Coming soon: 2023 Open Enrollment |
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CHCS Open Enrollment is slated for the week of November 28. Please note the dates and times for open enrollment at your location.
Attendance at an open enrollment meeting is not required, but it is highly recommended. This is an opportunity to learn about the benefits that CHCS offers and ask any clarifying questions. (A link for online enrollment will be provided at a later date.)
This year’s open enrollment is passive, which means that unless you make changes, you will be enrolled in the same benefits you had in plan year 2022, with the exception of Flexible Spending Medical and Dependent Care.
You MUST re-elect or enroll in Flexible Spending Medical and Dependent Care every year. If you do not re-elect Flexible Spending Medical and/or Dependent Care during open enrollment, you will not have either benefit in the 2023 Plan Year.
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Open Enrollment dates, times, and locations
Centralia
- November 28, 12:30-2:30 p.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Onaga (Walsh Room)
- November 29, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
- November 30, 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Holton
- November 30, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
St. Marys
- December 1, 7:00-9:00 a.m., 12 noon-2:00 p.m., 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Frankfort
Westmoreland
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2023 health insurance premiums
We're happy to announce that insurance premiums for 2023 will not increase!
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Employee Assistance Program
Need counseling? Our EAP offers several options, including phone and virtual sessions. Learn more or click on the graphic at right to view 5 reasons to give it a try!
An all-associate Zoom meeting about our Employee Assistance Program will be available November 10 from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.
The meeting will include a brief presentation from VITAL WorkLife staff and time for questions. We'll provide a link in next week's E-Connection and a reminder email that morning.
Mark your calendar for the meeting! In the meantime, learn more about the program on our website. Questions? Contact Human Resources.
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What's going on at
Community Home Care Equipment?
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In Onaga, you may have noticed that Community Home Care Equipment (CHCE; formerly DME) is no longer located just down the hall from the cafeteria. This has raised many questions as to what is happening to the space.
As we started coming out of the pandemic, we were faced with a decision on what to do with Cardiac Rehab long-term. Having the program based out of the Fitness Center worked but was not ideal. We limited access to the Fitness Center during program hours to protect this already vulnerable population. On top of that, we expanded to Cardiopulmonary Rehab, which further ate into Fitness Center hours.
Using grant funding from the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), we are moving Cardiopulmonary Rehab to the space formerly occupied by CHCE. We have temporarily moved CHCE to the basement of the home health building, and CHCE is providing curbside service for the convenience of their patients. When construction is completed, CHCE will move back to the same general area – down to the former kitchen area.
Who else is affected by the construction?
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Christina Hasenkamp and Employee Health, Gordon Beightel, Donna Krohn, and JoAnne Meyers from HR will remain in place during construction. At times, they may need to relocate temporarily or close for a few hours or days when work is occurring in their offices. We will do our best to keep everyone informed when that happens. Remember, this area is an active construction site so please follow all safety signs and warnings when entering!
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Mindy Robbins, clinic referral coordinator, moved down to Meranda Schmitz's former office near the Redbud entrance.
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Meranda Schmitz moved into the office in the Fitness Center and will relocate to the new Cardiopulmonary Rehab area when it is finished.
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Dom Freeman will move to his own office in the new area when construction is done. It will be just off the IT corridor.
We will also be completing the sprinkler system, which will involve the Cafeteria and a portion of hallway outside of and into Sarah Hancock's office.
The majority of the project will be completed by the end of December, although some work with the sprinkler system will continue into 2023.
Thank you to CHCE for being so understanding and helping make the temporary move a success! Also thanks to the maintenance team for making the move happen. A lot of coordination was needed! Finally, thanks to JoAnne, Christina, Donna, and Gordon for putting up with construction!
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Fun fact: in the last 10 years, this area has served as
- Physical Therapy
- The Onaga Clinic
- Administration
- Community Home Care Equipment (formerly DME)
More improvements are in progress in other locations. We'll share updates on those in next week's E-Connection.
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The holidays will be here before we know it! Please note holiday hours as follows.
