FAIRBURY, Neb. — For the third time, Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named a top 100 critical access hospital in the United States according to iVantage Health Analytics and The Chartis Center for Rural Health. The Top 100 were announced in February at the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Institute.

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the iVantage Strength INDEX™ in 2017, and also made the Top 100 list in 2014 and 2015. The INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of U.S. acute care hospitals, and the only one to include the country’s 1,300 CAHs. Click here to view the Top 100 list for 2017.

JCH&L was also named one of the nation’s 2016 Performance Leadership Award winners by the iVantage and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. JCH&L was recognized for overall excellence in finance and in patient satisfaction.. The rankings were determined by the Hospital Strength INDEX®, the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. In partnership with NOSORH, iVantage Health Analytics has developed a data driven program designed to identify excellence across a broad spectrum of indicators relevant to hospital performance and patient care. The Hospital Strength INDEX captures performance metrics for all rural and critical access hospitals. The release of the Top 100 critical access hospitals expands on research presented as part of the 2017 Rural Relevance Study: Vulnerability to Value from the Chartis Group.

“These recognitions affirm that our emphasis on quality, performance and satisfaction are making a difference to the community we serve and to our health center. It is because of the work and care of our staff, physicians and board, and the support of our community that we are able to meet and surpass the benchmarks for recognition,” said Chad Jurgens, JCHC chief executive officer.

While many rural hospitals struggle financially nationwide, this recognition is a reminder that JCH&L has been able to remain financially strong, and continues to provide the technology that modern health care facilities require. JCH&L just changed its name to reflect a new Commitment to Health and emphasize its role of inspiring a lifetime of health for area residents. JCH&L completed a major renovation project in 2015 to offer private patient rooms and renovate ancillary service areas.

Jefferson Community Health & Life was previously named as a Top 100 critical access hospital for 2014 and 2015. JCHC is one of 10 Nebraska Critical Access hospitals to be recognized for 2017. Other Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals named to the Top 100 CAH list are: Antelope Memorial Hospital, Neligh; Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, Ellendale; Box Butte General Hospital, Alliance; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; Community Hospital, McCook; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Memorial Health Care Systems, Seward; Sidney Regional Medical Center, Sidney. More information on the iVantage Top 100 index can be found at www.ivantagehealth.com.

FAIRBURY — The Spring Salad Festival of the Jefferson Community Health & Life Auxiliary will be held Thursday, May 18, at the Fairbury Elks Club. The Salad Festival is a fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary which has been a community event since 1965.

“The Salad Festival has a long history in our community, and has been a wonderful fund-raiser for the JCH&L Auxiliary,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations at Jefferson Community Health & Life. “It is also something that has provided wonderful food and fellowship.”

The salad festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets will be $6 in advance, and $6.50 at the door. Advance tickets will be available at several local businesses in May.

The Spring Salad Festival is the main fund-raising event of the auxiliary. The auxiliary provides scholarships to students entering medical fields, provides Christmas gifts for residents at JCH&L Gardenside, and provides volunteer help at JCHC in a variety of projects.

Anyone interested in more information about the auxiliary or the salad festival should contact Lana Likens at (402) 729-6855.

FAIRBURY – Join us for the March Health Today session: “Sodium: Shake the Habit,” by Twila Scheetz RN, Cardiac Rehab Nurse. The program will teach participants about sodium – why they should reduce it, and how to do it.

The session will be held at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 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.

Thirty-two excited (and maybe slightly nervous) high school students tried their hand at suturing and giving shots to oranges, taking blood pressures, and taking blood samples on Tuesday at the Southeast Community College Career Academy event at Jefferson Community Health & Life in Fairbury on Tuesday.

“We are always pleased for opportunities for Health Career Academy students to learn about the many health care careers, and have the opportunity to try hands-on activities,” said Adam Niederklein, SCC Career Academy Coordinator for the Southeast Nebraska Career Academy Partnership (SENCAP.)

While at JCH&L, students tried health care techniques themselves, and also learned about doing body composition analysis and other fitness skills; had a tour of the facility; learned about a range of health care careers; and learned the importance of anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology.

SENCAP is a partnership between Southeast Community College and 38 school districts, offering high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to enroll in college level courses in fields in their area of interest: agriculture, business, criminal justice, education, health sciences, information technology, and manufacturing. Besides taking dual credit high school/college courses, the students have the opportunity to explore their career in a hands-on approach through job shadowing, field trips, professional speakers and annual events highlighting resume building, mock interviews and other career-related activities.

Jefferson Community Health & Life has worked with the SENCAP program in a variety of ways, including career exploration, tours, and shadowing. On Tuesday, they hosted 32 students and 3 educators from Fairbury, Fillmore Central, Thayer Central, Bruning-Davenport, Shickley, Norris and Meridian.

“This is a partnership which benefits not only the students, but also our community, as it encourages young people to consider career opportunities in health care,” said Lana Likens, JCH&L director of public relations.