Could you use some good news? This edition is for you! Read all about good news at CHCS.

September 9, 2021

Ever feel like we're inundated with bad news?

This week's edition of the

E-Connection is for you!

Delivering the WOW experience

A patient recently sent a note through Facebook Messenger in appreciation of CHCS.

"I just wanted you to know how much we appreciate your staff. Everyone is so wonderful to me and my service dog, Otto. At my infusion, he was given a blanket to lie on while I received my infusion," the patient said.

The patient reported that the staff love Otto -- and that the care is first-rate. "I receive the best care at your hospital, and I am grateful and will drive the distance. Thank you again!"

Thank you to all who provided the WOW experience to this patient (and to Otto)!

Read on for more good news!

CHCS is keeping kids in school!

On a regional hospital call yesterday, the Chief Nursing Officer from another facility took the opportunity to thank CHCS for working with the Onaga schools on antigen testing for their students. Because of our assistance, her child was able to continue with in-person school! It was nice of her to give us a shoutout!

Thanks to everyone who is working to test students!

We're having a Health Fair!

Mark your calendar for 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 9 -- it's the CHCS Health Fair!

During the Health Fair, individuals can receive a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetes screening for $25. A prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test can be added for $10. Payment is by cash, check, or credit card.

Patients are encouraged to schedule in advance by calling 785-889-4241; select Onaga Clinic (option 1) and let registration staff know you’d like an appointment at the Health Fair. Walk-ins will also be welcome.

Pottawatomie County Public Health will be on hand to offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.

Bucks for Buckles

Last Friday, several Onaga associates participated in Bucks for Buckles in partnership with Safe Kids Pottawatomie County and State Farm. We enjoyed talking to drivers in Onaga and giving $1 to drivers of vehicles in which everyone was wearing a seatbelt or buckled into a child safety seat. (Those who weren't properly restrained were given a handout with seat belt facts and safety tips.)

Thanks to our partners from EMS and the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office who came to help hand out some bucks and safety tips, and thanks to all the drivers out there who were buckled up!

Thanks to CHCS volunteers Mindy Olberding, Erin Lacey, Hali Brown, Todd and Nancy Willert, and Sarah Hancock. Thanks to Dietary for having our breakfast ready, and to Leah in the Coffee Shop for the carafe of motivation!

Get a load of Joe's sunflower!

Every year, Redbud resident Joe Baumchen puts sunflower seeds in his bird feeder. The birds come eat the seeds, and they make a mess in the rock. Every year, Joe watches sunflowers grow and bloom from tiny seedlings.

This year's sunflower that sits in the courtyard outside Joe's patio door is particularly magnificent! Joe has been praying no one would think it was a weed and pull it. If you talk to Joe about the sunflower, he lights up! He recently thought it wasn't picture-ready, but now it has new buds, so he's ready to share with all!

The CHCS apparel store is open!

We've heard more than one request lately for new CHCS apparel. Our vendor has been working to straighten out some supply-chain problems, and the store is finally here!

Please note:

Colors in some items are limited
T-shirts are the same brand we have ordered in the past, but they are a cotton/polyester version rather than the cotton/polyester/rayon version. They are still very soft, and sizing is the same
We are working to get samples and will do our best to circulate through locations
Orders are due by 12 noon Friday, September 24
Orders will ship free to CHCS, and the Gift Shop will distribute to appropriate locations. Be sure to enter your name, email, and phone number. Choose "ship to coordinator" and pay with a credit/debit card.
Orders will arrive at CHCS roughly three weeks after the store closes. Please be patient!
The Gift Shop will restock t-shirts and other limited items for the holidays
Hit the green button below or enter this in your browser: https://bit.ly/3yTLiz1

Shop now

Questions? Contact Leah Chamley at ext. 5059 or leahchamley@chcsks.org or email info@chcsks.org.

Community Blood Center loves CHCS!

The Community Blood Center account manager sent a note to CHCS after our most recent blood drive.

"First off, thanks so much for always being such a steady eddy for us. Our Collection Supervisor, Sian, said the staff were treated well by all the donors and everybody was happy to come out and see you all. It always makes the day easier when donors are in a good mood and treat our team with respect and kindness. We always get that when we come out to Onaga. Thanks so much. Please pass on my gratitude to the hospital staff, donors, and everyone who came out. It goes a long way in times like these when we are regularly fighting disgruntled donors.

At your Friday, August 13 blood drive, the Community Blood Center staff registered 19 volunteers and collected 18 units of blood. These are fantastic numbers from such a small hospital and tight community!"

Thanks to everyone who donated, and thanks to CHCS associates for making Community Blood Center's job easier!

Thank you

I would like to thank the Redbud residents and their families for their letters of nomination for the DAISY Award. The residents and their families are truly wonderful, and I am blessed to be able to be a part of their lives.

I would like to thank the DAISY Award committee for selecting me to receive the award. There are so many wonderful, caring nurses in our system who deserve recognition, so I'm sure their decision was not an easy one to make.

I would also like to thank my co-workers at Redbud. They are an amazing group of people! They do their best each day to provide care for the residents.

-- Jane McClain

Important reminders

All are invited to join a weekly Brown Bag Webinar Series offered by the University of Kansas Medical Center on Wednesdays in September. "Youth Suicide: Using a Team-Based, Collaborative Approach for Early Identification and Next Steps" webinars will be available in the Walsh Room from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Continuing education credits are available. Space is limited in the room, so please RSVP by emailing Andrea Lutz at andrealutz@chcsks.org. If you can't attend in Onaga and would like to join from another location, please contact Nancy Willert at nancywillert@chcsks.org or extension 5146.

CHCS is offering two virtual Mental Health First Aid courses in September. Youth Mental Health First Aid will be offered September 22. Adult Mental Health First Aid will be offered September 30. Find details at https://bit.ly/CHCS-MHFA.

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.

Coffee Shop special

September 13-17

Sugar and Spice Mocha

Chocolate, brown sugar, and cinnamon
6 oz., $4
Hot, cold, or frappe

25% OFF

one item

ONE PER CUSTOMER, please!

Offer good Sept. 9-17.

Mention the

E-Connection coupon and tell us a piece of good news to get 25% off one item from the CHCS Gift Shop.

CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge

View menus for September 12-18

St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.

Final funnies

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!