Fitness is Fun Kids Activity Planned at the Burkley Fitness Center

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The Burkley Fitness Center and Jeffs Gone M.A.D. will be sponsoring 2 fun-filled days for kids entering Kindergarten through the sixth grade.  It will be an afternoon of Fun and Fitness with games, fitness activities and a healthy snack to help jumpstart kids to a lifetime of healthy habits.

Two separate dates are scheduled based on age groups:

Kids entering grades K-2—Thursday, August 4.—1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kids entering grades 3-6—Thursday, August 11—1 p.m. to 4 p.m..

The event will take place at the Burkley Fitness Center. Cost is $3 per child and pre-registration is required.

For more information or questions, please stop by the Fitness Center or call  402-729-6139 and ask for Jen Johnson.  Fitness is fun at any age!  Start creating good habits for your kids today!

JCH&L Sterling Connection Plans Ice Cream Program

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JCH&L Sterling Connection will host an ice cream social and program at Fairbury Senior Diners on Tuesday, July 26.

The program on the importance of dairy products by Ann Engelman of Classic Dairy will begin at about 12:15 p.m. at the Fairbury Senior Diners, 601 City Park Road.

We encourage those attending to have your noon meal at Senior Diners. Please note, you MUST call 402-729-5258 by Monday, July 25, to make reservations for lunch. If you are having lunch, you do not need to register separately for the ice cream social. If you would like to attend the ice cream social only, please call 402-729-6855 and leave a message so we can plan for enough ice cream!

For those 60 and older, the suggested donation for lunch at Fairbury Senior Diners is $4. For those under the age of 60 the cost of lunch is $6. Lunch that day is a garlic herbed pork loin, mashed sweet potatoes, spinach casserole, applesauce and cake. Ice cream will be served after the program.

Sterling Connection members are encouraged to bring a guest!

If you have questions, please call Pauline at 402-729-3351 or Lana at 402-729-6855.

Open House July 7 for Pediatric Area

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JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services will host an open house with activities for children, giveways, treats and door prizes in the new pediatric area from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 7. This event is free and open to the public. Please enter at the main entrance at 2200 H St. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet our therapists and learn about pediatric therapy. The area includes Kasey Murphy, PT, DPT, board certified pediatric clinical specialist; Lauren Cox, OTD, OTR/L; and Sarah Meyer, M.S., CCC-SLP.

Pediatric therapy offers physical therapy for delays in movement; improving balance; improving gross motor skills; strengthening; improving coordination; working with atypical posture or running; occupational therapy for fine motor skills; self care skills; social and emotional skill regulation; handwriting; cognitive delays; feeding difficulties; core strength; coordination; development delays; and speech-language therapy related to disorders or delays in the articulation, expressive and repetitive language; fluency, voice and social skills.

For more information on pediatric therapy, call JCH&L Sports Medicine and Rehab Services at 402-729-6840. Check us out on line at JCHealthandLife.org, care and services, Sports Medicine and Rehab Services.

Two New Physicians Will Join JCH&L Fairbury Clinic

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Dr. Madhav Narayan and Dr. Sean Flor will join JCH&L Fairbury Clinic this fall.

“We are excited to welcome two new family medicine physicians to the Fairbury Clinic,” said Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE. “We have a beautiful new clinic and are glad to increase our excellent medical staff to help meet our community’s needs.”

Dr. Narayan will begin his work at JCH&L on Sept. 6, and Dr. Flor on Oct. 3.

Dr. Narayan, who is from Broomfield, CO, recently finished his residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, Rural Training Track.  He received his MD from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.  He has had training in EGD and colonoscopy.

Dr. Flor, who is from Omaha, recently finished his residency with the Lincoln Family Medicine program. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Prior to medical school he had an extensive career in the Air Force.

With the addition of Dr. Narayan and Dr. Flor, JCH&L’s medical providers will include five board-certified family medicine physicians, four board-certified nurse practitioners, and 2 certified physician assistants. Our team includes: Dr. Sean Flor, Dr. Madhav Narayan, Dr. Craig Shumard, Dr. Rebecca Stroklund, Dr. Brett Wergin (all board-certified family medicine providers); board certified nurse practitioners Kirisha Afuh, FNP-C; Carolyn Ferguson, FNP-C; Megan Knutson, FNP-C; and Keegan Williams, FNP-C; and two certified physician assistants Bryce Taylor, PA-C; and Kensly Williams PA-C.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is accepting new patients.

For appointments at JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, call 402-729-3361, option 1. When visiting the Fairbury Clinic for your appointment, please use the main entrance, accessed from H Street.

