Lawrence Landscape Inc. employees David Coffman, Ottawa, and Jason Eaton, Lawrence, have attained accreditation as certified landscape technicians through the Professional Landcare Network, known as PLANET.

The international certification program’s objectives are to raise the standards of the profession, encourage self-assessment by offering guidelines for achievement, identify persons with acceptable knowledge of principles and practices of the profession, recognize professionals who have demonstrated a high level of competence, and improve professional performance.

The one-day certification test included hands-on and written problems, ranging from first-aid and safety equipment use. Candidates were judged on work methods for adherence to best practices and safety ideals.

¢ Jessica Peterson, of Peterson Chiropractic/Lawrence Community Chiropractic, recently attended an activator conference and attained a proficiency rating in Activator Method Technique. Activator method is a gentle, low-force instrument adjusting technique that is a widely used low-force chiropractic technique. Peterson received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kansas University and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College.

¢ Lawrence Memorial Hospital recently named Karily Bayliff director of the Wound Healing Center. Bayliff directs general operations including marketing, education, finance, employee and physician relations.

The center treats patients with traumatic wounds and chronic nonhealing wounds due to diabetes, circulatory problems or other illnesses. The center also has two hyperbaric oxygen chambers to help patients heal wounds and recuperate after radiation treatments.

Bayliff previously was director of provider relations at Select Specialty Hospital in Topeka.

¢ Ann Gabel has joined Lawrence Memorial Hospital as director of education. Gabel is responsible for directing the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s educational and developmental programs. These programs are provided for staff, students and leaders. Gabel formerly worked at Saint Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., as a clinical education specialist.

¢ Delta Dental of Kansas, Wichita, has selected Dr. Christina Gore as the company’s vice president of professional affairs and dental director. She will direct the ongoing development and management of the dentist networks and provide strategic leadership for the professional affairs department.

¢ Frontier Farm Credit is accepting applications for $1,000 scholarships to be given for the 2006-2007 academic year. One scholarship will be given from each of Frontier Farm Credit’s offices, which include Lawrence and Ottawa. Additionally, one at-large scholarship will be given to a student completing study in a community or vocational college program.

Recipients must be customers or dependents of Frontier Farm Credit customers and enrolled as full-time students during 2006-2007 school year.

Applications must be received by March 31. Complete scholarship information and the application form can be obtained by calling (877) 744-7144 or from the Web site, www.frontierfarmcredit.com.

¢ Advanced Homecare, 2500 W. 31st St., is using National Homecare Month to highlight evidence that care of patients in their own homes is cost-effective, clinically effective and preferred by patients.

Sandra London-Leib, owner of Advance Homecare, says that such care is a vital part of the state’s heath care infrastructure, and that such care is preferred by patients and their families.

¢ Dr. Carla Phipps attended a The Mesotherapy Medical Conference, Nov. 11-12 in Las Vegas. The conference, led by Dr. Leo Capobianco, of Empire Medical Training, covered nonsurgical cosmetic enhancements. Popular features include cellulite removal; spot fat reductions, including the chin and under the eyes; body contouring of the arms, back and legs; and the “Non-Surgical Face Lift.” Hands-on training was provided. Phipps is adding mesotherapy to her list of laser and botox services she currently offers at the Laser Cosmetic Center, located at Lawrence Family Practice Center.

¢ The Kansas Association of Insurance Agents elected Duane Becker, Lawrence, to serve on the board of directors during its annual Management and Leadership Conference in October in Overland Park.

Becker is insurance operations manager with Charlton Manley Inc. in Lawrence. He began his insurance career almost 30 years ago with Kansas Farm Bureau Insurance, servicing several counties around Kansas. He later worked as a producer for Commercial Insurance Corp. of Topeka and went on to become a partner in the Becker Lassen Insurance Agency in Topeka. He joined Charlton Manley Inc. in 1998 as a personal lines/small commercial lines manager.

Honors and awards

Andrew Ramirez, general counsel for Lawrence Memorial Hospital and chairman of the Healthcare Department of Lathrop & Gage, was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for its 2006 edition. Best Lawyers is considered the pre-eminent legal referral guide in the U.S. with listing based on a peer review survey of 18,000 leading attorneys throughout the country.

Ramirez, of Lawrence, has represented LMH since his appointment by CEO Gene Meyer and the Board of Trustees in 1999. Ramirez joined Lathrop & Gage on March 1, 2001, to concentrate his practice on the highly-regulated health care industry.

Coming events

Pawsh Wash will have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at 1520 Wakarusa Drive, Suite C. The business will be host to the Humane Society Christmas Tree fundraiser. The tree will be at Pawsh Wash, where raffle tickets can be purchased. A drawing for the tree will be Dec. 4.

¢ The Twilight Chapter of the American Business Women’s Assn. will have its monthly meeting Monday at the American Legion building. Networking begins at 6 p.m., and the dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The Tonganoxie Chieftain singers, who have been invited to perform in New York City in March, will provide the program.

¢ The Lawrence Apple User’s Group 2.0 will have a meeting “Holiday Buying Guide” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Signs of Life bookstore’s community room at 722 Mass. Local Apple experts will offer advice on Macintosh and iPod products. The meeting is open to the public. For more information, click on www.laugks.org or contact Dave Greenbaum by e-mail at dsg@mac.com.