Hoins Graduates from NHA Leadership Institute

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Patrick Hoins, facilities director at Jefferson Community Health & Life, was one of 37 graduates of the Nebraska Hospital Association Leadership Institute Class XV during NHA’s 91st Annual Convention Awards Banquet. The banquet was held on Oct. 24 at Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel & Conference Center in La Vista.

The NHA Leadership Institute, which has nearly 400 alumni, is a 10-month intensive leadership development program that is geared toward providing middle management and up-and-coming leaders within Nebraska member hospitals with the necessary skills to become exceptional leaders.

Participants in the intensive leadership development program completed 40 hours of instruction and training, individual development planning, personality assessments, feedback exercises and management coaching. The NHA Leadership Institute is a partnership between the NHA and expert faculty from Bellevue University.

They also engaged in a variety of leadership-oriented topics, including building a foundation of leadership, using 360-degree assessments for improved leadership, working with conflict, analyzing performance issues, personality traits in the workplace, coaching for improved performance, leading across the generations, leading teams and succession management.

“We are very proud of this year’s graduates of the NHA Leadership Institute as they have demonstrated a desire and commitment to becoming exceptional health care leaders for Nebraska,” said NHA President Laura J. Redoutey. “It’s a credit to the commitment of our participants and the excellent work performed by our partner, Bellevue University.”

The NHA acknowledges and congratulates the following Class XV graduates of this year’s NHA Leadership Institute:

Jill Allen, RN, BSN | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Erin Barnes, RN | CHI Health St. Mary’s | Nebraska City, Nebraska

Bill Bolte, MT (ASCP) | York General | York, Nebraska

Keri Carraher, RN | Boone County Health Center | Albion, Nebraska

Meg Craig | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance, Nebraska

Bree Frazier, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Mandy Greve, A+, ICE | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance, Nebraska

Chelsey Hartwell, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Pat Hoins | Jefferson Community Health & Life | Fairbury, Nebraska

Sue Hrnicek, MSN, RN, CNOR | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Sara Ingram | Valley County Health System | Ord, Nebraska

Devin Johansen | Merrick Medical Center | Central City, Nebraska

Carrie Junker, RT | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Zac Kavan | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Jenni Klanecky, RN | Howard County Medical Center | St. Paul, Nebraska

John Kowalski, PT | York General | York, Nebraska

Renee Kurpgeweit | Providence Medical Center | Wayne, Nebraska

Erin Lacey | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

Cheryl Langfeldt | Crete Area Medical Center | Crete, Nebraska

Brooke Langley | Harlan County Health System | Alma, Nebraska

Mandy Lauck | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Heidi Lauenstein, RN | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Misty Liss | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus, Nebraska

Jana Mangers, RHIT | York General | York, Nebraska

Brooke McCullough | Community Medical Center, Inc. | Falls City, Nebraska

Dylan McGill, MHA, CPT | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

Sue Moore, RN, MS | Great Plains Health | North Platte, Nebraska

Donnie Nichelson | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington, Nebraska

Matt Odle | Great Plains Health | North Platte, Nebraska

Cody Pachta, MLS (ASCP) | Thayer County Health Services | Hebron, Nebraska

Joanna Rayford | Providence Medical Center | Wayne, NE

Alicia Ridlen, RN, BSN | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Joe Ryland | Community Hospital | McCook, Nebraska

Cheryl Watson | Howard County Medical Center | St. Paul, Nebraska

Rael Woehrle, RP | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington, Nebraska

Jesse Young | Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice, Nebraska

Kelsey Zitek | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo, Nebraska

 

The Nebraska Hospital Association is the unified voice for Nebraska’s hospitals and health systems. The association offers collaborative leadership, assisting its members to provide comprehensive care to their communities, improving the health status of those communities. For more information, visit the NHA website at www.NebraskaHospitals.org.

Big Blue Test Coming to Burkley Fitness Center

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FAIRBURY – How does exercise affect your blood sugar? Find out on Nov. 26 with the Big Blue Test at Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center.

JCH&L Diabetes Educator Bekah Kimberlin, PharmD, will be at the fitness center on Nov. 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. to take blood sugars pre- and post-exercise. Between blood sugar checks, participants are encouraged to exercise for 14-30 minutes, doing the workout of their choice, or a suggested workout.

“Exercise is one of the many factors which affect your blood sugar. This is an opportunity to see how exercise affects yours – with no cost and no obligation,” said Kimberlin.

It is not necessary to be a fitness center member to participate – just check in with the front desk when you arrive and tell them you would like a complimentary pass to participate in the Big Blue Test.

