Author: Legato Marketing

Pender, NE (April 1) – Pender County Hospital District (PCHD) is proud to announce that Brandi Anderson, Infection Control Nurse, recently achieved the Certified Healthcare Infection Prevention Professional-Basic (CHIPP-B) certification. This certification, which helps to standardize infection-prevention practices, underlines PCHD’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in infection control and quality healthcare.
 
“Everyone at PCHD has the same goal – keep our patients and staff safe. We’re all one big team here,” explained Anderson. “The CHIPP-B certification is part of that. The exam is extremely difficult and is the standardized measure of the knowledge, skills and abilities of experienced professionals working in infection prevention and control.”

The CHIPP-B is overseen by DNV, an international accredited registrar and classification society headquartered in Høvik, Norway. To pass the CHIPP-B, someone must attend the relevant classes and pass the exam with a score of 80% or more.
 
In her role, Anderson educates staff, patients and visitors about ways to prevent infection and the spread of germs, as well as ensure proper isolation, hand washing, PPE and masking. She also plays a critical role in the data analysis, monitoring and reporting of healthcare-acquired infections, consistently staying informed of the most up-to-date guidance and recommendations.

“Our hospital is surveyed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], and the CHIPP-B certification meets the CMS requirements for basic courses in infection prevention, providing a better understanding of how to prevent infections in healthcare.”

In addition to this CHIPP-B certification, Anderson was awarded the 2024 Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) Health Care Career Scholarship, which recognizes her commitment to excellence and supports her attendance at the national Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) Conference in San Antonio, Texas, in June. Funded by the Hospital Quality Improvement Contractor (HQIC) program, scholarship empowers Anderson to bring back valuable knowledge, learn additional best practices and take advantage of networking opportunities to further enhance PCHD’s infection control program.

To learn more about PCHD, visit pchne.org or call 402-385-3083.

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About Pender Community Hospital District  
Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and pharmacies, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.

Pender, NE (March 27) – Pender Community Hospital District (PCHD) has announced the hiring of Kim Hixson as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Hixson will begin her new role as CFO at the end of March 2024.

“We’re delighted to welcome Kim Hixson to the PCHD family as our new Chief Financial Officer. Her extensive experience, strategic mindset and dedication to financial stewardship make her an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said Laura Gamble, CEO at PCHD. “Her passion for healthcare and proven track record in financial management align perfectly with PCHD’s values. Kim’s expertise will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in helping PCHD achieve new heights of financial stability.”

Hixson brings two decades of CFO experience serving in roles for two Nebraska critical access hospitals. Prior to those roles, she was an accountant at a large Northeast Nebraska healthcare system for many years.

“I’m truly honored and thrilled to join the team at PCHD. The commitment to excellence and community well-being is inspiring, and I’m eager to contribute to its financial health and success,” shared Hixson. “I look forward to working collaboratively with PCHD’s dedicated staff and leadership to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future.”

A certified public accountant and fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Hixson holds bachelor’s of arts degrees in both accounting and business administration from Doane College.

“I’m confident that Kim will fortify our financial foundations and help us navigate the ever-evolving healthcare landscape,” explained Gamble. “As we embark on this exciting new chapter at PCHD, we’ll continue to provide exceptional care and strengthen our position as a cornerstone of health and wellness in the Pender community.”

To learn more about PCHD, visit pchne.org or call 402-385-3083.

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About Pender Community Hospital District
Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and pharmacies, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.

PENDER, Neb. (March 18, 2023) – Pender Community Hospital (PCH) is expanding services, providing substance use services for patients through telemedicine. The new substance use service is now available for patients.

Substance use services are provided in the Pender Community Hospital Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic by the Bryan Independence Center in Lincoln, NE. Licensed Counselors from the Bryan Independence Center will provide outpatient substance use evaluation and counseling for patients age 15 and older. The Bryan Independence Center offers a full continuum of treatment options for patients needing a level of care beyond outpatient counseling.
Patients or family members of patients needing an evaluation for substance use should discuss their concerns with their healthcare provider. Community providers can refer patients for an evaluation and treatment recommendation.

