Dr. Richard Wendt, a Lawrence orthopedic surgeon, recently attended a medical education program called “Minimally Invasive Approach to Total Joint Arthroplasty” at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. The program presented concepts and techniques in total knee and hip replacement surgery with emphasis in indications and surgical techniques for a minimally invasive approach.

Wendt is in practice at Lawrence Orthopaedic Surgery and has privileges at Lawrence Surgery Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

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Lawrence Memorial Hospital recently named Patricia Gerbracht as director of case management and social work. Gerbracht oversees a team of social workers, case managers and office staff who monitor hospital admissions and help assure patients’ care complies with Medicare or insurance regulations.

Before joining LMH, Gerbracht served in various case management and nursing positions. She most recently was employed by Inova Health System in northern Virginia.

Gerbracht is a registered nurse. She is completing a master’s degree in organizational communications at Kansas University.

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Lawrence orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal Lintecum was selected to be on the examination committee for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand at its annual meeting in Chicago. During the meeting, experts discussed current research in hand surgery. Lintecum, who practices at Lawrence Orthopaedic Surgery has privileges at Lawrence Surgery Center and Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

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Pratt-based Stanion Wholesale Electric Company, which has an office in Lawrence, recently completed its fourth annual Special Olympics Charity Golf Tournament at Falcon Ridge Golf Course in Lenexa. The tournament has raised $304,713 in the past four years. Otto Buche, executive vice president, is tournament director.

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Trish Hampton has joined the Topeka AIDS Project as executive director. She had worked at Valeo Behavioral Health Care, a not-for-profit organization in Topeka, for 19 years. Hampton, a licensed specialist clinical social worker, received a master’s degree in social work at Kansas University. She has a private clinical practice in Lawrence.

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The Better Business Bureau of Northeast Kansas has joined a national campaign to alert the business community to the importance of preventing identity theft.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, identity theft cost businesses and financial institutions $48 billion in 2002.

The bureau has a Web site, www.bbb.org/idtheft, that provides helpful tips on how to protect files. An educational video can be purchased on the Web site. The video includes victims’ stories and reveals how the crime can occur.

Brochures, which have tips on how to prevent identity theft, are available by sending a self-addressed envelope to Identity Fraud, Better Business Bureau, 501 SE Jefferson, No. 24, Topeka 66607.

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Bob Schmidt has taken over the leadership of Hunt Midwest Mining Inc. as vice president and general manager. He has worked 25 years for Rogers Group, Nashville, Tenn., in all phases of mining operations. He most recently was senior vice president. Hunt Midwest Mining Inc. is a subsidiary of Hunt Midwest Enterprises, which is owned by the Lamar Hunt family.

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Lawrence residents will be among the first in the nation to taste test Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar’s new Weight Watchers menu. Only five markets nationwide are participating in the test to determine the Weight Watchers menu items that will appear in Applebee’s restaurants nationwide in 2004.

The test will begin in mid- to late November. The test will include appetizers, entrees and desserts.

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The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City was introduced during the American Royal’s first business luncheon.

The Agricultural Business Council is an alliance of Kansas and Missouri leaders representing the agricultural industry.

The purpose of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is to build awareness and understanding among elected officials and the community about the importance of the agricultural industry to the region.

The Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City is accepting memberships. Membership applications may be obtained by contacting Nancy Perry, education director of the American Royal, at (816) 221-9800, ext. 135. The cost is $75 for individuals, $300 for associations and $500 for businesses.

The club’s next meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott Hotel. Undersecretary for Rural Development Tom Dorr will speak during the breakfast. To make reservations, call (816) 769-7125.

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Lawrence resident Brian Loving recently completed the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program. He was among 17 members of the KELP class who graduated Oct. 3 at a ceremony in Hutchinson.

Through five training sessions in Hays, Topeka, Fort Scott, Garden City and Hutchinson during a 10-month period, members of the class honed their leadership skills and learned about water resources in Kansas, said Judy Willingham, KELP coordinator. The program is administered through the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University.

