JCH&L Partners with the State of Nebraska to Expand Testing

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Leveraging TestNebraska’s infrastructure, Nebraska is scaling widespread COVID-19 testing

FAIRBURY, NE – Today, we are announcing a partnership with the State of Nebraska to provide free COVID-19 testing to eligible residents. Residents of Nebraska can take an online assessment through the TestNebraska portal, and if eligible receive a free test from our hospital.

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nebraskans have been asking for more widespread access to testing. The State’s partnership with Nomi Health provides our hospital with access to a pre-existing supply chain of testing that works, project management, and clinical expertise in collaboration with our hospital staff to get the job done. Our hospital and public health systems across the state needed immediate access to scarce resources, high-quality testing equipment, an efficient process, which this partnership delivers.

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is pleased to partner with the state to make free COVID-19 testing available for those who are eligible through Test Nebraska,” said Burke Kline, DHA, JCH&L CEO.

Test Nebraska will be held at JCH&L on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. beginning Tuesday, July 7. Appointments are required through TestNebraska.com. Those who have appointments are asked to drive up at the main entrance (circle drive.) Please don’t arrive more than 5 minutes before your appointment time, and stay in your car with the windows up until you reach the sampling area and are given instructions.

Kidney Specialist Returns to JCH&L

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Jeffrey T. Marple, MD, Nephrologist Returns Via Telehealth

Jeffrey T. Marple, MD, nephrologist and internal medicine specialist, will begin seeing patients at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services through telemedicine on Tuesday, July 7. This service is a partnership between JCH&L and Bryan Telemedicine.

“We see a need among our area residents to see a nephrologist (kidney specialist,)” said Erin Starr RN, Chief Nursing Officer at JCH&L. “Patients have been pleased with utilizing telehealth for the mental health clinic, and we are excited to expand the use of telehealth to other areas where we see community needs.”

Dr. Marple will see patients at JCH&L Outpatient Services monthly through the telehealth system. Dr. Marple attended the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, completed his residency at the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, and completed a fellowship through the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is board certified through the American Board of Internal Medicine, with Nephrology as his subspeciality. He contracts with Bryan Telemedicine to provide telehealth services to patients.

Patients with an appointment will come to JCH&L Outpatient Services and check in as usual. A nurse will be with them throughout their appointment, and will take care of getting biometric information the physician needs – such as blood pressure, pulse, temperature, etc. The patient and physician will talk through two-way video. Other services which might be needed – such as laboratory, ultrasound, or xray, for example, are also available through JCH&L Outpatient Services.

“Telehealth is becoming a very popular way to be able to access needed health care, and JCH&L is pleased to be able to partner with Bryan Telemedicine to continue to expand this service to our area residents,” said Dr. Burke Kline, JCH&L CEO. “We continue to seek ways to better serve our community.”

All outpatients who visit the clinic are screened and will be asked to wear a mask. For an appointment or more information, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

Deadline Nears for Historic Trail Walk Challenge

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Historic Walk Encourages Activity, and Share Community Historic Sites

Complete the Historic Trail Walk Challenge by July 6 for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

JeffCo On the Move introduced the Historic Trail Walk in May. The concept is simple: provide information at various historic sites around the community, and let walkers or bikers know where other signs are and how far it is from place to place.

“The goal is to encourage healthy activity in our community,” said Lana Likens, president of JeffCo On the Move. “We want to encourage walking, biking, and connecting our community.”

Sites included on the Fairbury Historic Trail Walk are: Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum, Fairbury Public Library; McNish Park; Fairbury City Museum; Fairbury City Park; and Jefferson County Courthouse/Historic Downtown Fairbury. Each sign includes a brief history of the location, photos, a map of the community with other Historic Trail Walk locations marked, and distances to the other locations on the trail. Each map has a QR code which allows participants to go to the map on their mobile device. The map can also be accessed on line at the City of Fairbury site. Go to fairburyne.org, then parks, then JeffCo On the Move Historic Trail.

