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Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending September 28th As the first three quarters of 2024 have just slid by us, we find ourselves at the busiest time of the year, tackling  flu season, addressing the holidays, the New Year planning processes, and assuring the accomplishment of the goals set for this current year. Some of these traditional fourth quarter experiences feel a bit at risk for a lot of us this year. Note the following: 1.) nearly everyone in our sharply divided country is quaking over the unknown outcome of a very significant election in a few weeks. 2.) The extremely volatile situations in the Mideast, in Eastern Europe, and at the Southeast Asian coastlines are already devastating millions of lives. Finally, 3.) with the domestic burdens of flood ravaged properties in a few States, and a disruptive longshoreman’s strike reaching coast to coast, truly all Americans are lamenting the probable doubling down effect of prolonged inflationary times. This feels like a different fourth quarter than others behind us. May we ask for God’s Blessings!   For the true work of delivering healthcare does not cease. Moreover, the pressures for us as caregivers to always be strong does not cease. And because of those pressures, we must be sensitive to the inevitable stresses that will affect our behaviors, whether we intend for such to or not. It is very important that we support all of our MCH staff when uncontrollable things disrupt our days (i.e. no shows, insurance denials and delayed authorizations, fearful and /or enraged patients, equipment failures, or supply and medication outages). These things can cause exaggerated reactions when coupled with all the aforementioned global factors “on our plates”. I bring all this up, number one, because I think it is important to be reminded of the realities of stress, but also to remind all employees that we do have an Employee Assistance Program available. It is conducted by ComPsych Guidance Resources and can be confidentially accessed by calling 800-460-4375. There is also an App: GuidanceNow, or you can go to their website at guidanceresources.com , and use the Web ID of EAPEssential. Please feel free to utilize this no cost service.   I got off on a different note today, largely because I know many of us are dissatisfied with today’s reality. I am going to end this report without leaving this important topic. I value each of you for what you bring to our system, whenever you are present. I also know there are days that this is the last place you would rather be – but you come because you care...and I THANK YOU THAT YOU DO!! Do keep God in your prayers and our patients as a focus! Kevin Leeper, CEO

Thank you to those that participated in the 2024 Community Health Assessment for Chase and Morris Counties. Please see the attached Chase Morris CHA Final Report to review the outcome of the survey.

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending September 14th It is clear…Fall is in the air and early dead leaves are already on the ground. That and three local favorite football teams are still undefeated…we are sorry for the Jayhawkers (just a little bit). MCH is staying on the busy side in many ways, with an added major effort in “survey preparedness”, and the ongoing contentious efforts of battling with insurance companies for proper claims payment…our new norm, unfortunately. We are midway through the tedious process of rewiring our entire facility for a new and improved patient call system and a security system. Thanks to everyone who has worked around this somewhat disruptive process. Hopeful completion will be by early to mid-November. Other new capital going to the Board next week is the replacement units for our end of life cautery unit for Surgery and a new Bipap-ventilation machine, used primarily in the ER setting. Replacement tiles for our hallways have been ordered to coordinate with our installer’s availability – so another somewhat disruptive process is soon to begin – most of work to be done after 5:00. We are planning for and excited about our first Health Fair back at our high school since the pandemic started – coming on October 5th, from 9:00 to noon. Moreover, we are very excited to be hosting an interview/visit with a prospective new physician, Tyler Stephenson and his wife Staci, this evening and spilling into tomorrow. He could be available as soon as the beginning of 2025. We all know that healthcare is a challenging business, especially in meeting all the expectations of our constituents and patients, and at the same time remaining viable in a lower volume area. I am grateful for our committed staff and residents that work and trust to deliver and utilize our services here at home. Kevin Leeper, CEO

