Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Sept. 10

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

The program will be a webinar Dealing with Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease, a webinar by Jennifer G. Goldman, M.D., M.S., Associate Professor Section of Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurological Sciences, PDF Research Center at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Ill.

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.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet Sept. 24

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The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group will meet on Monday, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a program on “Challenging Behaviors.”  This webinar by Teepa Snow discusses how caregivers can understand and deal with challenging behaviors.

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 Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group 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 Plymouth Clinic Opens Sept. 6

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Family Medicine Clinic part of Plymouth Plaza

FAIRBURY — Jefferson Community Health & Life Plymouth Clinic will open Sept. 6.

“We are excited to open JCH&L Plymouth Clinic,” said Chad Jurgens, CEO. “It gives us an opportunity to better serve our area residents, and be a partner in the Plymouth community. It is one more avenue through which we can inspire a lifetime of health.”

The clinic will be 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 clinic accepts new and established patients.

The Plymouth Clinic will offer 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, Jurgens said.

“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,” Jurgens said.

JCH&L announced the new clinic at an announcement celebration and press conference held in July 2017 about the Plymouth Plaza. 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.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet Aug. 13

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar Pain in Parkinson’s Disease, a webinar by Jori E. Fleisher, M.D., M.S.C.E., assistant professor, neurology and population health, The Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, NYU Langone.

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.

Dr. Brett Wergin to Join JCH&L Fairbury Clinic

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Dr. Richard Blatny Sr. Will Semi-Retire

Dr. Brett Wergin will join JCH&L Fairbury Clinic on Aug. 13. Soon after, Dr. Richard Blatny Sr. will semi-retire as of Sept. 1, after 45 years of providing family medicine care as a part of the Fairbury Clinic.

Dr. Wergin, a Lincoln native, received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency at the Lincoln Family Practice Medicine Program. He is board certified in family medicine. He chose to specialize in family medicine because it allows him to develop long-term relationships with his patients that impact health across their entire lifespan. Dr. Wergin pays special attention to his patients’ mental and emotional wellness.

We welcome Dr. Wergin to our team of family medicine specialists: Dr. Richard Blatny Sr., Dr. Richard Blatny Jr., and Dr. Craig Shumard (all board-certified family medicine providers); and certified physician assistants Jessica Borrenpohl PA-C, Kelsey Cherry PA-C, Tyler Maguire PA-C, and Doug Ruzicka PA-C.

After Sept. 1, Dr. Blatny Sr. will be working part-time providing emergency and on-call coverage, and will have limited office hours and appointment times. JCH&L thanks Dr. Blatny for his years of service, and his willingness to continue to provide care as he moves toward retirement.

For appointments with Dr. Wergin or the other Fairbury Clinical family medicine providers, call 402-729-3361.


Brett Wergin, M.D.

Richard Blatny Sr., MD

Richard Blatny Sr., M.D.

JCH&L’s Lab Manager Thankful for Blood that Helped Save His Life

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As laboratory manager at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury, Dan Reikofski sees the need for blood regularly. But in June 2016, after experiencing excessive tiredness and dizzy spells, he found himself in need of blood.

Doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause of his discomfort but his hemoglobin levels – the proteins that transport oxygen in your blood stream – and his blood pressure were slowly dropping. When his hemoglobin reached 9 (the normal range for men is 13-15) his doctor sent him back to Jefferson Community Health & Life, this time as a patient, for overnight observation. When he woke up, his blood pressure had bottomed at 40/20 and his hemoglobin had plummeted to 6.2. That’s when he received his first blood transfusion.

Because of the unexplained symptoms, Dan was transferred to Bryan West in Lincoln, where he spent a week in the Intensive Care Unit and received several more units of blood. Once his hemoglobin had returned to a healthy level, he was able to return home.

“I’m very thankful that my condition resolved on its own and that there wasn’t a bigger problem. And I’m extremely thankful there was blood readily available to maintain my hemoglobin levels.”

