Dr. Tom Walsh announces plans to retire
|
|
Dr. Tom Walsh, who moved back to Onaga in 1975 to practice medicine with his father, has announced that he plans to retire by the end of 2021.
“This is my hometown. I love the people here. I have enjoyed practicing here all these years, and it has been a blessing for myself and my family,” Dr. Walsh said.
Dr. Walsh was newly married to Marcia Walsh when he came back to Onaga, and they carried all of their possession in the back of a borrowed pickup truck. They raised three children and now have nine grandchildren. Marcia also worked in healthcare and retired from her position as chief operating officer of Community HealthCare System in 2018. As their children and grandchildren have grown, Community HealthCare System has also changed.
“We didn’t even have ambulance service when I first came here. Things are really stable now, the facilities are wonderful, and we are able to do so many things that we couldn’t even think of doing in the past,” Dr. Walsh said.
Although he hasn’t set a firm date for retirement, Dr. Walsh is ready to have more free time to visit family. His siblings are retired, and his grandkids are growing up. He wants to be able to “jump in the car and travel” and help Marcia with “Camp Mimi” in the summer when all the grandkids come for a visit.
|
|
Ahh, Opening Day!
The opening day of baseball is something every kid eagerly anticipates. It’s a sure sign that spring has arrived. It’s a symbol of re-birth. Every team starts out 0-0, and every team has hopes of playing in October. Growing up outside of Chicago, I was always jealous of the kids who were “sick” on opening day. I knew they were at Wrigley Field cheering on the Cubs! It should have been a national holiday.
Joe DiMaggio once said that Opening Day was something to look forward to – as if something wondrous was going to happen. This year has particular significance, as it’s a symbol that perhaps our long national nightmare is coming to a close. This year, we will have fans back in the stands! It will be real crowd noise – not piped in. Vendors and ticket takers will slowly be allowed to return, helping, in some small way, to bring our economy back. With Opening Day 2021, hope springs eternal!
In talking to my parents recently, I was reminded that the last time I saw my dad in person was in August 2019. We took him to a Twins game, and he was happy as could be with a hot dog and beer watching the game seated down the first base line on a wonderful Minnesota evening. I promised him we are going to another game this year!
As Yogi Berra once said, "A home opener is always exciting, no matter if it’s at home or on the road!"
--Todd Willert
|
|
Celebrate with the CHCS Spirit Squad!
-
Test your Opening Day knowledge: Take our special quiz (click the button below or enter http://bit.ly/baseball-trivia-CHCS in your browser). Deadline: 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 7. Winners (and prizes!) will be announced in the April 8 E-Connection.
-
Stroll down memory lane: Read some baseball memories from CHCS associates. Click the button below.
-
Take photos of your department sporting their jerseys and send them to info@chcsks.org. We'll publish them next week.
- Enjoy a special ballpark snack we sent to all locations!
|
|
CHCS offers COVID-19 vaccine
Community HealthCare System is now receiving its own COVID-19 vaccine allocation and has begun offering vaccine by appointment only at Centralia, Frankfort, Holton, Onaga, St. Marys, and Westmoreland clinics.
We are sharing this information widely. Thanks for helping us spread the word! Details and updates are available on our blog--click the button below or enter this link into your browser: https://bit.ly/39pHnzX
|
|
More travel-related quarantine updates
KDHE has updated the rules for travel-related quarantine again. Unvaccinated individuals who travel to Delaware, Michigan, or Rhode Island on or after March 26 will need to quarantine. New Jersey and New York also remain on the list. Read the full guidance.
CHCS has updated its Associate COVID-19 Daily Symptom Log and Screening Tool for COVID-19. Be sure your department is using the most current version! The updated document is available in PowerDMS.
|
|
Want to receive the vaccine?
Associates who are interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can indicate interest by filling out a brief survey. If you don't have internet access, ask your manager for help.
|
|
Visitor policy update
Changes to the visitor policy are effective today (April 1).
- Hospitalized patients may have two visitors per day, and those visitors may be different from day to day.
- Clinics, lab, radiology, therapy, surgery, etc.: Patients are allowed to have up to two support persons per visit.
- Birth Center patients will be allowed one designated visitor/support person during their stay. Additional visitors require physician approval.
|
|
|
Seneca Meat Market Giveaway
Seneca Meat Market is giving healthcare workers a free pound of hamburger, pulled pork, or pack of brats the week of April 4-10 in appreciation of their care in a trying year.
|
|
Specialty Clinic provider of the month:
Dr. David Cancelada
|
|
CHCS provides an array of specialty clinics in several of our locations each month. Dr. David Cancelada, general surgeon, is our April Specialty Clinic Provider of the Month. Dr. Cancelada serves CHCS patients well because of his range of experience as a 25-year military veteran and specialized training in trauma surgery, tissue repair, and bariatric surgery to assist in weight loss. He is also known for a caring and calming presence that his patients appreciate.
Dr. Cancelada recently took time to answer a few questions. Read on to learn more about his work.
What is your area of specialty and/or what services do you offer?
I am a general surgeon. I do mostly abdominal surgeries to include hernias (tissue repair), gallbladder surgery, appendectomies, surgery for gastro-esophageal reflux, sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss, colon resection for cancer and diverticular disease. Also removal of skin cancers, soft tissue tumors, breast biopsies and breast surgery for cancer. In addition, I do emergency and trauma surgery one weekend a month at Stormont Vail Medical Center, which is the only Level II trauma center outside of Kansas City and Wichita.
Editor’s note: Dr. Cancelada is one of the few surgeons in the Midwest who does Shouldice hernia repair. This technique uses no mesh; instead, the surgeon repairs the muscle tear using the patient’s own tissue or muscle layers with internal sutures. Read a patient story about hernia repair.
