The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Newborn Screening and Surveillance programs aim to identify at-risk infants through newborn screening and monitoring. Early detection is important for treating these conditions, preventing health complications from developing, and improving the lives of children.
The information provided by the programs creates a system for data collection used to review and verify reports and conduct any necessary follow-up. Any information collected or received by KDHE is confidential medical information.
Screening is free and available to all families and infants in Kansas to improve equitable access to information, services, and support for newborns, mothers, and families through a data-driven approach. Resources are available for families through KDHE and other organizations. Education and support are necessary for your child’s future learning and social and emotional well-being.
Administrative Team
Drew Duncan
Section Chief, Screening and Surveillance
Drew Duncan has been with the Bureau of Family Health (BFH) as the Screening & Surveillance (S&S) Unit Director and the S&S Section Director since Jan ‘20. Drew also served as the Interim Bureau Chief of Family Health from Aug ‘22-Feb ‘23. In that time, he has worked with the S&S programs and the BFH to foster a culture of inclusivity, align program activities with agency goals and initiatives, as well as increase collaboration and coordination among sections and partners. Programs under his leadership ensure a lens of Quality Improvement (QI) and health equity are consistently applied within their work. Drew was appointed to the agency QI Council in Dec 2020 and is currently co-facilitating a component of the leadership development program as part of this work. Drew currently co-leads the Cross-agency Health and Environment Collaborative which is focused on education, development, and training of the agency workforce on issues related to health equity and environmental justice. Drew has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Washburn University and a Master’s in Project Management from Avila University.
Outside of work, Drew enjoys traveling with his two daughters (14 & 19) and watching them play sports.
Connie Neuhofel
Screening and Surveillance Supports Manager
Connie is our Screening & Surveillance Supports Manager, and she provides support throughout our Section in multiple facets. One of Connie’s roles and passion is working with the underserved population and collaborating with community partners to educate and provide information about the Kansas NBS program and other resources we offer.
Connie is a mother of 4 with 6 grandchildren. When not at work she enjoys her family, sporting events, traveling, and spending time outside.
Shane Morris
Education and Outreach Coordinator
Shane Morris started his career with KDHE in 1999 in the Office of Vital Statistics. There he helped educate doctors, nurses, funeral directors, and court clerks in the completion and filing of all Kansas Vital Records. He joined the Kansas Screening & Surveillance Program in 2020 as the Education and Outreach Coordinator.
Shane uses his interpersonal skills and friendly manner to educate nurses and other healthcare professionals on collections for newborn screening as well as the history and basics of the Kansas Newborn Screening Program. Now that traveling is no longer restricted, Shane has been visiting facilities throughout Kansas to train and assist them with newborn screening. He also visits health fairs and conferences to help inform the public about Screening & Surveillance and the benefits of newborn screening.
As an avid gamer, Shane plays a plethora of board games, but his favorite hobby is playing the world’s most complex game (Magic: The Gathering). He spends his free time with friends and family, including his husband and dog.
Karla Mercado Morales
Support Specialist
Karla Mercado Morales joined KDHE during the summer of 2022 as an administrative specialist. In her current role she supports our Newborn Screening & Surveillance programs in many areas. Karla utilizes her bilingual skills to assist with outreach and education, as well as support our case management team with Spanish speaking families. In addition to supporting S&S programs, Karla can regularly be found supporting other bureau initiatives when needed.
Karla is currently attending Washburn University to earn a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.
Austin Weaver
Data Manager
Austin Weaver has been with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment since August 2022. Austin began learning to code at Highland Community College and continued his studies at Washburn University. Austin’s attention to detail and knack for pattern recognition is a tremendous asset for monitoring the successful transfer of data from the laboratory system to the follow-up system and ensuring accuracy and consistency between them. In his spare time, Austin enjoys spending time with his family.
Blood Spot
Marilee Lowrey
NBS Blood Spot Follow Up Coordinator
Marilee Lowrey joined the Newborn Screening Program in 2020 as the NBS Short Term Follow Up Coordinator. Marilee communicates with providers and parents regarding babies that need further screening/testing. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership and an MBA from Friends University. In her free time, Marilee loves spending time with her grandchildren, reading, and cross stitching.
Dr. Kourtney Bettinger
NBS Follow-up Program Medical Director
Kourtney Bettinger, MD, MPH, is the Newborn Screening Follow-up Program Medical Director and a member of the Advisory Council for Newborn Screening. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine where she practices as a general pediatrician. Dr. Bettinger focuses her non-clinical efforts on public health and medical education with a particular interest in newborn survival and wellbeing.
