Governor Laura Kelly appointed Sherri Wattenbarger, Overland Park, to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.
The purpose of the board is to regulate 16 different healthcare professions in the state and ensure that healthcare professionals meet and maintain certain qualifications. This protects the public from incompetent practice, unprofessional conduct and other prescribed behavior by individuals who have been credentialed to practice in Kansas.
“Sherri is a diligent, thoughtful professional, and she understands the importance of the Board of Healing Arts’ mission,” Kelly said. “I know she will work hard to ensure that Kansas families feel safe and secure when visiting their local healthcare professionals. We are fortunate to have her on the team.”
Wattenbarger, Overland Park, currently works as a federal government attorney. Previously, she was a law clerk to the Honorable Pasco M. Bowman II, of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Wattenbarger received a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, and graduated first in her class. In 2011, she was named Woman of the Year by the Association of Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City, and in 2012 she was awarded the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Community Service as well as the Women’s Justice Award for Public Service by “Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly.” Wattenbarger has served – and is currently serving – on several advisory boards and commissions related to law.
There are 15 members on the board, all appointed by the governor. The board is composed of five medical doctors with a degree from an accredited school who have actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Kansas for at least six consecutive years immediately preceding their appointment; three osteopathic doctors; three chiropractic doctors; one podiatric doctor; and three members of the general public. Wattenbarger will fill one of the three seats occupied by members of the general public.
The governor’s appointments to the board are not subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate.