May 7, 2020
Holton Fitness Center update

Last week, I reported good news about gradual reopening plans. So far, the process seems to be going well. I'm told that clinic phones are picking up, we've had some surgeries this week, and I've seen the welcome sight of patients in our waiting areas.

I also have some less-than-good news to convey. We have made the decision not to reopen the CHCS Holton Fitness Center. This decision was not entered into lightly, but we've seen a steady decline in participants and an increase in financial losses there. We informed Holton staff earlier this week, and we have sent a letter of notice to terminate our lease. Andrea has notified members and is working to issue refunds and redistribute equipment to other locations within CHCS.

When considering the closure, we wanted to make sure that our decision would not create a loss of service for the community. There are two other fitness centers in the service area as well as our other CHCS Fitness Centers at Onaga, Centralia, and Frankfort, which creates continued access for patrons to use to maintain their health and wellness. Although we value the support of our Fitness Center patrons, now is the best time to move in a different direction.

Please let me know if you have questions.
— Todd Willert, CEO
Thank you to the Caring Community Foundation

The Caring Community Foundation recently donated $4,000 to CHCS through its COVID-19 relief funds. The donation was directed toward purchase of personal protective equipment to help ensure we are prepared to treat patients.

The donation came from CCF itself, several anonymous individuals, and $1,000 from a Baileyville fundraiser that donated funds to several area hospitals.

CHCS is deeply grateful for all of the community support. "Many individuals have been generous with their time and talents, and we appreciate the financial support," said Todd Willert, CEO.

Hospital Week 2020

Hospital Week is next week, May 10-16. COVID-19 has derailed our plans a bit, but we look forward to celebrating later in the year when we are able to take time to plan and enjoy thanking everyone for their hard work and service.

We'll reschedule our Associate Recognition Banquet , too, so we are able to recognize those with service milestones — and have some fun! Stay tuned, and thanks for all you do each day to care for our patients and for each other.
Radio Q&A

Dr. David Allen participated in a live call-in show on the pandemic on May 6 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. The show was broadcast on Kanzaland Radio: KNZA 103.9 FM, KMZA 92.1 FM.

A recording is available at http://www.mscnews.net/audio/
Supply-chain challenges presentation

Michael Bomberger , director of business development and special projects and chair of the Northeast Kansas Healthcare Coalition, participated in a virtual panel presentation for a Kansas State University class on May 6. The presentation, " Health Care and Public Health Supply Chain Challenges: Examples from the Front Lines of the COVID-19 Response," was open to the public and was facilitated by Jessica Heier Stamm, associate professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering.

Bomberger was joined by Andrew Adams, Riley County Public Health Department Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, and Danielle Marten, Heathcare Coalition Partners of Kansas co-owner and Northeast Kansas Healthcare Coalition Readiness and Response Coordinator. Read the announcement from K-State .
More masks, please!

We've received many homemade masks from area seamstresses. Because all associates are wearing homemade masks, our supply is running somewhat low. We want to make sure we can replace masks that deteriorate over time.

If you have family members or friends who have sewn masks and could make more, please let them know we can use them! If you receive donations, please be sure to email Sarah at sarahhancock@chcsks.org so we can thank the maker. Masks can go to Sarah or directly to Christina Hasenkamp, employee health nurse, in Onaga.
And speaking of masks ...

We've all seen people in public wearing masks or other PPE improperly. CHCS has fielded some questions from area business owners, so we created brief videos to demonstrate correct procedures.

Thanks to Melissa Talley for her help with the videos. We are sharing them on social media and have sent the links to area Chambers of Commerce along with a handout on correct glove use (thanks to Karen Elliott!) and tips from the Centers for Disease Control on wearing masks.
Tracking volunteers and donations

Many individuals in our communities have donated items to CHCS.

If you receive donated items, please let Sarah know so CHCS can send appropriate thank-you notes. When you report the donation, please say exactly what was donated and provide the donor's name and mailing address.
Here are some examples of the donations we have received.

Right: Kynlee and Grace Sauer dropped off May Day baskets for Eastridge residents. Their mom is Jenna Sauer from Access Services in Onaga.

