JCH&L Celebrates National Rural Health Day Nov. 20

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating National Rural Health Day (NRHD) on Thursday, Nov. 20. Since 2011, this annual observance — founded and coordinated by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) has been held on the third Thursday of November to spotlight the unique healthcare challenges and remarkable strength of the nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

“Rural communities are the backbone of our state, and their health is vital to our collective future,” said Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO. “We’re proud to celebrate National Rural Health Day and honor the unwavering commitment of rural healthcare providers, organizations, and community leaders who work every day to improve the lives of others.”

This year, Jefferson Community Health & Life is marking the occasion by providing a small gift of a lip balm or a pill box to patients and visitors who visit our facility that day.

“We are grateful for the support of rural health care provided by residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area,” Wolff said.

Jefferson Community Health & Life currently employs 256, with total annual salaries, wages and benefits totaling more than $20 million. JCH&L is among the top 3 employers in Jefferson County by number of staff employed.

JCH&L also provides unreimbursed community support totaling nearly $2 million.

Dr. Hanzlicek to Join JCH&L as Family Medicine Physician

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Abby Hanzlicek, MD, will join JCH&L in January 2026 as a family medicine physician. Dr. Hanzlicek will care for patients full-time in the Fairbury Clinic, and will cover occasional shifts in the emergency department.

Dr. Hanzlicek is devoted to rural medicine.

“Rural medicine allows me to provide comprehensive, meaningful care where it’s needed most. I love the variety and challenge of practicing medicine in a rural community,” she said.

Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO, said it is a joy to welcome a new full-time family medicine doctor to the team.

“The losses we have suffered in our medical community have been difficult, but our team has been working hard to recruit excellent providers to care for our patients. We truly appreciate the support of our community,” Wolff said.

Dr. Hanzlicek is excited to join JCH&L.

“I chose JCH&L because it didn’t feel like I would just be part of a team here- it felt like I would be part of a family,” Dr. Hanzlicek said.

Her philosophy of health care is patient focused.

“Healthcare is a calling built on integrity and patient autonomy- it’s about providing patients with the information and support they need to make the best decisions for themselves and doing the right thing for every patient, every time,” Dr. Hanzlicek said.

Dr. Hanzlicek, a Kansas native, is board certified in family medicine and licensed in both Nebraska and Kansas. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in nutritional sciences and a secondary major in gerontology. She received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kan. She completed her family medicine residency at Smoky Hill Family Medicine Residency in Salina, Kan.

She has experience with Pawnee County Memorial Hospital and Rural Health Clinic, and has provided emergency, clinical and hospital coverage for critical access hospitals in Kansas.

She has filled a wide variety of volunteer and leadership roles, including volunteering at community clinics and a retirement center and taking a medical mission trip to Nicaragua.

Dr. Hanzlicek was the Kansas State University rising Professional Award recipient in 2024, was a Scholar in Rural Health, Kansas Honor Scholar and Kansas Board of Regents State Scholar.

She is a member of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Family Physicians.

Dr. Hanzlicek and her husband, Lance, live near Pawnee City. They have a daughter, Laramie, 3; son, Dutton, 1; and another son on the way.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Nov. 19

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room.

The program will be on the SPEAK OUT! program by Kristen Banahan, MS, CCC, SLP, JCH&L speech therapist. Learn about how the SPEAK OUT! program can be of help to someone with Parkinson’s Disease.

For easiest access, park in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the signage to the Clinic Conference Room.

The Parkinson’s Support Group is a new opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. Those who have Parkinson’s Disease, caregivers of those with Parkinson’s Disease, and those who have family and friends with Parkinson’s Disease and want to learn and share are welcome.

There is no cost or obligation. For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402)-729-6855.

Do you want to quit smoking and wonder where to start?

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It is not easy to quit smoking, but it is the best thing you can do for your health. Jefferson Community Health and Life is offering a free smoking cessation interactive presentation on Thursday, Nov. 20, the day of the Great American Smokeout. Learn what research shows about the most successful ways to quit smoking.

The interactive presentation will be offered by Missy Klasek, RN, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Large Conference Room at JCH&L. The session is free and there is no obligation. No reservations are needed. Anyone interested is invited to come and learn.

People who have quit say: “After I quit smoking my anxiety went down!” “I could breathe so much better, and my cough was gone!”

For more information, contact Missy Klasek at 402-729-3351, extension 4266 or email Melissa.Klasek@JCHealthandLife.org.

Lunchtime Educational Session to Feature SAD

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A lunchtime educational session on Seasonal Affective Disorder will be offered by Nicole Topliff, APRN, FNP, PMHNP, of JCH&L Behavioral Health on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 12:15 p.m. The session will be held in the JCH&L Fairbury Clinic Conference Room. It is free, and participants are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCH&L cafeteria or bring a sack lunch. Reservations are encouraged but not required by calling 402-729-6855.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that is consistently impacted by seasonal change (fall/winter). Please plan to attend JCH&L’s lunchtime educational session to learn more about how to identify the symptoms of SAD and how these symptoms can be treated.

For more information on Behavioral Health services available at JCH&L Behavioral Health, please call 402-729-3448.

