JCH&L Joins #DressInBlueNE Effort to Raise Awareness of Colorectal Cancer

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has joined the annual statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition to heighten awareness of lifesaving colorectal cancer screening during Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 1.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Nebraska. Incidences of colorectal cancer diagnosis and death remain higher in Nebraska compared to overall U.S. rates. Additionally, of all cancer deaths in people under 50, colorectal is now number one in men and number two in women. Many people do not realize that the official recommended age for colorectal cancer screening has been reduced from 50 to 45.

“Colorectal cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it’s much more difficult to treat. It’s important for Nebraskans with a family history of colorectal cancer and who are ages 45 and older to speak with their health care provider about screening as soon as possible,” said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson. “Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, but you don’t know if you don’t go.”

“Speaking with your primary care provider about your family history of cancer and cancer screening is something we encourage all Nebraskans to do. Take ownership of your heath and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself,” stated Dr. Mike Romano, MD. “Physicians and healthcare providers appreciate patients who do so.”

There are multiple safe, affordable options available for screening. Individuals are encouraged to contact their primary care provider to start a conversation about their family history of colorectal cancer and screening. Additionally, anyone wanting to support the statewide awareness effort is invited to wear blue on Friday, March 1 and share on social media platforms using the hashtags #DressInBlueNE and #FightBackNE.

About Nebraska Cancer Coalition

The Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) is a nonprofit organization that serves all 93 counties in Nebraska.  NC2’s membership and partners include health systems, providers, associations, cancer survivors and individuals. Together we aspire to achieve our mission of connecting people and resources to strengthen cancer prevention, detection, and quality of life in Nebraska. NC2 works towards implementing the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. Our vision is to ultimately Conquer Cancer Together.

Caregivers Support Group to Meet March 14

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, March 14, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be a video “Introduction to Alzheimer’s” from the Alzheimer’s Association.

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 Among Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals 2024

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For the ninth time in 11 years, Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

“We are pleased to be recognized again for our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to residents of Jefferson County and beyond, while maintaining an efficient and effective facility,” said Burke Kline, DHA, MHA,  MBA, CHFP, FACHE, CEO of Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™ for 2024,  and previously in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014. The annual Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award is based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX ® from iVantage Health Analytics, and is regarded as one of the industry’s most significant designations of performance excellence.

Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility scored in the top 100 among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally. Now in its 14th year, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance. Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility had one of the 100 highest overall scores among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally.

“During an era of profound uncertainty for rural healthcare, the Top 100 rural hospitals continue to provide a unique lens through which we can identify innovation and inspiration for how to deliver high quality care to increasingly vulnerable populations,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to be able to recognize all this year’s Top 100 but especially the more than 40 first-time recipients across both categories. It’s wonderful to see so many new facilities join the ranks of our Top 100 alumni.”

The list of this year’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, as well as the 2023 INDEX methodology, can be found at: https://www.chartis.com/top-performing-rural-hospitals

JCH&L is among 14 Nebraska critical access hospitals to make the Top 100 list for 2023. Others are: Annie Jeffrie Memorial County Health Center, Osceola; Antelope Memorial Hospital, Neligh; Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Beatrice; Boone County Health Center, Albion; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; Butler County Healthcare Center, David City; Cherry County Hospital, Valentine; CHI Health St. Mary’s, Nebraska City; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Crete Area Medical Center, Crete; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Valley County Hospital, Ord; and York General Hospital, York.

In May 2020, JCH&L was recognized by The Chartis Center and the National Rural Health Association for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation for quality. In May 2018, JCH&L was recognized for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals overall in the nation.

In November 2023, JCH&L was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. The Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance  (75th percentile and above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and patient perspective. Jefferson Community Health & Life has previously been recognized with the NOSORH/iVantage Performance Leadership award for quality and patient perspective in 2022 and 2021; quality in 2020; for quality, outcomes and patient perspective in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and for financial strength and patient satisfaction in 2016.

“These recognitions reaffirm that our emphasis on quality, performance and satisfaction are making a difference to the people we serve and to our health center. It is because of the work and care of our staff, physicians and board, and the support of the people of Jefferson County and beyond that we are able to meet and surpass these benchmarks and receive recognition,” Kline said.