Why did you choose your specialty, and what do you like most about it?
I like the ability to help people by doing procedures that restore function or remove disease. It’s very satisfying to see results almost immediately. Of course, there is risk to surgery so a surgeon has to have a certain resiliency to carry the burden of complications that can occur with any surgeon and with any operation.
|
|
Eastridge shifts to private rooms
|
|
Eastridge Skilled Nursing Facility has made an important change: All residents now have private rooms.
This change offers several advantages. First and foremost, it helps Eastridge maintain a more homelike atmosphere for residents. Residents are able to enjoy their own space and room for their belongings, which will make them more comfortable. Eastridge is also able to maintain the consistent staffing levels that are necessary to deliver the highest standard of care for residents. Finally, Eastridge staff are able to better use available space to provide improved areas for resident activities.
|
|
|
Eastridge residents enjoyed a St. Patrick's Day party with green gear, snacks, drinks, and word puzzles (top two photos at right).
Residents had a nice surprise last week when Seneca Florist sponsored an "Adopt a Grandparent" promotion (below and below right). All residents of Eastridge along with several other facilities received bouquets donated by community members. The flowers brightened everyone's day!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CHCS starts pool repairs
After significant investigation and public input, the CHCS Board of Directors has approved the necessary expenditures to repair the Onaga Rehabilitation and Fitness Center pool, and the equipment has been ordered. The entire pool system, including filters, pumps, lines, and chemical regulation system, will be repaired, along with the pool area ceiling and heating and air conditioning system for the pool area.
Thanks to Gordon Beightel for collecting estimates, ordering equipment, and coordinating repairs!
|
|
|
March Madness standings
The CHCS Spirit Squad received 44 bracket entries into our friendly bracket competition. Heading into the Final Four, here's where things stand.
- 1st: Carol Perry, Onaga Clinic, 59 points
- 2nd: Jeanne Devader, St. Marys Registration, 58 points
- 3rd: Dallas Ruckman, Holton Lab, 56 points
- 4th: Leah Zwonitzer and Kayla Jones, tied with 55 points
We'll announce the winner next week! Get ready for your One Shining Moment!
|
|
|
National Nutrition Month quiz winners
Thanks for celebrating National Nutrition Month in March. 50 associates completed the nutrition quiz, and 13 achieved a perfect score! Winners were drawn from the perfect scores. Review the questions and correct answers.
-
1st place: $10 gift card to Coffee and Gift Shop, Charolene McMullen, Eastridge
-
2nd place: All-natural jam, Jason McKinsey, Onaga
-
3rd place: Thermal tote, Lyndsi Morton, Frankfort
--Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian and
Nutrition Services manager
|
|
|
LAST CHANCE to join Walk Kansas!
Walk Kansas is underway! CHCS has 15 teams and 73 participants so far! CHCS is working with K-State Research and Extension as a pilot employer, and the program is FREE for associates. Thanks to all who are participating!
Walk Kansas is designed for ANY fitness level. The program runs March 28-May 22. Find more information at www.walkkansas.org.
|
|
|
Here's to our associates with April birthdays! Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate.
Linda Henneberg, Michelle Blindt, Kelsey Edwards, Amanda Mansfield, Cheyenne Green, Betty Merriman, Luke Perry, Peyton Bowers, Chelsea Shupe, Camden Conley, Meghan Fordham, Paula Schwartz, Terri Meade, John Meriwether, Debra Schober, John Bresler, Nancy Davidson, Kiefer Delforge, Butch Meyer, Susan Tanking, Janice Wenzl, Denise Fritz, Cheryl Holthaus, Paul Egner, Maci Schoemann, Traci Sergent, Irene Hail Gingoyon, Anastasia Peek, Therese Merz, Ashlea Kramer, Irene Kiefer, Michelle Lippert, Brandi Meade, Patricia Kosmicki, Kimberly Lovvorn, Tiffany Sanders.
|
|
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
All of the support, words of comfort, cards, clothing donations, money donations, and household items have all been very much appreciated.
You are all such a great and caring group of associates to work with! We are so blessed by the outpouring of love shown to us by so many. Thank you all, and God bless each of you!
--Myrna Shum
|
|
|
Important reminders
-
CHCS is joining with Children’s Mercy Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Shayla Sullivant to bring “Prepped and Ready: Parenting into the Teen Years” to communities around northeast Kansas. The presentation will be offered simultaneously at nine locations on Wednesday, April 21 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Read more and register to attend.
-
Redbud and St. Marys Manor are both in need of a hairdresser for one day each week to do men's and women's haircuts as well as roller sets and perms. If you know someone who is interested, please have the candidate contact Michelle Lippert (ext. 4478) for Redbud or Annette Engell (ext. 4175) for St. Marys Manor.
-
Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). To schedule, contact Regina Gronewoller, LSCSW, at reginagronewoller@chcsks.org (preferred) or call 785-437-3734. Download and share a flyer.
|
|
|
Wreath encore
St. Marys Clinic repurposed their wreaths from the CHCS Spirit Squad Wreath-Decorating Contest to celebrate more holidays. Here are their Easter wreaths. Thanks for sharing your creativity!
|
|
Coffee Shop special
April 5-9
Latte D'Amore
- Almond and raspberry
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
|
|
|
Gift Shop goodies
-
We have new hair clips, bows, and earrings from J&S Creations. These items are made by Jessica Steel from St. George, KS!
-
Other new items include scented hairbrushes and Bluetooth speakers from Watchitude. (So cute!)
|
|
CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge
|
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
|
|
Did you miss your Connection?
Important information is relayed every week in the E-Connection. If you miss it in your email, an archive is available on our website. Visit the For Associates page, then click E-Connection Archive.
|
|
|
Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|