Jefferson Community Health & Life was named among the Top 10 Nebraska Hospitals for Rural Provider Excellence in Quality during the Nebraska Critical Access Hospitals Conference on Quality held Nov. 14-15 in Kearney.

The award uses the iVantage measures as well as scores in the Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project. This is the second year for the Top 10 hospitals in Nebraska to be recognized by the Rural Health Association at the CAH Quality Conference. JCH&L was among the Top 10 recognized last year, as well.

A subsidiary of The Chartis Group, iVantage Health Analytics (iVantage) is a leading provider of healthcare analytic and performance management analytic tools. Health system and hospital leadership teams across the country rely on the company’s software and services to deliver customized insights on clinical and financial performance, strategic planning, market assessment and payment optimization. iVantage’s analytics are the basis of continuing thought leadership and insight in the areas of healthcare policy and research.

The Medicare Beneficiary Quality Improvement Project is a quality improvement activity under the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility (Flex) grant program of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Federal Office of Rural Health policy. The goal is to improve the quality of care in Critical Access Hospitals by increasing quality data reporting and driving quality improvement activities based on the data.

The MBQIP measures include ER transfer communication, CMS core measures in ER and immunization rates for patients.

FAIRBURY – In honor of National Rural Health Day and Diabetes Month, on Thursday, Nov. 21, JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will offer free blood sugar screenings, free blood pressure screenings, healthy snacks and an opportunity for all who stop in to sign up to win a frozen turkey.

The special screenings, snacks and drawing will be available from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21, at JCH&L Plymouth Clinic.

National Rural Health Day is designated by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health to celebrate the power of rural by honoring the selfless, community-minded, can-do spirit that prevails in rural America and showcase the efforts of rural healthcare providers. It also gives an opportunity to bring to light the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face.

November is also National Diabetes Month – and diabetes is a major health concern in both rural and urban areas of the United States. This year’s focus of National Diabetes Month in on links between diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The American Diabetes Association says that 84 million American adults have prediabetes, and are therefore at risk of developing diabetes. Unfortunately, nearly 90 percent of them don’t even know it. A simple blood sugar screening, along with a diabetes risk questionnaire will be available to help you determine if you are at risk.

Blood pressure screening will also be offered. High blood pressure is a “silent killer.” Typically, a person with high blood pressure has no symptoms, and if left untreated high blood pressure can contribute to stroke, heart attack and other health issues. High blood pressure can be prevented and can be managed. Having a blood pressure screening and if necessary making some lifestyle changes can help you live a healthier life.

Everyone who comes in can sample some healthy treats, and sign up for a drawing for a free Thanksgiving turkey.

“On Rural Health Day, we are thankful for our health, and for our community,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations for Jefferson Community Health & Life. “We want to share the Power of Rural with those in Plymouth and the surrounding area and provide some valuable health information which could help people live healthier lives.”

The Plymouth Clinic offers a wide range of family medicine services, including: physical exams and preventative care, treatment of acute and chronic illness, minor surgeries and procedures, laboratory services and radiology services. Winter hours are now in effect: Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Appointments at JCH&L Plymouth Clinic can be made Monday through Friday by calling 402-729-6888. Providers are certified physician assistants Kelsey Cherry, PA-C and Tyler Maguire, PA-C. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 402-729-6888. When the Plymouth Clinic is not open, calls are answered by JCH&L Fairbury Clinic.

JoAnn Rose, cafeteria attendant, was recognized as Jefferson Community Health & Life’s Caring Kind employee for 2019 at the Nebraska Hospital Association’s annual Caring Kind luncheon on Friday, Oct. 18, at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in LaVista.

JoAnn been employed at JCH&L for 7 years. She works in the cafeteria, where she assists both staff and public on a daily basis. Her nominators describe her as caring, friendly and accommodating to everyone. Nominators said she never makes anyone feel like a bother, no matter what their special need or preference. She seems to sense when her customers need some extra care and will do her best to cheer them up and make their day brighter.

Nominators said she makes the dining experience exceptional for employees and visitors alike. They note seeing her carry trays for customers who need assistance, letting staff know if one of their favorites is on the menu soon, and being a great team member for her coworkers. She treats everyone like family. She is calm, even when the cafeteria is extra busy. She is patient, even with customers who have very specific taste buds.

For 40 years, The Caring Kind award has been given to Nebraska’s most caring and compassionate hospital employees. The award honors outstanding health care employees who have demonstrated compassion for patients, cooperation with co-workers and dedication to excellence in their job responsibilities.

“The Caring Kind Award has truly become a rich tradition for the NHA and our members. The recipients demonstrate a level of kindness, caring, dedication and commitment to their patients that goes above and beyond,” said NHA President Laura J. Redoutey, FACHE. “I look forward to this event every year – it celebrates all that is good in serving others.”

Hospitals across the state each select one award recipient from within their respective institutions to be recognized during the NHA Annual Convention.

More than 2,500 skilled and dedicated health care professionals have received this award since its inception in 1979. This year, 76 employees were honored before more than 500 people in attendance at The Caring Kind Awards Luncheon held at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in La Vista.

The event showcases the exemplary work and care hospital employees provide every day throughout the year. Every Nebraska hospital employee plays a critical role in providing high-quality, cost-effective treatment and ensuring the safety of themselves, their co-workers and patients each and every day.

These honorees are star performers through their dedication to patients and teamwork, ensuring that care is safe, quality-driven and cost-effective for consumers, as well as for the organizations they represent.

