Take care!
This week we have had several associates who have either had to quarantine or who have tested positive for COVID-19. These situations have caused difficulties not only for individual associates and their families, but also for co-workers or even entire departments. It's a stressful time.
Everyone needs to stop, take a deep breath, and do a few things.
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Evaluate your choices and think carefully about what you do, both at work and outside of work. Make sure you don't spend time without your mask around other associates; for example, don't eat lunch together in a small space. Be careful what you do outside of work to avoid increasing your risk of contracting COVID-19. Take precautions seriously.
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Treat others with kindness. Those who are exposed to COVID-19 often have done nothing wrong. Don't be tempted to shame those who test positive or who have to quarantine. Even if someone made a poor choice, remember that we all make mistakes. Make sure you don't violate our Core Values or social media policy.
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Review recent changes to PPE recommendations and other information offered to associates during our Zoom on Monday, September 21. If you missed the meeting, you can access the recording at this link or find it in Public Folders > COVID-19 Updates.
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Virtual learning survey
The school year is off to a somewhat stressful start because of uncertainty about shifts to all-virtual school and the schedule disruptions those changes cause. Families may struggle to care for children and ensure they can complete school requirements and assignments when parents are at work.
CHCS is unsure what steps we can take to help associates solve these problems, but we want to at least explore some options. The first step is to gather some information. If you have children in school and a change to virtual learning may cause disruptions at work, please respond to our virtual school planning survey by 5:00 p.m. Monday, September 28. You’ll find it at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J73XKM3
The survey is set up to allow more than one response from a single device in case associates without email need to respond using a single computer. If you have questions or need assistance with the survey, please contact Sarah at extension 5133.
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Shoutout
I would like to give a HUGE SHOUTOUT to all those who have helped us in the Onaga Dietary Department the past couple months.
We couldn’t have done it without you! We are so fortunate to work in an organization that has staff who is willing to help each other out in times of need. Your help has been noticed and very appreciated!
Thank you to Donna Krohn, Chelsie Jacobsen, Roz Lewis, Mollie Winkler, Jenna VanDonge, Kayla Jones, Renee Tripple, Ann Stallbaumer, Kay Lyn Mueting, Kari Holthaus, Manda Thompson, Jade Olivera, Jennifer Traxler, Mindy Olberding, Karen Johnson, and Marlene Wolfe!
Another shoutout goes to the cooks: Hannah Kolterman, Laurie Horgan, Lofia Daniels, and Amanda Norris. Thanks for working unusual hours and being here during much-needed times. Amanda, we are happy to have you back.
Thanks again,
Holly Schmitz
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Thanks to all who participated in Tuesday's Mental Health Day. Names from the sign-in sheets were placed in a drawing for prizes. Below is a list of the winners.
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St. Marys: Annette Engell (lavender bath bomb)
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Onaga: Erica Smith (lavender body butter)
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Holton: Sue Figge (Halloween socks)
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Centralia: Kasey McClary (fun spiral notepad)
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Frankfort: Lyndsi Morton (fall socks)
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Westmoreland: Vanessa Parker (fall scented sachet)
Remember that the real prize is learning a few strategies to safeguard your mental health. Even if you couldn't participate, be sure to review the handout from the event and work to integrate self-care into each day. If you missed the opportunity to sign up for 3 Good Things to help build resiliency, take a look at last week's E-Connection to find the details.
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PPE delivery
St. Marys Manor and Eastridge each received a delivery of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile. Each location received:
- 2,100 N95s
- 1,000 KN95s
- 1,000 face shields
- 1,000 disposable gowns
Special thanks to (as pictured L-R) Michelle Zerbe, RN; Jolene Wessel, RN; Taylor Talley, RN for helping unload. Others who helped and are not pictured were Joely Jellison, RN, and Roger McAsey.
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Reminder: Flu shots start tomorrow!
