News - Hays Medical Center

Jan21

Nurses Complete RN Residency Program

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

HAYS, Kansas – Eight registered nurses at HaysMed were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon. They completed the year-long RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed.

The program began a year ago in July 2021 with training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency class from Hays included Bailey Foss, RN, Cole Jacobsen, RN, Kylie Levine, RN, Shaila Naegele, RN, Olivia Nelson, RN, Sarah Stout, RN, Melissa Pummel, RN and Madison Wilborn, RN.

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Jennifer Peirano, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are 4 nurses scheduled in the next program which begins in February. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

Jan19

00

Associate Spirit Award Winners

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

HAYS, Kansas – The Associate Spirit Award at HaysMed recognizes an outstanding Associate who has gone above and beyond their daily job duties to care for a patient, visitor, or Associate at HaysMed, Recent award winners include Abby Scinto, PCT, and Molly Goodnow, LPN, both working on the surgical unit.

In addition to her duties at HaysMed, Scinto has recently completed cosmetology school. After a call from one of the charge nurses, Scinto volunteered her time to come in and take care of a patient whose hair needed attention. She spent 5 hours cutting, cleaning, and styling her hair spending 5 hours to take care of the patient on her weekend off. The patient and her husband were beyond pleased with the result

On a hot August day Goodnow received a call asking if she would be willing to come help Bone, Joint & Spine out for a few hours. She said she would but her car was in the shop so it would be a little while before she could get to the hospital. Knowing the importance of coming to help her teammates right away, she decided not to wait on her car and began the walk from her house, which is near TMP, all the way to the hospital. On arrival she caught her breath and cooled off, then she was asking what she could do to help. All of this with a smile on her face.

Both Associates went above and beyond with their dedication to the care of patients at HaysMed.

Jan19

00

HaysMed Completes MRI Accreditation Survey

By Gayla Wichman - Breast Care Center,HaysMed News,Imaging,OB-GYN

Hays, KS– HaysMed MRI received another 3-year accreditation in MRI Breast Imaging by the American College of Radiology. The ACR uses a standardized scoring procedure in reviewing of all the submitted images for evaluation.

HaysMed met all the testing criteria established by the ACR committee on Breast MRI Accreditation.

The clinical cases must be passed by 2 radiologists reviewers to receive accreditation. Image quality is scored in the categories of pulse sequences, image contrast, positioning and anatomic coverage, artifact, spatial and temporal resolution, and exam identification.

ACR Accreditation is recognized as the gold standard in medical imaging. ACR Accreditation helps assure patients that your facility provides the highest level of image quality and safety by documenting that your facility meets requirements for equipment, medical personnel, and quality assurance.

Members of the MRI team include Riana Bates, Meghan Brown, Tania Deets, Amy Feldt, Christy Gillogly and Chad Heslet.

For more information on breast care services at HaysMed go to https://www.haysmed.com/breast-care-center/

Jan7

00

HaysMed Welcomes New Providers

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, KS – Four new providers have joined the medical staff at HaysMed.

Kristin L. Babcock, MMS, PA-C is a new provider at the Convenient Care Walk In Clinic. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Kansas State University in Manhattan and her Masters of Medical Science, Physician Assistant from St. Louis University in St. Louis. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.

Taylor David, CRNA will be working in anesthesiology. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fort Hays State University in Hays and her Masters of Science in Nurse Anesthesia at Newman University in Wichita. She is certified by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.

Jill Dixson, APRN, FNP will be joining Babcock at the Convenient Care Walk In Clinic. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina and her Masters of Science in Nursing Advance Practice Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner at Walden University. She is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Rachel Ketter, PA-C is practicing at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Kansas State University in Manhattan and her Masters of Physician Assistant from Wichita State University in Wichita. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants

Jan7

00

HaysMed Nurse Recognized with Daisy Award

By Gayla Wichman - Daisy Award Winner,HaysMed News

Hays, KS – Brandon Gottschalk, RN, Surgical Nurse, was recently recognized as a Daisy Award winner at HaysMed. This award is presented to an RN 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. Gottschalk was nominated by a one of his patients.

Gottschalk was selected from a group of blinded nominations voted on by the HaysMed Practice Committee. 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.

“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 a nationwide 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 785.623.2388

Nov30

0

Leading Rural Health in our Communities. Always

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

A Message from the CEO

Dear Friends of HaysMed,

As we work toward our vision of becoming the best tertiary care center in rural America, excitement is building about what the future holds – for the Hays community and across western Kansas.

Returning to our roots as HaysMed, we remain committed to meeting the unique needs of those we serve. Whether you are a HaysMed patient, physician, provider, associate, donor, leader or friend in the community, we want you to know we are stronger than ever. We believe HaysMed can best support the long-term health and wellness of our local communities, and with our eyes on the future, there are no limits to our ability to lead rural health in our communities – always.

