Latest News

ORD - Cheryl Christenson, RN, BSN, has been promoted to Director of Nursing at Valley View Living Center.  Previously, Cheryl worked as the Infection Control, Education and Employee Health Manager for Valley County Health System.  She has been a RN for more than 20 years and has experience in acute care, ambulance and as a Director of Nursing in the long term care setting.  Cheryl has her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Pensacola Christian College and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Nursing.

Valley View Living is a licensed 60-bed intermediate nursing care facility that is part owned and operated by Valley County Health System.

Ord - Chris Unterseher, MD, will begin his practice on August 2, 2010 Valley County Health System.  He will begin seeing patients on August 6^th at Ord Family Health Center.

The public is invited to attend a welcome reception in honor of Dr. Unterseher on Wednesday, August 11 from 5-6:30 pm at Ord Family Health Center.

Unterseher earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Nebraska-Kearney in 2000 and his Doctor of Medicine in 2005 from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.  Dr. Unterseher completed a combined residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Unterseher, call Ord Family Health Center at 308.728.3606.

ORD - Johnathan Tomjack has been named Employee of the Quarter at Valley County Health System.

In a letter nominating Tomjack for the honor, a co-worker wrote, "Johnathan has been a tremendous asset and resource for VCHS during his five years as an employee.  He has created a lot of goodwill in the community and has truly changed the quality of life for many of his clients.  Thanks Johnathan for your contributions and commitment to VCHS!"

Tomjack works as a Certified Personal Training in the Rehabilitation Department.  He has been employed by Valley County Health System since 2006 and received his Personal Trainer Certification from IFPA in September 2007.

Pictured: Tomjack receives his EOQ award from Interim CEO, Joyce Seward.

ORD - Valley County Health System and the University of Nebraska Extension will receive will receive $10,000 from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska to fund "Fit & Lovin' It," a program for area 5^th graders.  A celebration will be held on Sunday, August 1^st at 8:30 pm at the Valley County Fairgrounds. The presentation will be held after the 4-H Fashion Revue during the Valley County Fair.  The public is invited to attend. 

The grant is made possible through the 2010 BlueHealth Advantage Wellness Grant program.  The "Fit and Lovin' It" program will provide a learning opportunity for area 5^th grade students to increase awareness, encourage skill enhancement and focus of attitude toward individual health.  These include those related to nutrition, physical activity, seat belt use and tobacco.

For more information, contact the University of Nebraska Extension at 308.728.5071 or VCHS at 308.728.4347.

Ord, NE - Cheryl Christenson and Diane Kaslon, employees at Valley County Health System, are scholarship recipients from the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) Research and Educational Foundation. 

Christenson, RN and Education and Infection Control Manager, was awarded one of eight $3,000 scholarhsips from the Foundation's Graduate Studies Tuition Aid Program.  She is attending graduate school to earn her Master's degree in Nursing.

Kaslon, LPN-C at Ord Family Health Center, was awarded one of ten $1,000 scholarships from the Foundation's Undergraduate Health Care Career Scholarship Program.  She is studying to become a registered nurse.

The NHA is proud to offer these scholarships and applauds Cheryl and Diane for their career choices that will last a lifetime and will help to improve the quality of life for others.

During the weeks of July 5^th and 12^th, noticeable progress was made on the new hospital.  Wall and floor covering installation continued in the medical clinic, specialty clinic and emergency department.  Ceiling grid continued to be installed and electrical and plumbing contractors remained busy with lighting and hook-ups.  The security contractor was on-site cabling the doors throughout the building.

In the next several weeks wall and floor covering installation will continue as will the will painting and the landscaping project.  Fire sprinkler drops will continue throughout the building and cabinetry will continue to be installed.  Exterior signage will be erected in late July and office furniture will be delivered in early August.

The opening date for the new hospital will be Monday, October 4, 2010.  A public open house will be held on Sunday, September 26th from 1-4 pm.  Governor Heineman and Senator Kate Sullivan will be the honored guests.  For construction photos, visit the Photo Gallery at ValleyCountyHealthSystem.org.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Ord, NE - Heidi Peterson, Physical Therapist at Valley County Health System, attended the 2010 International Aquatic Therapy Symposium held June 28 - July 2 in Sanibel, FL.  The event was presented by the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute (ATRI).

Peterson participated in a variety of hands-on, in-pool courses to increase her knowledge about aquatic therapy techniques and safety. 

"The ATRI Conference was an excellent opportunity to learn about the aquatic therapy industry and current trends and the latest research.  Meeting leaders in the industry allowed me to exchange ideas and bring information back to the other Rehabilitation staff," stated Peterson.

ATRI Conferences provide participants with networking opportunities, as well as hands-on educational workshops on aquatic therapy techniques and effective aquatic therapy programming.

Aquatic Therapy services will be offered in the HydroWorx 2000 therapy pool at the new VCHS hospital.  The pool was donated by Greater Loup Valley Activities, Inc. with funds given by the Alfred and Irma Burson estate.

For more information, contact VCHS Rehabilitation Services at 308.728.4247.

ORD - The 12^th Annual Valley County Health System Golf Tournament involved the participation of 25 teams on July 2, 2010 at the Ord Golf Course.

The flight winners this year were as follows: 

Championship Flight: Geweke Ranch, Inc. - Dan Johnson, Korey Johnson, Rich Osentowski and Bob Sevenker

First Flight: First National Bank of Ord - Russ Blaha, Don Blaha, Jim Augustyn and Lannie Geiser

Second Flight: Team Williams - Fred Williams, Kellie Symonsbergen, Marty Dubas and Jeremy Baker

Valley County Health System Foundation thanks all of the sponsors and teams for participating in this year's event, as well as everyone who volunteered their time and also those who joined us for the auction.  The 2011 Tournament and Auction will be held on Friday, July 1. 

Tricia Richards will join Valley County Health System on July 5th as the Director of Human Resources.  She is a Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) with a 14-year career in human resources.  Tricia is replacing Karlie Koinzan who is retiring at the end of 2010.  Karlie has been the VCHS Human Resources Director for the past 10 years.

Tricia was born and raised in Hastings, NE and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Hastings College.  Her previous position was with Aventa Credit Union in Colorado Springs, CO as Vice President of Human Resources.  Prior to that position she was the Senior Recruiter at the University of New Mexico Hospital Systems.

Tricia and her husband Tony will reside in Ord with their son, Joshua, who is 9.  Their 19-year-old son, Jacob, is attending college in Colorado Springs.

During the weeks of June 21^st and 28^th, noticeable progress was made on the new hospital.  The MRI and CT were installed in the Imaging Department.  Stone work was completed on the fireplace in the lobby.  Wall and floor coverings were installed in the Medical Clinic, Specialty Clinic, Surgery and Emergency Departments.

In the next several weeks wall and floor covering installation will continue as will the landscaping project.  Cabinetry will continue to be installed.  Exterior signage will be erected in late July and office furniture will be delivered in early August.

The opening date for the new hospital will be Monday, October 4, 2010.  A public open house will be held on Sunday, September 26th from 1-4 pm.  For construction photos, visit the Photo Gallery at ValleyCountyHealthSystem.org.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.