CHCS clinics offer free books for kids
April 25, 2022
Categories: News
Parents of young children have a long list of worries and questions about keeping their babies and toddlers healthy, and they often ask their family doctor or provider questions about providing the right foods or keeping children safe. But one of the most important things parents can do to benefit their children’s health is to read to them. Community HealthCare System clinics can now help support parents in reading to children by providing a free book at well-child exams for kids...
Prepping parents: Join a session to learn how to help your teens
March 10, 2021
Teenagers face many challenges, and all too often, those challenges cause mental health problems. Parents frequently don’t recognize the warning signs or know how to intervene. A presentation from Children’s Mercy can prepare parents to help teens address problems.
Community HealthCare System is joining with Children’s Mercy Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. Shayla Sullivant to bring “Prepped and Ready: Parenting into the Teen Years”...
Simple tips to keep your child's development on track in a challenging time
January 13, 2021
Categories: Community health news, News
By Ashley Edelman, speech therapist: COVID-19 has undoubtedly caused many difficulties for families this past year. Children in our surrounding communities are also facing many new challenges. Quarantines, remote learning, COVID-related illness, and general disruptions to routine ways of living have taken a toll.
Children are dealing with increased social isolation from peers and family members and disruptions to everyday school routines, which puts them at risk for loss of language...
CHCS recognized by Kansas Newborn Screening Program
October 29, 2020
Categories: News
When babies are born, time is of the essence to screen for problems that could cause developmental disability or severe illness.
The Kansas Newborn Screening Program, a collaboration between public health, hospitals, providers, and the parents of newborns, has provided essential screenings at no cost to families since 1965. Community HealthCare System, or CHCS, is among the Kansas hospitals being recognized for meeting or exceeding screening goals.
Required screenings include...
Safeguard your family's health with immunizations
August 10, 2020
Categories: Community health news
As COVID-19 has spread, the world has seen what happens when a disease has no vaccine. Researchers and drug developers are working hard to make sure that changes soon, but in the meantime, we should not forget that many other diseases are preventable through vaccines. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, so it’s a perfect time to make sure your family’s immunizations are up-to-date.
Immunizations are important because they reduce diseases that result in illness...
Join us for a Health Fair and Community Baby Shower April 25
February 7, 2020
Categories: Community health news, Events, News
UPDATE, March 25: This event is postponed so we can focus on COVID-19. We will reschedule as soon as we are able! Thank you for your understanding.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25, and join Community HealthCare System for a day dedicated to the health of you and your family. Our Health Fair starts early at Onaga Community Hospital with affordable labs and a variety of educational booths and activities.
Whether you’re 18 or 85, regular screenings are important...
CHCS offers vaping guidance to area schools
January 8, 2020
Categories: Community health news
If you ask a classroom full of local students from 5th through 12th grade if they vape or know someone who vapes, nearly all of the kids will raise their hands.
That’s what Merica Surdez, advanced practice registered nurse at Community HealthCare System, found when she decided to help area schools teach students about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Vaping uses an e-cigarette, a battery-powered device that comes in many shapes and sizes, to heat up a liquid to create an...
Let's talk about vaping
December 11, 2019
Categories: Community health news
Vaping has become a burning issue in communities and schools around the country. Community HealthCare System has been asked to serve as a resource to schools and parents in our communities and to help students, teachers, and families understand the risks and dangers of vaping.
On November 14, Merica Surdez, APRN presented information on vaping to grades 5 through 12 at the Onaga school. Merica was able to present to four different age groups; 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th, 9th...
Hand hygiene can keep you healthy
November 11, 2019
Categories: Community health news
By Karen Elliott: Cold and flu season is here. Are you looking for ways to keep your family healthy?
Handwashing is a simple way to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy and able to go to school, work, and other activities. According to the Centers for Disease Control, handwashing can prevent one in three cases of diarrhea and one in five respiratory infections such as cold or flu.
Soap and water are the best tools to use. If soap and water aren’t available,...
The Period of Purple Crying
November 5, 2019
Categories: Community health news
By Katie Kufahl: A crying baby can make just about anyone anxious, but new parents or caregivers can feel especially worried or frustrated when their baby cries and they don’t know how to help.
The period of purple crying helps parents understand this time in a young baby’s life. Crying is a normal part of every infant’s development. The acronym PURPLE describes specific characteristics of an infant’s crying during this...