Dr. Sean Flor

Dr. Madhav Narayan

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Set for Aug. 2

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FAIRBURY – The Progressive Agriculture Safety Day will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairbury. This year’s Safety Day is the 23rd event for the local chapter of Jefferson County Farm Safety 4 Just Kids.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is open to area children who will be entering Kindergarten through seventh grades in the fall. The registration deadline is July 26. Registration fee is $5 per child or $10 per family, and includes lunch, snacks, speakers, t-shirt and a goody bag. After the July 26 deadline, the registration will increase to $7 per child with no family discount.

Safety Day is not just for “farm kids,” organizers said. Safety Day is designed to provide safety information that is agriculturally oriented as well as general safety information.

Through hands-on activities, participants learn to prevent incidents and reduce the extent of injuries if incidents do occur. Safety Day stresses the importance of children taking responsibility for their own safety, respecting parents’ safety rules, and sharing safety tips with their family and friends. Participants rotate through eight safety sessions and demos. Safety Day will include a lunch-time program and a special closing program featuring a mock accident.

Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is organized by Jefferson County Farm Safety 4 Just Kids. It is made possible by The Progressive Agriculture Foundation. Area business sponsors are key to making Safety Day successful.

Registration forms are available at Nebraska Extension-Jefferson County, 517 F St., and at Jefferson Community Health & Life, 2200 H St., Fairbury, and should be returned to the Extension office or Jefferson Community Health & Life by July 26 with the registration fee. Registration forms will also be available at the Jefferson County Fair July 13-17.

Anyone who needs more information on Safety Day should call the Nebraska Extension office in Jefferson County at (402) 729-3487, or Coordinator Lana Likens at JCH&L at (402) 729-6855.

Open House Planned for New JCH&L Fairbury Clinic

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A ribbon cutting and open house will be held for the new JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, 2200 H St., on Thursday, June 30. Activities will begin with a brief ceremony and ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. The open house will go through 8 p.m. and will offer tours, door prizes, give aways and treats. Everyone is welcome to attend.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic opened in its new location on Monday, May 16.

The $8.4 million project attached JCH&L Fairbury Clinic to the west side of the health center. It features enhanced handicapped accessibility and infection prevention. Ashley Norden, clinic administrator, said the new facility helps provide better service to patients and makes it easier with larger rooms and wider hallways. It provides a negative pressure area and other infection prevention enhancements. Team work spaces will assist staff in cooperating in patient care, and technology improvements will assist with the new electronic health record.

The new construction also includes a new pediatric therapy area and a new human resources office area.

Patients park in the parking lot north of the new clinic and enter and exit at the main entrance. A circle drive at the main entrance allows for easy drop off and pick up. The main entrance provides access to the clinic, health center services, and fitness center.

Construction began with groundbreaking in October 2020. The community has provided more than $100,000 in fund-raising support for the project.

No decisions have been made yet on the future use of the former clinic building.

Golf Tournament to Benefit Jefferson Community Health & Life

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A charity golf tournament to benefit Jefferson Community Health & Life has been set for Friday, Aug. 12, at the Fairbury Country Club.

The three-person scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 8:45 a.m. The 18-hole tournament will feature cash prizes along with pin prizes.

The entry fee is $225 per team. The field is limited to a maximum of 32 teams. The entry fee includes rolls and coffee beginning at 7:30 a.m., lunch, gifts for all golfers, mulligans and chances at pin prizes.

Hole sponsorships are also available. Sponsorship is $500 and entitles the sponsor to recognition at the hole sponsored and on the tournament program, and one team entry.

A raffle will also be available for those who choose to purchase raffle tickets.

Tournament proceeds are not designated to specific projects, and have been used for a variety of projects at Jefferson Community Health & Life over the years. One large project made possible by unrestricted funds was funding $200,000 (about half the cost) of a new X-ray machine which is safer, faster, more efficient and more comfortable for patients.

Jefferson Community Health & Life, named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in 2021 and a Top 20 Critical Access Hospital for quality in 2020, operates a 17-bed, acute-care Critical Access Hospital in Fairbury, Neb., offering inpatient and outpatient services, including surgery, therapy, screenings, and emergency services. Jefferson Community Health & Life offers additional health and life services, including the Fairbury Clinic (primary and family care), Burkley Fitness Center, Gardenside (long-term care), and Home Health services. In addition, Jefferson Community Health & Life supports numerous education programs and support groups.

Entry forms are available by contacting Lana Likens, director of public relations, at 402-729-6855, or email lana.likens@jchealthandlife.org.

