News - JC Health and Life

Outdoor Work on JCH&L Construction Project Begins

September 4, 2026/by Lana Likens

Outdoor work has begun on the Jefferson Community Health & Life construction project. The project includes a state-of-the-art therapy department and renovation of the fitness center pool and locker rooms.

Demolition of the fitness center pool and locker rooms began in early August, and is moving along well, said Judd Stewart, facilities director at JCH&L. Interior work also started in August on three Gardenside rooms which required work in order to prepare for the project. Outside work, including removing the siding from a portion of the fitness center and dirt work at the construction location has recently started.

On Thursday, Sept. 10, and Friday, Sept 11, JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center and JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services adult therapy area will be closed because of necessary electrical updates. The pediatric therapy area will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 10, but open on Friday, Sept. 11. Anyone with questions can contact the fitness center at 402-729-6139 or Sports Medicine and Rehab Services at 402-729-6840.

The renovation and expansion project is estimated at $5.5 million and includes a 6,380-square-foot addition for therapy services in addition to the fitness center updates. The project will also include removing and replacing the stucco finish from the exterior of the fitness center and replacing it with durable metal siding. Project completion is expected in late summer 2027.

JCH&L encourages any patients who need assistance from the parking lot to the building to call the main JCH&L line at 402-729-3351, or the department they need to access. Three new angled parking spaces west of the clinic now have signage designating the spaces for patients who need extra assistance. The JCH&L number is listed in case they need to call for help.

“We recognize that the construction project has affected parking, and we apologize for the inconvenience. We are ready and willing to help in any way we can,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations.

JCH&L reminds patients and customers that for safety reasons there is no entrance for the public inside the construction fence, which is a work zone and hard hat area. Gardenside should be accessed either through the JCH&L main entrance (from H Street) or the Cedarwood main entrance (from 22nd Street).

Medicare D Reviews Set for October, November

August 24, 2026/by Lana Likens

Medicare D reviews have been scheduled for Jefferson Community Health & Life on Wednesdays from Oct. 21 through Nov. 25. These appointments offer free unbiased reviews of Medicare D options with certified SHIP counselors.

Appointments are required by calling 402-587-5184 and leaving a message with your name and a phone number where you can be reached and your preferred date. Participants must bring with them to the appointment their Medicare card and complete list of prescription medications including dosage and how often they take it. They will also be asked to bring their login credentials if they already have a Medicare online account.

The review appointments will be held at the JCH&L North Building from 9 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. on Wednesdays from Oct. 21 through Nov. 25. These appointments are specifically designated for Medicare D prescription dug plan reviews.

Medicare D open enrollment is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. This is the time that participant can review Medicare D available plans and change plans if needed. It is a good idea to review plans annually, since plans and medications can change. There have been several changes to plans for 2027 so it is a good idea to review your coverage to make sure you have the best possible coverage for the next year.

If you have other questions about Medicare, please call 402-587-5226.

Wolff Leaving JCH&L in Late September

August 24, 2026/by Lana Likens

Jefferson Community Health & Life CEO Holly Wolff, MHA, LNHA, FACHE, is resigning her position effective Sept. 23 because of family obligations.

Wolff, who joined JCH&L in January 2025, will be going to Colfax, Washington, to serve as a hospital CEO. She said leaving JCH&L was a difficult decision to make.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have made because this organization has become so much more than a workplace; it has become home. Serving alongside such an exceptional team and caring for the communities we serve has been one of the greatest honors of my career. My personal responsibilities are centered on my family, my health and the care needs of my parents that have developed recently,” Wolff said.

During Wolff’s tenure as CEO, JCH&L has begun a $5.5 million therapy expansion and fitness center renovation project; added a Chief Medical Officer position; hired two new physicians and two new Nurse Practitioners; added a Behavioral Health program; added orthopaedic and general surgery robotics; earned recognition as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital in the nation; and earned a number of Top Workplace recognitions.

“We have experienced a great amount of success with Holly in our leadership roll, and we thank her for her leadership. While we hate to lose her, we all understand that family is very important, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors,” said Ross Boeckner, JCH&L Board Chair.

Wolff said she knows JCH&L will continue to serve its community well.

“It has been a privilege to help advance healthcare in this community, and I leave knowing that this organization will continue to provide exceptional care with compassion and integrity,” Wolff said.

The board will name an interim CEO to serve from the time Wolff leaves in September until a new CEO is hired. JCH&L is initiating a comprehensive search for a new Chief Executive Officer who can lead JCH&L in its continued growth and success.

