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Sleep disorders topic at St. Rose presentation
biz slt mlee sleep study
Brandi Gruber analyzes a sleep study at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. Gruber will present information about sleep disorders to the public at an upcoming free senior-center program. (file photo) - photo by COURTESY PHOTO
Updated: May 7, 2014, 1:04 PM
Published: May 7, 2014, 1:06 PM

            Anyone with questions about sleep disorders is welcome to attend a St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center special presentation at the Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas.

          Brandi Gruber, director of cardio-pulmonary services at St. Rose, will discuss common sleep problems beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, May 16. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will last about 45 minutes.

          Gruber, who also is director of St. Rose’s Sleep/Wake Disorders Center, will outline services available there. The St. Rose center is the only one in Barton and surrounding counties accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

          “I will cover several topics, with an overview of symptoms,” Gruber said. “Participants can then determine if it might be time to see their physician for guidance.”

          Sleep apnea, which causes interruptions in breathing, is the most common disorder; about one in 15 people have at least a mild form of it, Gruber noted. This includes all ages, but overweight men who are at least 40 years old are the most common apnea patients.

          “If left untreated, sleep apnea and other disorders can cause high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and depression,” Gruber said. “Sleepy drivers also can cause car accidents and other mishaps.”

          Sleep disorders can be related to periodic leg movement, restless leg syndrome and sleep disturbance resulting from night-shift work.

          “We encourage people to ask their physicians for a referral to our sleep center at St. Rose,” Gruber commented. “Patients can undergo a sleep study, which helps physicians determine what, if any, treatment is called for.”

          Steven Ronsick, M.D., is the St. Rose sleep center’s medical director and is board certified in sleep medicine. He is based at the Hutchinson Clinic and sees patients in Great Bend.

          St. Rose is part of Centura Health, which connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.
Dirks fills new safety/security coordinator position at The Center
Jerry Dirks - The Center 2025
Jerry Dirks, originally from Albert, is the new safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation. He brings 34 years of public service to the job.
Published: Apr 1, 2025, 10:00 PM

The first full-time safety/security coordinator at The Center for Counseling & Consultation, 5815 Broadway Ave., is relying on his 34 years of public service to “ensure the safety of our clients and staff.”

Jerry Dirks has served as a safety officer, special investigator, deputy sheriff, police officer, assistant chief and correctional officer at many entities throughout central Kansas. He also has experience with fire safety and Emergency Medical Services.

“This type of background is a good fit for this new position and I am glad to be of service to The Center,” Dirks said. “I have known for years about its solid reputation as a great community resource because of their many services for those who face behavioral-health issues.”

Responsibilities in the position include analyzing electronic cameras and updating when necessary; risk management; staff safety training; oversight of transportation safety; fire drills and inspections; and guidance for clients and staff during inclement weather.

Dirks noted that he eagerly accepts these responsibilities and also is “glad to again be working with a team face to face.”

His most recent position was special investigator for the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, which entailed working out of a home office most of the time.

“I think of myself as a people person and enjoy teaming up with my new colleagues,” Dirks commented. “My experience working with all types of personalities will help me in this new job.

“Also, I still have contacts with local law enforcement and fire officials. I look forward to collaborating with them about all types of safety issues.”

Dirks earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Barton Community College and a bachelor’s in business administration at National College in Kansas City, Mo.

He is certified in first aid and CPR.

Wendy Lockwood, executive director at The Center, noted the safety/security position is especially important now that The Center “is growing in the number of clients and number of services we offer. Since we are a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, we provide not only various therapies and medication, but have also expanded community-based services such as housing, employment and veterans’ support services.

“It is gratifying to have Jerry here to coordinate all our safety efforts as we strive to meet the community’s needs in collaboration with our many partners. Jerry’s extensive background at the local and state levels will be invaluable to us every day.”

The Center for Counseling & Consultation, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, 5815 Broadway in Great Bend, serves Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties. Professionally trained personnel offer: individual and group therapy; marriage and family counseling; community-support services; community-based services; psychosocial rehabilitation; peer support; and medication management. The confidential 24/7 crisis hotline number is 800-875-2544.