FDA approves Moderna, J&J COVID-19 vaccine boosters
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A single booster dose of Moderna vaccine administered at least 6 months after completion of the primary series to individuals 65 years of age and older, ages 18 through 64 years at high risk of severe COVID-19, and ages 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure. (These are the same criteria previously approved for Pfizer boosters.)
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A single booster dose of Janssen/Johnson and Johnson vaccine at least 2 months after completion of the single-dose primary regimen to individuals 18 years of age and older.
The FDA also approved "mixing and matching" a booster dose in eligible individuals, or getting a booster dose of a vaccine that different from the one you originally received.
The Centers for Disease Control must still meet to provide final authorization. That meeting is scheduled for today.
We will share additional news about booster approvals in Monday's testing update.
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Three CHCS docs are County Medical Directors |
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They care for clinic patients, they help cover weekends and nights at the hospital and emergency room, and they keep up with the latest developments in patient care and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now three Community HealthCare System physicians add County Medical Director to their list of responsibilities. |
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Dr. Nick Cahoj, Dr. Nancy Zidek, and Dr. David Allen are all serving in the capacity of Medical Director for Pottawatomie, Marshall, and Jackson Counties, respectively. The position entails reviewing and approving clinical policies and procedures, providing medical direction to the county public health director and nursing staff, and providing standing orders for public health clinics and programs such as immunizations, maternal and child health visits, and communicable diseases.
Drs. Cahoj and Zidek are recent appointees. In Pottawatomie County, Dr. Cahoj replaced longtime CHCS physician Dr. Tom Walsh, who also served as Pottawatomie County Medical Director for more than 30 years. Dr. Allen has served in Jackson County for a year and a half.
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Happy Physical Therapy Month! |
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October is PT Month!
Did you know that PT was first documented as early as 460 B.C. by Hippocrates, who wrote about the potential benefits of massage? Much later, in World War I and World War II, the emphasis became working with soldiers who had been wounded during battle to restore activity. Today, therapists see a variety of patients from world-class athletes to our neighbors in their homes.
Please help us recognize the PT staff in your area this month.
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Centralia/Frankfort
- Teresa Koch, PTA
- Nichole Miller, PT
- Stephani Rumbo, PTA
Holton
- Sue Figge, PTA
- Jen Hutfles, PT
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Onaga
- Maribelle Collado, PT
- Kelsey Edwards, Reception
- Chelsey Glatczak, PTA
- Nikki Marten, PTA
- Derek Surdez, PT
St. Marys
- Nathan Bailey, PT
- Linda Christen, PTA
- Doreen Cox, PTA
- Karen Ebert, Reception
- Ginger Flach, PTA
- Matthew Salerno, PTA
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Get ready to celebrate Respiratory Care Week! |
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Respiratory Care Week is October 24-30!
Take a moment to thank the great CHCS respiratory therapy team! Our Registered Respiratory Therapists, or RRTs, are (pictured L to R in photo below):
- Michelle Budreau
- April Wesley
- Troy Myers
- Kas Winegarden
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RRTs cover inpatient needs for breathing treatments, inhalers, home CPAP, education, Vapotherm setup, ventilator and BiPAP, and ABG draws. They also do outpatient pulmonary function testing, home sleep studies, Holter monitor setup and downloads, noctural oxygen studies, exercise oxygen studies, education, and 6-minute walk tests. They are in the process of developing a pulmonary rehab program. Through Community Home Care Equipment, April Wesley offers oxygen, portable systems, nebulizers, CPAP and BiPAP machines, and much more to help patients care fore themselves at home.
This team has been in high demand for the last year, and they have seen an increase in outpatients and inpatients who have difficulty breathing. Our RRTs are doing a lot of research and education and are going the extra mile to help patients. It has not been easy.
"It has been hard physically and mentally. People are burned out, and some are just not kind. But then you see that patient you helped--the one who you and your great nursing team turned around, and they were able to walk out that door when many days and nights you were unsure of it. That is what makes it all worth it. We are a team here, and when we all work together, we do accomplish great things," said Michelle Budreau.
THANK YOU, RRTs!
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Health Fair was a success! |
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Thanks to all who helped plan and execute our successful Health Fair earlier this month. The event went well, and we served nearly 200 patients!
Special thanks to those who worked the early Saturday morning event. CHCS could not have done it without you!