The Kickoff Challenge for the Historic Trail Walk runs through July 6. Individuals or families are invited to walk or bike to each of the six locations on the Historic Trail Walk and take a selfie with the sign at each location. (The visits don’t all have to be the same day.) We encourage individuals and families to post their selfies on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page with the hashtag #historictrailwalk. Each participant is then encouraged to show their six selfies to staff at the Fairbury Public Library (during regular library open hours) prior to closing time on Monday, July 6, and fill out a form to register for the drawing. There is no cost to compete in the challenge. One entry per family is allowed. From all eligible entries, one winner will be drawn for a Kindle Fire.

Full contest details and map can be found on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page.

“We are very grateful to our sign sponsors for their part in making this project possible, and to the city of Fairbury for their support for the project and installing the signs this spring,” Likens said.

Sponsors are: Westin Packaged Meats-Fairbury Operations; Heartland Bank; PVI; Rooted in Relationships; Fairbury Public Library Foundation; and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The goal of JeffCo on the Move is to encourage and facilitate healthy lifestyles.

“We also encourage families to check out the locations that the signs recognize,” Likens said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairbury Historic Trail project or JeffCo on the Move may check out the Facebook Page (JeffCo On the Move) or contact Likens at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Gardenside, Cedarwood Work Toward Re-Opening to Visitors

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JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood staff are working diligently to put all plans in place which are required to re-open to visitors.

“We are thrilled to have the blessing of the governor and the Department of Health and Human Services to work toward re-opening Gardenside and Cedarwood to visitors,” said Deb Sutton, RN, Gardenside and Cedarwood administrator. “There are many requirements that each nursing home must work through in order to be able to re-open to visitors, and nursing homes will not all work through that process at the same pace.”

Because of the plans and steps required, Gardenside and Cedarwood do not yet have a date set to begin re-opening to visitors. Before re-opening to visitors, nursing homes are required to:

*Complete COVID-19 testing on all staff. Gardenside and Cedarwood have applied to have staff testing done, and is awaiting approval from Test Nebraska. More than 500 nursing homes and assisted living facilities will be applying for this testing.

*Have a plan to have enough staff to screen all visitors and supervise all visitation to ensure that visitation requirements are followed. Gardenside and Cedarwood are working on this plan.

*The facility must have the ability to test all staff and residents at any time if a COVID-19 case is suspected. Gardenside and Cedarwood have a plan in place for this if necessary.

*The facility’s public health district must be in Phase 3 of the Directed Health Measures. Public Health Solutions, the five-county public health district which includes Jefferson County, is scheduled to move to Phase 3 on June 22.

*There can’t be a large number of COVID-19 cases within the county. There have been 9 people in Jefferson County test positive for COVID-19. Only two of those have been within the last 14 days, according to Department of Health and Human Services data.

“Our administration and staff understand completely the desire of family members to visit their loved ones, and the need of our residents to have visits from their family members,” Sutton said. “We are doing everything in our power to complete all the steps required as efficiently as possible to allow this next step.”

Gardenside is currently able to allow residents to dine in controlled group settings with only 2 residents per table and a plexiglass divider between them. Cedarwood is in the process of making the same type of controlled group dining available to tenants.

Group activities were not allowed so a new wireless speaker system was purchased, which has allowed Gardenside and Cedarwood to offer some live entertainment performing outside, with residents and tenants able to watch out the window and hear through the speaker system. Guidance was received June 15 that small group activities of 10 or fewer residents or tenants can be resumed with appropriate distancing and cloth face masks in use by all participants.

“We are trying to be creative and innovative in helping our residents find some joy during this situation,” Sutton said.

Gardenside and Cedarwood have been totally closed to all non-essential personnel, including family members of the residents, since March 14. Prior to that, visitation had been discouraged since March 11, and those who didn’t meet screening criteria were not allowed to visit.

“We thank the community for the support during this time. We have received many cards, drawings, cloth masks, flowers and other donations which have helped the residents feel loved and appreciated,” Sutton said. “We ask for continued support from families and the community as we navigate the many requirements and work toward safely re-opening to visitors.”

New Oncologist to See Patients at JCH&L

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Dr. Joni Tilford, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center (SNCC) Medical Oncologist, will begin seeing patients at JCH&L Outpatient Services on Wednesday, June 17. Dr. Alan Berg, SNCC Medical Oncologist, who had been serving patients at JCH&L since 2005, retired earlier this month.

