KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before he is formally sworn in as governor of Kansas next week, Jeff Colyer has surgery to perform.
Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer will take the reigns as head state leader next Wednesday, but in the meantime, he continues work at the Dermatology & Skin Cancer Center in Overland Park.
Delpha Hutton, who has worked with Colyer for over 20 years at his plastic surgery facility, believes her friend and co-worker will be ready for the job.
“I wouldn't have been with him this long if he wasn't easy to work with,” she explained.
Over the years, Colyer has treated a variety of patients and injuries; from skull and facial deformities in children to gunshot wounds, burns and hand injuries.
Hutton, who described Colyer as easygoing, said the plastic surgeon has developed a strong presence in the operating room.
“When you're in the middle of a surgery, you can't stop and think, ‘What should I do now?’ You have to make decisions and go on,” she explained. “He's a problem solver. He makes decisions quickly."
Hutton believed the characteristics Coyler has shown would carry over well to being governor.
“Listening and problem-solving. It would be really similar,” she said. “He’ll do what's needed when it needs to be done."
Hutton said staff at the Overland Park office had been expecting an announcement on Colyer’s future for weeks.
However, despite his swearing-in now only being days away, Hutton said Colyer continues to fulfill his duties as a plastic surgeon.
She added that Colyer is scheduled to perform surgery on Friday and could be called in if there is an emergency in the days ahead.
With her friend getting set to take office next week and facing issues like finalizing a state budget and school funding, Hutton hoped Kansans would see the man she has gotten to know.
“I think they need to know he's approachable. He’ll care about what their interests are,” she explained. “He won't be able to please everyone."
Colyer is scheduled to be sworn in as governor next Wednesday in Topeka during a special ceremony in the Capitol rotunda at 1:30 pm.
