Latest News from April 2010

Ord, NE - Valley County Health System is pleased to announce the addition of Chris Unterseher, M.D. to its staff of medical providers.  Dr. Unterseher will begin his practice on August 2, 2010 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 is currently completing a combined residency in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine.

"On behalf of the Board, Medical Staff and our employees, we are extremely pleased that Dr. Unterseher, with roots in the central Nebraska region, has agreed to begin his medical practice in Ord. He will be a very complementary fit to our medical staff and fulfills our objective to add another physician to better serve the medical needs of the residents in this region," stated Larry Schrage, CEO of Valley County Health System.

For more information, call Ord Family Health Center at 308.728.3606.

ORD - David Twyman has been named Employee of the Quarter at Valley County Health System.

In a letter nominating Twyman for the honor, a co-worker wrote, "He is very respectful of residents and patients, always going the extra mile to make each person feel special.  Dave is also a team player and will assist fellow co-workers whenever they are in need.  He is very friendly, and he can always be seen in the halls with a smile on his face.   Dave makes a special effort to say hello to everyone he meets.  We are so fortunate to have Dave as a valued member of our VCHS team!"

David works as a Nutritional Services Assistant in the Nutritional Services Department.  He has worked at VCHS since September 2, 2003.

Ord - The main attractions at Valley County Health System's 2nd Annual Health Fair will be blood chemistries, blood pressure checks and a free will donation breakfast.  The Health Fair will focus on health education and the promotion of wellness within our service area. In addition, health related vendors will have displays available to provide educational information to those who attend.

The Health Fair will be held on Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 6-9 am at St. Mary's Gym in Ord. 

The lab tests offered during the Health Fair are a Health Screen and PSA test. 

Health Screen:

• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Kidney & Liver Function, Electrolytes
• Complete Blood Count
• Thyroid: TSH
• Cholesterol & Triglycerides

PSA:  Prostate cancer screening recommended for males over the age of 50. 

A fee of $35 for the Health Screen and $15 for the PSA will be charged to cover the cost of supplies for each person screened.  Those who participate in the blood chemistry draw will be mailed their results and will be responsible for contacting their medical provider if they have values outside the normal range. 

Fasting is necessary prior to the blood chemistry draw, including consumption of caffeine or decaf coffee.  A free will donation breakfast will be served so you may eat after your blood is drawn.

Pre-registration is available by clicking here or by picking up a pre-registration form at the hospital admissions desk, Ord Family Health Center, or at any of the banks in Ord, Arcadia or North Loup. Pre-registration is recommended for anyone wishing to have a blood chemistry drawn.  Vendors who wish to register a booth may click here for a registration form.

For more information, contact the Public Relations office at 308-728-4347.

During the weeks of April 12 and 19, substantial progress was made on the interior of the new hospital.  Vinyl wall covering in the acute care patient rooms was hung.  The copper floor and wall lining in the MRI suite was substantially completed.  Installation of ceramic tile on the walls in the kitchen was finished.  Flashing and gutters on the exterior of the building were installed.

Over the next few weeks, installation of the floor covering in the acute care department will begin.  Glass will be installed at the west end of the acute care department, dining room and some areas of the front entry.  Ceiling grid will continue to be hung throughout the hospital.  The floor tile in the kitchen will be installed and vinyl wall covering installation will begin in the surgery and emergency room departments.

The opening date for the new hospital will be Monday, October 4, 2010.  For more information contact the Public Relations office at 728-4347.

Janice Benson, Specialty Clinic RN at Valley County Health System, recently completed a two-day training course sponsored by Great Plains Regional Medical Center.  The course, titled Chemotherapy and Biotherapy, was developed by the Oncology Nursing Society.  During the course, participants are provided with a comprehensive review of the knowledge needed to administer cytotoxic and biotherapeutic agents.  The course is required every two years.

Valley County Health System has offered chemotherapy treatment for several years.  The chemotherapy room has been renovated to provide patients with a relaxing environment during treatments.  For more information about this service, contact the Specialty Clinic at (308) 728-4249.

ORD - The annual Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) survey was completed at Valley View Living Center on March 31, 2010.

During the three-day inspection, the State looked at many aspects of quality. The inspection team observed resident care processes, staff/resident interaction, dietary and environment. The surveyors interviewed a sample of residents and family members about their life within the nursing home, as well as caregivers and administrative staff.