“PCH is thrilled to partner with Bryan Independence Center to launch a substance use evaluation and counseling program via telehealth, reinforcing our commitment to addressing vital mental health needs in northeast Nebraska,” said Dr. Matt Timm, Primary Care Provider at PCH. “By extending accessible, high-quality care, we aim to make a positive impact on individuals and families facing substance use challenges, strengthening our commitment to providing comprehensive care for physical and mental well-being.”

“The Bryan Independence Center is excited to partner with PCH to provide substance use counseling services to the community via telehealth,” said Dr. Dave Miers, Senior Director, Behavioral Health Services. “According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (samhsa.gov) nearly 1 in 3 adults have either a substance use disorder or mental illness in a year, and 1 in 2 young adults between 18-25 had either a substance use disorder or mental illness.” He further stated “Many individuals in rural areas are unable to seek services, often due to a lack of providers. Connecting those in need in the Northeast Nebraska area to the professionals at the Bryan Independence Center will help individuals find hope, help, and healing.”

The expansion of telemedicine services allows Pender Community Hospital to provide affordable, convenient, and trusted care right here in our community. Timm reminds people that expert care like that provided by the Bryan Independence Center allows patients to receive expert care, close to home.
Learn more about the services Pender Community Hospital offers at www.pchne.org

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About Pender Community Hospital District
Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for four years, from 2019-2021 and 2023. PCH comprises not only the hospital but four rural health clinics and three pharmacies, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.

About Bryan Telemedicine and Teledigm Health
Bryan Telemedicine, founded in 2014, is a joint venture partnership between Teledigm Health and Bryan Health. Bryan Telemedicine and Teledigm Health assist their partners in transforming healthcare delivery by providing a suite of solutions designed to increase access to clinical and operational resources. Bryan Telemedicine and Teledigm Health provide services in over 90 facilities in 10 states.

About Bryan Independence Center
Since 1971, Bryan Independence Center has helped clients and families from Southeast Nebraska and many other states struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Bryan Independence Center offers specialized youth & adult treatment for alcohol & drug addictions. Services include evaluation, inpatient, outpatient & aftercare programs. Bryan Independence Center is the only provider to offer complete levels of care for clients; nursing coverage 24-hours a day, seven-days a week; direct access to full medical care and a separate short-term residential program for adolescents and adults.

Pender, NE (March 27, 2023) – Pender Community Hospital District and Little Sprouts Child Development Center, in partnership with Pender Public Schools, have been approved for a childcare license for Little Pendragon Summer Program, a school-age childcare center to be operated at Pender Public Schools during the summer.

Little Pendragon Summer Program will provide care for children entering Kindergarten in the fall up to age 12 from any school district. Staff from Little Sprouts Child Development Center and Pender Public Schools will lead the program and provide care for enrolled children. Little Pendragon Summer Program will be open Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The program will provide engaging summer programing, including regular visits to the swimming pool, various camps, field trips, educational outings and other activities. The program also hopes to partner with area business to encourage community engagement and philanthropy.

“We are incredibly excited to partner with Pender Public Schools to offer a summer program for school-age kids,” said Laura Gamble, Pender Community Hospital District CEO. “This partnership will ensure kids have a safe place to go during the summer and provide them with wonderful social and educational opportunities.”

Pre-enrollment is now open, and applications are being accepted. As a licensed program within the state of Nebraska, the program will accept childcare subsidy. For more information on childcare subsidy visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Child-Care-Parents.aspx.

For a pre-enrollment packet, contact Little Sprouts Child Development Center at 402-385-6248 or via email at littlesprouts@pchne.org.

About Pender Community Hospital District

Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and apothecaries, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.

Pender, NE (March 20, 2023) – Pender Community Hospital today announced it has been recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital. Compiled 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™.

“I’m very proud of our team’s continuous hard work and dedication,” Laura Gamble, CEO for Pender Community Hospital. “This recognition is something we don’t take lightly; it’s a true testament of the strong commitment of the entire team who works at Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics, and also a reflection of our supportive community,” she continued. “We pride ourselves on providing the highest quality care and serving as a resource our community knows they can trust. We’re very honored to have been recognized 4 times and to be among this elite group of healthcare providers.”