Hoffman to Increase Commitment to JCH&L

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Larissa Hoffman, APRN, will increase her commitment to JCH&L in January, and will primarily be providing Emergency Department coverage. She has been an “as needed” staff member doing Emergency Department coverage since October 2024.

She will be covering nine 24-hour shifts per month in the Emergency Department,  and may occasionally provide care in the Fairbury Clinic. At this time she is not expected to have her own patient responsibilities in the clinic, but will assist as needed.

Hoffman said she is happy to be able to use both her clinical skills and her ability to connect with people and said she feels JCH&L is a good fit for her.

“I really like the teamwork between providers, nurses and techs. I like the pace, the people, the variety of medicine. It all fits with my personality and strengths. It’s a very team-oriented environment,” Hoffman said.

She has been in nursing for 20 years, and has experience in emergency medicine, long-term care and infusion. She has been an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse since 2023. She said being an advanced practice provider in the Emergency Department gives her “the ability to make a real difference for patients in their most vulnerable moments.”

“Caring for patients and making them feel at ease is what I was meant to do. It’s more than a job to me — it’s my calling and my passion,” she said.

JCH&L CEO Holly Wolff said the critical access hospital is striving for increasing consistency in the Emergency Department, and increasing Hoffman’s scheduled visits is a great help.

“We are so pleased to have Larissa fully on board. We have had great feedback about her care, and we appreciate her commitment to our patients,” Wolff said.

Hoffman is a native Nebraskan, born and raised in Verdon. She and her husband Bradon live in Sabetha, Kan., and have 3 children: Bailey, 22; Braxton, 16; and Maddex, 13.

Grief Support Series Planned by Cottonwood Hospice

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Cottonwood Hospice will hold a Holiday Grief Support Group Series Nov. 4, 2025, through Jan. 13, 2026, at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic Conference room, 2200 H St.

Sessions will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. every other Tuesday starting Nov. 4. Sessions are set for Nov. 4, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 16, Dec. 30 and Jan. 13, 2026.

There is no cost, and the sessions are open to anyone who has lost a loved one in the past year.

Pre-registration is requested for planning purposes. Please call Cottonwood Hospice at 402-228-8501.

Caregivers Support Group to Meet Nov. 13

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be “What is Sundowning in Dementia?”

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the signage to “Caregiver’s Support.”

The Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association. The group meets on the second Thursday of each month in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room.

The support group is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.  The group provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease and learn from other’s experiences. There is no cost, and no pre-registration required.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Participates in National Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is part of a movement to improve health care for older adults, contributing to a goal of continuing to expand and grow age-friendly care.

As part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, in partnership with the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association of the United States,​ are helping health care organizations implement a set of evidence-based interventions specifically designed to improve care for older adults.

Collaborative learning opportunities across the movement bring together health care teams committed to sharing data and improving together. All teams strive toward reliably implementing age-friendly best practices across hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health agencies and primary and specialty care settings.

JCH&L now joins an international group of more than 5,200 health systems working to tailor care to patients’ goals and preferences and to deliver care that is consistently of the highest quality.

“JCH&L has always been on the forefront of patient care, and that’s why we are participating in this vital movement. We look forward to both sharing our best practices and learning what’s working for others providing age-friendly care,” said Holly Wolff, CEO of JCH&L. “The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative is an important part of our overarching vision to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”

The initiative is based on a series of practices focused on addressing four essential elements of care for older patients:

  • What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences, including, but not limited to, end-of-life care, and across settings of care.
  • Medication: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medications that do not interfere with What Matters to the older adult, Mobility, or Mentation across settings of care.
  • Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat, and manage dementia, depression, and delirium across settings of care.​
  • Mobility: Ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do What Matters.

Age-Friendly Health Systems is an initiative of The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), in partnership with the American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Catholic Health Association of the US (CHA). For more information, visit www.ihi.org/agefriendly.

Rick Blum, PA-C, Named JCH&L Caring Kind for 2025

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Rick Blum, PA-C, was honored as the Jefferson Community Health & Life Caring Kind recipient for 2025 on Friday, Oct. 24, during the Nebraska Hospital Association convention held in LaVista.

Blum was recognized by his nominators for his positivity and professionalism in every aspect of his workday, and for creating a supportive and welcoming environment for patients and for co-workers. He builds lasting connections that make a difference, and ensures patients feel seen and cared for throughout their visit. He is committed to teamwork and excellence.

“His uplifting attitude is contagious, consistently bringing a smile not only to his patients, but also to his co-workers,” one nominator said.

Blum has been a PA at JCH&L since 2024, caring for patients in JCH&L Fairbury Clinic as well as the emergency room.

Blum was honored at the Nebraska Hospital Association’s Caring Kind luncheon on Friday, Oct. 24, in LaVista, with the other Caring Kind honorees from across the state.

For 46 years, the Nebraska Hospital Association has bestowed awards to Nebraska health care employees who have risen to the top by providing service excellence and dedication to their profession. These award recipients commit themselves to the betterment of their hospitals and health systems, their customers, their co-workers, and their communities.

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