In their exit interview, the state surveyors were very complimentary of the entire continuum of care given to our residents. Valley View Living Center's evaluation was completed and continues to meet all standards of DHHS.

Valley View Living Center is committed to providing our residents with the highest quality of life by encouraging independence while providing dignity and respect in a caring atmosphere.

ORD - Valley County Health System is pleased to announce the hiring of three physical therapists who will work in the Rehabilitation Services department.   

Bob Wieck will graduate in May from Franklin Pierce University in Ringe, NH, with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.  He received his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Kansas State University.  He has been a Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) for the past twelve years and is currently working in that capacity at VCHS until he graduates in May. Bob is originally from St. Libory, NE. 

Obadiah Johnson will begin working at VCHS in June.  He attended Hastings College and graduated with a degree in Health Promotion Management.  He will graduate from Creighton University in May with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.  Obadiah grew up in Hastings.  He and his wife, Ashley, have an 18 month old son named Ticen.

Lindsey Michael will begin her position in July.  She attended Chadron State College, majoring in Health Sciences/Pre-Physical Therapy.  Lindsey will graduate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in May with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.  She is originally from Albion, NE and is engaged to be married on September 4 to Melvin Oldaker, a police officer in Burwell.

"Each of these therapists comes with very high recommendations.  We are so excited to have this caliber of therapists join our team," said Christy Peterson, Physical Therapist and VCHS Rehab Services Coordinator.

VCHS currently offers Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy in Ord, Burwell and Loup City.  For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call Rehabilitation Services at 308.728.4247.

Pictured from L to R:  Bob Wieck, Obadiah Johnson, Lindsey Michael

Jeff Breitkreutz, PA-C and Robert Reilly, PA-C at Valley County Health System attended the Nebraska Academy of Physicians Assistants (NAPA) Spring Conference in Kearney on April 14-17.  The conference covered numerous sessions on diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

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

Dr. Jennifer Bengston recently attended the 62nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Assembly of the Nebraska Academy of Family Physicians in Omaha, April 8-10, 2010.

She attended the meeting to obtain continuing medical education credit. Subjects covered during the meeting are of immediate interest to family doctors, both in their everyday practices and in their continual endeavors to keep abreast of the latest preventive advances in medicine.

Nearly one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians.  That is 208 million office visits each year - nearly 83 million more than the next largest medical specialty.  Today, family physicians provide more care for America's underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bengston, call Ord Family Health Center at 308-728-3606.

Betty Wheeler, Physical Therapist at Valley County Health System, attended a specialized obstetric course at the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association Spring Conference on April 9 and 10 in Grand Island. 

The course she attended was "Examination and Treatment of Musculoskeletal Dysfunction in the Obstetric Client."  Course objectives included reviewing the normal musculoskeletal and physiologic changes of pregnancy, providing background information on the obstetric population and birthing process and practicing treatment interventions for musculoskeletal dysfunction in the pregnant and postpartum client.  Betty looks forward to applying these principles into the treatment program at Valley County Health System.

Betty graduated from Central Michigan University in 2004 with a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy.  She has been practicing at the VCHS Burwell Rehabilitation clinic since October of 2008.

For more information, call VCHS Rehabilitation Services at 308.728.4247.

Since the Valley County Health System Board announced that Melanie Kolar of Arcadia was the winner of their logo design contest, they have been working through the process of completing the new brand.  A professional marketing firm transformed the new logo into digital format with colors that would complement the new hospital design - teal blue and burnt orange.  In addition, focus group sessions were conducted with employees, community members and board members to compile information to develop key messages and the new tag line, "Progressive Care with Compassion."

Going forward, VCHS will be using the new logo and tag line in a variety of publications. Valley County Health System looks forward to opening our new healthcare destination with this new brand.

For more information, or to view the logo in full color, visit ValleyCountyHealthSystem.org or call 308.728.4347.

During the weeks of March 29 and April 5, substantial progress was made on the interior of the new hospital.  The concrete floor for the MRI, CT Scan and X-Ray rooms was poured.  The standing seam roof on the entry canopy was completed.  Interior stone work was finished in the chapel.  The private bathrooms in the acute care rooms were equipped with the toilets, sinks, mirrors and fixtures.  The freezer and cooler in the kitchen were installed.

