May10

HaysMed Nurse Recognized with Daisy Award

Hays, KS –Erin Bowers, RN, was recently recognized as a Daisy Award winner at HaysMed. This award is presented to a nurse in deep appreciation of all that they do, who they are, and the incredible meaningful difference that they have made in the lives of so many people. Bowers was nominated by a patient’s family member.

Bowers was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Practice Committee. The Practice Committee consists of nursing staff, supervisors, and directors from HaysMed. Nominations are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and Associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.

“We are proud to be among the hospitals participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Terry Siek, VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides another way for us to do that.”

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor every quarter.

To nominate a HaysMed nurse for the DAISY Award online, go to www.haysmed.com/daisyaward. If you have questions, you can call 785.623.2365.

Apr6

00

HaysMed Celebrates Annual Service Awards

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, KS – The annual HaysMed Service Awards celebration is being held today in Hays. For the second year a drive thru event will be held at the hospital honoring the Associates who have reached milestones in their service at HaysMed.

The highlight of the celebration is the presentation of the Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award, the Sister Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year Award, the Vic Eddy, MD, Physician of the Year Award and the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) of the Year award. These awards are the highest level of recognition that an Associate of HaysMed can receive.

The Norman W. Jeter Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual’s human kindness and dedication to medical excellence. The award is being presented to Rosie Hammerschmidt, Food Services.

Recipient of the Sr. Mary J. Mollison Nurse of the Year Award is Shanna Carrillo, RN. This award honors a nurse who displays excellence in the areas of job knowledge and performance, quality improvements, self-development and participation in hospital and community affairs. Carrillo is a nurse on the Surgical Unit.

The Vic Eddy, MD, Physician of the Year Award is being presented to Dr. Ross Buckles. The award recognizes a physician who displays a high level of clinical experience and an extraordinary dedication to improving healthcare delivery in the community. Buckles is a physician in the Pediatric Clinic.

Tara Roa, PA is receiving the Advanced Practice Provider of the Year award. This award recognizes an advanced practice provider that supports the vison, mission and goals of HaysMed and serves as a role model and mentor encouraging productive relationships. Roa works at Medical Specialists.

Other Associates recognized for years of service include:

