New Staff Hired for Prairie View Inpatient Services Program
December 13, 2017
NEWTON, Kan. (Dec. 13, 2017) – Prairie View welcomes two staff members to serve in its inpatient services program: Cindy Welton, BSN, RN, and Vince Tafolla, MSW.
A highly skilled clinical nurse leader with more than 40 years of experience in healthcare, including 29 years of nursing experience in critical care and psychiatry, Welton will serve as director of inpatient services. Tafolla will serve as unit manager.
“We are excited to have Cindy and Vince join our Prairie View team. They bring a wealth of management experience to our inpatient services, and an enthusiasm and passion for treating those with behavioral health issues,” says Gary Fast, MD, Prairie View’s medical director.
Welton completed her associate’s degree in nursing from Dodge City Community College and later returned to complete her bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from the Tabor College School of Nursing in Wichita. She worked as a staff nurse and charge nurse at Halstead Hospital, and charge nurse/team leader at Via Christi Hospitals. She then joined the Wesley Medical Center staff and served as staff nurse before becoming house supervisor, providing clinical oversight of a 508-bed facility.
“As nurses, we have the opportunity to provide a gentle and healing hand to those entrusted in our care,” says Welton. “My nursing experience and leadership skills align nicely with overseeing the inpatient services, and my dedication to serving will help me drive the standard of care at Prairie View.”
Tafolla earned his bachelor of social work degree and his master’s of social work from Wichita State University. He worked for Comcare and Sumner Mental Health Center before serving as program director for Generations at Newton Medical Center.
At Prairie View, he is responsible for providing leadership and 24-hour oversight to the inpatient hospital, Addictions Treatment Center and Turning Point, a psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents 10 to 17 years of age. He will ensure seamless, quality, family-centered care throughout the health-illness continuum.
“I am humbled to be part of Prairie View, with its long history of providing quality, compassionate care to the residents of Harvey, Marion, McPherson and surrounding counties,” says Tafolla. “Working in other organizations with leaders in the mental health field will allow me to educate our staff in leading-edge interventions for those with mental health disorders requiring inpatient stabilization.”
He adds, “Our goal is to form community collaborative partnerships with schools, churches, nursing homes and hospital emergency departments to become the leader in providing mental health services to those with mental disorders.”
To learn more about Prairie View or to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional, phone 800-992-6292.