Orthopedic services coming to CHCS |
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Community HealthCare System will offer orthopedic services starting in August. Dr. Heidi Smith of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center in Manhattan will take appointments in Onaga two days a month starting August 11, and she will perform arthroscopic surgeries and other procedures at Onaga Community Hospital in the near future.
Dr. Smith provides care for a wide variety of general orthopedic complaints and injuries in patients of all ages and functional status. Her area of specialty is orthopedic surgery, and she has additional specialty training in sports medicine/arthroscopy, which is a passion of hers.
“I chose to go into the field because I have a passion to return patients to their previous level of function. The field of sports medicine was a natural fit for me as a former athlete. I particularly enjoy the treatment of athletes of all ages and skill sets,” Dr. Smith said.
Merica Surdez, chief of provider and clinic operations at CHCS, said Dr. Smith is an excellent addition to CHCS specialty clinic offerings.
“As a system, we have a great demand for orthopedic services. It is exciting for our organization and patients to partner with Dr. Smith in providing these services locally at our Onaga location,” Surdez said.
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CHCS certified by OSHA SHARP
for 19th straight year
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The COVID-19 pandemic spurred more interest in workplace safety, but emphasis on safety is nothing new at Community HealthCare System. CHCS’s longtime commitment to safety earned formal recognition recently when it received certification by a special program from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the 19th year in a row.
Since 2002, CHCS has been recognized as the only hospital in Kansas and one of only a handful in the nation to uphold the highest standards of worksite safety and health by the Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program, or SHARP.
“Our associates uphold the highest standards of safety and care for our patients and residents. Although the pandemic caused many to sit up and take more notice of workplace safety, at CHCS we had solid plans in place because of our long participation in SHARP,” said Todd Willert, CEO.
Michael Bomberger, director of business development and special projects, has helped guide the process. Bomberger said that although no one wanted to test plans during a pandemic, he has been pleased to see how SHARP’s encouragement of a culture of safety aided staff in adapting to new challenges.
“The program encourages organizational anticipatory critical thinking, engineering out accidents before they happen, and conducting root cause analysis to fix problems, and all of that has been useful as we have navigated COVID-19 and worked to ensure that we keep our staff and patients safe,” Bomberger said.
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On July 8, I had the opportunity to join 18 other recipients in a charitable contribution award ceremony hosted by Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. Our rock-star AED Committee member, Andrea Lutz, applied for this $1,890 grant to get monies toward another AED to use within CHCS. Andrea must love to write grants, because she does it so effortlessly, doing an excellent job of detailing our needs. Back in 2018, she successfully applied for the same grant, and we were able to place an AED in the Holton Clinic. The AED Committee will get together soon to look at areas of need for the new AED.
I will be honest: When Andrea asked me to accept for CHCS because she was gone on vacation, I was reluctant. I am not fond of standing in front of a crowded room to speak, but Andrea, in her cheerleader voice, said, “You’ll do fine.”
She was right. I survived, and I came away with a deep appreciation for the strength of grant money. If you ever get a chance to attend a funding award event, accept! It was very awe-inspiring to listen to each recipient’s story and the good that will come from this money. Anytime you encounter a member of the Potawatomi Nation, thank them for their expansive support; because they, too, are enriching the health and lives of the people we serve.
-- Nancy Willert, RN
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Many households contain both vaccinated and unvaccinated family members, especially since vaccines are not yet approved for children under age 12. You may be wondering how to protect children and other unvaccinated family members.
CDC guidance recommends the following to protect children.
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Get vaccinated yourself. COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of people getting and spreading COVID-19.
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If your child is 2 years and older, make sure that your child wears a mask in public settings and takes other actions to protect themselves. To set an example, you also might choose to wear a mask.
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If your child is younger than 2 years or cannot wear a mask, limit visits with people who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown and keep distance between your child and other people in public.
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CHCS joined the Wheaton parade on July 10 and the Jackson County Fair Parade yesterday (July 21). Thanks to all who joined in the fun. Special thanks to Katie Kufahl for coordinating the Wheaton effort and to Kim Lovvorn for coordinating in Holton. (Katie is pictured at right along with Donna Krohn. Thank you to both of you!) Photos from Holton are below.
More opportunities are coming soon!