There will also be information on diabetes, diabetes prevention and living with diabetes. Diabetes risk tests are available all month at JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.

“Knowing your risk for diabetes is important. We want those who are at risk to know there are ways to prevent diabetes, and we can teach you. For those who have diabetes, it is possible to live an active and healthy life, and we can help you learn ways to live the best quality of life and reduce your risk of serious complications,” Kimberlin said.

November is National Diabetes Month, and it’s a great time to learn more about diabetes. For more information, contact Kimberlin at 402-729-3351.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet Nov. 26

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, Nov. 26, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a program on “Caregiver Training: Repetitive Behaviors.”  This webinar by the UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care program is training for caregivers on dealing with agitation and anxiety experienced by the loved ones they care for.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door on the left.

The Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group is a program of the Alzheimer’s Association which typically meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life. It is designed for those who are caregivers and family members of those who have Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity anyone interested to share their experiences with Alzheimer’s Disease. There is no cost, and no pre-registration.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health & Life at 402-729-6855.

JCH&L Offers Next Session of Smart Moves

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Lifestyle change program helps participants learn to live healthy

FAIRBURY — The seventh session of a successful lifestyle change program is being offered beginning in January 2019 at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury. The year-long program is designed for those who are at risk for diabetes and want to change their lifestyle to avoid getting diabetes. A free no-obligation introductory class will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Anyone who thinks they might be interested in Smart Moves is encouraged to attend this session. To sign up for the introductory class, call Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT, at 402-729-6846.

The full year-long program begins on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Classes will meet at 4 p.m.

Lifestyle coaches who lead the program are JCH&L Dietitian Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT; Bekah Kimberlin, PharmD; and Craig Bontrager, director of JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center.

“This program has been successful in helping participants to make lifestyle changes which positively impact their health,” Edeal said.

JCH&L’s program has received Full Recognition from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC). This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered a quality, evidence-based program that meets all the standards for CDC recognition.

Studies show that diabetes can be prevented. Diabetes risk can be lowered by losing weight, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and taking part in a lifestyle change program, such as Smart Moves. Smart Moves is a program of the National Diabetes Prevention Program. JCH&L is participating with the support of Public Health Solutions District Health Department.

For the first part of the program, participants meet in a small-group setting weekly for one-hour presentations. For the second portion of the program, participants will meet twice a month.

The program provides lifestyle coaching and group support, promotes healthier eating and weight loss, explores ways to be physically active, creates strategies to overcome barriers, and teaches participants how to apply coping skills to stay successful.

The cost of the program is $225 for the full year. This fee includes not only the program, but also a six-month membership to the JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center (a $200 value.) Financial assistance is available for those who meet certain financial eligibility criteria.

Anyone interested in Smart Moves is encouraged to attend the free no-obligation introductory class. Call Lisa Edeal RD, LMNT, at (402) 729-6846 or email lisa.edeal@jchealthandlife.org to register or for more information.

 

 

Brandt Certified as Personal Trainer

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center staff member Clayton Brandt has achieved his personal training certification. Brandt was certified through the International Sports Science Association (ISSA,) and is available to schedule personal training session with clients.

“JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is excited to enhance our personal training services,” said Craig Bontrager, fitness center director. “Personal training is a proven method to help people of all ages and ability levels to attain better physical fitness and wellness through one-on-one training.”

A certified personal trainer can set up a custom, personalized exercise program, instruct a client on how to do exercises properly, provide motivation, track progress and be a resource as a client advances on their fitness path.

Please contact JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139 or check out JCHealthandLife.org for more information about personal training.

JCH&L To Celebrate National Rural Health Day Nov. 15

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Jefferson Community Health & Life will join the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) and other state/national rural stakeholders in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 15, with refreshments at its Fairbury Clinic and Plymouth Clinic.

NOSORH created National Rural Health Day as a way to showcase rural America; increase awareness of rural health-related issues; and promote the efforts of NOSORH, State Offices of Rural Health and others in addressing those issues. National Rural Health Day is an annual day of recognition which occurs on the third Thursday of November and was awarded the 2018 “Outstanding Rural Health Program of the Year” by the National Rural Health Association.

Events recognizing National Rural Health Day and “Celebrating the Power of Rural” are being planned throughout the nation. Refreshments will be available in the lobbies of JCH&L Fairbury Clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Plymouth Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 60 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. “These small towns, farming communities and frontier areas are wonderful places to live and work; they are places where neighbors know each other and work together,” said NOSORH Director Teryl Eisinger. “The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America.”

