14 April 2005

Governor Sebelius appoints two to REACH Healthcare Foundation Community Advisory Committee

Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced the appointments of E. Wynn Presson and Mahnaz Shabbir to the Community Advisory Committee of the REACH Healthcare Foundation. Each will serve three-year terms.

“Making health care more affordable is one of my top priorities. A healthy Kansas is a state where more people have health insurance, especially children, and where more of our health care dollars go to patient care, not administrative costs. REACH is an important partner in this effort and the individuals I’m appointing today share my dedication to good health care,” Governor Sebelius said.

The REACH Healthcare Foundation is dedicated to promoting the good health of the community, particularly the uninsured and medically underserved. Its Community Advisory Committee nominates persons to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors for election by the board, reviews performance of the Foundation in meeting its purposes at least once a year, and provides the board with the committee’s perspective as to future actions and emphasis for the foundation.

Presson, Stanley, is senior vice president for corporate planning, communications, fund development and government relations for Swope Community Enterprises in Kansas City. Presson worked in hospital administration for 37 years before joining SCE. SCE works to serve the health needs of the community, with a focus on the Medicaid and un-insured population in Greater Kansas City. Presson also serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, the Full Employment Council, Partnership for Children and the Metropolitan Community Colleges Foundation.

Shabbir, Stilwell, is the president for Shabbir Advisors, a marketing and public relations firm that also offers diversity training. In addition, Shabbir has worked as a community advocate for the company. Shabbir has experience in health care, having worked for St. Joseph Hospital and Carondelet Health from 1984 to 2003. Shabbir has been honored with the American Muslim Council’s Community Image Award in 2003, the Kansas City Press Club’s Journalist of the Year award, and was named the YWCA’s Golden Honoree for Racial Justice in 2004.