Programs
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 two dogs, Link and Zelda.
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
Zachery Leeker
NBS Blood Spot Follow Up Program Manager
While new to the NBS program, Zac joined KDHE in 2022 as a special health care needs program manager. He focuses on growing a referral system between newborn screening and special health care needs and a dedicated effort for long-term follow-up for families identified. Zac has a public health background serving in roles for a local health department, advocacy organizations, and not-for-profit charities. Having lost a family member to a rare disease, Zac and his family have advocated for the importance of NBS and have aided legislative efforts in several states since 2005. Zac received a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Washburn University and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Wichita State University. Zac finds passion in population health strategies, identifying barriers of care for minority populations, and creating equitable systemic approaches to early diagnosis and intervention.
Michelle Black
NBS Blood Spot Follow Up Lead Coordinator
Michelle Black is the NBS Blood Spot Follow Up Lead Coordinator for the Newborn Screening Follow Up Program. Michelle has been with the program since 2015, starting with a dual position bridging the connection from Special Health Care Needs to the Newborn Screening Program. In 2017, she took a full-time role with the Newborn Screening Program. Michelle became involved with Newborn Screening in 2002 when her second son was diagnosed with an organic acid disorder that was not screened for in the state of Kansas at that time. Michelle worked with state representatives to provide testimony to the Kansas legislature on the importance of newborn screening. In 2007 Kansas expanded the panel from 4 conditions to 29 conditions. She has been a parent advocate with Kansas Newborn Screening Advisory Council and Heartland Regional Genetics Network. In her professional role she works with the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) newborn screening community and has attended APHL Tandem Mass Spectrometry training. Michelle strives to provide timely information to health care professionals and families so Kansas babies have the best potential to lead a healthy life.
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
Christina Ferguson
Long-Term Follow-Up Program Manager
Christina is the Long-Term Follow-Up Program Manager, leading the implementation of a new follow-up program for Newborn Screening in Kansas. She joined KDHE in January 2024 and brings a background in grants management and a vast experience working with children and families. Christina has lived in Kansas for most of her life. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas and is nearing completion of her MBA. As a mother of two, she is passionate about improving outcomes for diagnosed infants.
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.
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