General

By Mindy Olberding, Chief Nursing Officer

The American Nurses Association created Nurses Week (May 6–12) to acknowledge the contribution nurses make to their communities and health systems. 

Here at CHCS, we have amazing nurses who provide extraordinary care and who, time and time again, rise to whatever challenge the world of healthcare can throw their way. The last year’s challenges with the pandemic were a testament to the commitment...

Laurie Horgan started working in Onaga Dietary in August 2020. Her mother, Donna Bates, lives at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living. She is also an avid water skier and a volunteer with Warriors Adaptive Watersports. Laurie recently took time to answer some questions.

What is the adaptive ski program, and where is it located?

Warriors Adaptive Watersports, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides recreational watersports events for persons with physical...

Claire Blumer, physician assistant, will join the Community HealthCare System Centralia Clinic in early April. Blumer will see patients Wednesday through Friday each week and is eager to develop personal relationships with her patients.

“No two days are the same in family practice, and I appreciate the variety of ages and medical cases that come with this field,” Blumer said.

She particularly appreciates rural medical practice.

“I...

Carol Perry is an LPN in the Onaga clinic. She has worked at CHCS for almost 30 years. She started as a nurses aide on the acute floor in 1991, then graduated from nursing school in 1995.

Carol also makes soap with her sister, Gail Wege. Their business is called Route Step Farm. Gail retired from the military as a Lieutenant Colonel after a 20-year career and moved back to the Onaga area with her family. Gail started making soap as a birthday present...

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. 

Almonds are rich in vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, fiber, biotin, calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. They are both calorie-dense and nutrient-dense.  Almonds have been suggested to reduce heart disease risk by lowering total and LDL cholesterol, and by exerting anti-inflammatory...

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...