TOPEKA, Kansas—February 21, 2023—Clint Patty, Managing Partner of Clayton Wealth Partners in Topeka, said he was honored to be part of a decision by a local organization to recognize the entire healthcare system for its response to COVID-19.
Patty is Co-President and Executive Director of Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas. Typically, the organization awards an individual or small group as Kansan of the Year at its annual banquet. This year’s banquet, held on January 28, went much further.
“For the first time in its 105-year history, Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas honored an entire industry at its banquet,” Patty said.
The decision came after a two-year hiatus of the organization due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We haven’t met for two years because of the pandemic. And after everything that we all had been through as Kansans, there was a thought on the board that we ought to take a moment and mark this time to honor those healthcare workers who’ve given us so much,” Patty said in an interview with WIBW.
In past years, the award has generally gone to individual luminaries for their contributions to the state or nation.
“We’ve had everybody from Gordon Parks to Dwight Eisenhower to Bob Dole to Bill Self to Bill Snyder—just honored hundreds of Kansans who have brought a lot of respect and honor to the state and given great contributions both to this state and to the nation,” Patty said in the interview.
Healthcare workers were invited to the banquet and served complimentary dinners. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly presented the governor’s proclamation recognizing the healthcare system as Kansan of the Year.
Former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was the master of ceremonies. Patty said her service as MC was especially appropriate since she served as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services from 2009 until 2014.
Patty added that the contributions and sacrifices of healthcare workers are hard to put into words.
“It’s hard for us to even fully even appreciate it. Anytime there’s a major disaster or something happens in this country, we get the opportunity to volunteer. We get an opportunity to be involved in reclamation efforts. We had no opportunity to do that with COVID-19—it was too dangerous. And so these healthcare workers literally took all of that on their shoulders and bore the entire brunt of that, and it means the world.”
About Clayton Wealth Partners
Clayton Wealth Partners is one of the oldest fee-only financial planning and investment management firms in northeast Kansas. With offices in Topeka and Lawrence, it provides fiduciary advice to help individuals and families manage their wealth throughout all stages of life, as well as to institutions such as endowments, foundations, and for-profit organizations. Visit the firm’s website at claytonwealthpartners.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.