Historic Walk Encourages Activity, and Share Community Historic Sites

Complete the Historic Trail Walk Challenge by July 6 for a chance to win a Kindle Fire!

JeffCo On the Move introduced the Historic Trail Walk in May. The concept is simple: provide information at various historic sites around the community, and let walkers or bikers know where other signs are and how far it is from place to place.

“The goal is to encourage healthy activity in our community,” said Lana Likens, president of JeffCo On the Move. “We want to encourage walking, biking, and connecting our community.”

Sites included on the Fairbury Historic Trail Walk are: Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum, Fairbury Public Library; McNish Park; Fairbury City Museum; Fairbury City Park; and Jefferson County Courthouse/Historic Downtown Fairbury. Each sign includes a brief history of the location, photos, a map of the community with other Historic Trail Walk locations marked, and distances to the other locations on the trail. Each map has a QR code which allows participants to go to the map on their mobile device. The map can also be accessed on line at the City of Fairbury site. Go to fairburyne.org, then parks, then JeffCo On the Move Historic Trail.

The Kickoff Challenge for the Historic Trail Walk runs through July 6. Individuals or families are invited to walk or bike to each of the six locations on the Historic Trail Walk and take a selfie with the sign at each location. (The visits don’t all have to be the same day.) We encourage individuals and families to post their selfies on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page with the hashtag #historictrailwalk. Each participant is then encouraged to show their six selfies to staff at the Fairbury Public Library (during regular library open hours) prior to closing time on Monday, July 6, and fill out a form to register for the drawing. There is no cost to compete in the challenge. One entry per family is allowed. From all eligible entries, one winner will be drawn for a Kindle Fire.

Full contest details and map can be found on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page.

“We are very grateful to our sign sponsors for their part in making this project possible, and to the city of Fairbury for their support for the project and installing the signs this spring,” Likens said.

Sponsors are: Westin Packaged Meats-Fairbury Operations; Heartland Bank; PVI; Rooted in Relationships; Fairbury Public Library Foundation; and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The goal of JeffCo on the Move is to encourage and facilitate healthy lifestyles.

“We also encourage families to check out the locations that the signs recognize,” Likens said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairbury Historic Trail project or JeffCo on the Move may check out the Facebook Page (JeffCo On the Move) or contact Likens at 402-729-6855.

Dr. Joni Tilford, Southeast Nebraska Cancer Center (SNCC) Medical Oncologist, will begin seeing patients at JCH&L Outpatient Services on Wednesday, June 17. Dr. Alan Berg, SNCC Medical Oncologist, who had been serving patients at JCH&L since 2005, retired earlier this month.

“Oncology is an important specialty to continue to offer our community,” said Dr. Burke Kline, JCH&L CEO. “It is one of the many specialties which are very important to offer locally so that patients don’t have to travel as far. We are pleased to have Dr. Tilford join us in providing exceptional service for our patients.”

Dr. Tilford is board certified in medical oncology and practices at SNCC in Lincoln. She earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She then completed a three-year residency in internal medicine and a two-year fellowship in medical oncology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

JCH&L outpatient services also offers chemotherapy services. Carol Blobaum and Carly Berkenmeier, both chemotherapy certified, work with oncologists who order chemotherapy, and the JCH&L pharmacy which mixes and prepares chemotherapy drugs for administration. JCH&L outpatient services also offers lab tests and radiology services such as PET scans and CT scans which may be needed by patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. Medical orders can be accepted from any oncologist.

JCH&L outpatient services offers two dedicated chemotherapy rooms. The rooms are located near the outpatient entrance and are easily accessible for patients and their family member who may come with them. Each room has its own flat screen television, recliner and guest chair. The rooms have windows for natural light, as well.

Dr. Tilford is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology, the Nebraska Oncology Society and the Lancaster County Medical Society. Other professional activities include Nebraska Oncology Society; Lancaster County Medical Society; former chairperson of Bryan Health Cancer Committee, former Physician Liaison for Bryan Health Cancer Committee, Doctors for Science at Nebraska Wesleyan University and an investigator with the Nebraska Lymphoma Study Group.

Dr. Tilford has a broad background in both clinical and laboratory medicine and has authored scientific articles in molecular genetics, thrombosis and leukemia.

