The American Heart Association presents the Get With The Guidelines^® awards for proven dedication to best practices and life-saving care

Hays Medical Center (HaysMed) has received two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines^® achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.

Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2025 Statistical Update. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, HaysMed qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.

“HaysMed is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Joben Rieth, HaysMed Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in western Kansas and beyond experience longer, healthier lives.”

HaysMed was honored with two national achievement awards for 2025:

• Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Gold
• Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll

“These awards show Hays Medical Center’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Hays Medical Center can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

The Center for Health Improvement (CHI) at Hays Medical Center is proud to announce recent renovations to our locker room facilities, with a focus on enhancing both safety and comfort for our members. One of the most notable enhancements includes the installation of upgraded shower heads, along with several other improved amenities.

While the recent physical updates to our locker rooms are a welcome improvement, the real value lies in the team that keeps the space running smoothly every day. Our locker room attendants play a key role in maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all members at The Center for Health Improvement.

We’re excited to take this opportunity to recognize and introduce the team behind the scenes: Mike, Gavin, Emma, Ethan, Sue, and Carol.

Meet the Team

Mike
Mike plays a key role in keeping the locker rooms clean and organized. He’s attentive to members’ needs and takes initiative to ensure everything is in order- from laundry to towel restocking, by staying observant and proactive.

Gavin
Gavin focuses on maintaining a tidy environment and ensuring towels are always available. His consistent routine and attention to detail help keep the locker rooms running smoothly throughout the day.

Emma
Emma is known for her strong time management skills, which help her stay on top of a busy daily routine. She keeps the laundry running efficiently while ensuring towels are stocked throughout the weight areas, locker rooms, gym, and fitness studios. She also monitors for safety concerns like wet floors, all while following a personal schedule that keeps her organized and on task. Emma takes pride in her routine, which she considers her “secret superpower” for maintaining a clean and orderly environment.

Ethan
Ethan credits his efficiency to a mental checklist he builds at the start of each shift. By tackling the most time-consuming tasks early, he creates space later in the evening to stay on top of any new needs as they arise. This proactive mindset helps him maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all CHI members.

Sue
Sue starts each day with a full walkthrough of the facility, checking supplies and ensuring everything is in place for members. She’s quick to assist with questions, address maintenance needs, and support her team wherever needed. Sue’s approach to cleanliness is guided by her favorite saying: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” She focuses on the small details that help prevent larger issues and believes that teamwork is essential to keeping the facility running efficiently.

Carol
Carol ensures members have what they need to enjoy their workouts and therapy sessions without worry. She focuses on stocking essentials, maintaining cleanliness, and listening to members’ feedback to improve their experience.

From restocking supplies to assisting members and ensuring cleanliness, their behind-the-scenes efforts directly impact the quality of our member experience. We’d like to recognize and thank Mike, Gavin, Emma, Ethan, Sue, and Carol for their dedication and attention to detail.

The Center for Health Improvement continues to be a resource for HaysMed and the broader region promoting wellness, preventive care, and healthier lifestyles for individuals and families across our community.

 

HaysMed proudly announces another groundbreaking procedure in cardiovascular care with the successful use of the Shockwave Javelin Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL) catheter, a device designed to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD). The procedure was performed by Dr. Travis Haneke, an interventional cardiologist at the HaysMed DeBakey Heart Institute, in the hospital’s brand-new Hybrid Operating Room. This marks the first time the Javelin system has been used at the institute, and HaysMed is honored to be one of the select few centers to implement this cutting-edge technology.

The Javelin uses gentle sound waves, much like those used to break up kidney stones, to crack the hardened calcium that can build up inside the arteries. This process helps make the artery walls more flexible, which in turn allows doctors to more easily treat the vessel. By restoring better blood flow to the legs, this technique can significantly improve patient outcomes.

HaysMed cardiologists and providers across the country are enthusiastic about the Javelin because it offers several important benefits. It can reach and treat blockages that were once considered too difficult to manage, reduces the need for more invasive procedures, and increases the chances of success in complex leg interventions. This makes it a valuable new option for patients with challenging leg conditions.

The procedure was carried out with the expert support of the HaysMed Cath Lab team, whose skill and coordination played a vital role in the success of the case. Their collaboration reflects the hospital’s strong commitment to embracing cutting-edge technologies that not only advance treatment options but also significantly improve patient outcomes and safety. This milestone aligns with other recent innovations introduced at the DeBakey Heart Institute, including Pulse Field Ablation (PFA), Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVRs), and Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure, further demonstrating HaysMed’s leadership in bringing the latest cardiovascular treatments to the region.

“This is a major step forward for cardiovascular care in our region,” said Dr. Haneke. “The Javelin system gives us a powerful new tool to treat patients with complex peripheral arterial disease more safely and effectively.”

The procedure was performed in HaysMed’s new, state-of-the-art hybrid operating room, which features advanced CT imaging technology seamlessly integrated into the surgical suite. The team is excited to continue utilizing this cutting-edge environment to deliver the highest level of cardiac and vascular care to patients throughout western Kansas.

 

Relevant articles:
HaysMed Performs First Pulse Field Ablation Procedure
HaysMed Celebrates First Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in New Hybrid Operating Room
HaysMed Opens Kansas’ First Hybrid Operating Room with Advanced Imaging
Dr. Travis Haneke: Advancing PFO Closure at HaysMed

HaysMed is pleased to welcome back Tiffany DeWitt, APRN, as the newest member of its Nephrology team. Tiffany returns with a wealth of experience in acute care and urology, bringing a compassionate and insightful approach to managing chronic kidney disease and other nephrology-related conditions.

Tiffany’s healthcare journey is a remarkable story of growth. She began her career at HaysMed as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) and steadily advanced through roles as an LPN, RN, and BSN. Now, having earned her Master’s degree as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, she returns to HaysMed with a broadened perspective and a deepened commitment to patient care. Her hands-on experience across outpatient clinics, walk-in care, and acute care settings has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of kidney health.

“I was drawn to nephrology because of the complexity and depth of care involved,” said Tiffany. “It’s a field that challenges me professionally and resonates with me personally. I’ve seen the impact kidney disease can have on individuals and families, and that experience has shaped my approach to patient care.”

Tiffany is excited to collaborate with Dr. Bed Chhatkuli, known to many as “Dr. Bed.”, a physician she previously worked with during her time as a HaysMed nurse. “Dr. Bed is not only incredibly kind to his patients but also to the staff. I’m thrilled to be working alongside him again.”

Tiffany takes great pride in her quality scores and the trust she builds with her patients. Her addition to the HaysMed Nephrology team enhances the hospital’s commitment to delivering expert, compassionate care to those facing kidney-related health challenges.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Tiffany DeWitt, APRN, please visit HaysMed Nephrology or call 785-261-7672.