Long-Term Follow-Up Program
Hearing and Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) (Point of Care Program)
Liz Schardine
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Coordinator, Critical Congenital Heart Disease Coordinator, Kansas Infant Toddler Hearing Aid Bank Administrator
Liz has a master’s degree in Audiology, a bachelor’s degree in Speech Language and Hearing and a license to dispense hearing aids. With 10 years in private practice and 16 years as the Newborn Hearing Screening Coordinator, Liz is greatly experienced as the lead for the Point of Care Program Coordinator. Liz has experience working in clinical, hospital, and state public health settings. Liz is on the board of the Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Deaf Blind Advisory Council. She is the lead trainer for Otoacoustic Emission screenings for Infant Toddler programs, Parents as Teachers, and Early Head Start. In her role, Liz provides leadership in the Point of Care screening and surveillance of all children born in Kansas striving to improve equitable access to information, services, and support for newborns, mothers, and families.
Lisa Elliott
Program Consultant, Lead Follow-Up - Newborn Hearing Screening/Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHDs)
Lisa Elliott began working as an administrative assistant for the Newborn Hearing Screening program in 2006. She currently serves as Program Consultant, Lead Follow up for the Newborn Hearing Screening/CCHD programs. Lisa enjoys beekeeping and gardening, hoping to create an orchard/bee sanctuary on her land in northern Shawnee County.
Hearing
Aidee Luna
Consultant - Newborn Hearing Screening
Aidee Luna joined the Screening & Surveillance Program in 2021 as a Newborn Hearing Screening program consultant. She follows up on babies that do not pass the initial hearing screen. Aidee also does hearing loss referrals for early intervention once a child has been identified with hearing loss. Aidee has lived in Kansas for most of her life and graduated from Topeka High. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her family.
Birth Defects
Paige Leonard
Program Coordinator
Paige Leonard has been with KDHE since October 2022. She began her public service career back in 2016 when she obtained her Emergency Medical Technician license. Since, she has worn numerous hats in the medical field, to include Advance EMT at Pottawatomie County EMS, Occupational Health Technician for the Kansas Army National Guard, and a USAF EMS Program Site Coordinator for the 190th ARW, KSANG. Through many avenues, she has always strived for the betterment of the people of Kansas.
Special Health Care Needs
Sarahy Soriano
Program Manager
Sarahy Soriano joined the Special Health Care Needs Program in July 2024 as a Bilingual Program Manager. In her role, she leads with compassion and clarity, supporting staff and guiding the program toward continued success. Her responsibilities include budget oversight, facilitating team meetings and one-on-one supervisions, and managing detailed reporting across the team.
Dedicated to fostering a supportive and effective work environment, Sarahy prioritizes the development of comprehensive program manuals, as well as the creation and implementation of both new hire and ongoing staff training. Her bilingual abilities and commitment to positive leadership help ensure that the program meets the diverse needs of the communities it serves.
Outside of work, Sarahy is married and a proud mother to a beautiful son. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and staying actively involved in the Topeka community by participating in local organizations and initiatives.
Adelina Gutierrez Zavala
Program Consultant & Financial Eligibility Specialist
Adelina Zavala began her role with KDHE in November 2023 as a Program Consultant & Financial Eligibility Specialist. She is dedicated to working with families who may qualify for the program, ensuring they are connected with the agency’s exceptional care coordinators to help them get started. Adelina is passionate about helping her community access resources that enhance their quality of life, with a focus on supporting underserved populations. She believes in equal opportunities for everyone, particularly in healthcare, regardless of background or circumstance.
Outside of work, Adelina enjoys traveling with her family, seeing the world through her own eyes. She believes that through travel, we not only witness the beauty of the world but also grow as individuals by connecting with different cultures and perspectives.
Liz Del Real
Care Coordinator
Liz Del Real is a bilingual Care Coordinator for the Special Health Care Needs Program. Liz joined the program in 2018. Her key responsibilities are to support and advocate for individuals with special needs and their families, especially the Spanish speaking population in Kansas. Liz works closely with families, healthcare providers and community resources ensuring that her clients receive adequate care and support that ultimately enhances their quality of life. Before working for SHCN Liz worked as a bilingual Para in an elementary school setting. Providing support to teachers and students. Particularly to those who were English language learners, this also included students with special needs. Liz’s passion and drive has always been in helping others and being a voice for the ones in need.
Liz’s has three boys that keep her busy, she loves spending most of her free time on the baseball fields watching her boys play ball.
Alejandra Valdez-Garay
Care Coordinator
Alejandra is a Care Coordinator who supports Kansas families in navigating the healthcare system through our Special Health Care Needs program. She assists with everything from ordering formula for phenylketonuria (PKU) clients to obtaining durable medical equipment for infants, children, and youth with eligible qualifying needs.
Alejandra is a mother of a handsome little boy. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her son; they both love traveling and making memories together.
Isai Sanchez
Care Coordinator
In his role as the designated Program Consultant and Financial Eligibility Specialist, Isai Sanchez works to support the needs of both the Care Coordinators as well as those in need of care by facilitating communication between them. He is of the belief that equity is paramount in healthcare, a value he’s able to exercise in his work in the Special Healthcare Needs (SHCN) program as a bilingual administrative specialist. As such, he’s able to serve populations which have historically faced greater obstacles in the pursuit of healthcare. In his free time, he cares for his ever-growing collection of houseplants!
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