“Across the nation, top 100 rural providers continue to serve as a source of inspiration for hospital leadership teams and staff working diligently every day to improve the delivery of care within their local communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “The list of award winners in each category is as geographically diverse as we’ve seen in some time, which is wonderful to see. We’re thrilled to be able to honor the outstanding efforts of these top performing rural hospitals.”

Now in its 13th 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.

About Pender Community Hospital District

Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and pharmacies, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.

Pender, Nebraska (December 27, 2023) – Pender Community Hospital recently announced that Shane Schuster has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer for the hospital district. Schuster acted as interim CEO until Laura Gamble was hired in that role in late 2022.

As COO, Schuster will maintain many of his current responsibilities in addition to maintaining provider relations, implementing strategic planning and working closely with the team to overseeing the district’s financials.

“As interim CEO, Shane has shown great leadership and ability,” said PCH CEO Laura Gamble.
“His new role as COO is a great next step to allow Shane to continue to lead our organization.”

Originally from Laurel, Nebraska, Schuster graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in Omaha. He worked as a pharmacist for 12 years before joining Pender Community Hospital as The Apothecary Shop pharmacy manager in 2014.

During his tenure as manager, Schuster led the opening of two additional retail pharmacy locations and optimized revenue opportunities through the federal 340B program. He also served as ancillary services director, overseeing hospital pharmacy, radiology, laboratory and rehab services.

Schuster resides in Pender with his family and is active on the Pender-Thurston Summer Rec Board of Directors and with the Pender Booster Club, while also volunteering as a youth sports coach.

About Pender Community Hospital District

Pender, NE (December 19, 2022) – Pender Community Hospital and Medical Clinics have announced that it will be utilizing Bryan Health Connect as its Accountable Care Organization (ACO), effective January 1, 2023. The organization had previously worked with a different organization for ACO services.

An ACO is a collection of healthcare providers who work together with Medicare to offer patients high quality, affordable care. The coordinated care approach of an ACO is beneficial to Medicare patients for a variety of reasons; these organizations help reduce the need for duplicate tests or unnecessary appointments, while also boosting preventative screenings that identify health concerns in early stages.

“Pender Medical Clinic is excited to join the Bryan Health Connect Accountable Care Organization. This premier, Nebraska-based ACO aligns well with our Pender philosophy of providing high-quality, high-value care to our patients,” said PCH Chief Executive Officer Laura Gamble. “Bryan brings numerous resources, tools and technologies to enable our staff to further grow programs and services for patient care.”
For more information, Medicare patients should contact the Health Coach Office at (402) 385-3033 option 3.

About Pender Community Hospital District
Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and apothecaries, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org

Amy Schantz, LIMHP recently joined Pender Community Hospital’s staff as a licensed independent mental health practitioner in its Outpatient Clinic.

Schantz, who has specialized training in trauma, parent-child interaction therapy, autism spectrum disorders and child behaviors, is available for both in-person and telehealth appointments the first and third Tuesday of each month.

As part of her practice, Schantz performs assessments, diagnoses, psychotherapy, treatment planning and crisis management for children, adolescents and adults. As a licensed independent mental health practitioner, Schantz provides flexible therapy that combines psychotherapy with practical, problem resolution strategies.

Schantz earned both her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Wayne State College.

PCH offers several types of behavioral health treatment options for people of all ages. For more information, visit pchne.org/services/behavioral-health.

Pender Community Hospital District recently announced that Laura Gamble, RN has been hired as its new CEO. With more than 30 years of experience in rural healthcare in the surrounding area, Gamble has a myriad of administrative and nursing experience in critical access hospitals.

A native of northeast Nebraska, Gamble was most recently employed at Twelve Clans Unity Hospital in Winnebago, and prior to that was Chief Executive Officer/Director of Nursing at MercyOne Oakland Hospital in Oakland. She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln, as well as a certification in Healthcare Management from the Bryan School of Health Sciences in Lincoln.

Gamble has also served rural healthcare in many capacities throughout the state, including working closely with the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), where she currently serves on the organization’s services board. She currently resides in Wayne but plans to relocate to Pender in the near future, is looking forward to getting involved in various community projects in and around the health district.

“I have always admired the town of Pender and the pride they take in and the support they give to their hospital. The compassionate and top-notch care given at PCH is impressive and I am very fortunate to be able to care for the people in this area.”