“Oncology is an important specialty to continue to offer our community,” said Dr. Burke Kline, JCH&L CEO. “It is one of the many specialties which are very important to offer locally so that patients don’t have to travel as far. We are pleased to have Dr. Tilford join us in providing exceptional service for our patients.”

Dr. Tilford is board certified in medical oncology and practices at SNCC in Lincoln. She earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then completed a three-year residency in internal medicine and a two-year fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

JCH&L outpatient services also offers chemotherapy services. Carol Blobaum and Carly Berkenmeier, both chemotherapy certified, work with oncologists who order chemotherapy, and the JCH&L pharmacy which mixes and prepares chemotherapy drugs for administration. JCH&L outpatient services also offers lab tests and radiology services such as PET scans and CT scans which may be needed by patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Medical orders can be accepted from any oncologist.

JCH&L outpatient services offers two dedicated chemotherapy rooms. The rooms are located near the outpatient entrance and are easily accessible for patients and their family member who may come with them. Each room has its own flat screen television, recliner and guest chair. The rooms have windows for natural light, as well.

Dr. Tilford is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the Nebraska Oncology Society and the Lancaster County Medical Society. Other professional activities include Nebraska Oncology Society; Lancaster County Medical Society; former chairperson of Bryan Health Cancer Committee, former Physician Liaison for Bryan Health Cancer Committee, Doctors for Science at Nebraska Wesleyan University and an investigator with the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group.

Dr. Tilford has a broad background in both clinical and laboratory medicine and has authored scientific articles in molecular genetics, thrombosis and leukemia.

A Nebraska native, Dr. Tilford, is from Wauneta, Nebraska and is married with three children.

New Ear Nose and Throat Specialist Comes to JCH&L

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Dr. Rebecca Bowen, otolaryngology-head and neck surgery specialist, will begin visiting Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services on Monday, June 8. Dr. H. Russell Semm, who had been serving patients at JCH&L for 25 years retired earlier this year.

Specialists are now returning to JCH&L Outpatient Services. All who come to the clinic will continue to be screened. Patients are asked to bring no more than one companion with them.

“We are pleased to continue to provide ear, nose and throat services to our area residents,” said Dr. Burke Kline, JCH&L CEO. “Having a wide array of visiting specialists will help us better serve our community’s needs. JCH&L is committed to being our community’s most trusted partner for a lifetime of health.”

Dr. Bowen is board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and joined ENT Specialties, P.C., in 2017.  She received her Bachelor of Science with high distinction in Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and then completed her doctorate of medicine from the University of Nebraska-College of Medicine in Omaha in 2007.

After medical school, she completed her residency training at Louisiana State University-Health Science Center in Shreveport, Louisiana, where she served as Chief Resident and spent additional time researching nasal airflow effects on eustachian tube dysfunction and post-surgical flap reperfusion.  Dr. Bowen then practiced for five years in Texas at ENT Clinics of San Antonio prior to returning to Nebraska.

Throughout her undergraduate and medical education, Dr. Bowen has received many academic honors including Women in Science Recognition, membership in Phi Beta Kappa honor society, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

Dr. Bowen holds membership in the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, the Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, Nebraska Medical Association and Lancaster County Medical Society.

Dr. Bowen treats the full spectrum of pediatric and adult ear, nose and throat disorders.  She has a special interest in chronic sinusitis, nasal airway obstruction, allergies, and thyroid/parathyroid disease.

She is a rural Nebraska native and was happy to return to “the good life.”  She enjoys running and cycling, cooking with her husband and  three young daughters, and spending time outdoors hiking and camping.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center Reopens to Members

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JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center reopened to members on Tuesday, May 26, with a number of COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Appointments are required, since only 10 members are allowed to use the facility at a time. No guest passes are available at this time. Appointments will be available on the hour from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. All users must enter through the basketball court door, and all users will be screened when entering. Users must respect social distancing requirements of 6 feet between all users.

“We are happy to be able to reopen to members, and thank our membership for their patience throughout this pandemic,” said Craig Bontrager, Burkley Fitness Center director. “We are following the guidelines set out by the governor, and are working hard to keep our members and staff safe.”

Anyone who would like to make an appointment may call 402-729-6139. The center is currently open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday. The pool and basketball court are currently closed.

