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300 SW 10th, Room 431-N
Topeka, KS 66612
785/296-7646
REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE HONORS COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
Topeka – Kansas House Representative Pat George (R-Dodge City) called attention today to four Kansans working to make a difference in their communities and around the world.
“It is easy to only focus on your life and family. But it takes truly special people to reach out on their own time and often with their own money, to help others around them,” said Rep. George. “I have witnessed the impact these four Kansans have had on others who are less fortunate. I applaud and thank them for the impact they have made on thousands of lives.”
At the request of Rep. George, House Speaker Melvin Neufeld issued Kansas House of Representatives certificates for the following individuals for their service to others and their generosity to communities here in Kansas, across the country, and around the world:
- Dr. Laurie White, Dodge City, Voluntary Optometric Service for Humanity/Kansas. Since 1977, Dr. White has traveled to Central and South America to provide eye care and eye wear to the impoverished populations.
- Dan Tasset, Leawood, Co-Founder of ASC Group now known as Nueterra Healthcare. Tasset also established Intregal Life Foundation which purpose is to develop leaders through training, mentorship and capital. The foundation’s mission is to turn young leaders into tomorrow’s business leaders.
- Dr. Ken Gregoire, Norton, Valley Hope Association. Dr. Gregoire joined Valley Hope in 1977 to help alcoholics and addicts overcome their addictions through treatment and care. He is President of the Valley Hope Association which is beginning its 40th year of helping those struggling with substance abuse disease.
- Dr. John Leipold, Norton, Valley Hope Association. Dr. Leipold joined Valley Hope in 1992, following in his parents, Dr. William “Doc” and Val Leipold’s footsteps to save lives, families suffering from the disease of addiction. He is Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Valley Hope Association.
“Kansans are known for helping their neighbors and even those they don’t know – it’s part of our heritage,” said Speaker Neufeld. “I thank these Kansans for going beyond what anyone could ask and making a difference in our state.”
“So much is made of what is wrong with Kansas. I believe these four Kansans truly reflect what is right with our great state. They represent the hope, inspiration and spirit of giving that lives in all Kansans,” said Rep. George.
Speaker Neufeld and Rep. George presented Drs. White, Gregoire, Leipold and Tasset the certificates in a private ceremony in the Speaker’s office.
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Dr. Laura White
Dr. Laura White has been involved with Voluntary Optometric service for Humanity/Kansas since 1977 when she took her first trip to Nicaragua with her father, Dr. Herb White. Since that trip she has traveled to Central and South America nine times to nine different countries with VOSH/KS to provide eye care and eye wear to the impoverished populations. Her husband, Steve Stephens, her two older daughters and her head optician all have accompanied the volunteer mission teams. Dr. White also served as the secretary for VOSH/KS from 1984 until 2005. VOSH/KS is affiliated with VOSH International and mission trips occur throughout the year. The first VOSH trips began by Dr. Franklin Harms in 1972 from Hillsboro, Kansas.
Dan Tasset
In 1997, Dan Tasset co-founded ASC Group, a company that develops and manages outpatient surgical facilities. In 2002, the ASC Group changed its name to Nueterra Healthcare, to represent the "new territory" of outpatient healthcare. Under Tasset’s leadership, Nueterra Healthcare, has developed more than 70 ambulatory surgery centers, surgical hospitals and physical therapy centers in 24 states and employees more than 150 staff members from their corporate headquarters in Leawood, Kansas. Tasset’s expertise in the field is well recognized and he is frequently sought as a speaker on the current
state and future direction of physician-sponsored ambulatory care. He is also CEO of Nueterra Real Estate Companies, a real estate development company.
In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit and community service, Dan established the Intregal Life Foundation, which purpose is to develop leaders through training, mentorship and capital. Dan is a dedicated husband, father and grandfather to his wife Sheila, nine children and nine grandchildren.
Dr. Ken Gregoire
Dr. Ken Gregoire joined the ranks of the Valley Hope treatment team in 1977. He began his career with Valley Hope as assistant program director at the Norton Valley Hope treatment center. He later served as program director at both Norton and Parker Valley Hope in Colorado. Dr. Gregoire returned to Norton in 1990 as clinical specialist for the corporate headquarters. In 1992 he became Vice President of Clinical Services and in 2005 he was named President of the Valley Hope Association.
Dr. John Leipold
Dr. John Leipold officially joined the Valley Hope Association staff in 1992 although he literally “grew up” around the program with father, William “Doc” Leipold, and mother, Val, who played vital roles in making Valley Hope what it is today. Prior to accepting a position with VHA, he taught research, statistics and general and strategic management in the BSBA and MBA programs for the University of Phoenix. He was also in private practice as a business consultant. John was named Vice President of Business Administration in since 1992, and now serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Valley Hope Association
40 years ago a group of concerned Kansans came together in Norton, Kansaswith the belief that Alcoholics and Addicts could be helped. They hired Dr. William Leipold, know as Doc to thousands, to run their first treatment center, Valley Hope. Doc believed that helping those with addictions involved one key ingredient, that being LOVE. 40 years later Valley Hope consists of 25 centers across the Midwest, 603 employees and has helped more than 250,000 clients. Saving lives, families & helping those who still suffer from the disease of addiction. Valley Hope’s mission remains the same, helping others with LOVE.
Dan Tasset testifies
Ken Gregoire testifies
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John Leipold testifies
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