Linda Borror of Ellinwood knew it would be best to have her nursing license reinstated to help benefit Star of Hope International.

After completing 160 hours of academic requirements, Borror is now performing the clinical side of her work at Central Kansas Medical Center. She will use her updated knowledge to better serve SOH, which has its only U.S. office in Ellinwood. Borror’s husband, Barry, is the U.S. director of the organization.

"We go all around the world to provide development and relief work," Borror said. "Our mission is to carry out Christian and humanitarian programs, especially for children."

One of Star of Hope’s immediate concerns is rebuilding projects in Haiti, which was ravaged by the Jan. 12 earthquake.

"I help organize StarTeam volunteers to go to Haiti," Borror explained. "We are working on reconstruction and emotional healing. We also want to add a health component to this work – from personal hygiene to training medical personnel.

"This is part of the reason I want to have my nursing license reinstated," she explained. "If I am formally credentialed, I will be able to have a bigger impact on this healthcare component."

Once the academic portion was satisfied, Borror needed a facility to do the clinical work. It had to have a wide variety of healthcare programs and services, and CKMC fit the bill, she said.

"I can’t tell you how much I appreciate CKMC helping me with my re-licensure," Borror said. "I am 60 years old and had been out of the nursing field for a long time. CKMC had no legal, moral or medical requirement to help me with this.

"There was a little apprehension on my part because so much has changed," she added. "But I am an observer and everyone at CKMC has made me feel welcome and comfortable."

Borror, whose license lapsed 27 years ago, completed the academics through South Dakota State University. She needs 80 hours of clinical work to meet SDSU’s requirements but 180 to meet those of the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

"All of this will help me in so many ways," Borror said. "I will have this up-to-date nursing knowledge and I hope to share with patients what I have learned."

Borror is fluent in Spanish and Creole, and lived in Haiti for six years. She hopes to complete her clinical work by the end of the year and then travel to Haiti."

Borror’s background includes being a labor and delivery nurse at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita and Hays Medical Center.

Linda Farthing, chief nursing officer at CKMC, said the hospital didn’t hesitate to help Borror meet her goal.

"We are more than happy to help Linda with her mission of providing healthcare in Haiti and other areas," Farthing said. "It is part of our mission too. Our team of nurses and other providers are able to offer her a well-rounded experience."

Borror’s tenure at CKMC includes working directly with a registered nurse on the medical/surgical unit and also with Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, which is owned and operated by CKMC.