As we've navigated the pandemic, CHCS associates have done many extraordinary things to serve our patients and communities, but perhaps none have been more significant than our efforts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine.
We jumped in with both feet early while many healthcare organizations hung back. We tackled logistical obstacles and persevered through many difficulties. We adapted our processes as the situation and availability and guidelines changed. We patiently answered question after question.
Earlier this month, we administered the 2,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine in our clinics. (This does not count the service and assistance we provided to public health departments in all four counties and the doses we administered at mass vaccine clinics for the public and for associates.) So, we wanted to celebrate this milestone.
We distributed some beautiful and delicious vaccine-themed cookies from Wildflour Bakery + Café in Frankfort to our vaccine team earlier this week. As one cookie says, every dose matters! And every individual who has helped order, schedule, register, report, and administer vaccine also matters. THANK YOU for your work!
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September 12-18 is Environmental Services Week!
We want to take a moment to recognize these crucial associates and the excellent work they do. Many of us don't notice the time and effort it takes to keep our hospital, clinic, nursing home, and assisted living environments sparkling clean. But the following associates work hard to ensure that our needs are met, and they have taken on extra duties during the COVID-19 pandemic to meet and exceed safety requirements.
THANK YOU to our EVS associates!
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Eastridge
St. Marys Manor
- Anastasia Peek
- Donald Leger
- Karen Heue
- Mackenzie Spear
- Nancy Rose
- Sylvia Quenneville
- Valerie Marshall
Redbud Assisted Living
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Holton
Onaga
- Britney Hudon
- Geraldine Bates
- Jennifer Stephens
- Mayda Stallbaumer
- Patricia Sage
- Ronald Jones
- Sigrid Howard
- Jeri Wesley
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Annual adjustments take effect Sept. 24 |
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In 2020, CHCS transitioned to Associates’ Annual adjustments occurring in September of each year instead of the anniversary of their hire date. One exception: if an associate had a final warning within the last 12 months, the associate is not eligible to receive the increase. This change was made to allow consideration of the organization’s financial performance as demonstrated through the results of the annual cost report.
In addition, throughout the year, we have been working with an outside compensation consultant, Gallagher and Associates, to analyze the market and assist in developing a Compensation Plan that will both attract and retain associates. This plan provides a structured method to continually assess the market and make adjustments when necessary to keep CHCS competitive. This plan was utilized in determining this year’s adjustments.
Department directors were provided a letter for each of their associates earlier this week. If you haven't seen the letter yet, you should be receiving it soon, or feel free to contact your manager to get a copy. This letter informs associates of their new rate that will be effective on the September 24, 2021 paycheck.
Human resources will be having an all-associate Zoom meeting on September 20, 2021, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. to give a high-level overview of the compensation plan and philosophy. This will provide associates an opportunity to ask questions about the new compensation process. Providing questions in advance would be much appreciated. Please email advance questions to Jill Greene or Cindy Flentie.
We will send the Zoom link in an email reminder on Monday morning, and the meeting will be recorded for those who can't attend.
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Are vaccine mandates coming?
Last week, the Biden Administration issued an Executive Order requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are fully vaccinated or tested weekly.
We published an FAQ in our Monday COVID-19 Testing Update. If you missed it, please take a look. The upshot is that at this point, we don't know what to expect and when. CHCS is monitoring the situation and will keep associates updated as we learn more.
Need a hard copy of the FAQ? Contact Sarah Hancock or have your manager let Sarah know.
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Get ready for the Health Fair! |
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Our Health Fair is Saturday, October 9 from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Here's how associates can help:
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Work the event: We need more workers in several areas. Those who work will also be able to get labs at the Health Fair. Sign up now.
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Post flyers: We have flyers available for handout in our communities. Please email Sarah Hancock or call ext. 5133 if you are able to help distribute some.
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Share on social media: Please share the event on Facebook or give CHCS a retweet on Twitter. If you need email text or an electronic flyer to share with contacts or organizations, let Sarah know.
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Schedule an appointment: Get yourself and your loved ones on the schedule for low-cost labs!
More info on the event
During the Health Fair, individuals can receive a complete blood count, chemistry panel, thyroid screen, cholesterol panel, and hemoglobin A1c for diabetes screening for $25. A prostate specific antigen, or PSA, test can be added for $10. Payment is by cash, check, or credit card.
Associates are encouraged to schedule in advance by calling 785-889-4241; select Onaga Clinic (option 1) and let registration staff know you’d like an appointment at the Health Fair. Walk-ins will also be welcome.
Pottawatomie County Public Health will be on hand to offer influenza and COVID-19 vaccines.
