FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life celebrates the Power of Rural on the 10^th annual Rural Health Day on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health sets aside the third Thursday of every November – November 19, 2020 – to celebrate National Rural Health Day. First and foremost, National Rural Health Day is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded, “can do” spirit of that prevails in rural America. But it also provides an opportunity to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face – and showcase the efforts of rural healthcare providers, State Offices of Rural Health and other rural stakeholders to address those challenges.

Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of more than 1,200 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States, and 65 Critical Access Hospitals in the state of Nebraska. The Critical Access Hospital designation is designed to reduce the financial vulnerability of rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare by keeping essential services in rural communities. Critical Access Hospitals receive cost-based Medicare reimbursement. Jefferson Community Health Center became a Critical Access Hospital in 2000.

“Being a Critical Access Hospital does not limit us in the services we can provide for our area residents. It helps us to offer services which might be less affordable because of fewer patients needing the services,” said Burke Kline, DHA, JCH&L CEO.

Health care organizations are important for rural communities – not only for accessibility and availability of health care, but also for economic development. Jefferson Community Health & Life is one of many health care providers in Jefferson County, and is the largest health care employer, with more than 250 staff members. JCH&L is consistently one of the top three employers in Jefferson County. Each year JCH&L pays its staff more than $11 million in salary and provides more than $2 million in benefits.

“The jobs at JCH&L require a wide variety of skills, training and education,” Kline said. “We employ high school students who are just getting started with part-time jobs and on-the-job training, all the way through the spectrum of educational levels to those with advanced medical degrees.”

JCH&L’s primary service area is Jefferson County, with 7,097, residents as of 2018. Some patients also come from surrounding counties in Nebraska and Kansas. The residents of southeast Nebraska are among nearly 57 million people who choose to live and work in rural areas nationally. Rural residents make up 19 percent of the U.S. population, but are spread across 72 percent of the land area.

Small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are places where neighbors know each other, respect each other and work together to benefit the greater good. They provide opportunities to start business and test entrepreneurial spirit.

Rural communities also have unique healthcare needs. Rural communities must address accessibility, provider shortages, the needs of an aging population, increasing chronic conditions, and largest percentages of uninsured and underinsured citizens, says the National Rural Health Association.

Jefferson Community Health & Life operates a 17-bed, acute-care Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Neb., offering inpatient and outpatient services, including surgery, therapy, screenings, and 24-hour emergency services. Jefferson Community Health & Life offers additional health and life services, including Fairbury and Plymouth clinics (primary and family care), Burkley Fitness Center, Gardenside (long-term care), and Home Health services. In addition, Jefferson Community Health & Life supports numerous education programs and support groups. JCH&L has offered services to residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area since 1963, and continues to grow and change as the area’s needs change.

“We strive to fulfil our vision of being a trusted partner for a lifetime of health,” Kline said. “While JCHL can’t offer every healthcare service needed by our area residents, we are proud to offer a great many services which give area residents the opportunity to receive quality healthcare in a convenient location with professional and compassionate staff. Our area residents have much to celebrate on National Rural Health Day.”

Because of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Jefferson County and the surrounding area, JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is now closed until further notice.

Services remain available at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic. Those with any symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call ahead and identify symptoms when making an appointment. Those with COVID-19 symptoms are seen at a health center location rather than in the clinic, to ensure the safety of clinic patients.

The clinic asks that only one other person accompany any patient to the clinic for appointments.

Patients for all services continue to be screened. Hospital or clinic patients with positive screening results will be cared for appropriately and given guidance and direction.

Patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to call for screening over the telephone before arriving at any medical facility.

As of Nov. 5, Gardenside visitation is now limited to closed window visits or virtual visits only, because of a positive COVID-19 test at Gardenside.

“We are required by CMS regulations not to allow any face-to-face visitation at this time,” said Deb Sutton RN, BS, NHA.  “Safety of our residents and staff remains our first priority. We are increasing our testing protocols and taking every measure necessary.”