November/Thanksgiving
- CHCS Clinics will close at 3:00 p.m. on November 23
- Clinics will be closed on Thanksgiving, November 24
- Clinics will be open regular hours November 25 and 26
December and January/Christmas and New Year's
- Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day all fall on weekends
- Clinics will be open for their regular Saturday hours on December 24 and 31
- CHCS Clinics will be closed December 26 and January 2
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Alexis Whorton received DAISY Award |
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At a ceremony last Friday, CHCS recognized Alexis Whorton, RN and Community HomeHealth manager, with the fall 2022 DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing. She was nominated for helping the family of Merlen McClain.
“I contacted Alexis for some assistance and answers to questions regarding the hospice care process. Alexis had previously helped us with home health care. She has been a lifesaver for our family,” wrote Jane McClain in the nomination.
McClain, a Licensed Practical Nurse at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living, nominated Whorton on behalf of the family. She noted that Whorton not only helped the family contact hospice, but also provided ongoing support.
Whorton’s compassion and dedication truly embodies what it means to be an extraordinary nurse. CHCS is proud to count her among our associates
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Healthworks awards scholarship to
Hannah Burenheide
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For the second year in a row, a CHCS associate has been awarded a Kansas Hospital Association Healthworks Scholarship.
Congratulations to Hannah Burenheide, Onaga Acute CNA! Hannah is in her third semester of nursing school at Washburn University and will graduate in May 2023 with her BSN. She will work as an RN for Onaga Acute after graduation.
"I've been a CNA here at the hospital for almost two years and absolutely love it! I'm excited to continue my nursing career at a Critical Access Hospital that values the community members we get to serve," she said.
Healthworks scholarships are competitive and reward deserving individuals interested in improving their abilities to provide quality care in Kansas. Applications are received during January and February each year. Alexis Whorton, RN and Community HomeHealth manager, was awarded a scholarship in 2021. Learn more about the program.
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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Kaylee LaMastus, Patient Accounts Representative in the Onaga Business Office, shared the following WOW experience.
"Our ultrasound pictures had gotten too hot or something and caused them to stick together and melt the ink and ruined our pictures of our lil' bundle of joy. I was able to reach out to Jason and his team in Radiology and see about reprints about a month after our appointment. Luckily, the ultrasound machine still had them on file, and Jason was able to get them reprinted for me. I appreciate Jason and his team for this so very much, as they where perfect pictures and I want to hold those keepsakes forever! ❤️"
Thank you for your kindness, Jason! You delivered the WOW experience. Thank you to Kaylee for taking time to share!
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Have you seen a co-worker deliver the WOW experience? Email it to Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133
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Our Birth Center welcomed three babies in October, and we have photos of two of them to share. Thanks to Lani Bresler for documenting our new arrivals! The photos are beautiful and become special keepsakes for growing families.
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Friday Night Lights Out for Stroke |
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On October 21, CHCS along with local EMS handed out stroke awareness bracelets, wallet cards, coloring pages, and information at area high school football games. This event is called Friday Night Lights Out for Stroke and is designed to help raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of stroke and to BE FAST to call 911.
Saturday, October 29 was World Stroke Day. We have so much we can do if someone experiences a stroke, but often the patients do not arrive fast enough to receive treatments that can help. We were happy to raise awareness by handing out 716 wallet cards, 400 bracelets, and many flyers and coloring pages to community members at Jackson Heights, St. Marys, Centralia, and Frankfort games.
Deb Cain, St. Marys Manor nurse who helped at the St. Marys football game, commented about the night as a great way to get local youth involved, too, stating "My son, Steven, and his friend, Declan Freeman, helped me Friday night, and they earned 60 points for their school quarter for community service."
A big thank-you to the following people for helping make the event a success: Angela White (Holton Clinic); Deb Cain (St. Marys Manor); Jolene Wessell (Onaga Acute); Mollie Hilterbrand (Onaga Surgery); Merica Surdez (Chief of Provider and Clinic Operations and APRN); Derek Surdez (Physical Therapist); Jeremy Brandt (Physician Assistant - Frankfort) and Sheila Talley (Physician Assistant - Onaga Acute). We also had help from Nemaha County EMS and Frankfort EMS. We would not have been able to raise awareness without them!
--Mindy Olberding, Chief Nursing Officer
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Governor declares KS HCC Week |
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Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a proclamation to designate September 22-26 as Kansas Healthcare Coalition Week to honor all the work HCCs have done during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.
