March 30, 2022 12 – 4:oo PM
March 31, 2022 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Located in the training room of the Grant County Fire Department in Ulysses, KS. Lunch or snacks will be provided.
To register, call 620-575-5779
Download the flyer for more information.
Join us for Childbirth Education Classes at Kearny County Hospital. We hope to see you there!
Class Location – Hospital Classroom A
Visit our Family Birth Center page to register for these classes.
LAKIN, Kan. (March 8, 2021) — Kearny County Hospital 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 of the evidence-based practices:
“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 Kearny County Hospital’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, Kearny County Hospital 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 Becky Chappel, RN, Perinatal Supervisor at Kearny County Hospital’s Special Blessings Family Birth Center.
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/.
To learn more about Kearny County Hospital’s Family Birth Center, access resources and register for childbirth education classes, visit https://www.kearnycountyhospital.com/care-and-services/family-birth-center/.
Letter to the Community from Dr. Julie Munson
Growing up in Lakin in the 1980s, my father, Dr. Eric Oppliger, was one of only two family doctors in our community. Among his many responsibilities was providing vaccines.
Some community members probably recall getting the polio vaccine as a drop of liquid on a sugar cube. Was your drop red, orange, pink or yellow? Back then, people still had memories of polio. By 1979, polio was eradicated by the vaccine. Then as now, vaccines protect what is precious to us – each other.
As a community physician myself, I strongly believe that vaccines are our strongest defense against serious contagions. People in Kearny County have always understood this, and our vaccination rates typically run higher than average. Protecting each other and looking out for one another is something Kearny County has always been good at doing.
In the spirit of looking out for the health of our community, Kearny County Hospital’s Family Health Center in Lakin accepts walk-ins for flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccinations Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Saturdays 9:00-11:00 a.m. Appointments are not required, but those who prefer one can call 620-355-7550. We do ask that you call ahead prior to coming in for a vaccine so we can ensure we have enough for everyone! Helpful information about vaccines for all ages and times of year is also available at kearnycountyhospital.com/vaccine-central.
When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, we are making a difference and seeing improvement, but infection rates are still going up in our county – and unfortunately, we still have hospitalizations and deaths from COVID. It’s not over, and together, we can and will keep fighting.
I was born here, grew up here, and came back to raise my family here. I love this community, and as the hospital’s only full-time otolaryngology specialist and surgeon, I am dedicated to the health of our community and the mission of Kearny County Hospital: to provide quality, compassionate healthcare services for our community and enrich the lives of our families, friends and neighbors.
For added protection in these winter months, I urge everyone to get up to date on all vaccines, keep each other safe, and enjoy a happy, healthy 2022.
Julie Munson, DO FAOCO, Otolaryngology
Kearny County Hospital
‘Tis the time of year to spread holiday cheer – not germs. The holidays are prime time for the spread of infectious diseases like colds, flu, pneumonia and viruses, including COVID-19. Cold weather months keep us inside more, which leads to higher spread of all things transmissible.
It’s cold outside, but think of those damp, warm interiors – with the smells of roasting turkeys and pumpkin pies – as the perfect breeding ground for germs to spread. People gather closely, touching each other, the food, and practically every surface. Hugging and laughter all abound – with coughs and sneezes in equal abundance.
So how do you keep your loved ones healthy for the holidays without skipping special events or gathering virtually? Make sure you – and the ones you love – get those important winter vaccines. We know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so we came up with a plan to make it easy for you:
Our Family Health Center Clinic in Lakin, KS offers convenient walk-ins for flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 am – no appointment needed!
To make an appointment, visit our online Vaccine Hub and complete the form or call 620-355-7550 to get it scheduled. There, you will also find helpful information about vaccines, including frequently asked questions, immunization schedules, and more – for all ages and all times of year.
Many cherished holidays take place during this special time of year. Whatever holiday fun you have planned – or any time of year you need a vaccine and/or booster – Kearny County Hospital’s team of trusted experts is here to take care of you and your whole family.
From our team at Kearny County Hospital, Happy Holidays and all the best for your healthiest New Year ever.
Fall back time is fall vax time. Move your clocks back and your health forward.
On Sunday, November 7 at 2:00 am, we all will set our clocks back – or “fall back” an hour. Often thought of as gaining an additional hour, setting your clocks back is just one more great thing about fall.
Another hallmark of fall is cold, flu and pneumonia season. Cold weather months keep us inside more, which leads to higher spread of these types of illnesses, including COVID-19. So, when we say, “fall back time is fall vax time,” we mean that setting your clocks back each year is a great way to remind yourself to stay up to date on vaccines for yourself and your family, including vaccines that require booster shots like tetanus and diphtheria immunizations.
There’s no need to tie a string on your finger to remember. Every year, when you turn the clocks back, just remember to get your vaccines. Remember this, too: Whatever time of year you need a vaccine and/or booster, Kearny County Hospital’s team of trusted experts is here to take care of you.
