JCH&L Partnership Gains National Attention

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Collaboration for online health tool featured as case study in rural health strategy

A partnership between Jefferson Community Health & Life, its software vendor and local organizations serving as early adopters of the hospital’s online health management tool is getting national exposure.

The collaborative partnership that gives consumers access to personalized health and wellness information is now featured in the 2017 Compendium of Best Practices in Rural Health Hospital-Community Partnerships, a publication of Bryan Health. It is one of 12 case studies that illustrate what is possible when hospitals and community organizations share resources, skills and services for a greater impact on population health.

Partnering with its software vendor, MEDHOST, Jefferson Community Health & Life introduced My Wellness Dashboard earlier this year. The free, web-based platform enables consumers to receive personalized health care content and track data from fitness and medical devices. Patients can access personal medical records through a connected patient portal.

As early adopter partners, Fairbury Public Library and Fairbury Public Schools helped raise awareness of the tool in the community by participating in a promotional contest. Within six months of launch, 194 people signed up for the dashboard, and 108 signed up for the patient portal.

“Thanks to My Wellness Dashboard, everyone in our community can have easy access to the information they need to manage their health and reach their wellness goals,” said Chad Jurgens, chief executive officer of Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The Compendium can be accessed at JCHealthandLife.org/about.

JCH&L Seeks Donations to Help Purchase Gardenside Bus

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Annual Christmas Fund-raising Project In Progress

Jefferson Community Health & Life is seeking the community’s help in raising fund for a new bus for JCH&L Gardenside. The current bus is in need of replacement, and is used to brighten the lives of residents with rides in the country, rides to see Christmas lights, and other group transportation and travel.

At Gardenside, resident-centered care is a priority, and the Eden project encourages community involvement and outings. The existing bus is a 2001 model which is becoming unreliable and badly in need of replacement. The cost of a new bus is about $60,000. JCH&L has applied for grant funding to hopefully help with the cost.

Donations of all amounts are welcome, and are tax deductible to the extent allowable by IRS regulations. Donations count toward cumulative recognition on the Wall of Honor in the JCH&L front lobby. Contributions may be made in memory or in honor of someone.

For more information, please contact Lana Likens at (402) 729-6855.

JCH&L Gardenside Bell Choir to Perform

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The JCH&L Gardenside Bell Choir will perform on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. The program will journey back to the stable on the first Christmas, as seen through the eyes of the animals.

The performances are free and open to the public.

For more information contact Gardenside at 402-729-5220.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Dec. 11

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be discussion and tips on dealing with the holidays with Parkinson’s Disease.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Conference Room.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month. The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402)-729-3351.

Gerths Named JCH&L Caring Kind Employee for 2017

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Nebraska Hospital Association Honors Employees

LA VISTA, NEB. — The Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) recognized 66 hospital employees October 27, 2017, for their excellence in service by bestowing them with the organization’s prestigious “The Caring Kind” award. Among the awarded was Raven Gerths, social services,  of Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside.

Gerths began her career at JCH&L in 2008 in hospital admissions, then became an assistant in social services and activities, then went to work in social services full time. While working full time in social services and raising a family, she completed her bachelor’s degree and began a counselor with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program. Her nominators describe her as kind, caring and compassionate and said she will do whatever it takes to make sure residents and their families have their needs met.

For 38 years, The Caring Kind award has been given to Nebraska’s most caring and compassionate hospital employees. The award honors outstanding health care employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

“It is such an honor for me to meet The Caring Kind award recipients each year.  They demonstrate the kindness, caring, dedication and commitment to their hospitals which is why they were awarded this recognition,” NHA President Laura J. Redoutey, FACHE, said.

Hospitals across the state each select one The Caring Kind award recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized during the NHA Annual Convention.

More than 2,400 caring, skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979. This year, 66 employees were honored before nearly 500 people in attendance at The Caring Kind Awards Luncheon held at Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista.

The event showcases the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide every day throughout the year. Every Nebraska hospital employee plays a critical role in providing high-quality, cost-effective treatment and ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-workers and patients each and every day.

These honorees are star performers through their dedication to patients and teamwork, ensuring that care is safe, quality-driven and cost-effective for consumers, as well as for the organizations they represent.

American Heart Association Presents Jill Duis and Erin Starr the “Heart of Gold” Award

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JCH&L staffers and team honored at 2017 Lincoln Go Red for Women

LINCOLN, November 20, 2017 ― This 2017 Lincoln Go Red for Women event was jam-packed with individuals and companies who donated their time and treasure to creating a world without heart disease and stroke. But two attendees’ devotion to the American Heart Association’s live-saving mission shined brighter than the rest – Jill Duis RN and Erin Starr RN.

The pair have donated years of their time to the Go Red for Women movement and took it upon themselves to host an inaugural Go Red event in Fairbury, Nebraska in 2013. Now in its fourth year and known as the Jefferson County Go Red for Women, the event has become one of the highest fundraising events, per capita, in the state of Nebraska. Duis is JCH&L’s diabetes educator and infection preventionist. Starr is JCH&L’s chief quality officer.

“Jill and Erin’s dedication to our mission and the Go Red for Women movement has made such a difference in Nebraska,” said Go Red for Women Specialist, Liz Zillig. “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined. An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease with one in three women dying from heart disease each year. Their work is helping us change these staggering statistics.”

For this dedication, the American Heart Association presented the duo with the “Heart of Gold” award at the Oct. 12 Lincoln Go Red for Women.  The entire Go Red for Women committee attended.

“We got the ball rolling, but the event would not have been the success it is without our team of dedicated staff members,” Duis said. “We also thank all of our area business sponsors who have so graciously support the event.”

The fourth annual Jefferson County Go Red for Women event is set for Saturday, February 17, 2018, at the Fairbury Elks Lodge. Tickets are now available by calling 402-587-0495.

Prenatal Childbirth Education Class Offered

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Class set for Dec. 20

A Prenatal Childbirth Education class will be offered in December at Jefferson Community Health & Life for all expectant parents. The class will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life, 2200 H St., Fairbury.

The cost of the class is $35 per couple, which includes a free copy of the book “What to Expect the First Year.” The class is open to all expectant parents. Instructor for the course is Erin Starr RN.

The class will include information on changes which occur during pregnancy, knowing when you are in labor and what to expect, breathing, relaxation and other coping techniques, selecting your support team, pain relief measures, birth plan, recovery following delivery, newborn procedures in hospital, breast feeding basics and more.

Pre-registration is required. For more information or to pre-register, call Erin Starr  RN  at Jefferson Community Health & Life at (402) 729-6889.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Will Not Meet in December

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will not meet in December because of holiday schedules. Watch for details in early January about the January meeting!

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life.  It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

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

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE