Please enjoy this double issue of the E-Connection. We've included two weeks' worth of menus and Coffee Shop specials, because next week's newsletter will come in the form of daily special editions dedicated to Hospital Week and Associate Recognition. We are ready to celebrate!
Don't forget that Monday is Hawaiian shirt day! Wear jeans and your best (work-appropriate) tropical shirt. Send photos to news@chcsks.org to be entered in the "best shirt" contest.
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The American Nurses Association created Nurses Week (May 6 – May 12) to acknowledge the contribution nurses make to their communities and health systems. |
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Here at CHCS, we have amazing nurses who provide extraordinary care and who, time and time again, rise to whatever challenge the world of healthcare can throw their way. Highlighting the nurses' commitment to their patients and communities is very important to CHCS.
Here are some of the accomplishments of CHCS nurses in the last year.
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Started PICC line vascular services at the hospital during the pandemic when we were struggling to get central line coverage
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Achieved High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition for implementation of evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding
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Awarded AORN Go Clear Award in surgery
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Started orthopedic cases in surgery
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Achieved Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition in all clinics
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Managed highest Community HomeHealth volumes in department history through the pandemic
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Started a Peripheral Artery Disease and Pulmonary Rehab Program in the Cardiopulmonary Rehab Department
- Implemented new equipment and have had record months in Cardiac Stress Testing
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Managed employee illnesses for 450 associates during the pandemic
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Found innovative ways to care for a high volume of patients and outpatients during the height of the pandemic
Looking back, despite the pandemic, we have been able to do so much and continue to be here for our patients. Thank you to all the nurses at CHCS for all they do for our patients and communities!
--Mindy Olberding, Chief Nursing Officer
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As the Director of Senior Services, I am honored and blessed to work alongside excellent nurses that work and care for the residents at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living, St, Marys Manor, and Eastridge.
St Marys Manor and Eastridge both are consistently ranked as 5-star facilities by the Medicare nursing home comparison. The star rating is the overall rating of plan quality and performance. A 5-star rating is the highest and indicates a nursing home is “excellent.” Staff at these nursing homes constantly take classes in the care of the elderly as well as how to work with Medicare and Medicaid to get the correct reimbursement for all of the work that they do.
Long-term care nurses must be well versed in all diseases of the elderly, plus they must know how to approach dementia residents and make them feel comfortable in their new home. These nurses have to know what is right by each resident’s definition, be an advocate to make a resident better, and be able to hold a resident's hand and give comfort when it is time for the fight to be over. Our nurses are intelligent, compassionate, and caring individuals.
Our assisted living and nursing home nurses are a wonderful group. The individual reports that I hear back from family members or close friends let me know that when that door is closed and the nurse is in the room with a resident, loving magic happens, and although they cannot always heal the person, they can and do bring peace of mind to residents and their families. The gifts they give of themselves to our CHCS family and extended family is without a doubt a true calling and a wonderful thing to observe. Thank you to all long-term care nurses!
--Lura Flentie, Director of Senior Services
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Build Mental Health Awareness |
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. All of us need to take some time to check in with ourselves and others and face the difficult truth that many people are struggling with mental wellness.
Below are two pieces that can help us learn how to get involved and help raise awareness, enhance our understanding, or help ourselves or others who may have difficulties.
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'It's OK to not be OK:' Finding Damon's Purpose
Brenda Quigley is a registered nurse and has worked for CHCS since December of 2007. She and her husband, Ron, have been married for almost 22 years and live in Corning. They have three children: Noah, age 20; Taegan, age 17; and Damon, who passed away at the age of 13.
After losing Damon to suicide, Brenda dedicated herself to promoting mental health and wellness in her community. She started Damon’s Purpose and is striving to help others. She recently took time to answer a few questions about this important work. Community HealthCare System is proud to call Brenda one of our associates!
What is Damon’s Purpose all about?
