CHCS Unveils Holton Campus Master Facility Plan: “Designing the Future of Care”
October 24, 2025
Categories: News
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is proud to unveil its Holton Campus Master Facility Plan: “Designing the Future of Care.”
The plan represents more than just construction or renovation—it’s a forward-thinking blueprint for how CHCS will continue to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients, families, and team members for generations to come. Guided by community input, data-driven planning, and the organization’s mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered...
Helping Patients Navigate Medicare Open Enrollment
October 16, 2025
Categories: News
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and it’s an important time for many of our patients and community members to review their health coverage for the coming year.
Choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage can be confusing. Original Medicare is accepted by most providers and doesn’t usually require prior authorizations for services. Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private insurers, may include added benefits such as dental...
Community HealthCare System Awarded $371,521 Grant for Portable Ultrasound Machines
September 30, 2025
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) recently received a $371,521 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to help purchase portable ultrasound machines for its Holton, St. Marys, and Centralia rural healthcare clinics.
“We are extremely appreciative of the Patterson Family Foundation for these grant funds,” said John Fitzthum CHCS Chief Executive Officer. “These grants will help us improve prenatal outcomes, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and support equitable...
CHCS Launches New Transportation Initiative to Better Serve Staff and Patients
September 10, 2025
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is excited to announce the launch of a new transportation initiative designed to make travel easier, safer, and more reliable for both staff and patients.
Beginning in September, CHCS will offer scheduled daily routes between three of our key locations: Holton, Onaga, and St. Marys. These routes will function much like “bus stops,” giving employees and patients a dependable option for transportation between CHCS campuses.
The daily...
Do It for Damon
September 8, 2025
Categories: General, News, Patient story
We can all look back on our lives and remember moments that changed the path we thought our lives were on. Sometimes those moments occurred after we made a big decision, but sometimes those moments happen when others make choices that change our lives forever.
On January 19, 2021 our 13 year old son, Damon, made the decision to end his life. That moment and many moments in the following days, weeks, and months truly changed the trajectory of my life. In those first few days, I...
Community HealthCare System to Host Health Fair & Community Baby Shower
August 19, 2025
Categories: Community health news, News
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) invites the public to attend a Health Fair and Community Baby Shower on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Onaga Community Hospital.
As a special part of the event, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and visit with CHCS CEO John Fitzthum and Board Chairman Justin Boswell. Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is open to all attendees until the food runs out.
“This event is a celebration of health, family,...
Kansas Completes First Long-Range Medical Drone Delivery
August 15, 2025
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems have made Kansas history with the state’s first long-range drone delivery of medical supplies.
On Tuesday, August 12, an unmanned aircraft departed Kelly Hills UAS Airfield in Seneca carrying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and landed 30 minutes later at Charles E. Grutzmacher Municipal Airport in Onaga. The flight demonstrated how advanced drone technology can help bridge healthcare gaps for rural communities.
The...
Community HealthCare System Earns Five National Awards from American Heart Association for Dedication to Heart and Stroke Care
August 7, 2025
Recognition Highlights CHCS’s Commitment to Lifesaving, Evidence-Based Treatment in Rural Communities
Community HealthCare System (CHCS) has been nationally recognized by the American Heart Association with five “Get With The Guidelines®” achievement awards for excellence in the treatment of coronary artery disease and stroke.
These...
Community HealthCare System Earns OSHA SHARP Recognition for 23rd Consecutive Year
August 5, 2025
For the 23rd year in a row, Community HealthCare System (CHCS) has been nationally recognized for its outstanding commitment to workplace safety, earning recertification through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).
CHCS remains the only hospital in Kansas—and currently one of just two in the nation—to hold this prestigious designation, and has done so every year since 2002.
SHARP...
Community Healthcare System Welcomes Dr. Emma Beck to Medical Staff
August 1, 2025
Categories: Employee News, News
Community Healthcare System (CHCS) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Emma Beck, a board-eligible Family Medicine physician with specialized training in obstetrics, to its medical staff.
Dr. Beck brings a passion for women’s health, obstetrics, international medicine, and point-of-care ultrasound. A Kansas native and graduate of KU Medical School, Dr. Beck completed her residency at Via Christi Family Medicine and is eligible to sit for the Family Medicine-Obstetrics boards....
