Governor Laura Kelly appointed Melissa Warfield, Topeka, and Janet Schalansky, Topeka, to the Quality Care Improvement Panel.  

The panel administers and selects the reimbursements of monies in the quality care assessment fund. It reports to Senate and House committees on quality and efficiency outcomes in nursing home facilities, as well as resident satisfaction and recommendations.  

“Elder people in Kansas deserve a high level of support and accountability when it comes to their care,” Kelly said. “I know that the Quality Care Improvement Panel will benefit from the high levels of skill and professionalism Janet and Melissa bring to the table.”  

The governor appoints four people to the panel. One person is to be a member of the Kansas Adults Care Executives Association (KACE); one must be a skilled nursing care facility resident or a family member of such a resident; one is to be from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS); and one is to be from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).  

Warfield currently works as the director of Fiscal and Program Evaluation at KDADS. She is serving as the KDADS designee to the council.  

Schalansky formerly served as secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, and is retired from her most recent position as the CEO of the Kansas Children’s Service League. Schalansky serves the panel as the family member of a care facility resident.