Jefferson Community Health & Life Wins 2025 Top Workplaces for Healthcare Award National Recognition

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has announced it was named a 2025 Top Workplaces Industry winner as one of the 2025 Top Workplaces for Healthcare. Only 129 workplaces in their size category (fewer than 500 employees) were named for the 2025 awards.

Top Workplaces Industry awards celebrate organizations that have built people-first workplace cultures within their sector. The award marks JCH&L as an employer of choice for those seeking employment in the industry. Winners are listed on TopWorkplaces.com.

“Receiving the 2025 Top Workplaces for Healthcare award is an incredible honor, and it signifies the tremendous impact of the JCH&L staff working as a team. The insights and feedback of our staff have been instrumental in shaping our organization, and we are committed to continuing to improve our organization,” said Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO.

 JCH&L has been serving residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area with healthcare and wellness services since 1963. JCH&L employs 256 staff members to serve the community’s needs. JCH&L’s mission is to inspire healthy living by providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time. The vision is to be the most trusted partner for a lifetime of health. Its values are integrity, collaboration and excellence.

Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey. JCH&L staff participated in the survey in November 2024, with 80 percent of its employees participating. Of those participating, 83 percent agreed with the statement: “I would highly recommend working at JCH&L to others.”

“Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “That’s something to be proud of. In today’s market, leaders must ensure they’re allowing employees to have a voice and be heard. That’s paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends.”

Energage, a purpose-driven organization that develops solutions to build and brand Top Workplaces. The Top Workplaces program has a 17-year history of surveying and celebrating people-first organizations nationally and across 60 regional markets.

JCH&L Prepares to Launch New Behavioral Health Service

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Additional behavioral health services have been identified as a need in Jefferson County for a number of years. Jefferson Community Health & Life is preparing to launch a new behavioral health service to provide care to area residents.

JCH&L has hired two providers, Nicole Topliff, APRN, FNP, PMHNP,

and Caitlin Tucker, PLMHP, to begin offering behavioral health services. Appointments are not yet available, as JCH&L is working on setting up the program and credentialing the providers.  Topliff will offer services as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, diagnosing, treating and prescribing medication for mental health conditions. Tucker will offer services as a Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Practitioner. She is working toward full licensing as a mental health practitioner and will offer therapy as she works toward completing her required hours of supervised experience.

“JCH&L has long recognized the need for expanded behavioral health services in our community, and we’re excited to be moving forward with plans to provide the support our local residents need,” said Holly Wolff, JCH&L CEO.

Topliff and Tucker have offices onsite at Jefferson Community Health & Life. Appointments will be made through a designated JCH&L Behavioral Health telephone line, which will be announced when appointments are available.

Both are eager to begin to offer services in this new service line at JCH&L.

Topliff grew up in Superior and her parents still live there. She is a Veteran of the United States Air Force and began her health care career as a medic during Operation Desert Storm; she then acquired her RN degree in 1998. She worked in ER and ICU as an RN until 2011 when she achieved her first of two master’s degrees, from the University of Iowa, for family practice and psychiatry/mental health. “Nursing found me and my experience working as a professional nurse has been very rewarding”, Topliff said.

Topliff said she cares for her clients utilizing a holistic approach and being certified in both family practice and psychiatry/mental health are important aspects of the care she provides.  She said the need for behavioral health services is everywhere, and her goal is to meet clients where they are, evaluate needs, and offer her support.

“I’m looking forward to my part towards establishing this new service line that I know is a great need and to become a part of the community.”

She enjoys music, traveling, and driving her Mustang. She and her husband have two adult children and two grand pets.

Tucker is also a veteran and a reservist. She was involved in mental health care in the Army. She served four years in active service, serving in Afghanistan, and continues to serve in the Army Reserve.

“I just love being a safe space for people to work through life’s issues,” Tucker said. “We definitely all have our problems.”

Tucker said she is glad that some of the stigma in seeking mental health care has decreased. While there are still barriers to mental health care, there has been a lot of progress, she said.

She has five children under the age of eight. She grew up in Rhode Island and served in Texas in the military – but she said she loves it in Nebraska.

Outside of work she enjoys hiking, yoga, Pilates, gardening, reading, writing poetry, and doing things with her children.

Nicole Topliff

Caitlin Tucker

 

 

Grief Support Series Planned by Cottonwood Hospice

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Cottonwood Hospice will hold a Grief Support Group Series July 29-Oct. 7, 2025, at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic Conference room, 2200 H St.

Sessions will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. every other Tuesday starting July 29. Sessions are set for July 29, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, and Oct. 7.

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.

JCH&L Holding Peach Sale as Fund-raiser

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Jefferson Community Health & Life is partnering with Main Street Market of Milford for the sale of Colorado peaches by the lug, as a fund-raiser for JCH&L. Main Street Market owner Craig Bontrager has pledged to donate to JCH&L based on the number of lugs of peaches sold.

Peaches are $49 per lug, or $25 per half lug. (A lug is approximately 20 pounds.) Pickup times will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 12, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both evening distributions will be set up in the JCH&L main parking lot (west side of the building, accessed from H Street.)

Pre-orders may be placed by calling JCH&L at 402-587–5193. Call any time and leave a voice mail including your name, phone number, how many lugs of peaches you want to order, and what pickup date you want. Orders are due by July 25 for the first delivery date and by Aug. 1 for the second delivery date.

