News

As he was recovering from COVID-19 last fall, Keith Figge heard some strange news at a follow-up checkup at CHCS: He had a heart murmur. An appointment with a cardiologist revealed that he had a prolapsed mitral valve.

Figge, who was born and raised in Onaga and has served as Onaga High School’s agricultural education teacher and FFA advisor for 27 years, smiles easily and enjoys a good laugh. But that day, he was scared. He was referred to a surgeon, who convinced him that surgery...

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...

Community HealthCare System is expanding its Cardiac Rehab program. The program, which began in early 2020, will now include both Phase 2 and Phase 3 options for individuals who are recovering from a heart attack, heart or heart valve surgery, or heart catheterization. The program also helps patients who are managing chronic congestive heart failure.

Phase 2 lasts 6 to 12 weeks, and participants attend up to an hour-long session three days a week to exercise and learn about topics such...

The physical therapy team at the CHCS Frankfort Rehabilitation and Fitness Center is excited about a new treatment option for people with back or neck pain. A new traction unit recently arrived! 

Many people suffer from back or neck pain that affects their ability to carry out activities in their daily life, and many of these patients could benefit from traction therapy. Traction is performed to improve spinal mobility and provide decompression by relaxing...

Update: As of February 15, 16 residents and 9 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Ten residents and four staff members at St. Marys Manor have tested positive for COVID-19 since January 28.

According to Lura Flentie, director of Long-Term Care Services at Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, all residents, family members, and state authorities have been informed according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Pottawatomie...

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...