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.

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

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.

While many areas of healthcare have experienced dramatic changes because of the COVID pandemic, primary health care remains important. Jefferson Community Health & Life reminds everyone not to neglect important health needs.

“JCH&L will see patients with any type of health concern, and we encourage those with health concerns to seek the appropriate care,” said Vic Lee, interim CEO at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “While we encourage those seeking routine preventative care to postpone, we don’t want anyone with health concerns to put their health on hold because of the COVID pandemic. We are striving to offer our services in ways that will protect our patients, our staff and our community.”

For those who are feeling well and not having any health concerns, it is recommended that physicals and other routine visits be postponed for now. However, anyone having problems with chronic health concerns – such as blood sugar, blood pressure, heart concerns, thyroid, etc. –should be seen by a primary care provider. In addition, anyone who has something new develop which is a health concern – symptoms of illness, infection, injury, cancer, etc. –should also be seen.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is encouraging all visits be done via Virtual Visits, if possible.  This may vary by provider and the reason for the visit, which can be discussed when you call the Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361 to schedule an appointment.

If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines that further evaluation needs to be done, the provider will give the patient further direction on how this will take place.

If you have questions regarding Virtual Visits at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic or to make an appointment, you can call 402-729-3361, option 1.

Currently, patients with respiratory concerns are seen at their vehicle at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic. By seeing respiratory patients at the vehicle, the clinic is working to keep clinic exam rooms available for patients with other health concerns.

Some patients who see a specialist at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services for followup may have the opportunity to visit with their specialist through technology from their own home. Both Bryan Heart and Genesis Psychiatric Group have been working with some patients who need followup to do so by telephone.

Patients who have specialist clinic visits scheduled (or who feel they need a specialist clinic visit) should call that specific specialty clinic’s main office directly to find out what options they may have.

Most outpatient specialty clinics which come to JCH&L have been suspended for now. Only essential services are being offered.

Those with questions about a specific clinic may contact JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851.

JCH&L’s emergency department remains available to see all types of emergencies. Patients are asked to call first if not arriving by ambulance. The JCH&L nursing staff will direct the patient to the appropriate entrance for their specific needs. At this time, those with respiratory symptoms are seen in a different area than non-respiratory symptoms.

Examples of emergency needs include sudden onset of chest pain, loss of consciousness, convulsions, pain that can’t be tolerated or controlled, severe shortness of breath, severe reaction to insect bites or medicines, poisoning, unexplained disorientation or drowsiness, major injury, or uncontrollable bleeding.

All entrances to JCH&L’s health center are now locked at all times. Those who have emergency needs with no respiratory symptoms are asked to use the ER/Outpatient entrance and pick up the telephone in the vestibule to contact nursing services and explain their need. Those who have respiratory symptoms are asked to call 402-729-3351 and ask for nursing to receive instructions for being seen.

Based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, residents at Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside and tenants at Cedarwood assisted living are now encouraged to wear cloth face coverings when they are in a room with others. The residents and tenants appreciate the many donations of hand-crafted cloth facemask that have been received.

“CDC recommends the use of cloth face masks for residents and tenants to make sure we are stopping the spread even if a resident or tenant does not have symptoms, but may be infected,” said Deb Sutton, administrator of JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood.

At least seven individuals from the area have already donated hand-crafted cloth face masks for the use of residents and tenants. More continue to be welcome, to allow residents and tenants to have more than one mask, so they may be laundered regularly. Anyone interested in donating cloth face masks should contact Lana Likens at 402-729-6855.

“Staff and residents all appreciate the generous spirit of our area residents who are willing to share of their time and talents to help keep residents, tenants and staff members safe,” Sutton said.

Staff members at both Gardenside and Cedarwood wear medical masks any time they are going to be within 6 feet of residents, tenants or fellow staff members.

The CDC has recently begun recommending that the public wear cloth masks when they are in community settings and will be near people. Medical masks should not be worn by the public, but should be reserved for medical professionals, according to the CDC guidance. The cloth mask should cover both nose and mouth. This recommendation is designed to prevent those who are infected but don’t have symptoms from spreading the illness. Wearing a cloth face covering does not reduce the need for social distancing, frequent hand washing, and other every day preventative measures.

More information is available at www.CDC.gov.

Gardenside and Cedarwood have been totally closed to visitors and any non-essential personnel since March 14. On March 11, visitors were discouraged and any visitors were screened for travel, symptoms and contact with anyone was suspected to have COVID-19.

Family and friends have found many creative ways to show their loves they care: Skype and Facetime; email; phone calls; visits outside windows; cards and letters; and dropping off flowers and other treats.

Anyone who needs assistance connecting with residents or tenants may call Gardenside at 402-729-5220, or Cedarwood at 402-729-6100.