JCH&L Golf Tournament Raises $15,000

August 18, 2026/by Lana Likens

The 30th annual golf tournament to benefit Jefferson Community Health & Life was successful, raising $15,000.

“We continue to be very pleased with the success of this annual event. It’s a great way for JCH&L supporters to have a good time and help provide quality health care for our community, as well,” said Lana Likens, JCH&L Director of Public Relations.

The golf tournament, held Friday, Aug. 14 at the Fairbury Country Club, was a fund-raiser for Jefferson Community Health Center, a 17-bed critical access hospital located in Fairbury.

A total of 28 teams golfed in the event. Winning teams were:

Championship Flight — first place, High Plains Anesthesia (Marci Gillham, Penni Mitchell, Mindy Sasse); second place, Chad Mans (Chad Mans, Terri Eberly, Nathan Petska); third place, Edward Jones Investments (Jay Peterson, Paige Boeckner, Ross Boeckner.)

First Flight — first place, RadSource (Katie Schoenrock, Emily Retzlaff, Ashlee Husa); second place, Barber Home Furnishings (Trent Pollman, Miranda Pollman, Tanner Stenson); third place, Twin Rivers Auto Group (Aaron Folkerts, Steve Crosier, Mike Beachler.)

Second Flight — first place, Signature Performance (Brad Bleich, Brandon Bleich, Evan Hale); second place, Fairbury Dental (Jackie Wesch, Pat Rauert, Rick Rauert); third place, Gerdes Meyer Funeral Home (Justin Stelling, Nate Behrends, Lyle Byrd.)

A total of 23 companies served as hole sponsors, helping to make the fund-raising tournament possible. Hole sponsors were: Active Hearing Health LLC; B.E. Solutions and Technology; Behrends Welding Inc.; Control Services; Davis Design; Edward Jones Investments- Jay Peterson; Eide Bailly LLP; Heartland Bank; High Plains Anesthesia; GI Specialties PC; Nebraska Hematology Oncology; Nebraska Medicine; Nebraska Orthopaedic Center; Ni2; Plymouth Electric; Pollman LLC; Prellwitz Exteriors; RadSource; Rural Sleep Solutions; See the Trainer; The Olson Group; Twin Rivers Auto Group; and UNMC Regional Pathology Services.

Specialty sponsors were: breakfast sponsor – ruralMED; lunch sponsor – Signature Performance; water sponsor – Rutt’s Heating and Air; photo sponsor – UNICO; putting game sponsor – Heartland Bank; Other sponsors – Fairbury Country Club; signage – Precision Signs; treats on the course – Ray’s Apple Market.

Contributing sponsors – American National Bank; Cancer Partners of Nebraska; CHI; Diode Technologies; Directions EAP, LLC; First State Insurance Agency; Globe Rexall Drug; MyVitalz; Prairie Health Ventures LLC; and The Medicus Firm, Inc.

Drawing prize donors were: UNICO, Sutton Golf Carts and Club Repair, KUTT 99.5, Pepsi, Barber Furniture, Edward Jones- Jay Peterson, Walmart, and Main Street Market.

Flag prizes were donated by: Capital Care Staffing, Lucent, Main Street Market, Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Healthcare Association, SFM, Shelter Insurance, UBT, Fairbury Journal-News, Beck’s Hybrids—F3 Ag Services LLC.

Teams participating were: AhlRight (Dennis Ahl), Barber Home Furnishings, B.E. Solutions and Technology, Beckenhauer Construction Inc., Behrends Welding Inc., Blobaum & Busboom CPA, Davis Design, Edward Jones Investments —Jay Peterson, Eide Bailly LLC, Fairbury Dental Associates, Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home, Hauge/Ni2, Heartland Bank, High Plains Anesthesia, Chad Mans, Nebraska Orthopaedic Center, Par Tee 3 (Joy Gaston), Pollman LLC, Jeff Prellwitz, Rural Sleep, See the Trainer, Shanking Shinglers (Prellwitz Exteriors), Signature Performance, Sutton Golf Carts and Clubs, The Olson Group, The Slice is Right (RadSource), Twin Rivers Auto Group, UNMC.

“We especially want to thank our sponsors, donors, golf teams and volunteers. It wouldn’t have been a successful event if we didn’t have such great support from our community, our peers, and companies we work with regularly,” Likens said.

First place – championship flight. High Plains Anesthesia – Marci Gillham, Mindy Sasse, Penni Mitchell

Three women in matching light-blue patterned tops and black bottoms pose together on a grassy golf course beside a golf cart.