JCH&L Gardenside Earns 5 Star Rating Again

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FAIRBURY – Jefferson Community Health & Life Gardenside has once again received a 5 Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Gardenside has been a 5-star facility since the program began in 2008.

Nursing Home Compare and the star rating system allow consumers to compare information about nursing homes. It contains quality of care, staffing and survey information for all 15,000 plus Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes. Facilities are assigned star ratings from a high of 5 stars to a low of 1 star based on health inspection surveys, staffing information and quality of care measures. The ratings are publicly available on the agency’s Nursing Home Compare website at  www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare.

“We are pleased to remain a 5-Star facility, even though we know it becomes more difficult each year to receive the top rating,” said Laura DeBoer, RN, director of nursing at JCH&L Gardenside. “All of our staff members work very hard to provide the best quality of care for our residents. We are pleased to know that our care for our residents is reflected in our ratings through Nursing Home Compare.”

JCH&L Gardenside has been providing long-term care to area residents since 1963. Currently, Gardenside is licensed for 40 beds, and has one Hospice room available. Gardenside has an aviary and a variety of activities in which residents can participate including organized activities in the evenings and on weekends.

Gardenside prides itself on having a homelike environment, and being a small, family-oriented care facility. Three enclosed courtyards provide outdoor space for residents and their families to enjoy.

“What really sets us apart and makes our facility special is our wonderful staff,” DeBoer said. “Their hard work, dedication and care for our residents truly makes us a five-star facility.”

COVID-19 has been difficult for Gardenside residents. Since the start of the pandemic, only 8 Gardenside residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The last positive test for a resident was in January 2022. Gardenside continues to take appropriate precautions as necessary and as recommended by CDC, CMS and ICAP. Visitation is allowed, and while appointments are recommended they are not required. For more information on visitation guidelines, see our website at JCHealthandLife.org/locations/Gardenside or call 402-729-5220. Visitors are required to enter using Door 31, and must pass a screening and be masked during their visit.

JCH&L CEO Burke Kline, DHA, MHA, CHFP, FACHE, said he is very proud of the Gardenside’s care and commitment.

“I’m proud of our outstanding Gardenside team and the quality of care we continue to offer to our residents. The continued 5-star rating is a testament to our quality program especially during this historic pandemic. It really shows our commitment to our residents and community,” Kline said.

The Nursing Home Compare statistics can be accessed by going to www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare and selecting Gardenside LTC-JCHC.

JCH&L Women’s Health Day Scheduled for June 22

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Wellness Experience Offers Women a Convenient Way to Take Control of Their Health

In just about three hours women from Jefferson County and beyond can complete their annual health checks and receive a well-deserved indulgence at the same time. Women’s Health Day is a complete wellness experience designed to make women’s health easy. Jefferson Community Health & Life is now scheduling for the experience on Wednesday, June 22.

The program is available at the Jefferson Community Health & Life Health Center and Fairbury Clinic on select days every month, and includes:

* Personalized guidance from an on-site Women’s Health Day navigator

* Important health screenings, including fasting lab tests, a screening mammogram and a routine annual exam to assess overall and gynecological health (lab test and mammogram results will be available before participants leave for the day, while Pap test results will be provided later by mail)

* Complimentary breakfast and a relaxing indulgence—such as an express manicure or hand massage, for example. Offerings may vary.

* Reserved parking

“It’s so important for women to make time for their own health, but we know life sometimes gets in the way,” said Erin Starr, Chief Nursing Officer. “That’s why we created Women’s Health Day—to provide a convenient way for women to get their essential health screenings all at once, while also taking time to unwind.”

All major insurance plans are accepted for screening and exams (coverage is subject to individual policy terms). JCH&L Fairbury Clinic accepts new patients.

Appointments for the Women’s Health Day experience start as early as 6:30 a.m. To schedule, call 402.729.6841.

Nebraska Community Bloodbank Visits June 13

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FAIRBURY –The next Nebraska Community Bloodbank blood drive will be held on Monday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the mobile unit in the parking lot of the former JCH&L Fairbury Clinic, 825 22nd St.

Everyone donor in June will have a chance to win a full-service suite at a Lincoln Saltdogs home game.

All types are needed. Giving blood is giving a gift of life. Nebraska Community Bloodbank is Jefferson Community Health & Life’s blood supplier, and the two organizations partner for blood drives in Fairbury to save lives.

Appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, call JCH&L Outpatient Services at 402-729-6851, or visit NCBB.org/searchdrives and use sponsor code JCHC.

With iDonate you can save time by completing your health history on line ahead of your bloodmobile visit. To get started, visit mbc.org/iDonate

2200 H St., PO Box 277, Fairbury, NE