Below left: St. Marys nurses received a special "prescription" for decorated sugar cookies from community member Wendy Johnson. Looks like some delicious medicine! Below right: Girl Scout Troop #1911 brought a thank-you note and Thanks-a-Lot cookies for Onaga staff.
Below and right: Holton staff received a special gift from the Duane and Robin Rieschick family. The large "We give a hoot" poster contained notes and a small walnut owl for everyone.
Find more information

We are working hard to keep everyone informed. Please note the following resources.

  • Updates for the public are available on our blog and are shared regularly on social media.
  • An FAQ document for associates is available on our website. Find it by clicking "For Associates" from the homepage or by visiting this link. Please refer back to the FAQs often, as we are updating as situations change.

Questions? Email covid19@chcsks.org
Happy Nurses Week!
National Nurses Week is May 6-12!

National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale's birthday.

We're taking time to celebrate our nurses this week--see below for some photos! Nurses always work hard to provide the best possible care, but this year, we are particularly thankful for their efforts to prepare for and protect against COVID-19.

P.S. Learn about freebies and discounts for healthcare workers during this special week!
Nurses paused to celebrate.
Above and above right: Onaga Acute nurses and night shift nurses. Right: St. Marys Acute nurses.
Below: Goodies will be delivered to clinic nurses throughout the week. The first celebration was a batch of Joan's famous snack mix for all the clinics.
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Month!

Nearly everyone is experiencing extra stress because of COVID-19 and all the changes we've faced. These circumstances make it more important than ever to engage in self-care and to refresh how to help others going through a tough time.

  • What does self-care look like for you? Is it taking time to watch a favorite TV show, finding new ways to exercise outdoors, reading more, spending time with pets, or something else? Find self-care tips.

  • How can you support loved ones? You can help others by listening non-judgmentally, offering practical help, giving hope, and more. Find more information on what to do, what not to do, and strategies that can help.


Don't just "grin and bear it." Better alternatives are available! Seek help through our Employee Assistance Program, which provides three free counseling sessions. Contact Human Resources to find out more.
T-shirt time!
Order short-sleeved shirts and sporty polos directly from Blue Chip Athletic. The Gift Shop will NOT be ordering stock at this time, so if you need shirts, now is your chance!

Please note:
  • The store closes at midnight on Thursday, May 14
  • Payment is by credit card
  • T-shirts are unisex sizes, so women should order a size down; polos come in women's and men's sizes
  • Orders should ship approximately two weeks after the store closes; the Gift Shop will receive all orders and send them via courier to your work location
  • Items are not returnable to the Gift Shop. The Blue Chip Athletic return policy is at the top of the ordering page, so please be sure to read it.
  • Order by clicking the green button below or via this link: https://bit.ly/2WdSLYi
Welcome

We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!

  • Katie Flentie, St. Marys Manor dietary
  • Pamela Lacenski, St. Marys Manor RN LTC
Root beer floats!

Eastridge residents enjoyed root beer floats outside in the beautiful spring weather recently.
Mother's Day reminder

Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 10! Your mom (or the mother of your children) would LOVE a little something from the CHCS Gift Shop. We have scarves, bath bombs, chocolates, new earrings, beautiful handmade cards, Round Top Collection home decor, gourmet salsas and dip mixes, and much more! Click the flier to enlarge.

Can't come in? Visit our online store ... but do it SOON so we can dispatch your order by Friday morning with the courier!

If you need help or have questions, call extension 5059, preferably 10 a.m. to 12 noon. As always, we accept payroll deduct for purchases greater than $20. Please note that payroll deduct must be done in person or over the phone.
Coffee Shop special
May 11-15

Smoothie , 20 oz., $4
  • Strawberry-banana, blueberry-banana, mango, or peach-pear

Coffee Shop and Gift Shop hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please note: Although our lead barista usually arrives before 6:30 a.m., the Coffee Shop isn't officially open until 7:00 a.m. Stopping by to order a drink or sending orders before that time is OK, but the barista may not be able to fill orders before completing opening procedures. Thank you for your understanding! Also, please help us close on time by visiting/placing orders well in advance of 3:00.
CHCS menus
View menus for May 10-16 for Onaga and Eastridge.

Note: St. Marys menus are changing frequently because of ordering challenges. We will resume publishing menus when we are able. For now, St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.

The Onaga lunch menu is posted on our website: https://www.chcsks.org/about/amenities
Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader Facebook audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org . Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!