Pender Community Hospital welcomed Kate Mueller to its staff on Monday, Aug. 22. As a new part-time physician assistant in family medicine, Mueller will see patients in PCH’s ER, as well as at both the Pender and Emerson Medical Clinics.

Prior to joining PCH, Mueller was employed at NuWest Medical Clinic in Norfolk; before that, she worked at Memorial Health Clinic in Aurora for nearly six years. As a physician assistant, Mueller has experience helping patients of all ages manage acute and chronic illnesses, as well as providing both routine and preventative healthcare. Mueller has also worked in ER settings, as well as inpatient admittance.

Mueller earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center; and earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry health science from Wayne State College.

In addition, Mueller has been certified in the following areas: Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS); Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS); Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP); Basic Life Support (BLS); and National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. She is also a member of several professional organizations, including both the American and Nebraska Academies of Physician Assistants.Family medicine providers at PCH offer a full-scope of comprehensive care for patients of all ages. For more information, visit our primary care page.

Tags Primary Care

Pender Medical Clinics’ Director of Nursing, Cyndi Conroy, has been selected as a winner of Huron Consulting Group’s “What’s Right in Healthcare 2022 Hero Award”.

Nominees for the award were required to “have significantly impacted results related to enhancing the patient experience, employee/physician engagement, improvement of their organization with innovative ideas or outstanding service to improve the health within their community,” according to the application form.

Conroy, who has been employed with PCH’s Pender Medical Clinic for more than 30 years, was nominated by clinic director, Lori Minert, for her leadership navigating the PCH clinics through the COVID-19 pandemic, including traveling to provide more than 3,000 COVID vaccines in a sparsely populated rural area.

According to the nomination form, “Cyndi has gone above and beyond as our director of nursing; one of her most notable accomplishments was keeping our nursing staff intact, with almost zero turnover” since the start of the pandemic.

Recipients of the award receive a complimentary registration to Huron’s What’s Right in Healthcare event, an annual conference designed to educate and connect professionals within the healthcare industry. This year’s conference was held in Chicago, August 8-10. For more information about Huron’s What’s Right in Healthcare, visit huronconsultinggroup.com.

Pulmonary Rehab Q&A

We recently caught up with Bancroft resident Sondra Bennett, age 62, who successfully completed the pulmonary rehab program a few years ago at Pender Community Hospital. Here’s what she had to say about the benefits of PCH’s pulmonary rehab program:

How did you learn about pulmonary rehab at PCH?

I had some lung issues and had been in the hospital, and needed to be on oxygen, so my pulmonologist brought it up to me because they thought I could benefit from it.

Why did you choose pulmonary rehab at PCH?

It’s closest to where I live and it sure beat going to Norfolk. I had had good results at Pender before, and I’m glad I went. For one thing, I really like the therapists over there – they made you feel really comfortable. I never felt pressured and they taught me a lot of different ways to handle my shortness of breath. They’re very positive, very compassionate.

Can you describe a typical session at PCH’s pulmonary rehab program?

It was usually an hour – they did my vitals, then my exercises, including breathing ones. They let me work at my own pace: If I needed to stop midway, they were okay with that. They even did the exercises with me – I really enjoyed our time together and I still use all those things today that they taught me because it does make a difference.

What challenges did your team help you work through?

I had to learn how to cope with being on oxygen – all of the sudden, things were so different. When I first heard about the program, I thought “Great! I’ll give it a shot,” but when it came down to it, the day before, I thought it was going to be a waste of time. Then I got there and really enjoyed it – it was worth the time!

Would you recommend the program to others?

Oh, yes – go for it! What do you have to lose? You’ll come out of there feeling better about yourself. I learned new techniques – for me, I was so short of breath, but learned how to control that – and that this was not the end of the world.

How has your life improved after pulmonary rehab?

I learned different ways to control my breathing and I learned to accept this as my new normal; I am thankful for every day when I wake up.To learn more about PCH’s expert pulmonary rehab services, talk to your primary care provider or visit our Cardiopulmonary Services page.

With PCH Cardiac Rehab

Research indicates that cardiac rehab reduces participants’ death rate by as much as 30% when compared to non-participants – and that the biggest factor in determining rehab participation is the strength of the recommendation made by the patient’s physician.

