JCH&L Holds Annual Meeting
2023 Another Successful Year
The Jefferson Community Health & Life board of directors held the organization’s annual membership meeting for fiscal 2023 on Thursday, Jan. 25. Anyone who has donated $100 or more to Jefferson Community Health & Life is a member of the private not-for-profit corporation.
Two board members were re-elected to continue service on the board. Ross Boeckner, Fairbury, was elected for his second term. Dallas Christ, Plymouth, was elected for his first full term after completing the unexpired term of the late Dr. Jeff Johnson. Board members are elected from among members of the corporation and may serve up to two consecutive four-year terms.
Trevor Steinmeyer, board chairman, thanked the administration, medical staff, board members and staff for continuing to be excellent and providing exceptional care at the highest level to patients. He noted JCH&L was named for several honors and awards in 2023, including being named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, an award we have received 8 out of the last 10 years. We were also recognized with a Chartis Performance Leadership Award for patient perspective and quality improvement.
“It’s obvious that Jefferson Community Health & Life continues to be a leader in health care, while continuing to strive for the mission of providing exceptional health and life services for every person, every time,” Steinmeyer said.
Highlights in the CEO’s annual report to the membership from CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE, included the Performance Leadership Award and Nebraska Quality Award. JCH&L received the 2023 OnCon Icon awards for “Top 10 Executive Teams” and “Top 50 Operations Teams” in October 2023 (fiscal 2024.)
Leta Mau, nutrition services dining room assistant, was named JCHL’s Caring Kind employee the fall of 2023. Wayne Franzen, Gardenside day activities coordinator, was named JCH&Ls Caring Kind employee in the fall of 2022 (fiscal 2023.)
Dr. Kline earned his Masters in Business Administration from Bellevue University. He was named in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of “80 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know.” He also received an ACHE Service Award in October 2022.
Kim Francis, RN, was named infection preventionist/employee health coordinator in June and in August also became housekeeping and laundry supervisor. Amber Brunow was hired as Laboratory Manager. A new position handling prior authorizations was added and Kayla Young was hired to fill the position. A new Fairbury Clinic Health Coach position was created and Deb Sutton, RN, was hired. Carly Berkenmeier, RN, joined JCH&L as an oncology nurse and earned her ONS/ONC Chemotherapy Immunothrapy certificate. Brittany Filipi was hired in radiology to do ultrasounds and we added vascular equipment so she could do vascular studies. Speech therapist Kristin Banahan, M.S., CCC-SLP, and Occupational therapist Taylor Zimmerman, MOT, OTR/L, joined the Sports Medicine and Rehab Services pediatric team. Anne Itzen, RN, WCC, renewed her Wound Care Certification through the National Alliance of sound Care and Ostomy. Jenn Mau, RN, BSN, passed the Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional Course. Erin Starr, RN, earned her Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Laura DeBoer, RN, Gardenside Director of Nursing, earned her social worker designee certification. Laura DeBoer, RN, Kelli Doty, RN, Kim Francis, RN, and Patrick Hoins completed a Water Management Training course. Jenn Mau, RN, was elected to the Fairbury Chamber of Commerce board. Kelli Pohlmann and Mary Feldkamp became Social Worker Designees. Wayne Franzen received an activities certification. Teresa Kroll earned her medical assistant certificate. Ashley Norden, LPN, and Jenn Mau, RN, completed the Nebraska Hospital Association Leadership Academy in October 2023.
New services added included a new Dexa Scanner (bone density screening), Men’s Health Clinic days, expanded occupational health services, cosmetic and therapeutic aesthetics, and vascular screenings in house, rather than by contracted services.
Major projects included updating in Gardenside, remodeling laboratory, implementing a new appointment reminder system for Fairbury Clinic patients, utilizing new wound care software, implementing new software allowing patients to estimate the cost of a service, and a number of other capital projects.
JCH&L remained active in community collaboration and events.
Chance Klasek, CFO, presented a report containing a comparison of financial data over the past five years. Chance noted that gross revenues increased to just under $43 million in the current year. After bad debt and contractual adjustments of $11 million and expenses of $31.5 million, this left JCH&L with $500,000 of operating loss which equated to a 1.45% operating loss. We recognized gains on investments and grants of roughly $5.3 million for a total increase in net assets of $4.8 million.
At the regular monthly board meeting which followed the annual meeting, officers were elected for 2024. Officers are: Trevor Steinmeyer, chairman; Ross Boeckner, vice chairman; and Glenda Austin, secretary-treasurer.
