General

By Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian and CHCS Nutrition Services manager

February 16 is National Almond Day. Almonds are a good snack choice as part of a healthy diet. 

Clara Niehues is celebrating her fifth year of working in registration at the Holton Clinic. She also makes Clara's Famous Sweet & Sassy BBQ Sauce. Clara recently took time to answer a few questions.

What do you like about your job at CHCS?

I enjoy my job because I have wonderful co-workers, and all the staff here is like a second family. I also appreciate the opportunity to assist people with getting scheduled to have their healthcare...

Surgery at Community HealthCare System has always been safe, but it recently became even safer. CHCS has earned the Gold Level Go Clear Award from the Association of perioperative Registered Nurses, or AORN, and Medtronic for the highest level of achievement in eliminating hazardous smoke from surgical procedures. 

Surgical smoke is the by-product of energy-generating devices used in many surgeries. The smoke can include toxic chemicals as well as viruses, bacteria, blood, and cancer...

The early February sun shone on the first Phase 2 COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Pottawatomie County, an event that one vaccine recipient said felt “like a party.”

Vicki Flattery said everyone from the staff to those arriving for the vaccine was “excited and festive.” “It’s a great vibe,” she said.

Pottawatomie County Public Health collaborated with county healthcare leaders for months to ensure smooth delivery of vaccine. The event at...

Community HealthCare System clinics in six northeast Kansas locations were recently recognized as achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home status by the National Center for Quality Assurance, or NCQA. PCMH is a model of healthcare delivery focused on treating the whole patient through the lifespan.

“The PCMH designation means that our clinics are set up to offer a higher quality of care. When a patient visits, our care teams focus not just on one episode of care they are providing...

Community HealthCare System is collaborating with public health authorities in four counties to begin Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Although plans are proceeding, vaccine supply from the state is limited. Vaccine supply will grow in the coming weeks, but patience will be required as healthcare providers and public health departments work through the planning and distribution process.

CHCS patients who are interested in receiving the vaccine should do the...

By Holly Schmitz, registered dietitian and CHCS Nutrition Services manager

January 19 is National Popcorn Day. Did you know there are many health benefits to eating popcorn? 

Andy Barnes, APRN, will be joining Community HealthCare System full-time in February 2021. Barnes previously worked on an as-needed basis and provided care in the Emergency Department and family practice clinics at CHCS for two and a half years and continues with Stormont Vail Emergency Room, where he has been for more than 15 years. In his new role at CHCS, Barnes will work three days a week in Centralia Clinic and Onaga Clinic, plus continue to be on call one weekend per month.

“We...

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our service area, so Community HealthCare System is re-instituting visitor restrictions and maintaining other COVID-19 precautions.

Starting at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, hospitalized patients, including those delivering babies at the Birth Center, will be allowed one designated visitor. Designated visitors will be issued a purple bracelet to indicate their status during the length of their loved one’s...