These communities also face unique health care needs. “Today more than ever, rural communities must tackle accessibility issues, a lack of health care providers, the needs of an aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un- and underinsured citizens,” Eisinger said. “Meanwhile, rural hospitals are threatened with declining reimbursement rates and disproportionate funding levels that makes it challenging to serve their residents.”

State Offices of Rural Health play a key role in addressing those needs. All 50 states maintain a State Office of Rural Health, each of which shares a similar mission: to foster relationships, disseminate information and provide technical assistance that improves access to, and the quality of, health care for its rural citizens. In the past year alone, State Offices of Rural Health collectively provided technical assistance to more than 28,000 rural communities.

Additional information about National Rural Health Day can be found at PowerofRural.org. To learn more about NOSORH, visit www.nosorh.org; to learn more about Jefferson Community Health & Life visit JCHealthandLife.org.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Nov. 12

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Nov. 12, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar Cognitive Issues: Advice for Parkinson’s Care Partners, webinar by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, PhD, clinical associate professor of neurology, NYU Langone Medical Center

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCH&L Main Entrance. Follow the lobby signage to “Hospital.” The meeting rooms will be to the left. The Small Conference Room is the second door.

The Parkinson’s Support Group generally meets on the second Monday of each month.

The group is designed to provide an opportunity for area residents to share their experiences with Parkinson’s disease. There is no cost for participants.

For more information, contact Lana Likens at Jefferson Community Health Center at (402)-729-3351.

Gardenside Recognized as ‘High Performer’ by the Quality Innovation Network National Coordinating Center

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Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside in Fairbury hosted the Great Plains Quality Innovation Network and team members of the National Coordinating Center on Oct. 17, 2018. The National Coordinating Center is the CMS-designated Quality Innovation Network-National Coordinating Center which supports the nation’s quality improvement organizations, like Great Plains QIN, in their efforts to achieve CMS goals for better health, better care and lower costs.

The purpose of the visit was to identify innovative practices that contribute to success and or improvement. Similar site visits are occurring in healthcare organizations across the country. The intent is to spread innovative healthcare practices with other facilities and quality improvement organizations.

As a way to improve resident-centered care, the quality assurance team at Gardenside implemented ‘natural awakening’ as a way to improve the overall sleep hygiene and the health and safety of their residents while promoting a more ‘home-like’ environment.

“Natural Awakening enhances sleep hygiene and proves how a good night of undisturbed sleep is one of the most important services we can give residents. By eliminating or minimizing night-time interruptions the resident receives more restorative sleep that is needed to maintain and enhance their quality of life,” said Deb Sutton, RN, Gardenside Administrator.

The Gardenside team outlined several elements of their success. First, it is imperative to partner with the pharmacy team to decrease and alter medication times to reduce the frequency of medication passes and avoid having to wake residents to dispense medications. Second, visiting with residents and their family members prior to implementing the natural awakening program is necessary. This conversation allows the resident to share his/her preferred sleep environment and whether they have a preference for their wake-up time. The Gardenside team also adjusted the dining room schedule to adjust for residents having an expanded timeframe to eat breakfast.

“As a result of this effort to facilitate natural awakening, Gardenside has experienced a decrease in falls, antipsychotic medication use and infection rates. This information has been shared with other nursing homes through a number of educational sessions and the Gardenside team has willingly mentored homes who wish to implement natural awakening. The commitment to improving resident care is impressive. Gardenside sets the bar high in their continued quest for quality improvement. We are pleased to be able to help share their story with the NCC team and others,” said Krystal Hays, DNP, RN, RAC-CT; Quality Improvement Advisor with the Great Plains QIN.

“Improving the quality of care in our facility is and will continue to be a priority,” said Deb Sutton, Administrator. “Studies have shown that lack of sleep leads to a dramatic decline in a person’s ability to perform even simple tasks. Individuals who are sleep-deprived may experience drowsiness, irritability, lack of concentration and impaired performance. Furthermore, sleep deprivation compromises the immune system and persistent sleep deprivation can result in significant mood swings and erratic behavior. We believe in the power of natural awakening for improved health and quality of life. We enjoyed the opportunity to share our story; and will continue to do all we can to provide exceptional care at Gardenside and share what we have learned.”

“The Natural Awakening Program needs to be shared and spread throughout all nursing facilities; the NCC views this program as a best practice. The NCC has requested that Gardenside provide their knowledge on a future National Learning and Action Event,” said Jane Brock, MD, MSHP; Medical Director for the NCC.