40 Year
Kim Dechant

Linda Pfeifer

LeAnn Stoppel

35 Year

Gayla Binder

Carol Dreiling

Lisa Marcotte

Lance Smith

30 Year

Vonda Ackerman

Lisa Gagnon

25 Year

Joannah Applequist

Shalise Cochran

Brenda Dechant

Julie Fischer

Melissa Ginther

Jaci Gottschalk

Brandy Huser

Myrna Jordan

Jeremy Martinson

Brenda McMillin

Jay Moore

Bobbie Murphy

Joyce Rupp

20 Year

Virginia Basgall

Amanda Breinig

Lisa Brening

Bertha Brungardt

Danielle Fisher

Jeff Geaslin

Amanda Gittinger

Paula Gnad

Mary Jo Gubitoso

Kathleen Huser

Amber Irvin

Connie Linenberger

Blake Matzke

Shawna North

Marlis Norton

Mindy Pickering

Larry Plante

Jill Rozean

Lea Staab

Ryan Staab

Robert Wickham

Myra Younger

15 Year

Ashley Bauck

Stephanie Carlin

Melissa Conley

Rhonda Dopita

Marshall Dover

Alaina Dresslar

Amy Feldt

Jana Fross

Emily Gottschalk

Sandra Jacobs

Tammy Klaus

Andrea Legleiter

Barbara Lewis

Kurtis Linenberger

Faye Miller

Dr. Charles Schultz

Julieta Somers

Samantha Sramek

Blake Urban

Tanna Vine

Cameron Williby

10 Year

Ann Arnold

Alicia Bahr

Lori Bogart

Diana Budke

Ashley Campbell

Dr. Gulraiz Cheema

Dr. Bed Chhatkuli

Leslie Engel

Brian Feldt

Lauren Finger

Brian Forinash

Danna Gabel

Shawn Giess

Sam Gottschalk

Juliet Johns

Leitha King

Christina Lawver

Sarah Leiker

Zachary Long

Janna Manning

TJ Miller

Christy Moeder

Nicole Moos

Katerina Pabst

Connie Potts

Tracy Ream

Jane Rorstrom

Danielle Still

Tami Thomas

Danielle Weigel

Michelle Weigel

Jana Wickham

5 Year

Jenna Alvarez

Sarah Balthazor

Sierra Bell

Jessica Boyce

Autumn Braun

Gabrielle Chittenden

Dr. Shari Claude

Aubrey Darnall

Mark Darnall

Ken Dinges

Shelby Falcon

Megan Gerber

Amie Gibson

Treva Goodman

Abby Hammerschmidt

Veronica Hartman

Dar Hickert

Jen Howard

Cole Jacobsen

Leigh Jamison

Anna Marie Johnson

Erin Klaus

Roxie Korbe

Cheryl Kreutzer

Kirstyn Latham

Sarah Leiker

Cody Long

Linda Lukens

Danielle Lummus

Shania McCormick

Marla McGann

Mallory McQueen

Lina Miller

Christine Numrich

Taylor Ottley

Martha Plotner

Kay Rietcheck

Harold Robinson

Lisa Ruda

Raena Rudzik

Jordon Schneider

Anna-Lena Schneider

Rachel Sennett

Laura Staab

Christi Steinle

Brittney Stewart

Kim Thomason

Kilie Unrein

Dr. Wally Walstrom

Michelle Wiesner

Brad Willer

LeeAnn Wilson

Apr1

00

Visitor Guidelines Effective April 1, 2022

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

No visitor restrictions

MASKS still required by visitors/staff

Social distancing practices encouraged to control spread of diseases

Birthing Center Visitor Policy

Posted visiting hours: 8:30 am – 1:00 pm and 3:00pm – 8:30 pm.

We encourage visitors to follow these hours to allow rest periods for new mothers. There is limited visitation from 1:00 – 3:00 pm daily at the nurse’s discretion.

Labor patient can designate 2 or 3 people as her labor support person (s).

Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit Visitor Policy

Visiting hours are from 8:00 am to 10:00
The unit is closed for report from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
No more than two (2) visitors are allowed to visit at one time.
No children under age 13 are permitted to
Rules are provided to the family members by the MSICU staff.
These guidelines are subject to change at the discretion of Charge Nurse, based on individual patient’s condition, and/or needs.

.

Mar11

00

HaysMed Receives High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier Recognition

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News,OB-GYN

Hays, KS – HaysMed has continued its commitment to improving infant and maternal health by earning recognition through High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birth facilities implement ten evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improving maternal and infant health outcomes while also reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition, each facility is asked to complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and to follow all ten evidence-based practices to successful breastfeeding.

“Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the overall health of babies and mothers,” stated Katie Schoenhoff, Director of Programs at the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “Following the ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices demonstrates HaysMed’s commitment to infant and maternal health by helping moms successfully initiate and maintain breastfeeding.”

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 60% of mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they planned. Some factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include: hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support – which is why High 5 for Mom & Baby facilities are committed to helping women breastfeed successfully, through staff trained in breastfeeding best practices and policies to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.

Along with the recognition of being named a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facility, HaysMed also receives ongoing education and training opportunities, support and resources through a community of delivery centers, and scholarship opportunities to further staff education.

“Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, and we’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for our efforts to support successful breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. As a facility committed to providing the very highest quality of care, we have found the High 5 practices and resources to not only improve health outcomes but also increase patient satisfaction,” said Terry Seik, VP of Patient Care.

For more information on High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, contact Cara Gerhardt, Program Coordinator: coordinator@high5kansas.org, or visit the website at https://www.high5kansas.org/.

Mar9

00

HaysMed Named Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital

By Gayla Wichman - haysmed awards,HaysMed News,Nursing News,top 20 rural hospital \

Hays, KS – HaysMed was recently named one of the top 20 rural and community hospitals in the country. HaysMed was the only hospital in Kansas to earn this designation.

The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) has announced the 20 highest-ranked prospective payment system hospitals in the country based on an evaluation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. The hospitals are identified using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural PPS hospital performance. These hospitals will be recognized May 12 during NRHA’s Rural Hospital Innovation Summit in Albuquerque, N.M.

The determining factors for the top 20 rural and community hospitals are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and financial efficiency.

“HaysMed is proud of the efforts of its physicians and Associates who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO. “Our recognition as a top health care provider proves our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future.”

Feb24

00

HaysMed Nurse Recognized with Daisy Award

By Gayla Wichman - Daisy Award Winner,DeBakey Heart Institute News,HaysMed News

Hays, KS –Mallory McQueen, RN, Progressive Care Unit, was recently recognized as a Daisy Award winner at HaysMed. This award is presented to a nurse in deep appreciation of all that they do, who they are, and the incredible meaningful difference that they have made in the lives of so many people. McQueen was nominated by four family members of one of her patients.

McQueen was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Practice Committee. The Practice Committee consists of nursing staff, supervisors, and directors from HaysMed. Nominations are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and Associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.

“We are proud to be among the hospital systems participating in The DAISY Award program,” said Terry Siek, VP of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at HaysMed. “Nurses are heroes every day. It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides another way for us to do that.”

The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor every quarter.

To nominate a HaysMed nurse for the DAISY Award online, go to www.haysmed.com/daisyaward. If you have questions, you can call 785.623.2365.