Larry Rogers is glad he took his doctor’s suggestions seriously to participate in Pender Community Hospital’s cardiac rehab program.

“I had some heart issues; I had a vessel that was 95% blocked, so they put a stent in and that’s when my doctor told me about Pender’s cardiac rehab program,” Rogers, age 62, explained.

Cardiac rehab can help patients experiencing:

angina
coronary artery disease
heart attack or other cardiac events
heart surgery and procedures
cardiovascular disease

Cardiac rehabilitation has been proven to lower the risk of death and health complications for patients who have experienced a cardiac procedure or event, and also increases the likelihood of returning to an active lifestyle. Another key factor as to why heart health providers advocate for cardiac rehab: It significantly reduces hospital readmission for cardiac patients.

What A Cardiac Rehab Plan Looks Like at PCH

Cardiac rehab plans at PCH typically range from three to six weeks and offer a full range of rehabilitative services, education and support to alleviate symptoms and help people heal – and also to prevent future problems by strengthening a patient’s body and improve their quality of life. Most participants also report that cardiac rehab improves their mood and mental health.

To create an effective, customized rehab plan for each patient, PCH’s skilled rehabilitation team collaborates with a variety of specialists and staff, including primary care providers, cardiologists, behavioral health and nutrition specialists and social services professionals.

The cardiac rehab team examines each patient’s progress throughout the plan, and makes adjustments as necessary in nutrition, sleep and activity levels, as well as continuously monitors how the patient is managing stress and living with their condition. Each plan is designed to improve heart health while also improving strength, conditioning, and general well-being.

The cardiac rehab therapy team also provides patients with the resources and support they need to succeed, including providing educational information about their condition’s risk factors, lifestyle adjustments, tobacco cessation and stress management techniques.

Cardiac Rehab Worked for Rogers

Rogers said that he especially appreciated PCH’s flexibility; Rogers, who is a farmer in Lyons, experienced his cardiac event in the spring of 2021 – right as he was getting ready to plant.

“Pender was very good to work with; I needed to plant, and their flexibility was awesome,” said Rogers, who commended the cardiac rehab team on working around his schedule.

For example, the PCH rehab team recommended that Rogers watch educational videos while he was exercising, which allowed him to double up on what he wanted to accomplish in rehab while still meeting the timeframe for planting at his farm.

“Everything was great, the nutrition and the exercise program,” said Rogers. “They work with you on everything; it’s a very good program. Everyone was fantastic to work with, and they really keep your spirits up. And they’re very good at telling you where need to be and how to get there.”

Rogers says that after rehab, he pays much closer attention to his diet, which has helped him lose weight, and keep it off.

“If you listen to what they say, you’re going to be okay,” said Rogers.To learn more about PCH’s expert cardiac rehab services, talk to your primary care provider or visit our Cardiopulmonary Services page.

Pender Community Hospital recently announced that it has received a $1 million USDA Emergency Rural Healthcare Grant to increase its telehealth capabilities through an improved electronic health record (EHR) system. The current EHR will be phased out in December 2022.

The new EHR will provide seamless integration of all patient data, from scheduling clinic appointments and completing registration to results from diagnostic lab work and x-rays; the new system will also allow for the quick and easy electronic transfer of medical records.

“Since the start of the pandemic, our patients have looked to do more online, and our board and community is requesting a more developed patient portal and telehealth services,” said Interim CEO Shane Schuster. “Our goal in procuring our new EHR is that we can provide services to all patients, regardless of their location.”

The new system improves the access and timeliness of patient records, which is critical to providing rural patients quality care close to home. The cost of the new EHR includes not only the purchase of the system itself, but also the appropriate hardware and training necessary to optimize the new system.

About Pender Community Hospital District
Pender Community Hospital (PCH) has been providing quality healthcare in northeast Nebraska since 1913. The 21-bed critical access hospital (CAH) was recognized by the Chartis Center for Rural Health as a Top-100 CAH for three consecutive years, from 2019-2021. PCH comprises not only the hospital but also several clinics and apothecaries, as well as Prairie Breeze Assisted Living and Little Sprouts Child Development Center. For more information, visit pchne.org.