Our Family Health Center in Lakin, KS, offers convenient walk-ins for flu, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccinations Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 am. You can also schedule an appointment for any of those days. Visit our online Vaccine Hub to complete the form or call 620-355-7550 to get it scheduled or learn more. There, you will also find helpful information about vaccines, including frequently asked questions, immunization schedules, and more – for all ages and all times of year.
Move your health forward this year when you set your clocks back – or anytime of year. As always, our team is here for you, your family and all your health needs.
Emily Dilley, Chief Executive Officer of Kearny County Hospital
A message from our new Chief Executive Officer to our valued patients, team and community:
Hello! I’m Emily Dilley, and I am thrilled to join the Kearny County Hospital family as your new CEO.
I am new to the Lakin community. There were many factors that drew me here, perhaps most of all the community and organization’s strongly rooted values and forward-thinking culture. I saw a team of innovators here who are building a vision for Kearny County Hospital – striving for excellence, finding creative ways to do more, and confident that a model for excellence in rural health exists right here in Kearny County.
The richness and diversity of the community was also part of the draw for me. Diverse perspectives drive innovative thinking. Different experiences, beliefs and perceptions, when brought together, make for the perfect brainstorm of unique ideas and solutions. That is what I experienced when I came here, and I am so happy to now be a part of it.
I saw who you are as a community and what you are poised to become. I saw kindness. I witnessed honesty. I marveled at how genuinely people care about their neighbors and each other. I was touched at how you reached out to make my family feel so welcome. My husband Shawn was equally impressed, and we knew that Kearny County would be a wonderful place to raise our seven-year-old daughter Telynn, and our son Beckett, who is three.
A hospital is so much more than a building and the beds inside. A hospital’s greatness is measured by the caliber of its people.
Great hospitals like this one deserve a committed, engaged, and caring team at all levels of the organization. Leadership, at its core, is based in relationships, an engaged and empowered culture, and good intentions – where we focus on solutions that are best for our patients, team, and community as a whole. It is how we can, not how we can’t.
Keeping the patient at the center of everything we do, every decision we make – that is what makes a hospital thrive. We come together to develop realistic, innovative, fiscally responsible initiatives that meet the needs of our patients, team, and community.
Collectively, with the entire KCH family, we will continue to build on decades of hard work and progress. My model of leadership begins and ends with caring – caring not only for but about each other and having open, honest, and transparent communication with one another. I’ve always said that in rural healthcare, it’s easier to keep people at the center of everything you do because you know them, you have a relationship with them. And it will be my privilege to come to know all of you.
As the new CEO, I will continue building on our strong foundation of caring, excellence, high quality care, and innovation. Great things have been happening at KCH for over 70 years now. Here’s to more great things to come! Thank you for allowing my family to be part of it.
Sincerely,
Emily Dilley, MBA, HSL
Chief Executive Officer
Kearny County Hospital
Click here to read the press release announcing Emily Dilley as Kearny County Hospital CEO
Click here to learn more about Emily
“I cannot adequately express the level of gratitude I truly feel for the folks who took care of me. I felt I was respected as a person and as a patient. It was incredible.”
Mark Goudy walked into the Family Health Center at Kearny County Hospital on November 13, 2020, not knowing he would soon be admitted as a COVID-19 patient with a much longer stay than expected.
Although faced with a rapidly progressing case of COVID, Goudy was impressed by the care he received at Kearny County Hospital – so impressed, in fact, that he made a point to share his positive experience with hospital CEO David Hofmeister.
“The level of professionalism, the level of care and concern that I was shown, the compassion and the level of dignity and respect was tremendous,” Goudy said of his time as a patient at Kearny County Hospital. “Whether it was a doctor, a nurse, a CNA or custodial staff – any person that I dealt with during my stay was an excellent example of professionalism in their field.”
Goudy acknowledged that being a patient at any hospital would not always be considered a pleasant experience, but he said of the Kearny County Hospital staff: “In my case, I felt like every possible courtesy was extended to me. It was incredible.”
Kearny County Hospital’s mission-based providers were recently lauded for their high-quality, compassionate care in a patient satisfaction survey distributed on behalf of the Family Health Center. Goudy echoed that feedback – because of his COVID diagnosis, he was separated from his wife for more than two weeks for the first time in 35 years of marriage. During that lonely, isolating experience, he was relieved to be cared for by his attentive care team at Kearny County Hospital.
On November 30, Goudy was taken by air ambulance to the University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, Kan., for the remainder of his clinical treatment. After nearly two weeks there, he was discharged to complete his care with home healthcare services. While he understands the difference in resources that a rural, critical access hospital may have compared with an academic medical center, Goudy admitted his mindset has changed since his stays in both hospitals.
“I think sometimes folks may have the perception that the level of care in a rural hospital – and I’m going to include myself in this category – might not be the same level as an academic medical center. And granted, when you’re dealing with much greater resources, equipment and larger staff, there are some things that can’t be done at the local level.