Residents and staff will be tested more frequently until all results are negative for at least 14 days for all residents and staff, Sutton said. Residents will be asked to remain in their rooms, including for meals during this time. Group activities will be cancelled.

JCH&L works closely with Public Health Solutions district health department, and complies with state and federal guidelines.

Families who wish to see their loved ones may come to visit through closed windows only. Virtual visits are also available through Skype or Facebook Messenger. If families would like a staff member to take their loved one a telephone for conversation for a closed window visit or schedule a Skype or Facebook visit, families can all Gardenside staff at 402-729-5220 to make arrangements.

Anyone with questions about the Gardenside requirements should contact Sutton at 402-729-6843.

This change in visitation comes as Public Health Solutions district health department reports cases in our district rising rapidly, and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reports cases statewide rising rapidly. Public Health Solutions reported on Friday, Nov. 6, that Gage County’s risk dial is in the red, and Jefferson County’s is higher in the orange risk zone. Jefferson County’s positivity rate was reported at 25.4 percent, up from 8.2 percent last week. Public Health Solutions hit an all-time high of positive cases being reported on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

“We urge area residents to wear masks, get flu shots, and avoid the 3 C’s: crowded places, close contacts and confined spaces. Avoid gathering in groups where you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance and when you are with people outside of your household. Avoid enclosed spaces with poor ventilation,” Sutton said.

Local, district and state numbers of positive cases can be found online at dhhs.ne.gov, and go to View Covid-19 Dashboard. District data and a dashboard can also be found on the Public Health Solutions site at phsneb.org, and go to Click to View the Full Dashboard.

JCH&L continues to offer TestNebraska COVID-19 testing free. It is offered every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in front of Cedarwood Assisted Living. Additional dates have also been added as county numbers have continued to rise. Testing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Friday, Nov. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing is free and is offered through state’s TestNebraska program. The sample is collected outdoors. It is recommended that those interested sign up on line at TestNebraska.com.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to see clinic patients who have respiratory symptoms outside of clinic space, in order to keep the clinic safe for all patients. Clinic patients who report respiratory symptoms will be seen at a location at the health center. They will be directed when their appointment is made. The clinic also continues to offer Virtual Visits.

Flu shots are still available by appointment at both the Fairbury and Plymouth clinics. As the annual flu season approaches, it is recommended that everyone 6 months of age and older get an influenza vaccination, in order to try to limit the possibilities of having a surge of influenza along with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state’s larger hospitals, the most likely to care for more seriously ill patients, are seeing a surge in patients and hospitalizations for COVID-19, according to their reports. That could mean that Critical Access Hospitals like JCH&L may begin to have more trouble transferring patients who need levels of care which can’t be provided locally, said Erin Starr, RN, BSN, JCH&L Chief Nursing Officer.

Masks or face coverings are a particularly important tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19, because COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets which are produced when people cough, sneeze or talk, according to the Centers for Disease Control. When used in conjunction with social distancing, masks are an extra layer of protection that trap these respiratory droplets and prevent them from traveling into the air and exposing others.

Masks should completely cover their mouth and nose; have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric; and fit snugly against the side of the face so there are not gaps. Avoid masks that that have exhalation valves or vents.

Current statewide Directed Health Measures state:

• Gatherings
  • INDOOR gatherings will be limited to 50% of rated occupancy (not to exceed 10,000).  This is scaled back from the previous cap of 75%.
  • OUTDOOR gatherings will remain at 100% of rated occupancy (not to exceed 10,000).
  • Groups shall be no larger than eight (8) individuals.
  • Plans must still be submitted to local health departments and approved for all gatherings of 500+ (1,000+ in Douglas County).

• Bars & Restaurants
  • Patrons will be required to be seated unless they are placing an order, using the restroom, or playing games.
  • 100% of rated occupancy continues.
  • Maximum of eight (8) individuals in a party (groups larger than eight (8) will need to split into multiple tables).
• Wedding & Funeral Reception Venues
  • Maximum of eight (8) individuals in a party (groups larger than eight (8) will need to split into multiple tables).
  • 100% of rated occupancy continues.