Today, Dan is grateful for his blood donors who have given him more time to spend with his wife Sandy and their three children Kyle; Hannah; and Zach. As a lab professional he’s known having blood on hand is important, but living through an experience where he was dependent on blood to survive has made Dan become an even bigger advocate for local blood donation.

“The hospital’s need for blood fluctuates quite a bit because it’s used for many reasons and those change. A large number of blood products go to oncology patients undergoing treatments. We see oncology patients whose hemoglobin is very low, below 6, which is why it’s incredibly important to be able to have blood readily available.”

Because of generous blood donations from local Nebraska Community Blood Bank blood donors, Jefferson Health is also able to perform major surgeries so patients do not have to leave town for treatment. The hospital can also respond quickly to the need for blood because of an accident or injury.

“Fairbury is home for me and home is always a good place for healing,” Dan said. “There’s something to be said about a small town hospital. Most of the time you know your nurses, lab staff, and doctors, and your family can visit regularly. It’s even better if your blood can come from your neighbor too.”

Step up to help your neighbor through blood donation at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Blood Drive on June 4 from 9 am to 1 pm. Your donations also raise Hometown Hero dollars for the Fairbury community. The Hometown Hero’s program runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and occurs during the summer months when collecting enough blood donations can be challenging. When blood drives meet their goal, NCBB donates money toward community projects.  To make an appointment to donate blood contact Jean Smith at 402-729-6851 or call the NCBB at 877-486-9414. During June, all presenting donors will be entered to win Kansas City Royals tickets.

Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group to Meet July 30

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

The program will be a program on “Filling the Day with Meaning.”  This webinar by Teepa Snow discusses how to help a loved one with dementia find meaning in their days.

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 Alzheimer’s Caregiver’s Support Group 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.

Child Safety Seat Check Up Event Set for Aug. 9

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Let us help you make sure your child is safe in the car!

 A child safety seat check up event will be held Thursday, Aug. 9, at the Fairbury Elks Club, 525 G St. The free event will offer child safety seat checks by certified child passenger safety technicians. Child safety seat checks are free.

Checks will be offered from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Please make an appointment by calling Sharon Vandegrift at 402-729-2794, and leave a message, including a number where you can be contacted.

Walk ins will be accepted the day of the event as time is available.

It is important for the child to arrive at the event in the safety seat they are using, or seat belted as they normally ride in the vehicle. The check will determine if your child is riding as safely as possible. If available, please bring your safety seat instruction book and your vehicle owner’s manual. These are not required, but are helpful.

We encourage families with children of all ages to attend. A new Nebraska law takes effect Jan. 1, 2019, which requires all children under age 8 to ride in a correctly secured federally-approved child safety seat. The law required children ages 8-18 to ride secured either in safety belt or a child safety seat (booster seat), whichever fits properly for safety.

For more information on the event, call Lana Likens at 402-729-6855.

Save the Date: Women’s Health Fair Set for Wednesday, Sept. 26

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All women are invited to an evening of fun and learning!

 Women of all ages have health issues specific to being a woman. Jefferson Community Health & Life will offer a second annual Women’s Health Fair to offer women education, fun and chances to win prizes and pamper themselves on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at JCH&L.

The event is designed in an open house format. Women are free to come for all or part of the evening. The evening will include presentations, health-related booths, “Just for fun” booths with cash-and-carry items available for purchase, screenings, opportunities to be pampered, and prizes. Mark your calendar, save the date and watch for more details to come!

For more information on the Women’s Health Fair, contact Erin Starr at 402-729-6889.

Parkinson’s Support Group to Meet July 9

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The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, July 9, at 10 a.m. in Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Small Conference Room.

The program will be a webinar Living Alone: Home Safety and Management in PD, by Erin R. Foster, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, assistant professor of occupational therapy, neurology and psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine.

Easiest access will be by parking in the H Street parking and entering through the JCHC 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.

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