Jenn Mau RN MSN Brings 13 Years of Healthcare Experience

FAIRBURY – Jenn Mau RN will be the new Clinical Care Coordinator at Jefferson Community Health & Life, starting May 22. In her new position, Mau will work with teams of providers to coordinate services and help patients who deal with chronic conditions.  She will have an office in JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, and will coordinate with all health coaches at JCH&L.

 

“As we considered the ways we can better help our area residents be healthier, we realized that a person with healthcare experience who can help make sure patients are receiving the services they need would be very valuable,” said Chad Jurgens, Jefferson Community Health & Life Chief Executive Officer.

 

The first area of major emphasis for the clinical care coordinator will be diabetes. JCH&L is working with an accountable care organization and a team of health care providers from area hospitals to try to help make a positive difference in the lives of those who have diabetes.

 

Diabetes is a major health concern in Jefferson County. NebraskaLifeExpectancy at worldlifeexpectancy.com shows Jefferson County as the 32^nd county in the state for deaths from diabetes. In a separate ranking, Jefferson County was ranked 67^th of 78 reporting Nebraska counties for overall health by County Health Rankings.

 

“We have a responsibility as a health organization to help our residents live healthier lives,” Jurgens said. “We believe the clinical care coordinator position is a key position to help everyone do that.”

 

Mau has been with Jefferson Community Health & Life since 2004. She has worked as a nurse aide, a licensed practical nurse, and an RN.  She received her Masters of Science in Nursing Administration and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Nebraska Wesleyan University; her Associate Degree in Nursing from Cloud County Community College, Concordia, Kan.; and her practical nursing diploma from Southeast Community College Beatrice.

 

“I’m excited to utilize all of my experiences and education to help coordinate services for our patients,” Mau said.

 

She is a member of the Go Red for Women planning team, has provided health services at the Jefferson County Spring Expo, and has been involved in the JCH&L Relay for Life team.

FAIRBURY – The May Health Today Program will feature skin cancer prevention and detection by Dr. Craig Shumard, Jefferson Community Health & Life family medicine physician. Dr. Shumard will share information on different types of skin cancer, detection and prevention. May is Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month.

The session will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24, in the Conference Room at Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Health Today is a free monthly health education session offered by Jefferson Community Health & Life in a lunch-time session. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, or are welcome to purchase lunch in the JCHC cafeteria, which is located near the Conference Rooms.

JCH&L works with a wide variety of professionals who will be bringing educational programs on health-related topics each month. Please note that the day of the week for the session may change because of presenter schedules.

Reservations are not required. The program is FREE. The only cost for participants would be their lunch, if they choose to purchase it. Participants are also welcome to carry in their lunch.

Anyone who would like to be on a mailing list to directly receive notices about the monthly sessions or anyone with questions about the program should contact Likens at (402) 729-6855.

Experience Jefferson County with a 12-, 25-, 48-, 60- or 70-mile cycling tour

FAIRBURY – It’s cycling season and once again time for the Fairbury Cycling Tour. This tour is a great way to get outdoors and experience Jefferson County while getting some exercise and having fun.  Join us on Saturday, May 20, for this fully supported ride. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m.  Ride will begin at 8 a.m. at Jefferson Community Health & Life Fitness Center.

Tour fee is $30 per single rider (for all distances) if postmarked by May 8 and will include the 9^th annual cycling tour t-shirt.  Fee will be $35 per rider after May 8 and will not include a shirt.  All ages are encouraged to ride!  Riders under the age of 18 must ride with a parent or guardian.  Kids ages 12 and under ride free!  Sorry, no refunds or rain dates.  Sign-ups will be    accepted on tour day.

Distances are 12, 25, 48, 60, and 70 miles. There will be rest stops with water and snacks along all the routes with a roving SAG vehicle.  SAG  support will end at 2 p.m. Food and showers will be available to all riders in the Burkley Fitness Center after the ride.

Registration forms are available at the Burkley Fitness Center and the Fairbury Chamber. For additional information call Jackie Gregory at 402-239-3559 or the Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139.

FAIRBURY – Increasing health care costs are a concern to many, and wise use of the health center emergency room is an important aspect of keeping health care costs down.

“The health center emergency room is not a cost-effective place to get routine health care,” said Judy McGee, chief nursing officer at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury. “Very ill and critical patients will be prioritized for care ahead of anyone with routine, non-life threatening problems. In addition, emergency room care is very expensive.”

It is important that a patient be seen in the emergency room if they have any of the following symptoms:

• Chest pain or signs of heart attack or stroke
• Loss of consciousness
• Pain that is uncontrollable
• Severe shortness of breath
• Allergic reaction to a sting or bite, or medication reaction
• Poisoning
• Unexplained stupor, drowsiness, or disorientation
• A major injury, fall or possible broken bone
• Trauma, such as a car accident
• Uncontrollable bleeding
• High temperature (over 103 degrees)
• Laceration that needs stitches when the physician’s office is not open

“We provide the needed care for every patient who comes to our emergency room. It is important to understand that we also must prioritize care in the emergency room. If you come with something that is not life-threatening, and we have another patient whose concern is life-threatening, care will be prioritized to the patient with emergency needs,” McGee said.
There are also many medical needs which are not life threatening and can be handled appropriately at your physician’s office during regular office hours. Some of these might include:

• Flu symptoms
• Sore throat, cold, cough, fever
• Rash, lumps, bumps, minor burns
• Cuts where bleeding is controlled
• Animal bites
• Bee stings, insect bites
• Sprains, strains
• Earaches
• Headaches
• Sores that don’t heal or changes in growths

For the safety of our customers and staff, the inner door of the ER vestibule is locked when the area is not staffed. If you need emergency assistance when the door is locked, please pick up the phone in the vestibule. It will automatically ring the nurses station and they will assist you.

If you are in doubt about whether you should come to the emergency room with any specific symptoms, please feel free to call Jefferson Community Health Center at (402) 729-3351. We are glad to help you determine the best place to receive care for your current health need.

Jefferson Community Health & Life Fairbury Clinic is a family medicine clinic offering all types of preventative care, care for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, in addition to physicals, pre-natal care and regular followup visits. Four board certified family medicine physicians and two certified physician assistants provide quality care. Same day appointments are available Monday through Friday for urgent health needs. To make an appointment at the Fairbury Clinic, please call (402) 729-3361.