Members are encouraged to watch JCH&L’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates.

Other services are also opening at JCH&L. Many specialists are returning in June, and more routine radiology, lab and therapy is available. Restrictions remain in place. All patients will continue to be required to mask, and will be screened for current symptoms, recent travel, and potential contact with anyone diagnosed with or under suspicion for COVID-19. Numbers of patients will be restricted to allow for appropriate social distancing. Patients are asked to use the ER/Emergency entrance unless given other instructions. Patients will not be allowed more than one visitor to come with them to their appointment or service. At this time, the main entrance to JCH&L will remain locked.

“We are following the guidelines of the governor, but are being cautious and taking things slowly in re-opening services,” said Amber Brunow, infection preventionist at JCH&L. “Our providers continue to help us to determine the safest ways to provide needed services. We will continue to monitor the Governor’s recommendations as the state reopens and will keep the community informed about changes.”

The immunization clinic offered by Blue Valley Community Action partnership is expected to resume in June.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to recommend Virtual Visits for the initial consultation for most non-emergency medical needs. If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines the patient should be seen in person, instructions will be given. Car-side visits remain in place for those who have respiratory symptoms.

Anyone who has symptoms which are of an emergency nature should contact JCH&L at 402-729-3351 for instructions. The emergency room at JCH&L remains open, and separate locations are available for patients depending on whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not.

Symptoms for COVID-19 continue to be expanded. Current symptoms include: cough, fever, tiredness, body aches, tightness in chest, shortness of breath, sore throat, and diarrhea/vomiting (for unknown reasons.)

Precautions already in place until further notice:

  • JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
  • The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
  • Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended.
  • Volunteers are not coming to the facility.
  • JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is closed.
  • All support groups and outside programs have been postponed. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program

More Non-Essential Services Becoming Available at JCH&L

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With COVID-19 testing more available and Nebraska reducing restrictions on non-essential hospital services, JCH&L is making more non-essential services available this week. With the guidance and direction of the medical staff, JCH&L is slowly increasing availability of some services which have been limited to essential services since late March.

“We are following the guidelines of the governor, but are being cautious and taking things slowly in re-opening services,” said Amber Brunow, infection preventionist at JCH&L. “Our providers continue to help us to determine the safest ways to provide needed services. We will continue to monitor the Governor’s recommendations as the state reopens and will keep the community informed about changes.”

Certain specialists will be coming again to perform procedures, including urology, general surgery and orthopedic surgery. In addition, more routine radiology, lab, and therapy will again become available with some restrictions in place.

All patients will continue to be required to mask, and will be screened for current symptoms, recent travel, and potential contact with anyone diagnosed with or under suspicion for COVID-19. Numbers of patients will be restricted to allow for appropriate social distancing. Patients are asked to use the ER/Emergency entrance unless given other instructions. Patients will not be allowed more than one visitor to come with them to their appointment or service. At this time, the main entrance to JCH&L will remain locked.

Those who have questions about specific specialty clinics should contact JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to recommend Virtual Visits for the initial consultation for most non-emergency medical needs. If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines the patient should be seen in person, instructions will be given. Car-side visits remain in place for those who have respiratory symptoms.

Anyone who has symptoms which are of an emergency nature should contact JCH&L at 402-729-3351 for instructions. The emergency room at JCH&L remains open, and separate locations are available for patients depending on whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not.

Symptoms for COVID-19 continue to be expanded. Current symptoms include: cough, fever, tiredness, body aches, tightness in chest, shortness of breath, sore throat, and diarrhea/vomiting (for unknown reasons.)

Precautions already in place until further notice:

  • JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
  • The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
  • Immunization clinics regularly offered twice a month at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services by Blue Valley Community Action have been suspended.
  • Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended.
  • Volunteers are not coming to the facility.
  • JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is closed.
  • JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is closed.
  • All support groups and outside programs have been postponed. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program

JeffCo On the Move Introduces Historic Trail Walk

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Historic Walk Will Encourage Activity, and Share Community Historic Sites

JeffCo On the Move is excited to introduce the new Historic Trail Walk in Fairbury. The concept of the historic trail walk is simple: provide information at various historic sites around the community, and let walkers or bikers know where other signs are and how far it is from place to place.

