breaking news

Community HealthCare System is pleased to welcome Dr. Kendra Reith to its medical staff. She will begin seeing patients in January 2022.

Dr. Reith (pronounced “right”) graduated from Kansas State University and the University of Kansas School of Medicine. She finished her residency at Smoky Hill Family Medicine in Salina earlier this year. At Smoky Hill, Dr. Reith gained extensive hands-on experience in family practice along with obstetrical care, or OB,...

Community HealthCare System will adjust available services in St. Marys effective June 4, 2021, at 8:00 a.m. Changes will include the closure of emergency department and inpatient hospital beds in St. Marys. The St. Marys Clinic will remain open, and other services such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy; X-ray; laboratory; and home health will remain available.

The Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, Board of Directors voted to close the St. Marys emergency department and...

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...

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...

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...

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...

A Community HealthCare System associate has tested positive for COVID-19. The associate is a nurse who works at St. Marys Community Hospital.

According to CEO Todd Willert, the hospital was informed yesterday. CHCS has already notified patients who received care from the nurse as well as associates who worked in close proximity to the nurse for longer than 15 minutes, per Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines.

“We know that because of our universal...

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed that a resident of Jackson County has tested positive for COVID-19. This is the first case in Jackson County, and the person is in isolation according to a letter from Jackson County Health Officer Angela Reith.

Area healthcare facilities including Holton Community Hospital and Community HealthCare System are prepared to test and treat patients for COVID-19 but emphasize that members of the public should take prevention measures...