Our youngest son, Damon, ended his life on January 19, 2021. It was a complete shock to us. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, I spent a lot of time in prayer, asking God what my purpose was in all this, and what Damon's purpose was. I felt a very strong urge to share our story. Damon's Purpose started as a few grieving mom Facebook posts and some positive quotes. I ended them with #damonspurpose and our motto "It's OK to not be OK." Eventually it led us to start a Damon's Purpose Facebook page where I post mental health resources and inspirational quotes. We have held sign parties, given out over 1,000 wristbands, sponsored a mental wellness day, and most recently I've had the honor of speaking at several local schools about the importance of taking care of your mental health. Our mission statement is to:
- Encourage openness about mental health and promote mental wellness
- Foster compassion and empathy for those who struggle with mental health issues
- Empower people to seek professional help before life becomes overwhelming
- Advocate for suicide awareness and prevention
- Ultimately striving to end the stigma surrounding mental illness
Click the green button below to read the rest of the Q&A and find out about a special Damon's Purpose event on May 22.
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Watch your language
One thing all of us can do is to be careful of the language we use to reduce the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
For example:
- Instead of saying "mentally disabled" or "mentally ill," try saying the person has a "mental health condition" or "has a mental illness"
- Instead of saying someone "committed suicide," say the person "died by suicide"
- Instead of saying someone is "retarded" or "mentally retarded," say the person "has an intellectual disability"
- Instead of saying someone is an "addict, junkie, or drunk," say the person "has a substance abuse disorder"
- Instead of saying someone is "crazy, insane, psycho, or nuts," describe the person's symptoms.
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Editor's note: Many thanks to Brenda Quigley and Angie Sauvage for their help with the pieces above and for their work to build mental health awareness. |
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Our Birth Center welcomed seven babies in April. All of them are precious! We have photos of five of them to help brighten your day. Learn more on our Nursery page.
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Friday jeans in May
If you'd like to wear jeans on Fridays in May, now's the time to make your contribution to Greater Giving! A $10 donation buys a month of jeans, and you decide where your donation goes.
Please make the program easier to administer by ensuring that you fill out a form with your first and last name and that you turn in the form with your payment. (Click the form at right to expand.)
Donations and forms go to the following individuals at each location:
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Holton: Kim Lovvorn
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Onaga: Alisa Skruch or Marlene Wolfe (Administration office)
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Westmoreland: Registration staff
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Frankfort: Stacy Vermetten
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St. Marys Clinic: Registration staff
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St. Marys Manor: Shannon Heim
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Centralia Clinic: Jes Hipp
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Eastridge: Jes Hipp at Centralia Clinic
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We've come a long way, baby
Just wanted to add some perspective to this photo: 1TB, equal to 1,000,000 megabytes, is a standard hard drive now for home computers.
That would be the equivalent of 12,500,000,000 punched cards if my math is correct.
--Dom Freeman,
IT Director
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Welcome to CHCS!
We are happy to have the following associates join us. Welcome!
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Kristin Straw, Access Services
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Christina Magnett, Onaga EVS Tech
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Important reminders
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The first WorkWell quarterly activity is a game of Bingo, but you play only for yourself! The "Bingo card" contains a number of research-based activities that can help participants embrace compassion and kindness (one of our Core Values!) for themselves and others, both at work and in life. The card includes instructions on how to participate. Already finished? Turn your card in to the following: Holton-Kim Lovvorn; Centralia-Jennifer Traxler or Jes Hipp; Onaga-Alisa Skruch or Marlene Wolfe in Admin; St. Marys-Annette Engell or Christy McDaris; Frankfort-Stacy Vermetten; Westmoreland-Kayla Suther.
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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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May 9-13
Almond Joy latte
- Almond, chocolate, and coconut
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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May 16-20
Salted Caramel
Coconut latte
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16 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
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New in the Gift Shop
Celebrate in style with Festive Gal headband crowns for Mother's Day, graduation, and more! Your guest of honor will feel special.
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Adulting 101
Holly Schmitz, Lyndsi Morton, Ashley Edelman, and Jill Nolte visited Onaga High School seniors on May 4 to help them learn what they need to know before leaving home. They discussed budgeting, reading nutrition facts and labels, choosing nutritious foods and drinks, keeping active, body image, and avoiding social stigmas. They engaged in a number of activities, including a Jeopardy-style game with questions about nutrition, sugar, budgeting, and lifestyle choices; a portioning exercise; activities to determine the amount of sugar in drinks and the amount of sodium in foods; and more.
Students also learned about flax and chia seeds and what five pounds of muscle looks like compared with five pounds of fat. The students had a good time and even received some prizes!
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Barnyard visit
Last week, St. Marys Manor residents enjoyed the St. Marys FFA Chapter Kiddie Barnyard. Looks like they met some adorable (and patient) goats! Smiles all around!
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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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