Michael Bomberger has served as Chair of the Northeast Kansas Health Care Coalition since 2012, and is also Chair of the statewide Kansas Health Care Coalition Steering Committee. Jeremy Brandt, PA-C, serves as a Co-Clinical Advisor, and Community HealthCare System serves as a Co-Lead Hospital for the Northeast Kansas Health Care Coalition.
Michael is pictured above with Governor Kelly and other regional HCC chairs and readiness and response coordinators from around the state.
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Sign up for Youth Mental Health First Aid
Our next Youth Mental Health First Aid course is November 17. Youth Mental Health First Aid is for adults who work with youth ages 6 to 18 in any capacity. Topics include common signs of anxiety, depression, eating disorders, impact of social media and bullying, and much more.
The course meets virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Two hours of online education are required prior to the virtual class meeting. Register by calling Kelsey Edwards at 785-889-5048 or emailing kelseyedwards@chcsks.org. Cost is $30 for books and materials.
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RT quiz results
Thanks to all who took our Respiratory Care Week 2022 quiz. The top scorers were entered in a drawing to win the prize pictured here.
These individuals received a perfect score: Angela White, Dallas Ruckman, Jaiden Thomas, Melissa Tisdale, and Jolene Wessel.
The winner of the prize drawing is: Jaiden Thomas
Congrats!
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Thank you
Recently I had a medical situation that resulted in an ER visit. My heart was beating so fast, and I was becoming extremely short of breath. My anxiety level was "off the chart!" I saw Dr. Weiser briefly, and he directed my care. Cheryl Bailey was my assigned nurse. She as well as all other available nurses (Ashley Bean, Katie Matzke, and student Shaley Hipp) took immediate action. These nurses, whether patting my hand or saying comforting words, helped so much.
Sheila Talley, PA, gave me updates of what would happen. Sam Jeffers, CRNA, and Cole Alderfer from radiology also provided confident and professional communication. All of it mattered! (I may have forgotten someone, and if so, I apologize!)
I thank everyone for their competent, professional, and compassionate care. We are so fortunate to have this level of care in our community. It is a gift!
--Lavon Sanford
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We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome to CHCS!
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Taygan Fischer: Dietary Aide, Eastridge
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Corina Montoya: Dietary Aide, St. Marys Manor
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Anne-Marie Deters: Barista, Onaga Coffee Shop
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Clay Boyke: EVS Tech, Onaga
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Zoye Murphy: Dietary Aide, St. Marys Manor
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Important reminders and community events
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Onaga Historical Society is holding its annual Veterans Day Program and Reception November 13 at 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. View a flyer to find details.
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Relias courses have been assigned and are available now. All courses must be completed by December 15. Access Relias from the For Associates page of our website. The login page includes a password recovery option. If you need help, please contact HR.
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Coffee and Gift Shop Delights |
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Special
November 7-November 11:
Hazelnut Mocha
- Hazelnut and chocolate
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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Get ready for the holidays!
We are ready for the holidays ... well, ALMOST. Please note the following.
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Holiday hours
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The Gift Shop will close at 12 noon on Friday, November 18 and will reopen at 7 a.m. Monday, November 28.
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Thanksgiving: The Coffee Shop will close at 12 noon on November 23 and 25 and will be closed on Thanksgiving.
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The Coffee and Gift Shop Christmas Open House will be Tuesday, November 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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The Coffee and Gift Shop will be open an extra hour (from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) November 30 through December 22. Other hours are as follows.
- December 23: 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon
- December 26: Closed
- December 27-29: 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- December 30: 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon
- January 2: Closed
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Redbud residents John and Gladys Rempe hosted some special visitors on Halloween. Their great grandsons stopped by for fun and cuddles before enjoying the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Adorable!
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Halloween photos from around the system are below. Want to see more? Take a look at our Facebook page.
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Above: Redbud, Access Services as Pac-Man, Frankfort trick-or-treating, and Terry, our talented courier. Below: Eastridge residents had a sppoktacular Halloween with a scavenger hunt, puzzles/trivia, costume and food juding contests, pumpkin decorating, and a costume parade of Centralia grade school students. Eastridge residents extend a HUGE thank-you to Deb Boyce and Charolene McMullen for the decorations and planning. |
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Below: St. Marys Manor (top two) and Onaga Trick-or-Treat Trail festivities. |
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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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