First place – first flight. RadSource. Ashlee Husa, Emily Retzlaff, Katie Schoenrock

Three men in white polo shirts stand on a golf course green, posing with clubs and a flag in the background.

First place – second flight. Signature Performance. Brandon Bleich, Brad Bleich, Evan Hale

JCH&L Earns Top Marks on Lown Institute Rankings

August 12, 2026/by Lana Likens

Jefferson Community Health & Life recognized for delivering health equity and high value care in addition to great clinical outcomes

FAIRBURY, Neb. — Jefferson Community Health & Life has earned an “A” grade on the 2026 Lown Hospitals Index for social responsibility, health equity, inclusivity and avoiding overuse, placing it among the top hospitals nationally for overall commitment to health equity, value, and outcomes. JCH&L was also among the top Critical Access Hospitals in Nebraska for Health Equity and Community Benefit.

The Lown Hospitals Index is the only national ranking that examines how equitably care is delivered, how well hospitals invest in their communities, and whether patients receive high-value care that avoids unnecessary procedures, in addition to traditional measures like clinical outcomes and patient safety. More than 50 metrics contribute to a hospital’s overall score.

“Jefferson Community Health & Life strives daily to provide exceptional care to every person, every time. High ratings from the Lown Institute rankings encourages us that we are accomplishing many of our goals for care and service,” said Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO.

The areas where JCH&L has been recognized include:

Social Responsibility – A top grade recognizes a hospital’s outstanding commitment to health equity, value of care, and patient outcomes.
Health Equity – Measures hospitals’ inclusivity of patients from low-income areas and communities of color, their community benefit spending, and their CEO pay relative to housekeeper compensation.
Community Benefit – A top grade reflects a strong commitment to investing in the community, caring for Medicaid patients, and providing meaningful financial assistance to those who need it.
Inclusivity – Top scores are for hospitals that serve all patients in its surrounding community who need care, regardless of income, race, and educational level.
Avoiding Overuse – Hospitals that prevent unnecessary procedures (including unnecessary hysterectomy, coronary stenting, head imaging spinal fusion, and laminectomy) while maintaining high-quality care.

“The Lown Index takes a comprehensive look at who hospitals are—their outcomes, their value, their commitment to community,” said Vikas Saini, MD, president of the Lown Institute. “An ‘A’ in social responsibility means a hospital has met high standards across the board.”

Dr. Hanzlicek Named Chief Medical Officer

August 7, 2026/by Lana Likens

Abby Hanzlicek, MD, has been named Jefferson Community Health & Life’s first Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Dr. Hanzlicek, who joined the staff of JCH&L in January, will continue to provide primary care to patients as she takes on administrative duties.

JCH&L CEO Holly Wolff said having a CMO will help bridge the gap between clinical staff and administration. The CMO is responsible for overseeing clinical operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality patient care, being part of facilitywide decision-making, and helping JCH&L focus on best clinical practices.

Dr. Hanzlicek’s philosophy of health care is patient focused. She intends to retain that focus, whether she is serving in an administrative or a primary care role.

“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.

In addition to comprehensive family medicine services, Dr. Hanzlicek will provide therapeutic Botox treatments and aesthetic services. She has also completed specialized training and earned certification through the Hormone Health Institute, allowing her to continue caring for established Fairbury Clinic hormone replacement therapy patients while incorporating the latest evidence-based practices into their care.

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 filled a wide variety of volunteer and leadership roles during her career. She is a member of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, and American Academy of Family Physicians.

She is transitioning into the role of Chief Medical Officer. She will continue to see patients who have selected her as their primary care physician, and still has capacity to add more primary care patients. She will continue to have dedicated days for patient scheduling.

JCH&L Behavioral Health Adds Therapist

August 5, 2026/by Lana Likens

JCH&L Behavioral Health has added a new therapist, Mackenzie Barnard, PLMHP.

Barnard is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner who is passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges with compassion, curiosity and hope. She views therapy as a partnership in which the clients are the experts of their own lives, while the therapist provides guidance, support and evidence-based tools to reach their goals.

“I believe every person has unique strengths, resilience and the capacity for growth, even during difficult seasons of life,” Barnard said. “My goal is to create a welcoming, nonjudgment space where clients feel safe to explore their experiences, build on existing strengths and move toward meaningful change.”

Barnard works with all ages – children ages 7 and older, adolescents and adults.

Barnard joins Nicole Topliff, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP, and Caitlin Tucker, PLMHP.

