Franks recognized as 2016 Partner in Progress – Chanute Tribune

Tribune, Art Gallery also receive awards

JOSHUA VAIL

Tribune reporter

Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center CEO Dennis Franks received the Chanute Chamber of Commerces 2016 Partner in Progress award at the annual meeting Wednesday.

Speaking on the award announcement, Chamber of Commerce Board Member Ross Hendrickson, filling in for outgoing president Mark Miller, noted that Franks has only been in Chanute for 10 years.

Hendrickson said that in that time, Franks has made a significant impact in volunteerism, leadership, civic involvement and education, economic and cultural contributions.

His understanding of the needs of Chanute has been an asset as our community has grown and prospered over the past several years, Hendrickson said.

Franks has been involved with Court Appointed Special Advocates, the NCCC Foundation Board and the discussions that led to the creation of the CRDA.

Hendrickson also noted that the hospital has won numerous awards, including a spot in Modern Healthcares Top 100 Places to Work in Healthcare list for eight consecutive years.

In accepting the Partner in Progress honor, Franks said it was the best award he has ever received.

I cant tell you how much Ive enjoyed the time here in Chanute, he said. Theres a lot of stuff were going to do thats going to make you very proud of this community.

He said he has been through tough times, but his family has been very supportive.

Franks said the hospital cant provide everything yet, but were moving in that direction, he said. Look at what weve done, its amazing.

Franks said he has been working in Topeka to help get Kansas to expand Medicaid.

Our money is going to Oklahoma, he said, explaining that states that have expanded Medicaid are getting more federal dollars. Id rather have it right here in Chanute, Kansas.

Franks said the hospital spends $6 million every year treating people who cant afford medical care and Medicaid expansion is needed even if Obamacare is eventually repealed.

Franks ended his acceptance speech by saying how thankful he is to be in Chanute. He brought up his family and the hospital staff present at the meeting to accept the award with him.

Business of the Year

The Chanute Tribune was named the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year at the annual meeting Wednesday night.

Longevity is on the list of criteria for Business of the Year nominations, Hendrickson said.

With all of the changes in Chanute in the last 125 years, Hendrickson said one of the things that hasnt changed is the commitment of the Chanute Tribune to provide local news on government, community and events.

The Tribune team brings neighbors together, he said. Whether it is good news or bad, they endeavor to bring the facts to their readers. In this age of instant information, the Tribune staff works as one to put out a newspaper that serves its hometown.

Publisher Shanna Guiot accepted the award for the Tribune. In her acceptance speech, she pointed out a recent Placemakers Survey whose directors were surprised to find that people in Chanute still go to the Tribune as their number one source for news.

Theres a lot of bizarre stuff going on in the world right now, with fake news and alternative facts, she said. We are more committed than ever to bringing you real news.

Community Investment Award

The Chanute Art Gallery received the 2016 Community Investment Award. Hendrickson said the gallery took the vision of founder Elly McCoy and increased community involvement and broadened the gallerys scope with a vision for the future of the arts in Chanute.

The Chanute Art Gallery is the largest art gallery in southeast Kansas. It has an extensive core collection of art in many different mediums.

Additionally, it has brought in shows that change monthly to showcase the work of area artists, Hendrickson said.

The gallery is entirely volunteer-operated and no fees are charged. It is supported by donations from businesses and individuals.

Art Gallery Board President Bob Cross accepted the award for the Chanute Art Gallery.

He noted that every board member save one was present at the meeting, as the board is a very involved group.

A special thanks goes out to these people, he said.

As far as changes to the gallery in the last year, Cross mentioned the remodeling in the kitchen and work in the bathrooms to remind people of an old-fashioned outhouse.

Cross invited everyone to become a member and support the Art Gallery.

Without you people, we dont exist, he said.

Cross also said that the award is not a finished product.

Its just a start for us, he said. I think youll see a lot more things in Chanute in the next year.

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Franks recognized as 2016 Partner in Progress - Chanute Tribune