Flint Hills Community Health Center’s new executive director, Liz Conrade, started her job today.
Conrade, former public relations admission coordinator of the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Newman Regional Health, was recommended by the health center’s search committee. The board of directors went with that recommendation and hired Conrade, Scott O’Mara, human relations manager for the health center, said.
Conrade said she’s had a broad spectrum of experience. In her former job at Newman, she went to area hospitals and promoted the hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation unit.
She said she received two bachelor’s degrees from Bearclay College in Haviland — one in business administration and one in Bible and theology. She also has a master’s degree from Kansas State University in adult continuing and vocational education.
“I’ve been trying to figure out where I fit,” she said in an earlier article in the Gazette. “There are so many things that I enjoy and am passionate about. When I heard that Lougene (Marsh) was leaving — that’s how it fits. Finally all these pieces come together for one purpose. I can have one job for the first time and be fulfilled.”
On Friday, Conrade said she was excited to start her job.
“I’m am very excited,” she said. “I’m ready to get going.”
Conrade said one of the first orders of business is getting to know staff.
“I really want to get to know my staff,” she said. “I want to see what their needs are and their dreams and visions for the (health center) are. We’re all in this together.”
Conrade said another order of business is getting ready for Health Center Week, which runs Aug. 9 through 15.
“We’re trying to determine the best way to celebrate that,” she said.
The goal of Health Center Week is to draw attention to community health centers and highlight what they do for the community.
“We hope to invite senators and various officials from around the area,” Conrade said. “We’re going to do a walk-through one of the days and bring light to what it is we do.”