Gardenside Names Valentine King and Queen

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JCH&L Gardenside named a Valentine King and Queen on Feb. 14.

Crowned King was Keith “Mike” Slater, and crowned Queen was Joan McKenzie. Assisting in the crowning was Miss Jefferson County Kenzie Strain.

JCH&L Gardenside Earns 4 Star Rating

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FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside has received a 4 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Nursing Home Compare and the star rating system allow consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care, staffing and survey information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a high of 5 stars to a low of 1 star based on health inspection surveys, staffing information and quality of care measures. Five stars indicate much above average quality, while a one star indicates much below average quality. The ratings are publicly available on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare website at  www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.

“While Gardenside has been a 5-star facility for years, CMS revised how facilities earn these stars, making it much harder to stay a 5-star facility. Gardenside is currently a 4-star facility, which is above average,” said Laura DeBoer, RN, director of nursing at JCH&L Gardenside. “Gardenside staff and administration strive to improve this rating and working hard to ensure that our residents receive the best care possible. We believe the well-being of our residents and their quality of life is crucial.”

JCH&L Gardenside has been providing long-term care to area residents since 1963. Currently, Gardenside is licensed for 40 beds, and has one Hospice room available. Gardenside has an aviary and a variety of activities in which residents can participate including organized activities in the evenings and on weekends.

Gardenside prides itself on having a homelike environment, and being a small, family-oriented care facility. Three enclosed courtyards provide outdoor space for residents and their families to enjoy.

“What really sets us apart and makes our facility special is our wonderful staff,” DeBoer said. “Their hard work, dedication and care for our residents truly makes us an outstanding facility.”

JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, MBA, CHFP, FACHE, said he is very proud of the Gardenside’s care and commitment.

“I’m proud of our outstanding Gardenside team and the quality of care we continue to offer to our residents,” Kline said.

The Nursing Home Compare statistics can be accessed by going to www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare and selecting Gardenside LTC-JCHC.

Blood Drives Earn Donation for Fairbury Rural Fire Department

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FAIRBURY – The Fairbury Rural Fire Department was awarded $750 for the community’s participation in this year’s Nebraska Community Blood Bank Hometown Heroes blood drive campaign. With 65 units collected over the summer, the drives at JCH&L earned Hometown Heroes funds to support the department’s rescue truck.

The rescue truck went out on 27 calls last year, and has already been out on 6 this year, said assistant fire chief Judd Stewart.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank is JCH&L’s blood supplier. The bloodmobile comes to JCH&L’s North Building parking lot 6 times a year. This year’s Hometown Heroes drives will be June 10 and Aug. 5.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank offers Hometown Heroes donation dollars to communities outside Lincoln and Omaha which host blood drives. Awards are allocated based on the total collections combined. Communities can direct up to $1,200 to a charity in their community.

Any community outside Lincoln and Omaha city limits is eligible to participate by hosting a blood drive in support of the Hometown Heroes campaign. There is no limit to the number of blood drives your community can hold. Awards will be allocated based on the total collections combined. • Based on the success of your community’s blood drive(s), you’ll have the opportunity to direct up to $1,200 toward funding a charity in your community. Awards may not be directed to the organization sponsoring the drive, nor used for a general fund. To get started, email us at blooddrives@ncbb.org or call 402-486-9414. Or visit NCBB.ORG/HEROES to learn more.

Learn more about our Hometown Heroes campaign at ncbb.org/heroes, email blooddrives@ncbb.org, or call 402-486-9414.

Jami Kassebaum, assistant manager of donor recruitment with Nebraska Community Bloodbank (2nd from right) presents a check for the Hometown Heroes program to the Fairbury Rural Fire Department. Pictured are, from left, Judd Stewart, assistant fire chief; Steve Zimmerman, firefighter; Brett Rogers, captain; Kassebaum; and Barry Schwab, assistant fire chief. The Hometown Heroes funds will go to the rescue truck fund.

 

JCH&L Holds Annual Meeting

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2023 Another Successful Year

The Jefferson Community Health & Life board of directors held the organization’s annual membership meeting for fiscal 2023 on Thursday, Jan. 25. Anyone who has donated $100 or more to Jefferson Community Health & Life is a member of the private not-for-profit corporation.