A Nebraska native, Dr. Tilford, is from Wauneta, Nebraska and is married with three children.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center reopened to members on Tuesday, May 26, with a number of COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Appointments are required, since only 10 members are allowed to use the facility at a time. No guest passes are available at this time. Appointments will be available on the hour from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. All users must enter through the basketball court door, and all users will be screened when entering. Users must respect social distancing requirements of 6 feet between all users.

“We are happy to be able to reopen to members, and thank our membership for their patience throughout this pandemic,” said Craig Bontrager, Burkley Fitness Center director. “We are following the guidelines set out by the governor, and are working hard to keep our members and staff safe.”

Anyone who would like to make an appointment may call 402-729-6139. The center is currently open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday. The pool and basketball court are currently closed.

Members are encouraged to watch JCH&L’s Facebook, Twitter and website for updates.

Other services are also opening at JCH&L. Many specialists are returning in June, and more routine radiology, lab and therapy is available. Restrictions remain in place. All patients will continue to be required to mask, and will be screened for current symptoms, recent travel, and potential contact with anyone diagnosed with or under suspicion for COVID-19. Numbers of patients will be restricted to allow for appropriate social distancing. Patients are asked to use the ER/Emergency entrance unless given other instructions. Patients will not be allowed more than one visitor to come with them to their appointment or service. At this time, the main entrance to JCH&L will remain locked.

“We are following the guidelines of the governor, but are being cautious and taking things slowly in re-opening services,” said Amber Brunow, infection preventionist at JCH&L. “Our providers continue to help us to determine the safest ways to provide needed services. We will continue to monitor the Governor’s recommendations as the state reopens and will keep the community informed about changes.”

The immunization clinic offered by Blue Valley Community Action partnership is expected to resume in June.

JCH&L Fairbury Clinic continues to recommend Virtual Visits for the initial consultation for most non-emergency medical needs. If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines the patient should be seen in person, instructions will be given. Car-side visits remain in place for those who have respiratory symptoms.

Anyone who has symptoms which are of an emergency nature should contact JCH&L at 402-729-3351 for instructions. The emergency room at JCH&L remains open, and separate locations are available for patients depending on whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not.

Symptoms for COVID-19 continue to be expanded. Current symptoms include: cough, fever, tiredness, body aches, tightness in chest, shortness of breath, sore throat, and diarrhea/vomiting (for unknown reasons.)

Precautions already in place until further notice:

• JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
• The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
• Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended.
• Volunteers are not coming to the facility.
• JCH&L Plymouth Clinic is closed.
• All support groups and outside programs have been postponed. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program

Historic Walk Will Encourage Activity, and Share Community Historic Sites

JeffCo On the Move is excited to introduce the new Historic Trail Walk in Fairbury. The concept of the historic trail walk is simple: provide information at various historic sites around the community, and let walkers or bikers know where other signs are and how far it is from place to place.

“The goal is to encourage healthy activity in our community,” said Lana Likens, president of JeffCo On the Move. “We want to encourage walking, biking, and connecting our community.”

Sites included on the Fairbury Historic Trail Walk are: Rock Island Railroad Depot Museum, Fairbury Public Library; McNish Park; Fairbury City Museum; Fairbury City Park; and Jefferson County Courthouse/Historic Downtown Fairbury. Each sign includes a brief history of the location, photos, a map of the community with other Historic Trail Walk locations marked, and distances to the other locations on the trail. Each map has a QR code which allows participants to go to the map on their mobile device. The map can also be accessed on line at the City of Fairbury site. Go to fairburyne.org, then parks, then JeffCo On the Move Historic Trail.

The Kickoff Challenge for the Historic Trail Walk will be held from May 21 through July 6. Individuals or families are invited to walk or bike to each of the six locations on the Historic Trail Walk and take a selfie with the sign at each location. (The visits don’t all have to be the same day.) We encourage individuals and families to post their selfies on the new JeffCo On the Move Facebook page with the hashtag #historictrailwalk. Each participant is then encouraged to show their six selfies to staff at the Fairbury Public Library (during regular library open hours, when those resume again) prior to closing time on Monday, July 6, and fill out a form to register for the drawing. There is no cost to compete in the challenge. One entry per family is allowed. From all eligible entries, one winner will be drawn for a Kindle Fire.

