July 5, 2008
Updated 09:32 a.m., July 5, 2008
Elected to board
Gene L. Merry of Burlington, a managing partner of the real estate development firm Merry Investments of Burlington, was elected to the Kansas Humanities Council board of directors. Merry was elected to a three-year term that began in March 2008. He also served as Coffey County commissioner for 12 years and was mayor of Burlington for eight years. In addition, he has served on boards across the state, including the Kansas Sampler Foundation, the Kansas Association of Counties and the Kansas Energy Council.
Psychiatrist joins
mental health center
Dr. Rohit Patel is now seeing patients at the Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas, where he is the third full-time psychiatrist on staff.
Dr. Patel earned his medical degree from J.J.M. Medical College in Karnakaka, India, and completed his residency program at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. He had a fellowship in geriatric psychiatry with the West Chester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., and the New York Medical School.
He has practiced in Oak Park, Ill., and Schenectady, N.Y., as well as in India, and in Kansas at Larned State Hospital, where he served in the child and adolescent, adult and geriatric units and in the forensic psychiatric unit. His most recent assignment before coming to Emporia was at the Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility.
First year is productive
Shane Doudna’s first year as a Farm Bureau Financial Services agent has ended with accolades from his company.
He received the Elite Blue Vase Award, which Farm Bureau Financial Services gives to agents who have excelled in production and service during their first 90 days as an agent.
Doudna also won the company’s New Career Challenge, which recognizes life-insurance production during an agent’s first 12 months.
Doudna’s office is at 915 Commercial St.
Sonic ‘crew’
in the running
The employees of Emporia’s Sonic Drive-In are in the final 300 groups seeking a spot in the 14th annual Dr. Pepper Sonic Games, a competition that recognizes the best Sonic Drive-Ins in the country.
More than 2,700 Sonics began the competition, a nine-month Olympic-style event that evaluates individual “crew members” in food delivery, drink preparation, service delivery and food preparation. Participants compete as individuals and teams for the chance to be named national finalists at Sonic’s national convention this fall in Orlando, Fla.