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Valley County Health System raised a total of $1,030.16 from a penny war held to raise funds for the Valley House of Hope Haiti orphanage project.  Employees were divided into four teams - Love, Give, Care and Hope.  The contest began February 15 and ended February 26.   

Team Hope had the only positive total once the other coins and dollar bills were subtracted from their penny total. The departments represented on this team were Acute Care, Radiology, Dietary, Ambulance, Infection Control, Materials Management and Information Technology.  Team Care had the most pennies given.  Departments represented on this team were Wound Card, Lab, Cardiac Rehab, Specialty Clinic, Pharmacy, Transportation, Home Health, Patient Financial Services, Accounting, Laundry and Maintenance.

Valley County Health System is proud to provide funds for the Valley House of Hope Haiti.

Ord - Valley County Health System will be offering four fitness classes for the public beginning March 22 and continuing through May 21. Johnathan Tomjack, Personal Trainer at VCHS will instruct a core conditioning and toning class.  The class consists of dynamic balance, strengthening and improved range of motion through weight training, kickboxing and use of an exercise ball.  This class will be offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:00 to 6:45 am at St. Mary's Gym in Ord.  Each participant will need a 65 cm exercise ball, 2 or 3 lb. hand weights and a yoga mat.

Sheri Schrage, Certified Health Fitness Instructor through the American College of Sports Medicine, will teach a low impact aerobics and toning class, a step and sculpt class and a yoga class.  The low impact aerobics class will be held on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the VCHS Education Building, 1617 M Street in downtown Ord.

The step and sculpt class will be offered on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the VCHS Education Building.  This class will consist of aerobics performed by stepping up onto and down from a portable platform. 

The yoga class will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:15 am - Noon and on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 6:30 pm in the VCHS Education Building.  This class is a great way to relax and unwind.  No special clothing is needed. Participants in these classes will need to bring an exercise mat.

Registration is $40.00.  This fee allows the participant to attend any or all classes.

To register, call Johnathan Tomjack at 728-4257 or stop by the VCHS Rehabilitation Department.

Denise Smith, Licensed Massage Therapist at Valley County Health System, attended the "Effective Treatment of Common Cervical and Upper Thoracic Pain Conditions" seminar in Omaha on Feb. 25.  Course content included understanding cervical pain, treatment strategies and considerations, cervical/thoracic anatomy, muscle releasing techniques and how to achieve effective results.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Denise, call the VCHS Rehabilitation Department at 308-728-4247.

During the weeks of February 15 and 22, continued progress was made on the interior of the new hospital.  Dry wall installation and taping continued in the rehabilitation and administrative areas.  Electrical and plumbing rough-in work continued in the rehabilitation and dietary departments.  Glass was installed in the chapel and in the nearby hallway.  Installation of window frames in the front lobby continued. 

Installation of case work for the acute care department continued in the patient rooms.    Ceiling grid installation continued in the emergency and surgery departments.  Contractors are on site installing cable tray and cables for the computers and nurse call system.

The VCHS Board of Trustees has set an opening date of Monday, October 4, 2010.  A public open house will be held prior to this date.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Jane Meyer, APRN-NP at Valley County Health System attended the Nebraska Nurse Practitioner Conference in Lincoln, Feb. 18-20.  Conference objectives focused on updating advanced practice knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention as it relates to acute and chronic illnesses across the life span, discussion of the most current pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management of acute and chronic conditions, and review of current research and the application of research to clinical practice.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Meyer, call the Ord Family Health Center at 308-728-3606.

Burwell -An open house and ribbon cutting for Burwell Rehabilitation's new location was held on Thursday, February 11 at 150 North 9th Avenue.  The new location allows for more space, new and updated equipment and better service for the residents of Burwell and surrounding areas.  Physical therapy services will be offered five days a week with occupational and speech therapy available by appointment. 

Betty Wheeler, PT at Burwell Rehab stated, "We would like to thank everyone who helped welcome us into our new building during the open house.  We sincerely appreciate the time and effort that the Burwell Chamber of Commerce put into the celebration and the outstanding representation from the community.  We enjoy working with and for the people of Burwell and the surrounding area and are so excited about the additional space and equipment that our new building allows.  Our new surroundings provide even further opportunity to offer excellent care."

To schedule an appointment with Burwell Rehabilitation call 346-4060.

The night of Saturday, January 9^th, was filled with generous people and lots of giggles, as the annual Valley County Health System Foundation Gala was held at the Ord Veteran's Club.  We are very pleased to announce that this year's Gala raised $20,000 for the benefit of Valley County Health System and that $5,000 will be placed into the endowment fund. 

This year's theme was "Denim & Diamonds", and Josh Zangger served as emcee for the evening.  He was later joined by Ben Lansman ("Benshema") when the evening's entertainment began.  Before the entertainment began, Steve Wolf of Wolf Auction and Real Estate auctioned off several live auction items to the large crowd of 250 plus. 

