Speakers

“Over the past year, our community has come together with dedication and innovation to enhance access to health services, reduce poverty, support behavioral health, improve birth outcomes, and expand housing opportunities. This milestone is a testament to the power of collaboration between public health agencies, local organizations, and residents who share a vision for a healthier, more equitable future. As we reflect on the past year, we will review the strides made in each goal area.”

Dr. Christina Menager is a licensed clinical psychologist who works at Eastern Kansas VA Medical Center as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager. Dr. Menager received her B.A. in Psychology and Classical Antiquity and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, all from the University of Kansas. She completed her predoctoral internship at Eastern Kansas VA in 2016 and her postdoctoral residency at the Kansas City VA in 2017. She returned to the Eastern Kansas VA in 2020 as a primary care psychologist and joined the Suicide Prevention team in 2023. In her spare time, Dr. Menager enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, cycling, baking, and playing with her dogs.

Sarah Baker is a licensed clinical social worker who works at Eastern Kansas VA Medical Center as the community engagement and partnerships coordinator. Sarah received her B.A. in Psychology and Creative Writing from the University of Kansas and her Masters in Social Work from Washburn University. She completed her clinical internship at Eastern Kansas VA in 2017. Sarah began her career in Suicide Prevention volunteering at Headquarters Counseling Center where she later transitioned to a staff member from 2012-2013. She began her career as a community social worker at the VA in 2017 promptly after graduation from her MSW. She finds her current role combines her strengths of both previous positions to be an agent of change for preventing suicide in the Veteran population at the systems level. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, thrifting, and time outdoors.