I am proud to report that we have added nearly 20 new providers to our Medical Staff since April, our specialty outreach clinics remain vibrant across our multiple locations in Kansas. 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.

With our vision for the future and your much-appreciated support, we will continue our position of strength as rural health leaders for generations to come. Our values of Respect, Compassion, Spirituality, Trustworthiness, Excellence and Professionalism will continue to drive us forward in our mission as we continue to provide high-quality, local healthcare. From more providers to enhanced services, we’re bringing you every reason to choose HaysMed. It’s all part of our commitment to you, and to everyone we serve.

Thank you for your support. I wish you all the greatest of health!

Eddie Herrman

Chief Executive Officer, HaysMed

Nov17

00

HaysMed Associate Receives Respiratory Therapist of the Year Award

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

HAYS, Kansas– Trey Hamilton, Respiratory Therapist at HaysMed, was recently named Respiratory Therapist of the Year. Respiratory Services awards an annual Breath of Fresh Air award to recognize a respiratory therapist for their hard work and dedication.

The award winner is nominated and chosen by their peers and highlights an Associate in the respiratory therapy department who positively contributed the most teamwork and patient care during the year.

Hamilton has been a respiratory therapist at HaysMed since 2012.

Nov17

00

HaysMed Welcomes New Providers

By Gayla Wichman - Family Medicine,HaysMed News

Hays, KS – Two new providers have joined the staff at HaysMed. Carrie Hines, APRN, FNP and Whitney Hickert, APRN, FNP began seeing patients earlier this month.

Hines completed her bachelor of Science in Nursing at Fort Hays State University and her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She is seeing patients at Family Medicine.

Hickert completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Tabor College-Wichita in Wichita and Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner at Spring Arbor University, Spring Arbor, Michigan. She is seeing patient at the Convenient Care Walk In Clinic.

Nov8

00

HaysMed Celebrates 2021 National Nurse Practitioner Week November 7-13

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News,Nursing News

Hays, KS Every day, nurse practitioners (NPs) are saving lives and improving the health of our friends and family. To honor their efforts, hospitals nationwide are recognizing the critical role of NPs as part of the annual National Nurse Practitioner Week (NP Week) celebration, held November 7-13 this year.

NPs provide a wide range of care to America’s patients in more than 1 billion visits annually. This year, the NP Week theme is “NPs: Going the Extra Mile,” recognizes the contributions more than 325,000 licensed NPs make to the health of patients nationwide. These health care professionals practice in clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, nursing homes and private practices across the country — wherever patients are in need — and continue to provide front-line care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NPs assess patients, order and interpret tests, make diagnoses and provide treatment, including prescribing medications. As clinicians who blend clinical expertise with an added emphasis on disease prevention and health management, NPs are the health care provider of choice for millions of Americans.

“NPs play a critical role in treating patients,” said Terry Siek, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care. “They play a key role in strengthening our ability to ensure patients have access to high-quality care.”

HaysMed employs 26 NPs at the hospital and clinics.

Oct6

00

HaysMed Celebrates National Physician Assistant Week

By Gayla Wichman - HaysMed News

Hays, KS – HaysMed will recognize the Physician Assistants (PA) working at the hospital during National Physician Assistant Week October 6 through 12.

Treating patients in today’s complex healthcare settings takes a whole team of professionals. Physician assistants are medical professionals with thousands of hours of training. Their skills enable them to diagnose illnesses, prescribe medications, and perform many medical tasks.

As their name implies, PAs work closely with doctors and other healthcare providers. In most states, a PA has an agreement with a specific physician and practices alongside them. The supervising physician doesn’t have to be present when a PA is practicing, letting them take care of other tasks while the PA continues patient care. Physician Assistants can prescribe and administer medication, acting on behalf of their supervising physician. In some cases, PAs can even perform surgical procedures that use local anesthesia without the supervision of the physician.

“Physician Assistants are unsung heroes and deserve their moment in the limelight,” said Terry Siek, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care. “This week is to celebrate them and be thankful for their efforts.”

PAs at HaysMed include: Alaina Dressler, PA-C, Surgery; Nichole Ganoung, PA-C and Jennifer Williams, PA-C, Family Medicine; Mark Heimerman, PA-C, Joshua Lahr, PA-C, Jared Reed, PA-C and Caitlin Thornton, PA-C, Orthopedics; Rachel Ketter, PA and Melvin Setter, PA, ENT; Kelsey Lahey, PA-C, Andrea Paul, PA-C and Tara Roa, PA-C, Internal Medicine; Brittney Stewart, PA-C, Convenient Care; Margo Straub, PA-C, Pediatrics; and Amanda Volchko, PA-C, Cancer Center.