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OUR MISSION:
To Enrich the Health and Lives
of the People We Serve
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Tis the season for giving! And, once again our associates have been very generous in providing gifts for families in need of assistance during the holidays! Our administration office was filled with gifts requested through the Blue Valley Giving Tree program.
Also, thanks to Marlene Wolfe who does a wonderful job coordinating this project in Onaga each year.
And, in Holton our staff is preparing to send cards to patients who don't have families to celebrate with!
Thank you to all who participated for living our mission.
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CHCS Awarded Grants
We have recently been awarded two grants totaling more than $51,000!
We received $50,000 from the Patterson Family Foundation, a family-led foundation extending the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Patterson Family Foundation strives to help lift up rural communities through health care, education, economic opportunity, and beyond.
These grant funds will help us purchase replacement equipment for our Surgery, Anesthesia, Obstetrical, and ER/Medical-Surgical departments.
Thanks to Mindy Olberding and Pam Holaday for collaborating on this grant!
The second grant was received from the Stormont Vail Foundation in the amount of $1,700. These funds will allow our social worker Angie Sauvage to be trained to teach Mental Health First Aid classes in our communities. Thanks to Pam Holaday for writing this grant!
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I Will:
• Support team decisions that advance the organization
• Embrace innovation and engage in process improvement
• Encourage learning, creativity, and new ideas
• Hold myself and others accountable for newly implemented work -low processes
I Will Not:
• Resist new ideas or practices
• Undermine the chain of command
• Disregard team decisions
• Ignore established processes
• Complain without offering a solution or recommendation
• Delay or fail to hold myself or others accountable
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Enhanced prescription benefit for employees enrolled in our Group Health Insurance
CHCS is excited to announce an enhanced prescription benefit for employees enrolled in our Group Health Insurance, when using one of the participating pharmacies listed below for your prescriptions.
Effective with the 2024 plan year, plan members should pay a $50 deductible and 20% co-insurance.
Prescriptions outside the participating pharmacies will remain a $100 deductible and 40% co-insurance.
The participating pharmacies are:
- Medical Pharmacy in Holton
- Onaga Pharmacy
- St. Marys Pharmacy
- Medical Arts Pharmacy in Seneca
- The West Pharmacy in Westmoreland
Loan Forgiveness
Don't forget to look into how Savi may help you with the process of loan forgiveness, consolidation of loans or reducing loan amounts. Click here for more information on what Savi can do for you. In addition to the software, you have access to talk to a live person regarding questions you may have.
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We Have a Winner!
Everyone who attended an Open Enrollment session had their name entered into a drawing to win a CHCS jacket and Myrna Shum was the lucky winner! Thanks to all who attended a session and congratulations to Myrna!
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It's holiday season and time for gatherings with family and friends. We want everyone to stay healthy so consider
following these steps to ensure you get to enjoy all the great fun!
Take Steps to Help You Stay Healthy During the Holidays
What to know about respiratory viruses during the holidays
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Many different viruses spread more during fall and winter, including those that cause flu, COVID-19, and RSV illness.
- Large gatherings, crowded travel, and more time indoors can mean more viruses spreading around the holidays.
- This is the first year that there are vaccines to protect against all three of these viruses. These vaccines have been shown to prevent severe disease and can be lifesaving. They can also help ensure you are able to enjoy valuable time with loved ones.
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There also are other healthy habits you can practice to stay healthy.
- If you do get sick, there are tests and treatments to help get you feel better sooner.
It all starts with you! Here’s an action plan you can take to help you stay healthy during the holidays
Get vaccinated.
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Many viruses spread more during the holiday season, so it is important to get all recommended vaccines, including flu, COVID-19 and RSV, as soon as possible. This will give you the best protection against these respiratory diseases, including while traveling and gathering with family and friends. These vaccines will also make your illness less severe if you do get sick.
- Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccination this fall.
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CDC recommends an RSV immunization for some groups at higher risk for severe RSV illness.
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Adults ages 60 and older: talk to your healthcare provider to see if RSV vaccination is right for you.
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Parents: CDC recommends using one of these two tools to protect your baby – an RSV vaccine given during weeks 32-36 of pregnancy or an RSV preventive antibody given to infants. The RSV preventive antibody is also recommended for some older babies at higher risk for severe RSV disease.
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Vaccination is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones. Vaccines help the body learn how to defend itself from disease without the danger of an infection.
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You may be able to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines during the same visit. Talk with a healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions about these vaccines and how or when you should get them.
Take action to stop respiratory viruses from spoiling holiday cheer.
- If you are sick, stay home to avoid putting others at risk. You should also avoid others in the household to lessen their risk. If you have severe or worsening symptoms, call your healthcare provider.
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Cover coughs and sneezes when around others to help protect them.
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Stay away from others who are sick, if possible. Usually, there are more droplets and particles that can make you sick closer to the person who is infected.
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Masks can help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Wearing a high-quality mask while you travel, for example, can help protect you and others. This might be especially important if you are at higher risk of developing serious complications from these illnesses.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread easily this way.
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Handwashing often with soap removes most germs, including respiratory viruses, from your hands. If soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can kill many germs.
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Viral particles in the air spread between people more easily indoors than outdoors. Any way you can improve air quality, such as opening windows or using air purifiers, can help reduce the amount of virus you are exposed to.
If you do feel sick, there are tests and treatments.
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If you have signs or symptoms of a respiratory virus, like a cough, runny nose, or fever, tests can help figure out which illness you have.
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Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available. A healthcare provider may also test you for flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
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In addition to diagnostic testing, you can work with a healthcare provider to figure out the next steps you should take. Remember: antibiotics do not work on viruses. CDC has more information about antibiotic do’s and don’ts.
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Prescription antiviral treatments for COVID-19 and flu are available.
- These treatments can lessen your symptoms and reduce the risk of hospitalization. They work best if they are started soon after you become infected.
- If you are at higher risk of severe illness, and develop symptoms including cough, fever and sore throat, talk to your healthcare provider sooner rather than later. CDC recommends people at higher risk be treated with antiviral medications.
- Be sure to store all medications up and away, and out of reach and sight of young children.
The holiday season can be stressful with all the hustle and bustle, responsibilities, and obligations. Good eating, sleeping, and exercise habits can help keep you healthy also. Be sure to make time to take care of yourself!
Last Reviewed: November 9, 2023
Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
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Centralia Grade School students visited Eastridge this week and sang Christmas carols to the residents and staff. Everyone enjoyed the kids! | |
Workplace Violence Survey
We need your help! We cannot address safety concerns if we are not aware of them. It only takes 2-3 minutes to complete this survey.
To make it more convenient for you, you can also scan the QR code below to complete the survey!
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Upcoming Birthdays
Brian Olberding -Centralia/Eastridge: 12/17
Karen Zartman -Centralia/Eastridge: 12/17
Lacey Niehues- Onaga/Education:12/17
Anita Anderson- Frankfort/Registration: 12/17
Holly Schmitz-Onaga/Nutrition: 12/18
Marie Wessel -Onaga/Acute Nursing: 12/18
Megan Prockish- Westmoreland/Registration: 12/18
Emmarsyn Fordham- Onaga/Dietary: 12/19
Sylvia Quenneville- St. Marys/Housekeeping: 12/19
Kayla Jones- Onaga/Surgery: 12/20
Christie Rabe- St. Marys/Provider Clinic: 12/21
Tristan Meade -Onaga/Acute Nursing: 12/21
Deanne Tanking -Onaga/Utilization Review: 12/21
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New Employees
Lynette Delay: Eastridge C.N.A
Virginia Melchior: Eastridge/Redbud C.N.A
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There are only a few short days left to purchase tickets for the basket raffle fundraiser for Eric and Cheri Bjelland. Tickets sales end on Decemeber 19th and the drawing will be held December 20th.
Click here to see a list of 11 baskets you can enter to win!
All of the non-winning tickets will be entered into a drawing for a Suprise Basket!
Get your tickets today from the Holton Clinic or the Onaga Coffee and Gift Shop!
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Don't forget!
Holiday Week Activities Start Monday!
Monday, 12/18: Hot Chocolate Bar
Tuesday, 12/19: Gingerbread Cookie Decorating
Wednesday, 12/20: Potluck
Thursday, 12/21: Crazy Christmas Tips and Toes
Friday, 12/22: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
2 prizes will be awarded to the ugliest sweaters. Send Pam Holaday your photos!
Daily drawings for 1 lucky associate to win a prize!
Photos booths and props will be at each location,
so take your holiday pics and share with Pam Holaday for
social media and future E-Connections!
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Don't forget to support your local food pantry this holiday season!
Now through December 18th!
Collection boxes are at participating locations.
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Does your location have photos to share of holiday decorations, parties, or community activities? Please share them with Pam Holaday for next week's edition of the newsletter! | | | |
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Coffee Delights
Special for December 18th-22nd
Peanut Brittle Latte:
Peanut butter and caramel
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Happy Shopping!
Thank you to everyone who shopped at our Popup Gift Shops in St. Marys last Friday and yesterday in Holton! We are heading to Redbud later today and Eastridge tomorrow!
If you missed the popups, you can shop online! We can hold orders for pickup or deliver to your CHCS work location via courier.
CHCS Coffee and Gift (square.site)
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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 news@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome! | | | | |
