How long does immunity last after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
This question is on everyone's mind, and unfortunately, we don't have a firm answer. Because the virus and the vaccine are new, studies are ongoing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have adopted a conservative stance thus far. In KDHE Q&A sessions, officials have referred to immunity for 90 days following the second dose. Public-facing FAQs on the CDC website and on the KDHE website simply say that the period of immunity is unknown.
Various sources have reported that immunity following COVID-19 vaccination could last many months or even more than a year. Other sources have speculated that a yearly vaccine for COVID-19 will be necessary. At this point, however, it's important to remember that research is ongoing. Updates will become available as research and vaccinations progress in the coming months.
Regardless of the period of immunity, it's important to note that the COVID-19 vaccine has been demonstrated to be highly effective at protecting those who receive it from illness.
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Kansasvaccine.gov
Find vaccination data, answers to FAQs, safety information, and availability updates at www.kansasvaccine.gov.
We anticipate more information about Phase 2 soon!
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CHCS welcomed the first baby of 2021 on January 13.
Baby Kylee Renee Harrison weighed in at 5 lb, 14 ounces. Her parents are Nicole and Luke Harrison. Nicole is the daughter of Deb Rezac, APRN. Dr. Nancy Zidek provided prenatal care. Kylee was delivered by Dr. David Allen, and Dr. Tom Walsh cared for the baby.
Little Kylee will be welcomed home by two older sisters (ages 5 and 3).
Congratulations to this beautiful family!
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Apply for healthcare scholarships |
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Kansans planning to attend college to pursue a healthcare degree or seeking a healthcare license may apply for a Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation scholarship.
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Individual scholarships of up to $1,200 will be given in undergraduate healthcare, undergraduate nursing, advanced clinical practice, healthcare administration, and human resources categories.
- Priority is given to hospital employees who work in facilities licensed for 25 or fewer acute beds.
- The deadline to apply is February 28.
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Meet our Lead Respiratory Therapist |
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CHCS has a new position: Lead Respiratory Therapist. We are happy to announce that Michelle Budreau will be assuming this responsibility.
Budreau is a Registered Respiratory Therapist, or RRT, and handles an array of duties. In addition to seeing inpatients and outpatients in Onaga, she monitors respiratory charges and charting in Cerner. She updates, reviews, and writes policies and procedures relating to respiratory issues and helps maintain respiratory equipment for the entire system. Budreau also handles training and competency for respiratory staff and ongoing training for everyone in the system, compiles reports for providers, sets up Holter monitors for Onaga, and handles concerns from CHCS clinics.
During the five years Budreau has worked at CHCS, the volume of outpatient testing and the patients she sees in the hospital have increased greatly because of an aging population, an increased number of patients with COPD, and increased education time and testing because of vaping.
Respiratory therapy demand has increased dramatically because of COVID-19. Many COVID-19 patients who are admitted to the hospital have breathing difficulties, and Budreau has helped maintain best practices and researched how and where to order necessary supplies. In Onaga, Budreau notes that we have gone from having no ventilator to three ventilators, and we now have a Vapotherm High Velocity oxygen system in Onaga and St. Marys. We are also updating our monitoring capabilities to include CO2 monitoring.
"I am glad to be working with a great team of nursing and respiratory and know that together, we will give the best care possible to our patients," Budreau said.
"Michelle has been a wonderful asset to our respiratory therapy department, and we are very excited that she will be stepping into this role," said Andrea Lutz, director of ancillary services.
Congratulations, Michelle!
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Super Bowl LV is Sunday, February 7!
CHCS is gearing up to celebrate! The Spirit Squad hopes everyone will wear jeans and team shirt on Friday, February 5. We'll also be distributing a game for all to play (with prizes at stake).
Start polishing those predictions and be on the lookout for more details. We are hearing rumors about snacks ...
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Congratulations, Eduardo! |
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Congratulations to Eduardo Bertulfo, CHCS Laboratory Manager, who recently became a U.S. Citizen.
Eduardo and his wife, Rhea, participated in a formal naturalization ceremony on January 15. Eduardo is originally from the Philippines and has been in the U.S. for 12 years. He has been with CHCS for 10 years. Eduardo and Rhea have three children: Dither, Doni, and Maxine.
We are proud of your efforts, Eduardo!
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Join Mental Health First Aid class March 2 |
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The Mental Health First Aid course for associates has been rescheduled for March 2.
This special blended course requires two hours of self-paced online instruction and a five-hour in-person, instructor-led class. The course is limited to 8 associates to allow for social distancing.
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The in-person portion of the class will be March 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Walsh Room in Onaga.
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Online coursework must be completed before participants attend the in-person class.
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Instructors are CHCS's own Angie Sauvage, Licensed Master Social Worker, and Roz Lewis (recently retired); both are certified MHFA instructors.
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CE credits are available!
The registration deadline is February 16; email Marlene at marlenewolfe@chcsks.org or call extension 5002 to register.
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Food truck frenzy
Thanks to everyone who turned out for the CHCS Spirit Squad's food truck lunch treat last week. The weather turned a little chilly and windy on Thursday and Friday, but the tacos and bbq were warm and delicious! Photos from Holton, St. Marys, and Onaga are below.
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Share the love: Give blood
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Coffee Shop special
January 25-29
Peanut butter cup latte
- Chocolate, caramel, and peanut butter syrups
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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What do you call a very small Valentine?
A Valentiny!
But seriously, you shouldn't give your sweetie a tiny Valentine! There's just no excuse when the Gift Shop is stocked with NEW candy, handmade cards, jewelry, Duke Cannon items, and many other goodies (including fun stuff for kids).
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The preorder deadline is February 5 at 3:00 p.m., and orders must be picked up at the Gift Shop February 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- If we have substantial interest, we may be able to make arrangements to deliver to CHCS facilities, but we can't send flowers via CHCS courier. We also can't make deliveries to individual homes.
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
Below: Onaga associates enjoyed playing "Popcorn hoops" on National Popcorn Day (January 19) earlier this week. It's harder than it looks!
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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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