Walk up sales will be offered during the pickup times, subject to peach availability.

Payment is to be made at the time of pickup, cash or check only, with checks payable to Main Street Market. No electronic payment options are available.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits July 28

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FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, July 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mobile unit in the parking lot of JCH&L’s North Building, 825 22nd St.

All types are needed. Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s blood supplier, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851, or visit NCBB.org/searchdrives and use sponsor code JCHC.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit mbc.org/iDonate

Caregivers Support Group to Meet July 10

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, July 10, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be a video on “Making Visits Valuable – Part 14” by Teepa Snow.
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 Offers Free Medicare Educational Session July 16

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An educational session to help those who are considering Medicare in the next year is being offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life on Wednesday, July 16. The educational session will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the JCH&L Clinic Conference Room and a light supper will be provided. There is no cost to attend.

Medicare can be a complicated topic. Learn about the basics of Medicare and what you need to consider when you are approaching Medicare eligibility or are new to Medicare. The “Welcome to Medicare” program will provide comprehensive information about Medicare including: What does Medicare cost? What does Medicare cover? When should I enroll in Medicare? What rules do I need to know? What is the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage? When are the important deadlines?

Presenters will be Deb Sutton, RN, and Lori Ohlde, RN. Both are certified counselors in the Nebraska SHIP program.

To register, please call 402-729-6855. If you have questions about the program, please call 402-587-5226.

Message to Our Community from JCH&L CEO Holly Wolff

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Community members,

Thank you all for trusting Jefferson Community Health & Life with your care and wellness, we remain dedicated to being your hospital of choice.  Our commitment goes beyond the mission statement of providing exceptional services and aims to achieve our vision of being your most trusted partner in health.

I know that this time of uncertainty can be stressful and wanted to reach out with words of comfort and an update on our efforts.  Our immediate focus is to ensure short term coverage throughout the clinic and hospital, maintaining the system of primary and secondary providers.  The efforts include engaging temporary staffing to recruit providers for immediate coverage, as well as reaching out to area physicians that may be willing to help.  This is a two-fold approach so that we can partner with providers that may already live in the area, as well as ensuring patients are being seen in a timely manner. Our current team of physicians and advance practice providers have been wonderful in creating flexible schedules for the immediate necessary coverage.  As we work to assist patients with transferring care to a new primary care provider (PCP), we aim to offer as many options as possible.  You may see some new faces with our part time physicians, but they are all JCH&L staff and Nebraska-trained.  The longer-term goals include permanent recruitment and retention of physicians, utilizing our network of recruiters and professional connections in the medical field.

We always welcome comments, concerns or ideas if you want to reach out.  Feel free to connect with anyone on the administration team. Your input may help steer our efforts.  Thank you again for supporting JCH&L while we navigate through this difficult situation. We will always keep the needs of patients, residents, and community members at the heart of our decision-making.

Holly Wolff, MHA, LNHA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Jefferson Community Health & Life

Dr. Brett Wergin Leaving JCH&L

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Dr. Brett Wergin has announced he is leaving JCH&L in the fall for a clinic position in Lincoln. Dr. Wergin has served as a primary care physician at JCH&L for seven years.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, because I care so deeply for my patients and have truly valued by time at Jefferson Community Health & Life,” Dr. Wergin said. “But my personal family circumstances require my time and attention and they need me to be more present. This new position in Lincoln will allow me to continue to practice medicine while also being there for the people who rely on me most at home.”

This transition has been in progress for some time, and was planned prior to the recent news regarding Dr. Shumard being out on medical leave. In light of the current circumstances, Dr. Wergin expressed a desire to support JCH&L as much as he can during this transition.

JCH&L CEO Holly Wolff said Dr. Wergin will be missed.

“We wish him all the best in his continued practice of medicine, and can appreciate his need to be close to family,” Wolff said. “His patients and coworkers will miss him very much. We are grateful for his commitment to patient care and his ongoing support during this time.”

JCH&L has been recruiting for an additional physician, and with Dr. Shumard off on medical leave and Dr. Wergin announcing he is leaving in the fall, recruitment efforts are being stepped up even more, Wolff said.

In addition to Dr. Shumard and Dr. Wergin, JCH&L’s medical staff seeing patients in the Fairbury Clinic includes Dr. Rebecca Stroklund; Kirisha Afuh, FNP-C; Rick Blum, PA-C; Megan Knutson, FNP-C; Keegan Williams, FNP-C; and Kensly Williams, PA-C. Medical staff employed to assist in the ER only include Derek Peckham, DO; Isaac Mattis, DO; Jackie Hanson, DO; James White, FNP-C, Matt Gatlin, PA-C; Evelyn Causgrove, PA-C; Larissa Hoffman FNP-C

“At Jefferson Community Health & Life, we remain committed to providing exceptional care to all of our patients,” Wolff said.

JCH&L is here to ensure excellent health care for residents in Jefferson County and the surrounding area. Anyone with questions or concerns may contact Wolff at 402-729-3351, extension 4497.

Caregivers Support Group to Meet June 12

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The Caregivers Support Group offered by the Alzheimer’s Association will meet on Thursday, June 12, at 4:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Community Health & Life Clinic Conference Room. The program will be a video on “Making Visits Valuable – Part 12” by Teepa Snow.

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.

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