Dr. Burke Kline, JCH&L CEO, was honored on Friday as he was named the American College of Healthcare Executives Early Careerist during the ACHE annual convention, being held virtually this year.

The Early Careerist Regent’s Award is selected using the following criteria: member of ACHE, demonstrating leadership capacity, executive capability, promoting their organization’s growth and stature in the community, participating in local, state and hospital association activities and community activities, and participation in ACHE activities.

Dr. Kline has more than 16 years of health care experience, beginning his healthcare career as a CNA and CMA during his high school years. He was raised in Hastings, Neb., and graduated from Hastings Senior High School.

After high school, Dr. Kline moved to Lincoln to attend Southeast Community College where he obtained his Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Criminal Justice. After earning his Associate’s degree, Dr. Kline attended the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center located in Grand Island, Neb. After graduating as a certified Nebraska Law Enforcement Officer, Dr. Kline began a career in law enforcement, starting as a deputy sheriff with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, in Osceola, Neb. Dr. Kline worked for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for a year until he was recruited by the Gage County Sheriff’s Office in 2008. During his time with the Gage County Sheriff’s Office, Dr. Kline wore many hats including: K-9 Handler, SWAT Team Leader, Senior Road Deputy and Commander of the Major Crimes Unit.

After many years in Law enforcement, Dr. Kline decided to return to healthcare and returned to college, first obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Bellevue University. After earning his Bachelor’s degree, Dr. Kline began working for the Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in Pawnee City, Neb. Dr. Kline started out as Administrative Resident then was promoted to the executive assistant to the CEO, then to Associate Administrator.

During his time at Pawnee County Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kline earned his Master of Healthcare Administration degree. After 4 years at Pawnee County Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kline accepted a CEO position at Greeley County Health Services in Tribune, Kan.

During his four-year tenure at Greeley County Health Services, Dr. Kline earned his Doctorate in Health Care Administration and was asked to sit on many boards including the Kansas Clinical Improvement Collaborative, Kansas Hospital Association’s Governance Committee, Kansas Health Education and Research Foundation, and the Pioneer Health Network to name a few.

In 2020, Dr. Kline and his family decided to return to Nebraska and relocated to Fairbury, Neb., as the CEO of Jefferson Community Health and Life. JCH&L includes a 17-bed Critical Access Hospital, a 40-Bed long-term care, two family medicine clinics, and a community fitness center, and is co-owner with Bryan Health of a 50-unit assisted living facility. JCH&L is just embarking on an estimated $8.4 million project which will build a new family medicine clinic attached to the health center.

Dr. Kline and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters: Ellie, 11; and Katelyn, 9.

Wellness Experience Offers Women a Convenient Way to Take Control of Their Health

In just about three hours women from Jefferson County and beyond can complete their annual health checks and receive a well-deserved indulgence at the same time. Women’s Health Day is a complete wellness experience designed to make women’s health easy. Jefferson Community Health & Life is now scheduling women for the experience on Monday, Nov. 16.

The program is available at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Center and Fairbury Clinic on select days every month, and includes:

* Personalized guidance from an on-site Women’s Health Day navigator

* Important health screenings, including fasting lab tests, a screening mammogram and a routine annual exam to assess overall and gynecological health (lab test and mammogram results will be available before participants leave for the day, while Pap test results will be provided later by mail)

* Complimentary breakfast and a relaxing indulgence—such as an express manicure or hand massage, for example. Offerings may vary.

* Reserved parking

“It’s so important for women to make time for their own health, but we know life sometimes gets in the way,” said Erin Starr, Chief Quality Officer. “That’s why we created Women’s Health Day—to provide a convenient way for women to get their essential health screenings all at once, while also taking time to unwind.”

All major insurance plans are accepted for screening and exams (coverage is subject to individual policy terms). JCH&L Fairbury Clinic accepts new patients.

Appointments for the Women’s Health Day experience start as early as 6:30 a.m. To schedule, call 402.729.6841.