Great Plains QIN is the Quality Improvement Organization for Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. The GPQIN team works with healthcare providers and communities to implement data-driven quality initiatives to improve healthcare. Great Plains QIN offers technical assistance, tailored education, best practices, tools and resources. Through these efforts, we intend to improve patient safety, reduce harm and improve clinical care at the local and regional levels.

Plymouth Clinic Open House Set for Oct. 28

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Join us for Ribbon Cutting and Many Family Friendly Activities at the Plymouth Plaza

FAIRBURY — Jefferson Community Health & Life Plymouth Clinic invites everyone to a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Events will begin with the ribbon cutting at JCH&L Plymouth Clinic at 2 p.m. Many activities will follow throughout the Plymouth Plaza.

JCH&L Plymouth Clinic opened on Sept. 6. The clinic accepts both new and established patients.

Activities for the afternoon include tours of JCH&L Plymouth Clinic, refreshments in the future Hometown Eatery, canvas painting for those 8 and older by Orange Owl at P-Town Fitness (cost of $20), free mini pumpkin decorating for kids, free fun family games at Barefoot Buddies Daycare, music provided by Live Love Dance, and many free fun activities and giveaways. Anyone who donates a canned food item will receive 50 cents off a drink at P-Town’s Daily Grind. There will also be specials at P-Town Fitness.

JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is open 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Providers will be certified physician assistants Jessica Borrenpohl, PA-C; Kelsey Cherry, PA-C and Tyler Maguire, PA-C. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 402-729-6888. When the Plymouth Clinic is not open, calls will be answered by JCH&L Fairbury Clinic.

The Plymouth Clinic offers a wide range of family medicine services, including: physical exams and preventative care, treatment of acute and chronic illness, minor surgeries and procedures, laboratory services and radiology services.

Jefferson Community Health & Life’s mission is to inspire a lifetime of health by providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time, in a comfortable setting near home.

“That means you and your family can count on a lasting relationship with a family medicine provider who knows you well and helps you stay healthy at every stage of life,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.

The new clinic was one of six businesses to announce they would be located in the Plymouth Plaza, located on Highway 4 in Plymouth. The clinic joins P-Town Fitness; P-Town’s Daily Grind; Live Love Dance; and Barefoot Buddies Daycare, which are already open. Hometown Eatery is planning a restaurant at the Plymouth Plaza.

JCH&L Accepts Award as one of Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the Nation

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Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for overall performance in the nation. Representatives accepted the award at the National Rural Health Association Conference in Kansas City Friday, Sept. 28.

The Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals scored best among critical access hospitals as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The rankings were announced in the spring by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA.)

The Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals are those hospitals which have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight indices of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspectives, cost, charge and financial stability. This group was selected from The Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2018 Top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year. This year’s Top 20 includes 4 Nebraska hospitals.

“Jefferson Community Health & Life is proud of the efforts of its physicians and staff who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” said Chad Jurgens, JCH&L CEO.  “Our results as a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.”

JCH&L has been among the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals four of the last five years, and has been named a performance leader in specific areas in 2016 and 2017. In 2017 JCH&L was named a performance leader in financial strength and patient satisfaction.

Accepting the Top 20 Critical Access Award at the Nebraska Rural Health Association Convention were, from left: Chad Jurgens, CEO; Judy McGee, RN, Chief Nursing Officer; Lana Likens, director of public relations; Chance Klasek, CFO; Sandy Bauer, director of human resources; and Erin Starr, Chief Quality Officer.

TOP 20 CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS:

Androscoggin Valley Hospital Berlin, N.H. ; Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics, Inc. Ironwood, Mich.; Aspirus Langlade Hospital Antigo, Wis.; Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital Miller, S.D.; Avera Holy Family Hospital Estherville, Iowa; Barrett Memorial Hospital Dillon, Mont.; Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Montpelier, Idaho; Box Butte General Hospital Alliance, Neb.; Central Montana Medical Center Lewistown, Mont.; CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Carrington, N.D.; Community Hospital McCook, Neb.; Community Medical Center Falls City, Neb.; Floyd Valley Healthcare Le Mars, Iowa ; Grande Ronde Hospital La Grande, Ore.; Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury, Neb. ; Livingston Healthcare Livingston, Mont.; Riverwood Healthcare Center Aitkin, Minn.; Transylvania Regional Hospital Brevard, N.C. Wallowa Memorial Hospital Enterprise, Ore.; and  West River Regional Medical Center Hettinger, N.D.

For more information on Jefferson Community Health & Life, see our website at JCHealthandLife.org.

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