In the next few weeks the helicopter pad will be poured as well as the loop drive connecting Valley View Living Center to the new hospital.  Vinyl wall coverings will be hung in the acute care department and framing for the front entry will continue.  The aquatherapy pool is scheduled for delivery and installation the week of May 3 and the CT, MRI and X-Ray are scheduled for installation in June.

The opening date for the new hospital will be 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.

This public service announcement is issued by Valley County Health System. 

One case of whooping cough was recently confirmed at Valley County Health System Medical Clinic. VCHS has been in contact with the NE Health Department and Loup Basin Public Health Department and are following their recommendations for diagnosis, prevention and treatment. 

Whooping cough, formally known as Pertussis, is a respiratory infection that usually starts like a cold with sneezing, runny nose, and sometimes a mild cough or fever.  After 1-2 weeks it develops into severe attacks of coughing that can last for another 1-6 weeks.  Most adults do not get very ill with this disease, but it is highly contagious through droplet transmission produced from a cough or sneeze.  Most susceptible are infants and young children who have not completed their initial vaccination series.

Vaccination is the cornerstone of pertussis prevention and control.  Infants should receive a DTaP vaccine at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, followed by booster DTaP shots at 12-15 months of age and at 5 years of age.  All persons over 10 and less than 65 years of age should receive a single does of a pertussis-containing vaccine, called Tdap.  Vaccination is 80-90% effective in preventing clinical illness. A five day course of azithromycin, now available as a generic drug, is the preferred antibiotic for both treatment of cases, and prophylaxis of contacts.

For more information, contact Ord Family Health Center at 308.728.3606 or Loup Basin Public Health Department at 1.866.522.5795.

The 12th Annual Valley County Health System Foundation Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, July 2, 2010 at the Ord Golf Course. The tournament is a 4-person scramble and will begin at 8 am.  Following the tournament an auction will be held at the Ord Veteran's Club.

The entry fee is $400 per team and includes green fees, lunch on the Golf Course, and hors d'oeuvres at the auction following the tournament at the Ord Veteran's Club.  Entries will be accepted until Friday, June 18^th and only 27 teams are allowed. 

Proceeds from the 2010 tournament will benefit Valley County Health System Foundation in supporting the mission of Valley County Health System, with a total of $5,000 going to the endowment fund to provide the highest quality health care in our service area.

The Valley County Health System Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization. The Foundation's mission is to seek, receive and administer donations and gifts for the sole benefit of Valley County Health System. The Foundation's number one priority is enhancing and sustaining high-quality healthcare in Central Nebraska.

To register a team, click here.  To sponsor or make a donation, click here.  For more info, contact Becky Ries at 308-728-3011 or at foundation@valleycountyhospital.org.  

Ord - Valley County Health System will be hosting two Lunch & Learn sessions on Tuesday, April 27.  The sessions, titled "Debt & Wealth Management" will be instructed by Sally Bernard.  Sally is a well respected speaker on Debt and Wealth Management throughout the Midwest.  Ms. Bernard has been a featured guest on the regional NTV's Good Life program's featured segments on personal money management, which include topics on debt management, home ownership, and wealth building and management.  She is a native of Fairmont, NE.  She earned a BS in Consumer Science and Business at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1991.

A session will be held from 11:15 am - Noon and a repeat session will be held from 12:15 pm to 1 pm.  Both sessions will take place at the VCHS Education Building, 1617 M Street in Ord.

The Lunch & Learn sessions are held monthly and are one component of the VCHS Wellness Matters Initiative.

The sessions are open to the public.  A brown bag lunch can be purchased from the VCHS Dietary Department for $3.00.  For more information or to register, contact Sheri Schrage at 728-4213 no later than Friday, April 23rd at 5 pm.

Sally Wagner, volunteer for Valley County Hospice, was honored as Ord's outstanding volunteer at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership's (NHPCP) annual awards banquet on March 31st in Lincoln.  The banquet was part of the 2010 conference, "Living a Good Life...at the End of Life."  Each Hospice program in the state can nominate an outstanding volunteer to be recognized and honored at the banquet.

Sally has been a hospice volunteer since March of 2007.  Sally helps to co-facilitate Hospice's Adult Grief Support Group each year, has been a part of the volunteer orientations, has helped with Hospice's Memorial Services, and is always willing to bring compassion, caring and a special understanding to the Hospice patients and their families.

The Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Partnership's Executive Director, Heath Boddy, presents Sally Wagner with a certificate honoring her as Valley County Hospice's Outstanding Volunteer.