PATRICK'S PEOPLE: Rita Girth has been named a 2013 Woman of Distinction

Overseeing the health care of college students not only involves taking care of their immediate medical needs, according to Rita Girth, director of operations at the Pittsburg State University Bryant Student Health Center.

“The thing that makes college health care different is that it really focuses on wellness and prevention,” she said. “If we can teach them a healthy lifestyle and behaviors, we can help prevent them from developing chronic health problems. It’s exciting to know that we can make a difference.”

Her dedication to keeping PSU students healthy and her expertise in doing so have brought her the honor of being selected for the 2013 Women of Distinction calendar produced by the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Girth compared young people of college age as being like sponges in their ability to soak in information, but noted that this has also made them a favorite target of tobacco companies.

“The companies know that if they can get young people hooked on tobacco by the time they’re 26, they’ll have them for life,” Girth said.

She is currently serving as co-chair for the Tobacco Policy Task Force with PSU biology professor Jim Triplett. The group has been charged by PSU president Steve Scott to look at campus perceptions and opinions on current tobacco policies and bring to him in May a recommendation on how to move toward a more progressive tobacco policy.

“Over 800 universities in the nation are smoke-free, and over 600 are tobacco-free,” Girth said.

Originally from Nebraska, she came to southeast Kansas the day after she graduated from high school.

“My father was a council executive for Boy Scouts, and I grew up in Boy Scout camps,” Girth said. “I have a hard time now passing up Boy Scout tables selling popcorn or Christmas wreaths.”

Don Suedmeier, who died seven years ago, was executive for the Ozark Trails Boy Scout Council, based in Joplin. However, the family lived in Frontenac, where Girth still resides.

“I have nine siblings,” Girth said. “Boy Scouts stress strong leadership, and my father wanted every one of his children to have strong leadership skills.”

At the same time, teamwork is also stressed, and growing up in a large family is a good way to learn about that at an early age.

“I shared a bedroom with four sisters,” Girth said. “Dad made a double bed bunk bed for us, and my fifth sister slept in a cot by it. Now so many children think they need their own room, but I think there’s a lot to be learned from sharing living space, including compromise.”

She started her medical career as an RN at Mt. Carmel Medical Center, now Via Christi Hospital.

“I left a position as a critical care nurse and joined PSU Student Health Services as a staff nurse in 1990,” Girth said. “Then I was assistant director, and became director of  operations six years ago. But when we’re short-staffed I’ll still do nursing activities. I like the clinical side.”

She was instrumental in the 2009 construction of the Bryant Student Health Center, an integrated physical and mental health facility.

“We’re blessed to have this beautiful facility,” Girth said.

She also enjoys the campus setting, with its diversity.

“We get strong support from our administration, all the way up to our president,” Girth said. “Pitt State is a great place to work and be successful.”

She also praised her staff and Dr. Kathleen Sandness, medical director.

“Our turnover rate here is very low,” Girth said. “State benefits play a role, but the work environment here is such that our teammates want to stay. Any work environment can give a person great satisfaction if they are respected, feel appreciated and know they are a valued member of the team.”

Girth is a recipient of the PSU Professional Development Award and participated in Leadership PSU. She is a member of the Kansas Nurses Association, American College Health Association and is current present of the Central College Health Association.

With all of this, Girth has still found time to shift to some hobbies that she lost track of while raising her two daughters, now adults.

“We’ve got 80 acres near Bone Creek that we use as a weekend get-away,” she said. “I’ve learned how to tile, and we put in a hardwood floor, which I finished and stained. I also finished the kitchen cabinets and put a stone front on the cabin.”

Girth said she is guided by the memory of her parents who, when in their 50s, learned to play guitar and started playing at their church.

“The process of learning new skills is something that will be ongoing for me,” she said. “I’ve always got a project in my back pocket.”