06/02/2026
Yesterday closed out Mental Health Awareness month, and while we can not share everything about our personal lives, we would like to take a moment to reflect on something we often remind our patients, but sometimes forget ourselves: every person carries a story that others may not see.
This past month alone, our team celebrated multiple milestones while also navigating grief with recent and past losses along with day-to-day family hardships and tribulations. Through life's highest highs and deepest challenges, our staff has continued showing up with compassion, professionalism, and dedication to those we serve. I am beyond proud of this small but mighty crew.
With permission, I would like to share just a few beautiful moments.
First, I want to remind everyone how lucky we are to have Dr. Shayla Mulligan during a time that she was transitioning her life related to loss. Shayla lost her mom last summer and found herself moving to an area surrounded in awe. Shayla continues to serve our clients while educating others as an instructor. She is also working on a new training program she is developing in partnership with a University of Kansas grant covering practical psychoeducation and de-escalation techniques, focusing specifically on safely managing high-intensity behaviors and recognizing mental health or substance use crises. We are amazingly fortunate to have Dr. Shayla Mulligan on our team.
Next, I would like to give the highest of kudos to a young lady that is wiser in her years than most. Dhamar attained her degree in psychology and now fills a dual role as our administrative and medical assistant. She has painstakingly taken on two pivotal roles of closing out one business of over 10 years and assisting in the opening of a satellite office for us in Liberal, Kansas while simultaneously planning her own wedding. We are beyond blessed to have her talent and kindness.
We are thankful for our esthetician, Bing, from Harana MedSpa as she stepped up and filled a role as a temporary medical assistant to ensure our clients needs were met from mid-March to mid-May all while managing the spa. We also appreciate Stephanie providing a need for our clients by accepting incoming calls as a temporary office assistant. Her attention to detail in transcribing important messages for staff to follow up with is invaluable. Lastly, I would like to share of Steve's constancy in being present as our office manager and stepping up to accept payments, take vital signs, clean offices, take phone calls, etc. while maintaining a full time job and traveling to help care for his mom as needed and move his dad and step-mom from Colorado to Kansas.
Finally, I find myself blessed beyond measure to share my own milestones of accomplishing my second master's degree attaining the title of Family Nurse Practitioner this past month of May concurrent while starting a private practice. While celebration was warranted, it was difficult to find happiness at times when the one person I wanted to run to was my mom. I find it fitting that the 10th anniversary of her passing was also this past month in May; somehow, God knew to help me find a milestone in there some way. I am proud to also share of my daughter's graduation with her master's degree in counseling. Our two sons continue to attain milestones in their lives that are simply forged in resilience.
Today, in June, while we are stepping towards summer months, we simply want to recognize that mental health matters for everyone -including the people who care for others. Behind every appointment, phone call, and conversation is a human being experiencing life's joys, stresses, and sorrows just like anyone else.
Again, as we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage everyone to extend grace, practice kindness, and remember that we never truly know what someone may be carrying.
Thank you to our team for the care you provide each day, and thank you to our patients and community for allowing us to be part of your journey.
