Celebrating Nurses Week 2021 |
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The American Nurses Association created Nurses Week (May 6–12) to acknowledge the contribution nurses make to their communities and health systems.
Here at CHCS, we have amazing nurses who provide extraordinary care and who, time and time again, rise to whatever challenge the world of healthcare can throw their way. The last year’s challenges with the pandemic were a testament to the commitment of nurses worldwide. From caring for patients sick with COVID to being support persons for co-workers to volunteering time away from usual work activities so they could help at COVID clinics, the nurses at CHCS were always there, rising to the occasion.
This year, instead of taking a quote from a past nursing leader and reflecting on the inspiration provided, I felt highlighting some quotes from nurses across the system was more important. The nurses at CHCS each are inspirational in their own right. We asked nurses both why they became a nurse and what they loved the most about nursing. Click the green button below to see the responses.
Here is to another great year of overcoming challenges and providing excellent care to our patients. Thank you for all you do!
--Mindy Olberding, Chief Nursing Officer
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We are also looking forward to celebrating Hospital Week next week, May 9-15. Take a look at last week's E-Connection to find a rundown of all activities.
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COVID-19 vaccination data by county
The CDC COVID Data Tracker makes available vaccine data by county. As of May 5, the tracker indicated the following.
Pottawatomie County
Total fully vaccinated: 5,509, or 22.6% of the population
Population ≥ 18 Years of Age: 5,474, or 31.6%
Population ≥ 65 Years of Age: 2,223, or 62.4%
Jackson County
Total fully vaccinated: 4,983, or 37.8% of the population
Population ≥ 18 Years of Age: 4,291, or 49.9%
Population ≥ 65 Years of Age: 1,873, or 73.2%
Nemaha County
Total fully vaccinated: 3,510, or 34.3% of the population
Population ≥ 18 Years of Age: 3,505, or 46.9%
Population ≥ 65 Years of Age: 1,590, or 77.7%
Marshall County
Total fully vaccinated: 4,207, or 43.3% of the population
Population ≥ 18 Years of Age: 4,190, or 56.9%
Population ≥ 65 Years of Age: 1,818, or 84.6%
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Catch up on mental healthcare in May |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so our Catch up on Care campaign is concluding with a community news release and ads about how our providers are working to help patients address behavioral health needs.
Breaking the silence around tough topics such as depression, anxiety, and suicide is important, especially in rural America. Click the green button below to find out more about what research tells us and how healthcare providers can help with early detection. We'll share more mental health info and tips through the month.
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Specialty Clinic Provider of the Month:
Dr. Dagoberto Heredia
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CHCS provides an array of specialty clinics in several of our locations each month. Dr. Dagoberto Heredia, psychiatrist, is our May Specialty Clinic Provider of the Month. Dr. Heredia provides general adult, child, and adolescent psychiatry in our Holton location.
Dr. Heredia diagnoses mental health issues and provides medication and management of conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, ADHD, OCD, ODD, panic disorders, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. Following medical school, Dr. Heredia completed a four-year residency and internship in general adult psychiatry then two additional years of training in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.
Dr. Heredia enjoys his work. “I recognized a real need for psychiatric services in all settings, but especially rural settings. It is a privilege to be able to provide those services,” he said.
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Steve Land joined CHCS this week as Rehab and Wellness Manager and Onaga Environmental Services Manager. Steve previously worked for CHCS as the Rehab Manager from 2001 to 2005, when he left to run his own business, Heartland Physical Therapy. In 2013, Steve became the Director of Rehabilitation at Wamego Health Center. He was promoted to Administrator of Wamego Health Center in 2016. Steve is eager to work in direct patient care again.
“I am very excited to return to CHCS and see so many familiar faces. I am grateful for the opportunity to return to patient care and work with the wonderful communities that we serve,” Steve said.
Steve lives in Wamego with his wife, Angie. They have two children, Jacob (age 22) and Beth (age 18). When not at work, Steve enjoys spending time with family and fishing.
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DME = Community Home Care Equipment
As you walk around the hospital in Onaga, you may notice new signs for Community Home Care Equipment. DME, or Durable Medical Equipment, changed its name to Community Home Care Equipment some time ago, but the pandemic delayed new signage. We finally fixed that!
Now that we finally have new signs, please be sure to direct patients and others to Community Home Care Equipment rather than DME.
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Branding tip
SYSTEM in our name, Community HealthCare System, has no S on the end!
Using the correct name in all written materials and presentations and while speaking about our organization is important. Please check all documents and voicemail greetings to make sure you say SYSTEM and not SYSTEMS. (See official logo below.) Be sure to train yourself not to say "SYSTEMS" when you say our name.
Thank you for helping us maintain consistency in support of our brand!
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Walk Kansas: Weeks 5 and 6
Even if you're not participating in Walk Kansas, you can learn from the excellent wellness materials the program provides. Week 5 and 6 newsletters are now available.
Week 5's news includes obesity prevention, advice on how to stay active even if you are overweight, healthy eating principles, and a recipe for roasted chickpeas. The Week 6 edition explores risk factors for arthritis, managing arthritis pain, the role of vitamin D in joint health, plus find a recipe for foil baked salmon. Yum!
Click the images below to take a look!
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Happy retirement to Jean Calkins!
Jean Calkins, Registered Health Information Technician and remote coder, retired from CHCS last week after six years of service. Her Health Information Management colleagues sent her off with a celebration.
Congratulations, Jean!
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
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Elizabeth Carlson, screener, Onaga
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Grace Wegner, CNA, Redbud
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Maggie Johannes, barista, Onaga
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Jamie Mauldin, patient account representative, Onaga Business Office
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William Flentie, maintenance, Eastridge
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Important reminders
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Spirit Squad note: No more jeans on Fridays! Jeans are allowed only if you are engaging in Spring Cleaning activity. Look for some new opportunities coming soon.
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CHCS is offering Youth Mental Health First Aid to give adults who work with youth the skills they need to provide initial support to children and adolescents who may be developing mental health or substance use problems. An inaugural class will be available Thursday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The course will be conducted virtually via Zoom, and participants are required to complete two hours of online education before the class begins. Cost is $40 per person. View a flyer or read our blog post for more information. Registration deadline: May 13.
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Make plans to donate at our upcoming blood drive! Community Blood Center will visit Onaga Community Hospital on May 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointments are strongly recommended. Schedule online or contact Marlene Wolfe at ext. 5002 or marlenewolfe@chcsks.org.
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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.
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Coffee Shop special
May 10-14
Cinnamon mocha
- Cinnamon and chocolate
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
Swing by for free samples all week in honor of Hospital Week!
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Friday flowers: We will have a limited number of cash-and-carry bouquets available for $17 on Fridays starting this week. Come and take a look!
We also have new teacher gifts and some fun new items for men ... think Dads and grads!
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Looking to purchase Coffee and Gift Shop Gift Cards? You can do that online ... or you can visit in person, or call the Gift Shop at ext. 5059 and pay over the phone with a credit card or payroll deduct.
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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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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