“But everything that could be done for me, within the abilities of the hospital, was, and it was delivered with such a level of respect and concern and care, I can’t even express to you how much that meant to me and helped me through those tough times.”
Watch the full video of Mark sharing his story:
LAKIN, Kan. (August 31, 2021) — Kearny County Hospital was one of eight rural health organizations recently featured in “Bright Spots: Case Studies in Innovative Rural Healthcare,” a national report compiled by the Texas A&M University Rural & Community Health Institute, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, and Episcopal Health Foundation.
By highlighting “bright spot” success stories of rural communities and institutions tackling their healthcare challenges, the report’s creators hope to inspire other communities confronting similar struggles. “For every organization gridlocked by challenges, there exists an organization that has managed to adapt and overcome,” the report stated.
“Proudly, Kearny County Hospital has made great strides to overcome issues like access to care, provider staffing, and other challenges facing rural healthcare organizations across America,” said Betty Greer, President of the hospital’s Board of Trustees.
“It’s an honor to be recognized in the report – especially among so many bright ideas from other areas – but most importantly, it’s an honor to serve as a beacon of ideas for our rural health colleagues across the country.”
The eight rural health organizations selected as “bright spots” were located across Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and North Dakota. Interviews with the organizations were conducted, data collected, and case studies developed in 2019-2020.
Kearny County Hospital: Building a Mission Culture
One key reason Kearny County Hospital was highlighted in the “Bright Spots” report was its success addressing provider shortages – using a unique mission-focused recruitment strategy. Former CEO Benjamin Anderson reported that ten years ago, the hospital’s clinic staff had to turn away 50 new patients a week due to staffing shortages. Today, they have expanded their reach to serve a 20-county region with a population of around 15,000 people. Anderson credited the shift to a targeted recruitment and retention strategy, aimed at attracting and keeping providers who were raised in a rural community or have dedicated part of their careers to missionary work. Generous vacation time and professional development opportunities helped achieve long-term dedication from new recruits.
In the report, the hospital’s CEO David Hofmeister described the providers and staff Kearny County has brought together as “a small herd of unicorns, those incredibly rare but absolutely amazing team members.”
The “Bright Spots” report also highlighted Kearny County Hospital’s success in serving refugees and undocumented immigrants who have flocked to Kearny County to work in the local meat-packing industry. The Kearny County community is rich in cultural diversity. According to the report, Kearny County Hospital serves over 30 different nationalities, and as of 2018, 13 percent of Kearny County residents were born outside the U.S. As part of its mission culture, Kearny County Hospital has hired healthcare providers who speak the languages of the patients they serve – providers who are known and trusted in the various immigrant communities.
“Hiring staff with a mission mindset lays a foundation of trust for the provider-patient relationship,” said Greer. “And that results in greater community health overall.”
According to the report, the hospital’s tactical recruitment efforts, paired with its mission culture, not only expanded Kearny County Hospital’s primary care footprint by 18 percent, but it was also good for the bottom line – decreasing dependency on local tax revenues by more than 60 percent.
A third focus of the “Bright Spots” report was maternal health and infant outcomes. Rural health systems nationwide struggle to maintain obstetric services, but Kearny County Hospital prioritized recruiting OB physicians. The report noted that hospital administrators knew that if mom was cared for, she would encourage the rest of her family to seek and maintain primary care services, in turn improving the health and wellness of the entire community.
The hospital’s efforts resulted in a 67 percent increase in obstetrics volume and a 60 percent increase in primary care paneled patients over five years.
“People from 11 counties come to Kearny for OB care,” according to Kearny County Hospital Chief of Staff Drew Miller, MD, FAAFP – strong evidence that the mission focus goes beyond staffing and recruitment efforts into a multicultural approach to care.
“Kearny County Hospital is proud of its recent accomplishments and grateful to the staff and community for their support in our ongoing efforts to provide accessible, high-quality healthcare to all of the people who rely on us,” Greer said.
To learn more about the achievements of Kearny County Hospital among other high-ranking rural health institutions, read the full report here.
About Kearny County Hospital
Kearny County Hospital is committed to providing quality, compassionate healthcare services for our community to enrich the lives of family, friends, and neighbors. The hospital was founded in 1952 and is owned and operated by the Kearny County government to provide inpatient and outpatient hospital care, emergency medical treatment, and primary care. High Plains Retirement Village, the Kearny County Home for the Aged, was founded in 1983 to provide a nursing facility, senior housing, and long-term care services. In 1990, Kearny County Hospital began operation of the Family Health Center, which provides primary healthcare in Lakin and Deerfield. For more information, visit kearnycountyhospital.com.
August 30, 2021, 5:30 p.m. in the Classroom of Kearny County Hospital and ZOOM
Administrator Kearny County Hospital is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: KCH Board Meeting
Time: Aug 30, 2021 05:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82320178593
Dial by your location
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 823 2017 8593
Copyright Kearny County Hospital
Copyright Kearny County Hospital