- The Corning Day Parade is July 31 at 5:00 p.m. If you are interested in coordinating a group to walk in this parade, please email Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
- The Pottawatomie County Fair Parade is Sunday, August 8 at 1:00 p.m. If you are interested in coordinating CHCS efforts for this event, please email Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
CHCS provides a parade banner, candy, and plastic cups to hand out to spectators. Walkers should wear a CHCS T-shirt and a big smile. Thanks to all who represent CHCS at these fun community events. We appreciate your outreach!
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It's almost Christmas (in July!) |
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Greater Giving Christmas in July is coming to your location next week! Tour dates are as follows--times are approximate:
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Frankfort: July 27, 11:00-11:45 a.m.
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Westmoreland: July 27, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
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Holton: July 27, 12:00 noon-1:00 p.m.
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St. Marys: July 28, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Centralia: July 28, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Onaga: July 29, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wear jeans and a Hawaiian shirt or your favorite Christmas shirt on the date for your location. Visit with members of the Greater Giving committee, purchase raffle tickets for gift baskets and a Christmas quilt, throw "snowballs" at the CEO, and enjoy an ice pop to cool off. Most importantly, learn how you can join Greater Giving and make a difference with even a small donation.
Notes: We can accept checks or cash for raffle tickets.
Are you going to miss the tour? Contact Kelsey Edwards via email or at ext. 5048 to purchase tickets. Raffle closes at the end of the day Friday, July 30.
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Reminder: Community Home Care Equipment hours
Community Home Care Equipment (formerly DME) adjusted its hours back in the spring. It's open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed Fridays!)
Call extension 5018 for help during business hours. After hours, please leave a voicemail.
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Happy anniversary!
Eastridge residents Richard and Barb Gibbs celebrated 78 years of marriage last week!
Richard and Barb met when Richard moved to Gypsum, Kansas, during his senior year in high school. Richard says it was love at first sight, and they became sweethearts.
Richard was drafted into World War ll and was sent to Fresno, California, where he wrote a letter to Barb asking for her hand in marriage. Arrangements were made. Barb took a two-day train ride to meet Richard. They were married on July 15, 1943 by a judge. There were no flowers, music, or prayers -- just another soldier for a best man and a county clerk for the maid of honor.
Barb and Richard have 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren. After retirement, the couple traveled through many states in an R.V. There were many adventures along the way, including backpacking through Mexico. They look forward to more adventures together!
Best wishes, Richard and Barb! Thank you for sharing your celebration with us.
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome!
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Amanda Wulfkuhle, Accounts Payable, Onaga
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Tracy Alexander, Home Health Dept. Assistant, Onaga
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Tammy Haggerty, RN, Eastridge
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Give blood on Friday, August 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and receive a free Royals t-shirt or hat!
The need for blood is urgent! Thank you to all who are able to help.
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Important reminders
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Sunflower Summer, a program funded by the Kansas Department of Education, provides Kansas families a way to visit museums, zoos, historic landmarks, and more for free. Take advantage before summer slips away!
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Any CHCS associate who wishes to receive a COVID-19 vaccine or who has questions about the vaccine is welcome to contact Employee Health Nurse Christina Hasenkamp. Questions and conversations will be kept confidential. Contact Christina by phone at extension 5109 or email christinahasenkamp@chcsks.org. View a flyer.
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Employee Assistance Program: All CHCS associates are eligible for three confidential counseling sessions per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). To schedule, contact Regina Gronewoller, LSCSW, at reginagronewoller@chcsks.org (preferred) or call 785-437-3734. Download and share a flyer.
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Coffee Shop special
(and Gift Shop goodies)
July 26-30
Almond Joy latte
- Chocolate, almond, and coconut
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
FRIDAY Special: The Coffee Shop Meal Deal is back on Fridays! Cherry limeades are also available separately on Fridays.
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Summer sale!
Not exciting enough for you? Our clearance bins are a little emptier, but we'll be filling them up with new clearance items as July draws to a close, so come back and take another look.
Not into the sale stuff? Take a peek in the shop for new jewelry, children's books, CHCS T-shirts and baby onesies, and more!
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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 vs. staff
Redbud residents and staff had a blast playing "Washers," a game in which participants throw washers at a special board. The object is to get the washer into the box for points, or into the plastic tube inside the box for more points.
We weren't told who won, but we're pretty sure a rematch is brewing!
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Garden party??
After eating home-grown corn on the cob and visiting about their gardens (or lack thereof... by choice!), some residents snapped green beans out of the Eastridge garden and talked about different ways they liked to fix them or can them. After all that work, we had cold drinks and played Pitch.
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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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