Two board members were re-elected to continue service on the board. Ross Boeckner, Fairbury, was elected for his second term. Dallas Christ, Plymouth, was elected for his first full term after completing the unexpired term of the late Dr. Jeff Johnson. Board members are elected from among members of the corporation and may serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.

Trevor Steinmeyer, board chairman, thanked the administration, medical staff, board members and staff for continuing to be excellent and providing exceptional care at the highest level to patients. He noted JCH&L was named for several honors and awards in 2023, including being named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, an award we have received 8 out of the last 10 years.  We were also recognized with a Chartis Performance Leadership Award for patient perspective and quality improvement.

“It’s obvious that Jefferson Community Health & Life continues to be a leader in health care, while continuing to strive for the mission of providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time,” Steinmeyer said.

Highlights in the CEO’s annual report to the membership from CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE, included the Performance Leadership Award and Nebraska Quality Award. JCH&L received the 2023 OnCon Icon awards for “Top 10 Executive Teams” and “Top 50 Operations Teams” in October 2023 (fiscal 2024.)

Leta Mau, nutrition services dining room assistant, was named JCHL’s Caring Kind employee the fall of 2023. Wayne Franzen, Gardenside day activities coordinator, was named JCH&Ls Caring Kind employee in the fall of 2022 (fiscal 2023.)

Dr. Kline earned his Masters in Business Administration from Bellevue University. He was named in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of “80 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know.” He also received an ACHE Service Award in October 2022.

Kim Francis, RN, was named infection preventionist/employee health coordinator in June and in August also became housekeeping and laundry supervisor. Amber Brunow was hired as Laboratory Manager. A new position handling prior authorizations was added and Kayla Young was hired to fill the position. A new Fairbury Clinic Health Coach position was created and Deb Sutton, RN, was hired. Carly Berkenmeier, RN, joined JCH&L as an oncology nurse and earned her ONS/ONC Chemotherapy Immunothrapy certificate. Brittany Filipi was hired in radiology to do ultrasounds and we added vascular equipment so she could do vascular studies. Speech therapist Kristin Banahan, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Occupational therapist Taylor Zimmerman, MOT, OTR/L, joined the Sports Medicine and Rehab Services pediatric team. Anne Itzen, RN, WCC, renewed her Wound Care Certification through the National Alliance of sound Care and Ostomy. Jenn Mau, RN, BSN, passed the Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course. Erin Starr, RN, earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Laura DeBoer, RN, Gardenside Director of Nursing, earned her social worker designee certification. Laura DeBoer, RN, Kelli Doty, RN, Kim Francis, RN, and Patrick Hoins completed a Water Management Training course. Jenn Mau, RN, was elected to the Fairbury Chamber of Commerce board. Kelli Pohlmann and Mary Feldkamp became Social Worker Designees. Wayne Franzen received an activities certification. Teresa Kroll earned her medical assistant certificate. Ashley Norden, LPN, and Jenn Mau, RN, completed the Nebraska Hospital Association Leadership Academy in October 2023.

New services added included a new Dexa Scanner (bone density screening), Men’s Health Clinic days, expanded occupational health services, cosmetic and therapeutic aesthetics, and vascular screenings in house, rather than by contracted services.

Major projects included updating in Gardenside, remodeling laboratory, implementing  a new appointment reminder system for Fairbury Clinic patients, utilizing new wound care software, implementing new software allowing patients to estimate the cost of a service, and a number of other capital projects.

JCH&L remained active in community collaboration and events.

Chance Klasek, CFO, presented a report containing a comparison of financial data over the past five years. Chance noted that gross revenues increased to just under $43 million in the current year. After bad debt and contractual adjustments of $11 million and expenses of $31.5 million, this left JCH&L with $500,000 of operating loss which equated to a 1.45% operating loss. We recognized gains on investments and grants of roughly $5.3 million for a total increase in net assets of $4.8 million.

At the regular monthly board meeting which followed the annual meeting, officers were elected for 2024. Officers are: Trevor Steinmeyer, chairman; Ross Boeckner, vice chairman; and Glenda Austin, secretary-treasurer.

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