JoAnn Mott to retire June 30
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JoAnn Mott, who has served CHCS for more than 32 years, will retire at the end of June.
JoAnn has been the manager of Community HomeHealth for more than 15 years. Her variety of nursing experience -- from hospital floors and a pediatric physician’s office to a nursing home -- and her deep knowledge and dedication to providing high-quality care have helped Community HomeHealth earn a spot on the HomeCare Elite list of the top 25 percent of agencies for 12 years as well as HHCAHPS Honors Elite status in multiple years. In 2017, Community HomeHealth was the only Elite recipient in Kansas, and in 2018 and 2021, it was one of only five agencies to achieve HHCAHPS Honors for providing high-quality care using a patient-centered approach.
A reputation for quality has resulted in increased utilization: Under JoAnn’s leadership, patient volumes at Community HomeHealth have grown substantially. CHCS thanks JoAnn for her many years of dedication, for her high expectations of herself and her staff, for asking difficult questions, for working through challenges to find solutions, for her deep knowledge of CMS standards, and for collaborating and working hard on behalf of her patients to ensure their needs are met. We also thank her for fostering a fun environment for staff even as she encouraged hard work.
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JoAnn leaves big shoes to fill, but CHCS is fortunate to have someone who is ready to step into them.
Alexis Whorton, RN, will assume management of Community HomeHealth after JoAnn’s retirement. Alexis has worked at CHCS in several capacities for more than 6 years, including in Acute, at St. Marys Manor, and at Community HomeHealth. Alexis consistently helps her patients improve their lives and health and is passionate about being a nurse and serving her community. Her variety of experiences have given her great insight in how to help patients and deliver the best care possible.
Alexis said she is excited about the position and continuing to provide great care to patients in local communities. "One thing that's special about CHCS is that our patients are not just another person--they are the people of our communities, whether that's friends, families, or neighbors. We have great nurses who care greatly about their patients, and our patients become our family," she said.
Alexis also noted that she looks forward to continuing to build on the excellent reputation JoAnn has fostered in the last several years.
JoAnn has requested no party to mark the occasion, but CHCS wishes her a long and happy retirement. We also congratulate Alexis on her new responsibilities!
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CHCS offers pelvic floor therapy
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The pelvic floor comprises the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue that support and stabilize the organs in your pelvis. It might not be an area of the body that you want to discuss, but pelvic floor problems that result in incontinence, pelvic pain, or other problems are quite common. Occupational therapy can help, and CHCS now offers specialized treatment.
According to Jill Nolte, CHCS occupational therapist, pelvic floor therapy can address pain, weakness, or dysfunction of the muscles in the pelvic floor or abdomen. The therapy can be used to treat incontinence, unexplained pain, pelvic organ prolapse, and more.
“Both men and women can suffer from pelvic floor problems from a variety of causes. Pregnancy and childbirth, aging, pelvic trauma or surgery, prostate inflammation, or even heavy lifting can cause various issues,” Nolte said.
Nolte has received special training to perform pelvic floor therapy. Following an evaluation of patients, Nolte tailors a treatment plan that may include pelvic floor exercises, stretches, and more. Aquatherapy is also an option in Onaga, where a pool is available in the CHCS Rehabilitation and Fitness Center.
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Health Fair coming again in October
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CHCS will host a Health Fair on Saturday, October 8 at Onaga Community Hospital. The event will include low-cost labs and a Community Baby Shower. We will share information with the public later this summer.
Please mark your calendars and plan to help, and be sure to let patients know so they can plan to get low-cost labs.
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The American College of Radiology has granted accreditation our new 3D mammography system for three years.
CHCS did 890 mammograms in fiscal year 2020 and 945 in fiscal year 2021. We hope to see even more mammograms now that we have a 3D system!
Thank you to mammography techs Karen Koelzer and Amanda Broxterman for taking images and submitting data and paperwork so we could become accredited. Excellent work!
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You have probably heard monkeypox mentioned in the news recently. Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.
CDC is currently tracking multiple cases of monkeypox that have been reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including the United States. The agency is working with state and local health officials to identify people who may have been in contact with individuals who have tested positive for monkeypox so they can monitor their health.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries. Monkeypox cases in people have occurred outside of Africa linked to international travel or imported animals, including cases in the United States, as well as Israel, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
The natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.