“The goal is to encourage healthy activity in our community,” said Lana Likens, president of JeffCo On the Move. “We want to encourage walking, biking, and connecting our community.”

Sites included on the Fairbury Historic Trail Walk are: Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum, Fairbury Public Library; McNish Park; Fairbury City Museum; Fairbury City Park; and Jefferson County Courthouse/Historic Downtown Fairbury. Each sign includes a brief history of the location, photos, a map of the community with other Historic Trail Walk locations marked, and distances to the other locations on the trail. Each map has a QR code which allows participants to go to the map on their mobile device. The map can also be accessed on line at the City of Fairbury site. Go to fairburyne.org, then parks, then JeffCo On the Move Historic Trail.

The Kickoff Challenge for the Historic Trail Walk will be held from May 21 through July 6. Individuals or families are invited to walk or bike to each of the six locations on the Historic Trail Walk and take a selfie with the sign at each location. (The visits don’t all have to be the same day.) We encourage individuals and families to post their selfies on the new JeffCo On the Move Facebook page with the hashtag #historictrailwalk. Each participant is then encouraged to show their six selfies to staff at the Fairbury Public Library (during regular library open hours, when those resume again) prior to closing time on Monday, July 6, and fill out a form to register for the drawing. There is no cost to compete in the challenge. One entry per family is allowed. From all eligible entries, one winner will be drawn for a Kindle Fire.

Full contest details and map can be found on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page.

“We are very grateful to our sign sponsors for their part in making this project possible, and to the city of Fairbury for their support for the project and installing the signs this spring,” Likens said.

Sponsors are: Westin Packaged Meats-Fairbury Operations; Heartland Bank; PVI; Rooted in Relationships; Fairbury Public Library Foundation; and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The goal of JeffCo on the Move is to encourage and facilitate healthy lifestyles.

“In this time of social distancing, we felt it was important to let the community know about the Historic Trail Walk project which was completed this spring, and encourage people to participate in healthy activity that allows appropriate social distancing,” Likens said. “Once locations at the markers are once again open for business, we also encourage families to check out the locations that the signs recognize.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairbury Historic Trail project or JeffCo on the Move may check out the new Facebook Page (JeffCo On the Move) or contact Likens at 402-729-6855.

Kline Named Next CEO of Jefferson Community Health & Life

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Burke Kline, DHA, has been named chief executive officer at Jefferson Community Health & Life. Kline will begin his new position on Monday, June 1.

Kline follows Victor Lee, MHA, LFACHE, who has served as interim CEO since November 2019 after Chad Jurgens left JCH&L for a position elsewhere.

Kline, a Hastings native, said he is excited to lead JCH&L into a successful future of serving its community with exceptional quality health care.

“I’m committed to successful rural health care, and am thrilled to be coming to JCH&L and help to continue its success in providing exceptional health and life service,” Kline said. “My family and I enjoy being an active part of rural community life, and look forward to being part of Jefferson County.”

Kline has served as CEO at Greeley County Health Services in Tribune, Kan., since October 2016. He began his career in health care administration at Pawnee County Memorial Hospital in 2012. He previously worked as a nurse aide/med aide in Grand Island. He also worked as a sheriff’s deputy in Polk and Gage counties from 2007-2013.

During his career in rural health care administration, he has been responsible for all facets of care: critical access hospital, rural health clinics, long-term care, physician recruitment, renovation, and equipment updates.

“I’m happy to see JCH&L is already very much an active part of the community and continues to lead Jefferson county in its health care efforts,” Kline said. “Fostering meaningful relationships and partnerships with community organizations and government bodies is very important to me.”

He has a doctorate and masters in healthcare administration, a bachelor of science in management of human resources, and an associate’s degree in applied science in criminal justice.

Kline and his wife, Andrea, have two daughters, Katelyn and Ellie. Andrea is an LPN who has worked in long-term care since 2006.

The Jefferson Community Health & Life board of directors announced Kline’s selection to JCH&L staff on Tuesday, April 21.

Jefferson Community Health & Life began serving residents of Jefferson County and the surrounding area in September 1963. Kline will be the ninth CEO to lead JCH&L since it opened.

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