The NHA congratulates The Caring Kind award recipients for 2019:

• Lori Adams-Kunz, PharmD | Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital | O’ Neill
• Jamileth Alvarado | St. Francis Memorial Hospital/Dinklage Medical Clinic | West Point
• Rita Aschoff | Osmond General Hospital | Osmond
• Gina Baker, MHD, LMHP | Boone County Health Center | Albion
• Wendell Barbee, MSN, RN, CCRN | CHI Health Immanuel | Omaha
• Erin Barnes, RN, BSN | CHI Health St. Mary’s | Nebraska City
• Laurie Batenhorst | CHI Health Lakeside | Omaha
• Katie Bates, LPN | Morrill County Community Hospital | Bridgeport
• Nikea Brady, CSW | Methodist Fremont Health Dunklau Gardens | Fremont
• Ann Brothers | Syracuse Area Health | Syracuse
• Tammi Cawthra, APRN | Dundy County Hospital | Benkelman
• Erica Cervantes, RN | Kearney County Health Services | Minden
• Nikki Cook | West Holt Medical Services | Atkinson
• Melinda Curry | Nebraska Medicine | Omaha
• Lyle Davis | Cozad Community Health System | Cozad
• Theresa Davis, RN | Providence Medical Center | Wayne
• Jill Denker | Lexington Regional Health Center | Lexington
• Seron Dillard | Box Butte General Hospital | Alliance
• Jayda Edgar, RN | Thayer County Health Services | Hebron
• Cathy Engel, RN, BSN | Brodstone Memorial Hospital | Superior
• Melissa Feldhacker, BSN, RN | Methodist Women’s Hospital | Omaha
• Mary Jo Fozzard | Butler County Health Care Center | David City
• Megan French, RN | Memorial Community Hospital & Health System | Blair
• Evan Geilenkirchen, CRNA | Community Hospital | McCook
• Glenn Hain | Memorial Health Care Systems | Seward
• Miriam Halstead, RN | Memorial Community Health | Aurora
• Jackie Hamm-Sipley, RN | Regional West Garden County | Oshkosh
• Nicole Havel, PA | Chase County Community Hospital | Imperial
• Jan Heithoff | Antelope Memorial Hospital | Neligh
• Alicia Hollander, RN | Tri Valley Health System | Cambridge
• Alexis Hooker | Merrick Medical Center | Central City
• Kelli Hromek | Friend Community Healthcare System | Friend
• Elizabeth Jacobs-Fitzgerald, BSN, RNC-OB | CHI Health St. Elizabeth | Lincoln
• Debra Jelken, RN | Franklin County Memorial Hospital | Franklin
• Barb Jenkins, PBT | Nemaha County Hospital | Auburn
• Kim Johansen, PTA | Community Medical Center, Inc. | Falls City
• Jeff Kautz, PT, ATC, COMT, CSCS | Great Plains Health | North Platte
• Rose Kleineweber | Crete Area Medical Center | Crete
• Dorothy Kohler, LPN | CHI Health Schuyler | Schuyler
• Rose Kothe, RN | Mary Lanning Healthcare | Hastings
• Brint Lemke | CHI Health CUMC – Bergan Mercy | Omaha
• Joan Lilly, OT | Avera Creighton Hospital | Creighton
• Adriana Lopez | CHI Health St. Francis | Grand Island
• Joan Manning, RN | York General | York
• Dave McAtee | Boys Town National Research Hospital | Omaha
• Kathy McDonald | Columbus Community Hospital | Columbus
• Shelly McQuillan, MSW | Ogallala Community Hospital | Ogallala
• Cindy Melcher, RN | Beatrice Community Hospital & Health Center | Beatrice
• Sara Milke | Johnson County Hospital | Tecumseh
• Fred Miller | Children’s Hospital & Medical Center | Omaha
• Floyd Mohr | Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center | Osceola
• Cynthia Montanez | Regional West Health Services | Scottsbluff
• Darlene Mowrey, PT, DPT | CHI Health Midlands | Papillion
• Shane O’Brien | Faith Regional Health Services | Norfolk
• Darla Pinkelman | OrthoNebraska | Omaha
• Shanda Pouk, RT ( R ) (CT) | Phelps Memorial Health Center | Holdrege
• Elaine Price, RN | Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center | Broken Bow
• Mike Raasch | Pender Community Hospital | Pender
• Deb Radenslaben, ASCP | Saunders Medical Center | Wahoo
• JoAnn Rose | Jefferson Community Health & Life | Fairbury
• Tami Rudder | Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals | Lincoln
• Heather Sayaloune, LPN, CRT | Chadron Community Hospital & Health Services | Chadron
• Judy Schroeder | CHI Health Good Samaritan | Kearney
• Michelle Simon, PT | Nebraska Methodist Hospital | Omaha
• Teresa Spier | Pawnee County Memorial Hospital | Pawnee City
• Kevin Sponsel, RPh | Bryan Health | Lincoln
• Vicki Stegeman, RN | Sidney Regional Medical Center | Sidney
• Ann Steinkraus, CNA  | CHI Health Plainview | Plainview
• Abby Stewart | Fillmore County Hospital | Geneva
• Cheryl Swett, RN | Valley County Health System | Ord
• Kat Sybrant, LPN | Rock County Hospital | Bassett
• Patricia Ward | Howard County Medical Center | Saint Paul
• Jeannie Welke, CNA  | Brown County Hospital | Ainsworth
• Christel Wilson | Harlan County Health System | Alma
• Bill Wood, RDCS, RDCS-P, RVT | Kearney Regional Medical Center | Kearney
• Rick Zarek, RP | Gothenburg Health | Gothenburg