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Summer parades: Sign up today!
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Summer is here, which means communities are planning parades and celebrations!
Please sign up to represent CHCS in your community. We will provide giveaways, a parade sign, parade candy, and other needed items as necessary. Be sure to wear a CHCS T-shirt!
Notes: Details are forthcoming on some events, so some of the times are tentative or may not include the time needed to line up at the parade site. If you know of a community event and want to make sure it's on the signup, please send it to Sarah Hancock. All community sponsorship requests should also be directed to Sarah.
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CHCS won several awards at two conferences last month.
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Willert receives ACHE Regent's Award
CEO Todd Willert received the American College of Healthcare Executives Regent's Award. The award is reserved for Fellows of ACHE who are senior-level executives who demonstrate innovation, creative management, executive capability in develop his/her organization and promoting its growth and stature in the community, contributions to the development of others in the healthcare profession, demonstration of leadership in local or state hospital and health association activities, and more. In the photo, Todd is shown with his award along with presenter Wes Hoyt, ACHE regent for Kansas (center) and Brady Hoffman, Director of Health Connections, Stormont Vail Health, who received the ACHE Regent's Award for Early Career-Level Executive. Congratulations, Todd!
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Hancock receives Emerald Awards
At the Kansas Association of Health Care Communicators Conference, Sarah Hancock received seven Emerald Awards (two for internal newsletters and one each for special events, website, writing, and media relations/crisis communication) and one Certificate of Merit (digital ad campaign) for her work at CHCS, plus two Emerald Awards for print ads for a group of NE KS hospitals for COVID-19 and Medicare open enrollment. In the photo, Sarah is accepting an award from KAHCC President Courtney Schmelzle from Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.
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Welcome
We are happy to have the following associates joining CHCS. Welcome, all!
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Mona Lisa Meade, Eastridge LPN
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Mariah Brown, Onaga EVS
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Brianna Bates, Onaga Fitness Center Aide
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Taylor Williams, Onaga Business Office Patient Account Representative
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Kennedy Nunneley, Onaga Physical Therapist
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Avery Deters, Onaga Coffee Shop Barista
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Marcus Heinen, Onaga Acute CNA
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Isiah Savaloja, Onaga Dietary Aide
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Desiree Morse, St. Marys Manor CNA
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Sondra Owings-Priest, Holton Lab Phlebotomist
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Terrance Bottom, Onaga Dietary Aide
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JoAnne Myers, Onaga Human Resources Generalist
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Register to vote by July 12
The August 2 primary election will be here before we know it. Get ready by making note of the important deadlines, registering to vote, and viewing the opportunities available to be involved in the election process! Learn more on the Kansas Secretary of State website or visit Balletpedia to view what's on the Kansas ballot this year.
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Important reminders
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Download the FREE Sunflower Summer app from Google Play or Apple app stores to learn how Kansas students and their guardians (up to two adults) are provided one free visit to each of the participating attractions per year. Attractions include museums, zoos, historic landmarks, and more. Visits must occur May 28 through August 14. Learn more.
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Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per year. Our EAP program is in transition, and we will announce information and details soon.
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June 13-17
Chocolate-covered strawberry mocha
- Chocolate and strawberry
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
The Coffee Shop Meal Deal is back for summer! Get a sandwich, chips, cookie, and cherry limeade on FRIDAYS for $10 + tax starting June 3!
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Don't forget DAD!
The dads in your life will love a little something from the Gift Shop. We highly recommend the following:
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Cast iron presses and BBQ tools for Iron Chef Smash Burger
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Flasks and special ice trays for the the cocktail connoisseur
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Bourbon caramels or root beer hard candies for the guy with a sweet tooth
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Duke Cannon soaps (and more) to help any man clean up and smell divine
Special note: Duke Cannon donates 5% of net profits each year to causes that benefit veterans and active duty military!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge
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St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Top Gun's biggest fans
Members of the Eastridge Top Gun Fan Club were ready for opening day of the movie in Seneca. They enjoyed lunch, snacks and had the best seats in the house! They even earned their flight wings.
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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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