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Dana Duellman was certified as an Interior Alignment Feng Shui practitioner in September after studying with Laurie Bornstein, a practitioner and master teacher of Interior Alignment Feng Shui.

Duellman also is a licensed Realtor with Lawrence Realty Associates. Duellman said by employing the principles of Feng Shui, consumers can achieve balance and harmony in their physical environment, specifically in the layout and design of home and office space. Duellman has been studying Feng Shui and incorporating it into her home for the past 2 years.

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Kathie Nichols, a licensed psychologist, has relocated her clinical practice Building Bridges to 5200 W. 15th St., Suite 302. Nichols specializes in child and family psychology and will offer group therapy sessions for children and parents at her new location.

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Rusty Thomas, Lawrence, has opened a new insurance practice, Insurance & Financial, at 120 E. Ninth St., Suite 203. The agency, which offers life, disability and health insurance, specializes in annuities and long-term care. Thomas is a licensed agent in both Kansas and Missouri. She previously was employed for seven years by Northwestern Mutual and was a managing officer with State Radiator for more than 22 years.

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Thirty physicians and staff members of The Reed Medical Group, Lawrence, participated in National Denim Day on Oct. 10. The group raised $225 to benefit breast cancer research and treatment.

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Sylvia Hallowell, a licensed clinical social worker, has joined Shane M. Jones & Associates, in Lawrence and Topeka, after retiring from 26 years of service in child welfare for Kansas Social & Rehabilitation Services.

Hallowell has been a part-time clinician with Jones & Associates for nine years. Hallowell received a master’s degree from Kansas University.

Honors and awards

The Lawrence Workforce Center is among 34 Kansas businesses and organizations that will be honored at the eighth annual Kansas Award for Excellence banquet Tuesday in Wichita. It received a Commitment to Quality Award.

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Jones Seel Huyett, Topeka, was honored at the ninth annual Bronze Quill Awards banquet Oct. 8 at Washburn University. The company won two Awards of Excellence, the event’s highest honor, for work produced for Stormont-Vail HealthCare and Aldersgate Village.

It also received two Awards of Merit for work completed in conjunction with Stormont-Vail HealthCare and Stormont-Vail Foundation.

The awards are sponsored by the Topeka chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.

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Gould Evans Associates, Lawrence, received a Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture from the American Institute of Architects Sept. 19 in Wichita. Gould Evans Associates received the award for the Joseph R. Pearson Hall project at Kansas University.

Coming events

The 13th annual “Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare” banquet will be at 6 p.m. Friday at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. The banquet recognizes 10 outstanding registered nurses in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area. Tickets cost $50 each or $500 for a table of 10. For more information, contact Kari Ziblut at (913) 588-1616 or e-mail kziblut@kumc.edu.

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A career and technical expo will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Gymnasium’s indoor track at Johnson County Community College. The event will highlight career opportunities that don’t necessarily require a four-year degree. Information about employment, salary potential and financial aid will be provided.

For more information, call Minnie Gilmer, director of JCCC Technical College Preparation, at (913) 469-8500, ext. 4710.

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A new networking group has formed in Lawrence called Lawrence Professionals in Aging. The group was developed by Laura Bennetts, Kimberly Hoffman, Seth Movsovitz and Matt Groves to strengthen the ties and communication between those who support, advocate and care for seniors in the Lawrence community.

The group’s first meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Mass. The meeting will include lunch, committee introductions, the mission statement and networking.

To make reservations or for more information, call Bennetts or Hoffman at 842-0656.

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Dave Greenbaum, of DoctorDave, a local onsite computer consulting service, and Borders Books, Music & Cafe, of Lawrence, will sponsor a computer buying seminar at Borders, 700 N.H. The seminar will be at 2 p.m. today.

Greenbaum will provide advice on purchasing a computer and will answer questions. For more information, call 218-9676.