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Associate flu shot clinic schedule |
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The deadline for CHCS associates to receive a flu shot is October 29, 2021. Please note the following flu shot clinic dates, times, and locations.
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September 29: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Onaga - Community Home Care Equipment (CHCE; formerly DME)
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October 6: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Eastridge - chapel
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October 8: 7:30 to 11:00 A.m., Onaga - CHCE
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October 18: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Onaga - CHCE
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October 22: 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., St. Marys - Tree Room
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October 25: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Onaga - CHCE
Please have your flu shot consent and annual health assessment completed before you arrive. These documents are in Public Folders > Employee Health > Influenza or in PowerDMS (search for Flu Vaccination & Health Assessment).
Want more information on declinations, religious exemptions, why you need a flu shot, and more? Read our flyer. Please contact Employee Health Nurse Christina Hasenkamp with questions. |
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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St. Marys Manor volunteer Vineta Leger wrote the following about Cheryl Herrman, who serves as activity director and provides transportation for Manor residents. She said:
"I would like to nominate Cheryl Herrman for the WOW factor. She works at St. Marys Manor and has many job titles there.
- She is the most wonderful activity director. She comes up with a lot of different ideas for crafts, cooking class, and happy hour. Depending on the season or the different food that each month has, she comes up with crafts or food.
- She is the transportation person. At different times, she has more than one person to take to appointments on the same day, sometimes back to back. She comes in on her days off to do activities that she didn't have time to do during the week, usually on a Saturday."
Thank you, Cheryl, for delivering the WOW experience for our residents! And thanks to Vineta for sharing her thoughts and to Shannon Heim for passing them along.
Have you noticed an individual or a group at CHCS delivering the WOW experience? Send it to Sarah Hancock or call extension 5133.
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Celebrating Assisted Living Week |
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Things were a little wild at Redbud on Wednesday afternoon! Everyone celebrated National Assisted Living Week with a cookout lunch followed by a water fight that pitted residents against staff.
A few photos are below. We'll share more on our Facebook page soon. (Some passersby, including the UPS guy, got involved. Thanks for not getting the photographer TOO wet!)
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The CHCS apparel store is OPEN! Please place your orders by 12 noon on Friday, September 24.
Important notes:
- Colors in some items are limited
- Samples are on the way around the system and should be coming soon to your location!
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Orders will ship free to CHCS, and the Gift Shop will distribute to appropriate locations. Be sure to enter your name, email, and phone number. Choose "ship to coordinator" and pay with a credit/debit card.
- Orders will arrive at CHCS roughly three weeks after the store closes. Please be patient!
- The Gift Shop will restock t-shirts and other limited items for the holidays
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Hit the green button below or enter this in your browser: https://bit.ly/3yTLiz1
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Holton Clinic kicks off flu shot season
Holton Clinic held the first of many CHCS flu shot clinics on September 15. The clinic was a drive-through, and it included COVID-19 vaccines. Well done, all!
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Onaga roof repairs are complete
After several years of struggling with a leaking gravel type roof, we now have a nice, new membrane roof. The gravel from the old roof system was removed, replaced with an insulation board, and then covered with the new membrane. This roof will give us many years of service, and we are looking forward to the benefits it will provide in protecting the integrity of our facility. Thanks to all who were involved in making this happen.
--Gordon Beightel, Maintenance Manager
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Thanks for doing Meals on Wheels!
CHCS delivers Meals on Wheels in Onaga during the first week of each month. The responsibility rotates through departments. In September, Imaging, EVS, HIM/Business Office, and Pharmacy delivered meals the week of September 6.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped, including Erin Lacey and Skylar Baake from the Business Office! They are pictured above left with Onaga Senior Center lunch prep experts.
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Community events
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Onaga Historical Society holds Third Saturday Museum Garage Sales in two Onaga locations. The next sale is Saturday, September 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. View a flyer for more information.
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Holton/Jackson County Fall Fest is scheduled for Saturday, October 9th, 2021 on the courthouse lawn in Holton. The day is packed with vendors, downtown shopping, music, blacksmith demonstrations, a vintage hat display, a chili cook-off, and a scarecrow contest. Find more information on the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.
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Coffee Shop special
September 20-24
French vanilla latte
- 6 oz., $4
- Hot, cold, or frappe
Please note:
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The Coffee Shop will NOT offer the Meal Deal this Friday. We will be closed from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. for a staff meeting.
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Cherry limeades will be available in the afternoon!
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CHCS menu: Onaga and Eastridge |
St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Did you miss your Connection?
Important information is relayed every week in the E-Connection. If you miss it in your email, an archive is available on our website. Visit the For Associates page, then click E-Connection Archive.
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Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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