Full contest details and map can be found on the JeffCo On the Move Facebook page.

“We are very grateful to our sign sponsors for their part in making this project possible, and to the city of Fairbury for their support for the project and installing the signs this spring,” Likens said.

Sponsors are: Westin Packaged Meats-Fairbury Operations; Heartland Bank; PVI; Rooted in Relationships; Fairbury Public Library Foundation; and Jefferson Community Health & Life.

The goal of JeffCo on the Move is to encourage and facilitate healthy lifestyles.

“In this time of social distancing, we felt it was important to let the community know about the Historic Trail Walk project which was completed this spring, and encourage people to participate in healthy activity that allows appropriate social distancing,” Likens said. “Once locations at the markers are once again open for business, we also encourage families to check out the locations that the signs recognize.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the Fairbury Historic Trail project or JeffCo on the Move may check out the new Facebook Page (JeffCo On the Move) or contact Likens at 402-729-6855.

As Jefferson County now has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, Jefferson Community Health & Life continues precautions designed to keep staff, patients and visitors healthy.

The newest measure is that all who enter JCH&L facilities will now be masked. Staff have been masking for several weeks any time they are within 6 feet of other staff or patients. Patients have only been masked if they have symptoms or having screening concerns (such as travel.)

JCH&L encourages patients to bring their own face mask if they have one, to help conserve JCH&L supplies for medical needs.

JCH&L continues to recommend that the public limit social contact and distance when you must have contact, mask if you are in a public place, wash your hands frequently, and don’t touch your face.

Gov. Pete Ricketts has announced that hospitals can resume elective procedures as of May 4. In light of the first case being diagnosed in the county, JCH&L will be taking this step very slowly and cautiously. If the situation allows, some elective services may begin in mid-May. JCH&L continues to monitor the situation and will plan for the best interest of patients and staff. Those with questions about specific outpatient services should call 402-729-6851.

Currently, JCH&L continues to provide essential patient services, as ordered by the medical provider.

All entrances to the health center remain locked at all times. The outpatient and emergency entrance is staffed 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to screen those who enter.

Those who have emergency needs with no respiratory symptoms are asked to use the ER/Outpatient entrance and if the entrance is not staffed, pick up the telephone in the vestibule to contact nursing services and explain their need. Those who have respiratory symptoms are asked to call 402-729-3351 and ask for nursing to receive instructions for being seen.

JCH&L continues to limit hospital patients to 1 designated visitor per room. Visitors should use the ER/Outpatient entrance and will be screened. They will continue to be asked to mask, are asked to use their mask for a week unless it becomes visibly soiled. If the door is not staffed, please pick up the telephone in the entry way to contact the nurses station for direction.

Many other necessary precautions had already been put in place before Jefferson County had its first case, and these precautions will continue.

Precautions already in place:

• JCH&L Fairbury Clinic is encouraging all visits, whether healthy or sick, to be done via Virtual Visits.  This may vary by provider and the reason for the visit, which can be discussed when you call the Fairbury Clinic at 402-729-3361, option 1, to schedule an appointment. If during a Virtual Visit the provider determines that further evaluation needs to be done, the provider will give the patient further direction on how this will take place.
• JCH&L Fairbury Clinic patients with respiratory symptoms are being seen in their vehicles. This allows the clinic to continue to be safely utilized for patients with other health concerns who need to be seen in person.
• JCH&L Gardenside and Cedarwood are CLOSED to all non-essential personnel, including family members.
• The JCH&L cafeteria is closed to the public. It will remain open only to staff.
• Immunization clinics regularly offered twice at month at Jefferson Community Health & Life Outpatient Services by Blue Valley Community Action have been suspended until further notice.
• Women’s Health Days offered monthly by JCH&L Radiology and Fairbury Clinic are suspended until further notice.
• Volunteers are not coming to the facility until further notice.
• JCH&L Plymouth Clinic will be closed until further notice.
• JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center is closed.
• All support groups and outside programs have been postponed until further notice. This includes Parkinson’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Health Today and Smart Moves lifestyle change program
• Patients for all services continue to be screened for recent travel to areas of high incidence/community spread, signs and symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), and whether they have had any contact with persons who have been diagnosed or are under investigation for having COVID-19. Hospital or clinic patients with positive screening results will be cared for appropriately and given guidance and direction.