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Alexis Whorton
Irene Gingoyon
Jasper Pie Amper
Edson Jr. Jaca
Merica Surdez
Meghan Vernon
Suzanne Booth
Danica Paloma
Kayla Suther
Manda Thompson
Katie Kufahl
Theresa Dressman
Rhea Bertulfo
Susan Tanking
Todd Willert
Sarah Hancock
Eduardo Bertulfo
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Kathy Teske
Vicky Hurla
Nahtanha Smith
Jeanne DeVader
Deb Dellere
Kim Lovvorn
Christina Hasenkamp
Karen Elliott
Andrea Lutz
Carol Perry
Jason McKinsey
Kay Lyn Mueting
Leah Chamley
Maggie Johannes
Mindy Olberding
Lorraine Meyer
Julie Rethman
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Plan to join the Mental Health Committee's Fall Stress Relief Walk on October 27! Associates will be encouraged to "tag someone" to go for a short 5- to 10-minute stress relief walk during their workday.
All locations are participating in this event, and CHCS will provide a handout with stress relief strategies and a small treat (an individual serving of hot apple cider mix) for associates who participate. We hope everyone will take a mental health minute to reflect on all the positive aspects of our workplace, what we do for others, and how much of a difference we are making in this world!
Thank you to the location leads that will be assisting in this event and reminding everyone to take part:
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Onaga: Liz Murphy and Lacey Niehues
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Frankfort: Lyndsi Morton and Denise Fritz
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St. Marys: Vicky Hurla and Shannon Heim
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Centralia: Shelli Wimberly and Jennifer Traxler
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Holton: Kim Lovvorn
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Westmoreland: Mary Budenbender
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Join a HINK Community Roundtable
The Health Innovations Network of Kansas, or HINK, is holding Community Roundtables to review research and discuss findings to address local community mental health needs and suicide prevention.
The first roundtable will be in Holton on Thursday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Courtyard. RSVPs are required to ensure social distancing. Click here to RSVP. Other roundtables are schedule for Marysville, Abilene, Burlington, and Atchison.
Reminder: Please support HINK by filling out a survey about mental health issues affecting residents in northeast and north-central Kansas by Oct. 31.
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CHCS featured in OSHA Success Story
OSHA recently featured CHCS as a Success Story on its website. The agency noted that CHCS has a "long-standing proactive approach to safety and health" and acknowledged our participation in SHARP.
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Congrats, Hannah!
Hannah Kolterman, who works PRN in Onaga Dietary, is working as a student teacher at Onaga Grade School. She was recently honored as a Kansas State Teacher of Promise by the Kansas State Department of Education.
Way to go, Hannah!
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome!
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Cassandra Petri, patient account representative, Business Office
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Allison Rottinghaus, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Rehab
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Rachel Cain, C.N.A., St. Marys Manor
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Harley Smith, Fitness Center Aide, Onaga
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April Yearout, C.N.A., St. Marys Manor
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Important reminders
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Onaga will host a Trick-or-Treat Trail on Friday, October 29 from 5 to 6 p.m. Your department can sign up for a table by emailing news@chcsks.org by 5:00 p.m. October 27. (Prizes will be awarded for the best table and the best costume!) Please donate candy by bringing it to the Admin office by 4:00 p.m. October 28.
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The deadline for CHCS associates to receive a flu shot is October 29, 2021. Find flu shot clinic dates. Please have your flu shot consent and annual health assessment completed before you arrive. These documents are in Public Folders > Employee Health > Influenza or in PowerDMS (search for Flu Vaccination & Health Assessment). Note: Your friendly Employee Health nurses will give you candy! And a sticker!
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October 25-29
Sticky Candy Latte
- Salted caramel and almond
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
Hot cider is back on the menu for fall!
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New in the Gift Shop
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T-shirts! Get your CHCS T-shirts! If you missed the recent apparel order, stop in or give us a call at ext. 5059. We have short- and long-sleeved shirts in stock, plus women's fleece jackets in pink and charcoal.
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Round Top Collection charms: If you need to freshen your Halloween decor, we have new charms in stock! (See photos, above and right.)
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Deanan gourmet popcorn: Holiday flavors have arrived! We now have cranberry walnut and dark chocolate almond popcorn. Delicious!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Homecoming and Boy Scouts |
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St. Marys Manor residents enjoyed the recent Homecoming Parade, and Eastridge residents were honored to have the Boy Scouts visit last week to demonstrate Native American dances. Photos are below! |
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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.
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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!
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