Additional parking has been added for the JCH&L Main Entrance, and 2 additional handicap accessible parking stalls have been added in the main front parking lot.

“The Main Entrance is very busy – so the main parking lot is, as well. The Main Entrance is used by clinic patients, patients using health center services, Sports Medicine and Rehab Services patients, Burkley Fitness Center users, Gardenside visitors and volunteers, and others. We knew more parking was needed,” said Lana Likens, director of public relations. “In addition, we had many requests for more handicap accessible parking stalls in the main parking area.”

The project has been in the works since the fall of 2023.

The drive by the new angled parking has been made a one way (north-to-south) drive. There are 16 new angled parking stalls.

“We hope the new parking stalls address some of the parking concerns we have seen since the Fairbury Clinic opened in its new location,” Likens said.

Jefferson Community Health & Life Burkley Fitness Center is excited to once again offer personal training as a service of the fitness center.

JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center staff member Samantha “Sammie” Lange has earned her personal training certification through the American Council on Exercise, and an ACE approved Special Olympics Inclusive Fitness Training course. Lange is now available to schedule personal training session with clients.

“Personal training is a proven method to help people of all ages and ability levels to attain better physical fitness and wellness through one-on-one training,” said Jen Johnson, fitness center manager.

A certified personal trainer can set up a custom, personalized exercise program, instruct a client on how to do exercises properly, provide motivation, track progress and be a resource as a client advances on their fitness path.

A 4-week personal training package (2 sessions per week for a total of 8 sessions in the package) is $200 for members or $240 for non-members. Sessions are 45 minutes to an hour in length. Non-members who do a personal training package will be eligible for a free month is they sign up as a member after their training. There will be a no obligation free assessment for student athletes.

Please contact JCH&L Burkley Fitness Center at 402-729-6139 or check out JCHealthandLife.org for more information about personal training.

Jefferson Community Health & Life has joined the annual statewide effort organized by the Nebraska Cancer Coalition to heighten awareness of lifesaving colorectal cancer screening during Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and Dress in Blue Day on Friday, March 1.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in Nebraska. Incidences of colorectal cancer diagnosis and death remain higher in Nebraska compared to overall U.S. rates. Additionally, of all cancer deaths in people under 50, colorectal is now number one in men and number two in women. Many people do not realize that the official recommended age for colorectal cancer screening has been reduced from 50 to 45.

“Colorectal cancer screening is critical, as symptoms often only become prevalent in later stages of the disease when it’s much more difficult to treat. It’s important for Nebraskans with a family history of colorectal cancer and who are ages 45 and older to speak with their health care provider about screening as soon as possible,” said NC2 President Dr. Alan Thorson. “Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, but you don’t know if you don’t go.”

“Speaking with your primary care provider about your family history of cancer and cancer screening is something we encourage all Nebraskans to do. Take ownership of your heath and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself,” stated Dr. Mike Romano, MD. “Physicians and healthcare providers appreciate patients who do so.”

There are multiple safe, affordable options available for screening. Individuals are encouraged to contact their primary care provider to start a conversation about their family history of colorectal cancer and screening. Additionally, anyone wanting to support the statewide awareness effort is invited to wear blue on Friday, March 1 and share on social media platforms using the hashtags #DressInBlueNE and #FightBackNE.

About Nebraska Cancer Coalition

The Nebraska Cancer Coalition (NC2) is a nonprofit organization that serves all 93 counties in Nebraska.  NC2’s membership and partners include health systems, providers, associations, cancer survivors and individuals. Together we aspire to achieve our mission of connecting people and resources to strengthen cancer prevention, detection, and quality of life in Nebraska. NC2 works towards implementing the goals and objectives of our strategic plan. Our vision is to ultimately Conquer Cancer Together.

For the ninth time in 11 years, Jefferson Community Health & Life has been named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the United States by The Chartis Center for Rural Health.

“We are pleased to be recognized again for our daily commitment to providing the best health care possible to residents of Jefferson County and beyond, while maintaining an efficient and effective facility,” said Burke Kline, DHA, MHA,  MBA, CHFP, FACHE, CEO of Jefferson Community Health & Life.

Jefferson Community Health & Life scored in the top 100 of critical access hospitals (CAHs) on the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™ for 2024,  and previously in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014. The annual Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals award is based on the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX ® from iVantage Health Analytics, and is regarded as one of the industry’s most significant designations of performance excellence.

Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility scored in the top 100 among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally. Now in its 14^th year, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance. Hospitals recognized as a Top 100 facility had one of the 100 highest overall scores among all Critical Access Hospitals nationally.

“During an era of profound uncertainty for rural healthcare, the Top 100 rural hospitals continue to provide a unique lens through which we can identify innovation and inspiration for how to deliver high quality care to increasingly vulnerable populations,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We’re delighted to be able to recognize all this year’s Top 100 but especially the more than 40 first-time recipients across both categories. It’s wonderful to see so many new facilities join the ranks of our Top 100 alumni.”

The list of this year’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, as well as the 2023 INDEX methodology, can be found at: https://www.chartis.com/top-performing-rural-hospitals

JCH&L is among 14 Nebraska critical access hospitals to make the Top 100 list for 2023. Others are: Annie Jeffrie Memorial County Health Center, Osceola; Antelope Memorial Hospital, Neligh; Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center, Beatrice; Boone County Health Center, Albion; Brodstone Memorial Hospital, Superior; Butler County Healthcare Center, David City; Cherry County Hospital, Valentine; CHI Health St. Mary’s, Nebraska City; Community Medical Center, Falls City; Crete Area Medical Center, Crete; Howard County Medical Center, St. Paul; Valley County Hospital, Ord; and York General Hospital, York.

In May 2020, JCH&L was recognized by The Chartis Center and the National Rural Health Association for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation for quality. In May 2018, JCH&L was recognized for being in the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals overall in the nation.

In November 2023, JCH&L was recognized with a Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality and Patient Perspective. The Performance Leadership Awards honor top quartile performance  (75^th percentile and above) among rural hospitals in quality, outcomes and patient perspective. Jefferson Community Health & Life has previously been recognized with the NOSORH/iVantage Performance Leadership award for quality and patient perspective in 2022 and 2021; quality in 2020; for quality, outcomes and patient perspective in 2017, 2018 and 2019; and for financial strength and patient satisfaction in 2016.

“These recognitions reaffirm that our emphasis on quality, performance and satisfaction are making a difference to the people we serve and to our health center. It is because of the work and care of our staff, physicians and board, and the support of the people of Jefferson County and beyond that we are able to meet and surpass these benchmarks and receive recognition,” Kline said.