February 23, 2023
Save the date: Spring Health Fair
CHCS will hold a Health Fair with low-cost labs in Holton and St. Marys on April 29.

Public communication/marketing will begin soon. Handouts to inform patients will arrive at clinics today or tomorrow. Please help spread the word!

We will need staff to work at these events! Look for a signup in next week's E-Connection.
Come on over!
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Community Home Care Equipment invite all associates to an open house on Tuesday, February 28 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Stop by to take a look at the new space, learn about our services, and enjoy some snacks!
Struggling with stress
During American Heart Month, we are exploring heart disease risk factors each week and how to reduce risk. Everyone struggles with stress sometimes, but chronic stress is hard on your heart. Learning how to cope with stress can help improve your heart health.

Thank you to Meranda Schmitz, RN and Cardiopulmonary Rehab Nurse, for providing great information to help us learn about heart health this month!
Virtual counseling is available
You may be wondering how virtual counseling differs from in-person, face-to-face counseling and whether it would work for you. Watch a 2-minute video to hear about the advantages of virtual, on-demand counseling through our VITAL WorkLife Employee Assistance Program.

Need to access resources? Start here.
Order CHCS apparel by March 2
The CHCS apparel store through Blue Chip Athletic is now open! The store offers CHCS T-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, and other items that have been available in previous stores. New this time: Button-down shirts.

View a flyer or click the image at right to expand.

Please note:

  • The online store closes on March 2 at 11:59 p.m. You have two weeks to order!
  • Payment is by credit or debit card through the online store.
  • When you check out, under Shipping, select "Pick up" then "Ship to coordinator" (this is free for you). Items will ship to Onaga and we will send out to appropriate locations.
  • Items will ship roughly three weeks after the store closes.
  • You will be asked for your address in the Payment section. This is NOT for shipping--just to validate your credit card.
  • SAMPLES will NOT be available this time.
Nominate a nurse for the DAISY Award
We look forward to recognizing nurses for the extraordinary care they give to our patients each spring and fall through the DAISY Award. Nominations for the spring 2023 award are due March 17.

Know someone who'd like to nominate a nurse? Direct them to our online nomination form or have them ask for a hard copy form at their clinic. A note to nominators: In describing why you are nominating a nurse, please provide as many details as possible.
Community events and important reminders

  • Pottawatomie County Fairgrounds is hosting a Chili Celebration on Sunday, February 26. Join a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12:30 p.m., enjoy a chili dinner from 1:00 to 4:00, and participate in a dessert silent auction and a live auction. Proceeds go to the new building project! Find the details.


  • The Kansas Hospital Association invites scholarship applications from those currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited Kansas school for health care. Awards will be given in undergraduate health care (non-nursing), undergraduate nursing, advanced clinical practice, health care administration, and human resources categories. Applications are due March 10. Learn more and apply.

  • EMT and Advanced EMT classes will be available at Jackson County EMS in Holton starting March 13 and 14. Scholarships, grants, and financial assistance are available for those who qualify. Find more info.

  • Free financial planning consultations are available through Two West. Schedule a time. Have questions or need assistance with your retirement plan? Contact our plan consultant, Mike Curran, anytime at 913-475-3684 (cell) or 913-647-8376 (office) or via email at mike@twowestadvisors.com.
Here's to our associates with March birthdays. Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate! 

Cheryl Shepherd, Erica Smith, Shelli Wimberly, Theresa Meade, William Flentie, Stephen Cabler, Karen Koelzer, Gracie Frakes, Julie Wren, Alexis Herrman, Briana Smith, Crystal Correll, Amanda Monteleone, Keeley Earp, Trevor Shuler, Melissa Goulart, Julie Rethman, Sandra Mick, Delaney Winter, Mariella LeSage, Alexis Whorton, Tracy Koch, Meghan Vernon, Kimberley Wild, Sandra Rose, Vicky Hurla, Kelly Haug, Katherine Matzke, Amanda Bottom


CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge

 
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
Coffee and Gift Shop Delights
Special:
February 27-March 3

Berry Vanilla Bean Latte
  • Blackberry & Vanilla bean
  • 16 oz., $4
  • Hot, cold, or frappe
You can help support our scholarship fund!

Purchase a green CHCS T-shirt for $15 from the Gift Shop, and all proceeds will benefit the CHCS Greater Giving Scholarship fund.

Details: Visit or call the Gift Shop (ext. 5045/5059) to purchase. Cash or check only. Make checks to CHCS with Greater Giving in the memo line. We are happy to send shirts via courier!
Shrove Tuesday pancake race
St. Marys Manor has held a pancake race on Shrove Tuesday for 29 years! The residents and staff look forward to it every year. Participants have to wear an apron and a scarf and must flip the pancake at least three times and hand the skillet off to someone else to run. Nurses and aides, activities and social services staff, and residents and staff race each other. Residents also square off against other residents, and everyone cheers on all racers.

Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent – the 40 days leading up to Easter – is traditionally a time of fasting. On Shrove Tuesday, Anglo-Saxon Christians went to confession and were “shriven” (absolved from their sins). A bell would be rung to call people to confession. Shrove Tuesday was the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast, and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients.

Liberal, Kansas still runs this race against a group of English women. Learn the results of this year's race.

St. Marys Manor residents also celebrated Mardi Gras by wearing masks and enjoying jambalaya, creole green beans, King cupcakes, and more. They covered all the bases! Thank you to Cheryl Herrman, activities director, for the photos and information.
Final funny
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.
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!