Maintaining vigilance
We've seen better news in the last few weeks as COVID-19 cases have decreased. Our systemwide testing positivity rate was down substantially last week, and vaccine rollouts and the prospect of warmer weather has everyone feeling much more optimistic.
Despite these positive developments, maintaining vigilance and safety precautions remains important. Earlier this week, we saw a sobering reminder of the difficulties of the last year as the U.S. surpassed 500,000 deaths from COVID-19. Almost all of us have been affected or are close to someone who has been affected by or who has lost someone from COVID-19.
Thank you for all you have done to protect our patients, your co-workers, and your communities. Keep wearing your masks, maintaining distance, and practicing good hand hygiene as we continue on what he hope is a path toward a much more normal-looking summer!
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Flowers for St. Marys Manor
Froggy’s Restaurant in St. Marys gave beautiful flower arrangements -- enough for each room -- to St. Marys Manor.
What a lovely gesture!
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Visitor policy updates
The improving COVID-19 situation means that CHCS can relax some visitor restrictions. As of last Friday, February 19, hospital patients are allowed one visitor per day rather than one designated visitor for the length of their stay. Find the details on our blog.
Changes are coming to our senior care facilities, too. Stay tuned!
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The winter 2020-21 DAISY Award will be presented tomorrow (Friday, February 26) at 11:30 a.m. in the Onaga Hospital lobby.
Congratulations to all three nominees:
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Deanne Tanking, RN and case manager/skilled rehab coordinator, Onaga Acute
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Jenna VanDonge, RN, Onaga Surgery
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Marlaina Wahl, RN, Community HomeHealth
Please join us in person (with social distancing) or on Facebook Live to find out which of our extraordinary nurses is receiving the award!
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Scholarship application time is here! |
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CHCS is proud to sponsor two $500 scholarships for college-bound or trade school students pursuing a career in healthcare. These awards are for graduating high school seniors from CHCS Clinic towns and are offered through the Caring Community Foundation.
The application is available online and from high school counselors. Apply by March 31! Please note that some schools may have an earlier deadline, so be sure to have students check with their high school counselors.
If you are interested in supporting scholarships, you can donate to the scholarship fund through Greater Giving. Thank you to all who help support our future healthcare professionals!
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Wellness benefit reminder |
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Spring is just around the corner (REALLY!), so it's time to start thinking about warmer weather and getting in shape for SUMMERTIME!
Community HealthCare System wants to remind associates of their Health and Wellness benefit. This is a cash benefit that provides up to $250 to associates who are regularly scheduled for 30 hours a week or more and $125 to associates who are regularly scheduled 8-29 hours per week.
This benefit can be used for your annual wellness exam, or you can use it to help offset the cost of joining one of Community HealthCare System's Fitness Centers. CHCS has Fitness Centers in Centralia, Frankfort, and Onaga.
For more information on this benefit, contact Human Resources at 785-889-5026 or 785-889-5030.
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Match the Manager winners |
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Thanks to all who played "Match the Manager!" Find the baby pics in the Feb. 4 edition of this fine newsletter.
The winner, with 22 correct answers (out of 24), was Jamie Todd, Onaga Clinic RN. Congratulations, Jamie! Your prize is on the way.
Runners-up, with 20 correct answers each, were Ann Stallbaumer and Renee Trippel (joint entry) from Onaga Pharmacy and "Downtown" Hali Brown, PharmD and Pharmacy Manager. So close!
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Student artwork on display
Artwork by Onaga High School students has been on display this month in our Onaga Hospital. Students who created the work were Sam Kufahl (back row in photo at left), Glennys Ross (center front), and Brooklyn Boren (right) along with Taylor Falk, who is not pictured. Art teacher Becky Becker, far left, instructs the students. We appreciate their willingness to share their creativity with us!
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Important reminders
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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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The application deadline for Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation scholarships is February 28. Find the details.
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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, Stephen Cabler, Theresa Meade, Destiney Schwant, Karen Koelzer, Gracie Frakes, Julie Wren, Christina Vander Putten, Taylor Falk, Jim Spry, McKenna Mayhew, Peter Ganstrom, Amanda Michaelis, Mayda Stallbaumer, Nikki Blankenbeckley, Crystal Correll, Pat Flentie, Melissa Goulart, Trevor Shuler, Sandra Mick, Julie Rethman, Carl Carroll, Sarah Torres, Alexis Whorton, Tracy Koch, Theresa Rethman, Meghan Vernon, Jennifer Stallbaumer, Sierra Valburg, Kim Wild, Tammy Pacha, Maria Pratt, Vicky Hurla, April Plager, Kelly Haug, Katie Matzke.
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Coffee Shop special
March 1-5
Black and Tan
- Chocolate, caramel, and white chocolate
- 16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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CHCS menus: Onaga and Eastridge |
Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle
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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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