Flu shot clinics will be available for associates starting tomorrow, September 25. The flu shot is a condition of employment at CHCS. (See flyer for details.)
Be sure to bring your completed flu shot consent and annual health assessment with you to the flu shot clinic. Find documents in Public Folders > Employee Health > Influenza or in PowerDMS (search for flu vaccination & health assessment).
The flu shot deadline is October 30, 2020. Please click on the flier to find details on declinations.
Questions? Contact Christina Hasenkamp at ext. 5109.
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Hospital Week trivia winners
We hope everyone enjoyed last week's rescheduled Hospital Week activities and Associate Recognition emails.
Thanks for participating in the 1920s trivia contest. The secret phrase was "Let's do the Charleston." The three winners are:
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Nancy Davidson, Onaga Access Services
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Avery Huerter, Onaga Business Office
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Jessica Oswald, Onaga Business Office
Congratulations to the winners! We will be in touch about your prizes soon.
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Thanks to our surgical technologists!
CHCS has a great surgery team. This week they are celebrating National Surgical Technologists Week.
Surgical techs prepare our OR, arrange equipment, assist doctors during surgery, and more. They are truly essential!
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National Assisted Living Week at Redbud
Last week we shared a few photos of special activities from Redbud's celebration of National Assisted Living Week. Below are a few more from Team Day (which included a cornhole tournament) and Red, White, & Blue Day. Thanks to the Redbud team for a fun time and for sharing the photos!
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Register to vote by October 13!
Plan to make your voice heard in the upcoming general election. You must be registered to vote, and the deadline is October 13. Advance and in-person voting can begin October 14 for the November 3 election.
The best source of information about voting is the Kansas Secretary of State website. We know it's shocking, but everything you see on social media may not be true! On the Kansas Secretary of State website, if you click "Check Voter Registration," you can enter your name and birthdate to find out if you are registered, plus you can confirm the location of your polling place, view your voting record, and more.
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Drumroll please ...
We received more than 175 votes in the CHCS Cute Pet Contest. The clear first place winner with 99 votes was Murphy! Murphy belonged to Alisa Skruch's late mother, and he now lives at Eastridge. He obviously has many fans among staff and residents there!
The second-place vote getters were Beau and Jack. They live with Lynette Fordham, a CMA at Redbud. Look at those adorable faces!
Both Eastridge and Lynette will receive a special pet photo frame to display photos of their special family members. Thanks to all who entered!
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Two Eastridge residents celebrated their birthdays last week: Delia (below left) on September 17 and Marjorie (below right) on September 18. Best wishes and happy days to both of them!
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Here's to our associates with October birthdays! Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate.
Roz Lewis, Brianna Petersen, Abigale Van Lanen, Ashley Edelman, Deirdre Kosmicki, Lorraine Meyer, Cheryl Herrman, Bonnie McKinsey, Valerie Olberding, Karen Heue, Bill McAsey, Eduardo Bertulfo, Deborah Cain, Dominic Freeman, Diane Eckstein, Doug Hermesch, Jessica Taylor, Megan Blow, Rebecca Mulanax, Linda Heinen, Katelynn Sherwood, Donna Krohn, Tina Moser, Mersades Pineda, Myiah Schmelzle, Ann Stallbaumer, Peter Trausch, Cindy Flentie, Julie Gleason, John Jeanneret, Ronnie Jones, Amber Grollmes, Samantha Correll, Cassie Elliott, Jamie McMullen, Leah Zwonitzer, April Wesley, Leah Taylor.
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Help with an emergency blood shortage by making plans to give blood at CHCS in Onaga on Friday, October 16. The drive is slated for the Walsh Room/Teleconference Room in the basement from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Coffee Shop special
September 28-October 2
Caramel macchiato
- Vanilla with caramel drizzle
- Hot, iced, or frappe
- 16 oz., $4
Want a treat?
We have new Halloween candy! (It's scary good.)
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Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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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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