Ep. 30: Karen L. Weis, PhD, RNC-OB, FAAN, is a decorated U.S. Air Force veteran and noted researcher who serves as the dean of KU Medical Center’s School of Nursing-Salina Campus, as well as the associate director of research for the Kansas Center for Rural Health. She also holds the Christine A. Hartley Rural Nursing Professorship. She is a native of the Salina area, working with and focusing on research of various health disparities.

In this episode, Karen discusses growing up on a farm in Kansas before graduating from nursing school and joining the Air Force for 30 years.

She shares about her time as a military nurse, including overseeing some of the U.S. Department of Defense’s largest maternal child units and serving as a flight nurse.

She also discusses her role and the efforts of the School of Nursing-Salina Campus and recent research she has conducted on rural and maternal health.

Listen now, and learn how Karen is a pioneering leader in health care in Kansas.

For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

Ep. 29: Johnathan Sublet is the founder and executive director of SENT Inc. in Topeka. He is a visionary leader with a wealth of experience in driving community-focused initiatives and organizational growth.

As executive director of SENT Inc., he has been instrumental in guiding the organization through critical transitions. Under his leadership, SENT is on track to see a projected $2.5 million in revenue for 2025 and has served thousands of individuals through mental health services, housing initiatives, education, and health and wellness programs.

He is passionate about holistic community development and has played a pivotal role in launching and scaling key projects, such as SENT Prep Academy in 2021, Mental Health Services in 2022, the Southside Filling Station in 2023, the Southside Wellness Clinic in 2025, the Fremont Hill Development beginning in 2025, and a workforce development program aimed at at-risk populations planned for 2025. He spearheaded the successful completion of 29 affordable housing units and led the development of the first new homes in the Hi-Crest area in over 60 years. His leadership has earned SENT Inc. the 2024 Topeka Center for Justice and Peace Organization of the Year Award, and the organization has been recognized as one of 30 grassroots leaders in health equity by the Kansas Health Foundation.

With a blend of leadership, strategic foresight, and a deep passion for social equity, he continues to influence positive change in Topeka and beyond. He has been recognized as one of Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 and received the prestigious Living the Dream MLK Jr. Wayne L. Franklin Religion Award.

Johnathan’s impact continues to be felt in every project he leads, as he works tirelessly to build sustainable and inclusive communities.

Listen now, and learn how Johnathan is a pioneering leader in improving the health and lives of Kansans.

For more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/

Dr. Beth Oller, M.D., Family Medicine Physician, Rooks County Health Center

Ep. 28: Dr. Beth Oller is a family medicine physician at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas.

She graduated from Wesley Family Medicine Residency in Wichita and has pursued clinical interests in maternal and child care, quality improvement, and rural medicine/access to care.

In this episode, she discusses her journey into health care and the decision to become a physician after working as a nurse.

She also discusses her decision to practice in a rural area and the challenges that face rural health care and rural providers, plus much more!

Listen now, and learn how Dr. Oller is a pioneering leader in rural health care.

Forw more about the Health Fund: https://healthfund.org/