JCH&L Behavioral Health began offering services a year ago, and have seen a need for an additional therapist. Topliff offers services as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, diagnosing, treating and prescribing medication for mental health conditions. Tucker and Barnard offer services as Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioners. Both are working toward full licensing as mental health practitioners and will offer therapy as they work toward completing their required hours of supervised experience. Their required hours are being completed under the supervision of a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner provided through the Nebraska Medical Association.

Services offered include psychotherapy as well as medication management for treatment of but not limited to anxiety disorders; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; bipolar disorder; borderline personality disorder; depression; eating disorders; PTSD; schizophrenia/psychosis; sleep concerns; trauma; and other behavioral health and mental health concerns that impact your behavioral health.

Offices are located at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic. No referral is needed. Call 402-729-3448 for more information and to request personal history assessment forms (also available on our website at jchealthandlife.org/care-services/behavioral-health/) Once a completed intake form has been returned and reviewed, nursing staff will coordinate scheduling.

If you have questions regarding insurance, please contact your health insurance provider to request a review of your benefits regarding behavioral and mental health services. If you have questions about billing, please call JCH&L business office at 402-729-3351.

JCH&L Increases Prompt Pay Discount

August 4, 2026/by Lana Likens

JCH&L has increased its prompt pay discount for insured patients to 15 percent as of Aug. 1. The discount is available when the balance is paid in full in a timely manner. The prompt pay discount was increased from the previous 5 percent.

JCH&L continues to offer uninsured patients a 25 percent discount if their bill is paid in full in a timely manner.

“We understand that health care services are expensive and felt it was important to provide an additional benefit for insured patients who pay their bills promptly. We have offered a larger discount for uninsured patients who pay in full promptly for some time,” said Chance Klasek, JCH&L CFO.

For those unable to pay their bill in full, JCH&L allows payment arrangements over 10 months or less with no interest. Those who need to take longer than 10 months to pay may be referred to Heartland Bank for financing.

Last year, JCH&L expanded eligibility for financial assistance by increasing the household income eligible to up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. In order to be eligible for financial assistance, the patient must qualify with income of 400 percent or less of the Federal Poverty Level, be uninsured or underinsured, and the care must be either medically necessary or emergency care. For those who qualify, assistance is provided on a sliding fee scale comparing household income and size to the Federal Poverty Level.

An application form is available on the JCH&L website at https://www.jchealthandlife.org/patients-and-visitors/patient-financial-assistance
or by calling JCH&L at 402-729-3351.

Kirisha Afuh Leaves JCH&L

August 3, 2026/by Lana Likens

Kirisha Afuh, FNP-C, has left JCH&L to take time to focus on her health. JCH&L is committed to a smooth transition of care for Afuh’s patients.

“We understand that changes in healthcare providers can be unexpected, and we are committed to ensuring a smooth transition of your care. Our team is available to assist you in establishing care with another provider within our clinic and to help coordinate any ongoing medical needs,” said Ashley Norden, LPN, Clinic Administrator.

Dr. Abby Hanzlicek will be available to assist with ongoing hormone therapy needs, including follow-up appointments, medication refills, laboratory testing and treatment questions. JCH&L staff will contact those who had been seeing Afuh for hormone treatment to discuss scheduling.

Dr. Hanzlicek and Kensly Williams, PA-C will continue to offer Therapeutic Botox at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic as well as the Aesthetic Clinic through JCH&L outpatient services.

“Kirisha will be missed, and we wish her all the best and can appreciate her need to focus on her health,” Norden said.

Anyone who has questions or needs assistance scheduling with another provider, should contact JCH&L Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361, option 1.

JCH&L’s medical staff accepting new patients at the Fairbury Clinic includes: Dr. Rebecca Stroklund; Dr. Abby Hanzlicek; Dr. Rick Blatny; Rick Blum, PA-C; Megan Corbin, FNP-C, Megan Knutson, FNP-C; Keegan Williams, FNP-C; and Kensly Williams, PA-C.

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

July 15, 2026/by Lana Likens

It is not easy to quit using tobacco, but it is the best thing you can do for your health. Jefferson Community Health and Life is offering a free tobacco cessation interactive presentation on Sunday, Aug. 23, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room, 2200 H St., Fairbury.

Learn what research shows about the most successful ways to quit smoking. Everyone who attends a presentation will be entered into a drawing to win a helpful smoking cessation tool.

The interactive presentation will be offered by Missy Klasek, RN, Tobacco Treatment Specialist. The session is free and there is no obligation. No reservations are needed. Anyone interested is invited to come and learn.

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