This year's entertainment proved to be a hit, as the crowd watched the "Miss Red Hot Womanless Contest".  Those participating were Johnathan Tomjack, Rich McKenney, Neal Carson, Brent Bengston, Trent Proskocil, Roy Farrens, Jim Coover and Kerry Petska.  This group of guys and the emcees went all out and had the crowd laughing non-stop. They started off by entering the ballroom to Chris Brown's "Forever", which has become a hit on YouTube for the couple who used it as their wedding entrance.  The contest included an evening gown, talent, night wear and question competition.  Both Zangger and Lansman had the crowd rolling with their quick whit and humor.  Three guest judges volunteered to help with the contest, and they were Mike and Senator Kate Sullivan and Miss Nebraska Belinda Wright.  At the conclusion of the contest, they chose Rich McKenney (Miss Jackie Shakers) as Miss Congeniality, and Brent Bengston (Miss Libby Doe) as the winner.  The Foundation would truly like to thank this group of guys for providing an unbelievable night of entertainment.

In between the different areas of the contest silent auction tables were closed and winners announced.   Many nice items were offered on both the live and silent auctions and generous bids were received.  The large raffle prize winners were Marilys Sears, Ord Medical Spa Package donated by Sarah Brinkman; Marie Mason, Benelli Nova Shotgun donated by Ag Pro Insurance/Steve Vech and Misko Sports; and, Jo Trofholz, $500 Savings Bond from the Ericson State Bank. 

The Foundation is very grateful to everyone who made this year's Gala a great success.  We feel so blessed that this community is so giving and supportive and we truly appreciate each and every one of you, and look forward to another great Gala again in 2011.  

Our next event is the annual golf tournament, and that will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010 at the Ord Golf Course.   

If you would like more information about Valley County Health System Foundation, please contact Becky Ries at 308-728-3011. 

During the weeks of February 1 and 8, subcontractors made a lot of progress inside the new hospital.  Tile installation continued in the bathrooms throughout the hospital.  Dry wall installation began in the rehabilitation department and taping continued in the medical clinics.  Electrical and plumbing rough-in work was started in the rehabilitation and administration areas.  Glass was installed at the end of the main hallway and in the rehab department's large window facing the west.  Installation of window frames in the front lobby was started. 

Case work for the acute care department was delivered and installation has begun in the patient rooms.  The rails for the patient lifts in the private acute care rooms are being installed.  Ceiling grid is being installed in the emergency and surgery departments.

The project is still on schedule for completion this fall.  An public open house will be held prior to the opening date.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Valley County Health System has launched, with the support of the VCHS CEO and the approval of the Board of Trustees, a wellness initiative titled "Wellness Matters".

This program, developed for the VCHS employees, provides opportunities and support for behaviors that are conducive to good health and optimal wellbeing.  The CEO's Wellness Advisory Council was formed to assist with the Wellness Matters initiative which began with employees participating in a voluntary personal health assessment to determine current health status.

The components of the Wellness Matters initiative include programs directed at nutrition, weight management and exercise, along with monthly Brown Bag Lunch & Learn presentations.  The Lunch and Learns, which feature various presenters and are open to the public; are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month and employees and the community are invited to learn about various health topics.  The Wellness Matters program also offers the employees the benefit of an onsite wellness coach for supporting behavior changes.  

The picture of the CEO's Wellness Advisory Council was taken on Friday, February 5th, National Wear Red Day where all members wore red.  February is heart month and the CEO's Wellness Advisory Council has planned several fun activities for the employees during the month to increase their knowledge about living a healthy lifestyle and ways to minimize cardiovascular disease.

Council members include Cheryl Christenson, Linda Freeman, Tina Hrbek, Jill Lane, Jen McBride, Jane Meyer, Lea Miller, Viv Patrick, Danielle Proskocil, Larry Schrage, Sheri Schrage, Marcy Shafer, Johnathan Tomjack and Amy Vore

For more information, contact Sheri Schrage at 728-4213.

Roy Farrens, Certified Executive Chef (CEC) and Nutritional Services Manager and at Valley County Health System, has been selected to participate in the 2010 Nebraska Hospital Association's (NHA) Leadership Institute.  Roy is the first employee of Valley County Health System to participate in this course.

The Institute includes a comprehensive curriculum, combining core leadership competency working sessions with multiple layers of applied practice in health care. Participants in the NHA Leadership Institute will improve their leadership skills; enhance their effectiveness in the health care field, while preserving the care and compassion critical to quality health care delivery. The curriculum is designed to be highly interactive, yet with flexible, online and teleconference accessibility-perfect for busy health care personnel.

Farrens attended the orientation retreat Jan. 29-30 in Nebraska City at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center.  The course continues through October at various hospital locations throughout Nebraska and via webinars.  Participants completing the NHA Leadership Institute will be recognized as Class VII graduates at the NHA 2010 Annual Convention Caring Kind Luncheon on October 29, 2010.