Feb15

00

The Center for Women’s Health joins statewide movement to support mothers’ mental health

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,OB-GYN

HAYS, Kansas – HaysMed’s Center for Women’s Health joins Kansas Department of Health and Environment in supporting mothers’ mental health through the Kansas Moms in Mind (KMIM) program. Clinics participating in this program have demonstrated commitment to implementing evidence-based practices to improve mental health screening and treatment practices during the perinatal period.

As part of the KMIM project, clinic staff participated in implementation technical assistance and case consultation seminars from a team of perinatal behavioral health experts to support effective screening and treatment practices during pregnancy.

“One of the greatest benefits of the program was the chance to meet one on one with an expert to discuss how things improved for our patients, talk about best practices, and how best to implement them” said Dr Jenna Sloan, OB/GYN.

Through this project and the work of perinatal stakeholders across the state, providers will be better equipped to identify and treat perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes for Kansas families.

For more information about KMIM, including the Kansas Connecting Communities (KCC) grant that supports this work, visit Kansasmch.org/kcc. Providers in Kansas with a perinatal mental health or substance use treatment questions may call the Kansas Provider Consultation Line for Perinatal Behavioral Health at (833) 765-2004 or visit bit.ly/ProviderConsult.

Feb14

00

HaysMed Designated a 2022 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital

By Gayla Wichman - DeBakey Heart Institute News,Emergency Department News,HaysMed News,Nursing News,Orthopedic Institute News

HAYS, Kansas – HaysMed has been recognized as a Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital in 2022, 2020 and 2019 by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. This annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™.

“Being recognized as a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital is especially important to HaysMed.” Said Eddie Herrman, President and CEO. “We are passionate about rural health and this recognition validates the focus we have on the quality of the specialty services we provide close to home.”

“Despite unprecedented adversity rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly in light of the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”

Over the course of the last 12 years, 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 footprints, 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.

Jan28

00

HaysMed Has Always Specialized in You

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

A Message from the CEO to Our Friends, Neighbors & Partners Across Our Communities

Dear Friends,

At HaysMed, we are proud to be your healthcare partner for all levels of comprehensive care. As the premier provider in western Kansas for specialized care from many of the region’s top physicians, we are on a mission to help people be healthy and to provide the best Tertiary Care Center in rural America.

With our history of bringing healthcare excellence home, HaysMed offers a wide variety of specialty programs, including:

DeBakey Heart Institute
Orthopedic Institute
Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute
Center for Women’s Health & Childbirth
Level III Trauma Center – and so much more

Since last spring, 20 new providers have joined our Medical Staff. We are also expanding several service lines in the coming months, furthering our reach in high-quality, local healthcare. These developments have a very positive impact because they increase access and improve services for every patient we serve, both at HaysMed and through our network of providers and hospital partners across the region.

As the chief leader of HaysMed, I see excellence happening here every day, and I am always amazed at how dedicated our HaysMed family is to meeting the unique needs of everyone we serve. At every age and every life stage, HaysMed specializes in you – and we’re giving you every reason to choose HaysMed.

Wishing you all the greatest of health in 2022 and into our future together!

Eddie Herrman
Chief Executive Officer, HaysMed

Jan26

00

Daisy Nurse Leader Award

By Gayla Wichman - Daisy Award Winner,HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, KS – Melissa Portenier, RN recently awarded the first Daisy Nurse Leader Award at HaysMed. She was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Administrative Team. The Practice Committee consists of Staff and Supervisors from a variety of departments across HaysMed. Nominations are received from patients and family members, physicians, volunteers, and Associates for nurses in inpatient, outpatient, and clinic settings.

“As the healthcare landscape becomes more complex, with increasing demands on Nurse Leaders, the Daisy Award recognizes those who create an environment of compassion and recognition for others.” Said Terry Siek, Vice President for Patient Care. “They strongly deserve to be recognized themselves. The DAISY Award is a worldwide program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. HaysMed is proud to be a DAISY Award Hospital Partner, recognizing our nurses with this honor.”

Melissa continues to go above and beyond for her staff and Hays Med. Much like everyone else in the nation currently, we have been working with limited staff. With the absence of several key nurses, Melissa knew that she was going to need to fill the void. She continued to do her day-to-day supervisor duties as well as work as Charge Nurse for the OR front desk.

Nurse Leaders provide a haven of safety for staff, both physically and emotionally. In this environment, Nurses are inspired to do their very best by Nurse Leaders who role-model caring behaviors. These leaders provide a setting where compassion is valued, and staff, in turn, treat patients and their families with deep humanity.

To nominate a HaysMed nurse for the DAISY Award online, go to www.haysmed.com/daisyaward. If you have questions, you can call 785.623.2388