2021 virtual Open Enrollment |
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All are invited to join an open enrollment Zoom meeting on Tuesday, November 17 from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. to discuss 2021 plan year benefits. Our benefit consultant will join the meeting to help review benefits and answer questions.
Here are a few things to know:
- We are happy to announce that there will be NO increase in health insurance premiums for the associate.
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You can preview 2021 benefits here (PDF).
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2021 benefits have been uploaded in the online tool through Bukaty, and you received a letter a couple of weeks ago with the website and your login information. If you need that information re-sent, please email Cindy Flentie at cindyflentie@chcsks.org.
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This year's enrollment will be a passive enrollment, meaning that you only have to complete the online portion if you are making changes.
- The Zoom meeting will be recorded and distributed for those who can't attend. If necessary, we'll schedule additional meetings.
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Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96201290154?pwd=TU1uZUJPUnpCc0dvZWRJcUpyb3pEdz09
- Meeting ID: 962 0129 0154
- Passcode: 775579
- Dial by your location
- +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
- +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
- +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
- This information will also be send in an email reminder the day before the meeting.
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Please send your questions for the Zoom meeting in advance to info@chcsks.org so we can be ready to answer them!
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In addition to the benefits discussion, we will discuss accomplishments of the Greater Giving program and let associates know how they can contribute. Read on for more information on how your donations help give back to CHCS.
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Greater Giving Wish List grants awarded |
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Greater Giving is a flexible program that offers associates the opportunity to give back to CHCS, which is a not-for-profit healthcare provider. Givers can choose the amount and the fund(s) to which they contribute.
The Wish List fund provides small grants to CHCS departments, long-term care, and clinics who apply for funds to meet program or patient needs that emerge after budgets are established or that budgets can't accommodate.
Congratulations to this year's two recipients!
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Cardiac Rehab will receive an upper body ergometer for patients who need a workout without using their legs. The current option is a bike with an arm ergometer, and it is sometimes unavailable because it's being used or is not a good fit for certain patients. An additional ergometer will also be used by Fitness Center patrons and by physical therapy.
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Onaga Surgery will receive a TV stand and 32-inch TV for the consult waiting room inside the surgery department. Family members of surgery patients wait in this room for the surgeon to visit with them, and having a TV would help give them something to do while waiting.
Questions about how to give? Contact Jill Greene at ext. 5030 or Cindy Flentie at ext. 5026, or tune in to the Virtual Open Enrollment Zoom meeting on November 17 (see above).
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Pfizer announces success with vaccine candidate
Pfizer Inc. said Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine was found to be more than 90 percent effective in Phase 3 clinical trials. The study enrolled more than 43,000 participants and has observed no serious safety concerns. Safety and efficacy data will continue to be collected. Pfizer expects to file for emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration in the third week of November.
“Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO. Read more.
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Looking for an opportunity to help?
If you have a heart for patient care and you're looking for a way to help meet critical staff shortages, you can become a temporary nurse aide! Simply take a free 8-hour online course and onsite training.
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CHCS mentioned in
K-State magazine
Earlier this year, we teamed up with Kansas State University and the Northeast Kansas Healthcare Coalition to successfully fill the supply chain gap of nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 testing in the region. Researchers in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering 3D-printed testing swabs to use at clinics and hospitals in northeast Kansas.
K-State recently featured the effort in Seek, the university's flagship research magazine. Read the online version of the story or download the magazine PDF. In the photo above, Michael Bomberger inspects a 3D-printed swab along with engineers Jungkwun Kim and Dong Lin. Below, a batch of swabs remain in the form after printing.
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Perioperative Nurses Week |
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It's Perioperative Nurses Week!
Perioperative nurses assist surgeons and surgical teams to care for patients before, during, and after surgery. They are highly skilled and use a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
This year's theme, Safe Surgery Together: Strength in Numbers, is especially relevent given the extra challenged posed by COVID-19.
Thank you to our excellent perioperative nurses:
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Jenna Vandonge, RN
Kari Holthaus, RN
Kayla Jones, RN
Mollie Hiltibrand, RN
Kay Lyn Mueting, RN
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CHCS recognized for improving care for opioid-exposed infants and their families |
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Community HealthCare System has been awarded a Center of Excellence in Education and Training for Infants and Families Affected by Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome by Vermont Oxford Network, or VON.
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We've got spirit, yes we do ... |
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We've got spirit, how about YOU?
Celebrate your team spirit on Friday, November 13 by wearing jeans (no rips or holes, please) and the team t-shirt, jersey, or sweatshirt of your choice.
Support your team (high school, college, or pro!), and don't forget to send photos of you and your squad to news@chcsks.org so we can share them.
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The CHCS Spirit Squad has been making plans, so be on the lookout for more fun activities SOON!
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HealthStream due December 15 |
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Associates hired before January 1, 2020 are required to complete training assignments in HealthStream by December 15.
All courses have been assigned. Access your training courses by visiting the For Associates page of the CHCS website, then scroll down to the HealthStream box and click "Complete training."
Any associate who has not completed assignments by December 15 will not be allowed to work until all assignments are completed.
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Coffee Shop special
November 16-20
Shot in the dark
- Dark chocolate and creme de menthe
- 16 oz., $4
Note: Personal cups are now allowed at the Coffee Shop. Please remove the lid and hand your cup to the barista for filling.
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Support small business and find great gifts at the CHCS Coffee and Gift Shop!
We are gearing up for the holidays! We have already added a few Christmas items to the shop, and please mark your calendar for a special open house on Monday, November 30! We'll share more details in next week's edition of the E-Connection.
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Need more CHCS T-shirts?
A new crop of short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts in an array of holiday colors will be arriving in the Gift Shop soon.
If you prefer to order your own, or if you need a jacket or sweatshirt for yourself or for a cozy Christmas gift, we're offering ONE MORE CHANCE to submit a custom order through Blue Chip Athletic in 2020.
- The store closes Tuesday, November 24 at 11:59 p.m.
- Items will be printed/embroidered and shipped free of charge to CHCS in Onaga in time for Christmas (roughly 3 weeks after the store closes). The Gift Shop will distribute orders to all locations via courier.
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Shop at this link: https://community-healthcare-system-2020-2.itemorder.com/sale
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Notes
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In Onaga, the water and ice machine are now touchless! Personal cups are now allowed for water and ice. Please continue to use foam cups for hot water, coffee, and tea.
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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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