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.   Did you know 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer? With age being one of the biggest risk factors for developing this cancer that usually has no warning signs, it becomes very important to detect any trace of the disease early. At age 45 men need to begin speaking with their physician about screenings. The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) blood test is the standard of care for screening prostate cancer. Your healthcare provider will draw blood and then possibly perform a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam).  More than 80% of all prostate cancers are detected when the cancer is confined to the prostate or region around it, so treatment success rates are high compared to most other types of cancer. The 5-year relative survival rate in the United States for men diagnosed with local or regional prostate cancer is over 99%. In other words, the chances of the cancer spreading or men dying from prostate cancer are generally low if the disease is caught early. Early detection is key! September is also National Suicide Awareness Month and there is a mental health crisis in rural America. Stress factors unique to the agriculture community include financial pressures due to economic fluctuation in crop prices, commodity markets, unpredictable weather, and long-strenuous work hours. Now is the time to check-in on our farm families and know that there are resources for those feeling stress and anxiety while trying to meet life's challenges. Speaking with your doctor is a great place to start. They can help and can also find the additional resources needed. You can also call 988 which is the new number for suicide & crisis lifeline. September is a great time to start a new routine with your exercise, and chair yoga is a great place to start! The Council Grove Senior Center meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month from 11-11:30am and the White City Senior Center meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 10:30-11:00am. Everyone is welcome to join us for some great movement. Health Wise Lunch Bunch meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and on September 18th , Mallory Villalobos, RN, BSN will be talking about the differences in Medicare versus Medicare Advantage. As we get closer to open enrollment, this is a great time to learn about the differences in coverage and especially the differences in provider coverage. You will find this information to be a great resource in navigating the choices in coverage.  Lunch is $6 and you do need to reserve your spot. You can call 620-767-6811 ext. 148 or email szeigler@mrcohosp.com to reserve a spot. Join us for the Morris County Community Health Fair. We will have lots of vendor booth with resources for the whole family. Wellness screenings, flu shots, Bone Density checks, raffle prizes and much more!  Saturday, October 5th from 9:00 am to Noon at the Council Grove High School. Starting September 1st, you will be able to pay your policy's copay at your time of service. The fee can be collected at the registration windows in the hospital, clinic, rehab, and also at the  convenient care and emergency room registration. Thank you to all of these great sponsors for the 27th Annual MCH Golf Benefit Tournament. We had a great turnout with a full course of 66 golfers. It was certainly a fun day for a good cause! We celebrated National Assisted Living Week from September 8th through the 14th. We had all sorts of fun and you are always welcome to join us! You can also follow us on Facebook. Do you know someone who would benefit from joining this active group? We have a single and a double apartment open and ready to move in! Contact Laverne for a tour and more information. 620-767-5600.

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending August 31st What a difference two weeks made, as you see one of busiest pay periods represented below. My hat’s off to our patient care team that cared for its highest two week census of 2024…something usually reserved for the depths of winter! That and a high surgery and ER volume really brought back a level of business to top off our summer months. I just hope our outcomes continued to satisfy our clientele!   I want to get this nice report of August out today so my story is brief. Four of us experienced an inspiring group of speakers at last week’s Kansas Hospital Association conference, and with our absence I especially thank those of you who manned the fort while we were away. I am very proud of our team and the results we are achieving this year!   And, thanks to all our staff who are daily mindful that our customers and visitors come first! Kevin Leeper, CEO

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending August 17th      Guess we can close out the summer of 2024’s books: school is off and running and the Annual Foundation Golf Tournament is in our rear view mirror. Chiefs have already lost twice (thank goodness for pre-season) and at least forty college football programs still think they can win the National Championship – as today still precedes  their first snap from center. The Summer Olympics are behind us with the US restoring global supremacy, at least with the overall weight of medals earned. We won’t talk about politics, the economy, or the November election, as those are way too unsettling for common good and sanity.   Another season with considerable highlights, and for a change, one with enough rain to still require weekly mowing, ugh. I want to congratulate the numerous CG locals who coincidentally had Alaskan trips planned and experienced this summer (with at least one other known family not going there until next week)!  Guess it speaks to the ease of travel these days, even though I haven’t made it north of Manhattan. Lesson is: Life is good – just do it!   A couple salient vacations affected patient traffic through our doors this last pay period and that is all I’ll say relative to our green vs. red numbers. It is a new week and restoration is at hand. A new chapter in our 340B program is set to start in ten days and there is plenty of excitement about the new potential we expect to uncover with a new partner leading that effort – Macro Helix. More to be reported on that program after we see their model in work after a few weeks. We are excited for The Apothecary opening their new pharmacy in downtown Cottonwood Falls, which will help our Clinic’s patients in that community!     May I close with a thank you to our Board that recognized the good work you all do on a day in day out basis. They authorized the merit raise that hourly staff received in their paychecks this week, and I am also grateful to you for absolutely earning what we were able to give at this time.   And, thanks to all our staff who are daily mindful that our customers and visitors come first! Kevin Leeper, CEO

With Medicare enrollment just around the corner, October 15th through December 7th, it is important to understand the options available so you can find the best fit for you. Attached are a few documents sent by the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) to help spread awareness on the differences between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare. Understand Your Options Before Open Enrollment - Comparison of the pros and cons of both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage: Talking Points - Focus points for Medicare Advantage.

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending August 3rd                                                                                  August has arrived, signifying a lot of things that June recently left behind: teacher orientations ramping up, band practices being designed, and of course football once again arriving in practice fields (do I hear of three-peat conversations – sure to jinx us at this early notice). Heat has yet to die down, so summer lingers for many of us… but signs of seasonal transition are again upon us.   A bit of a redirection from our past two plus month’s pattern at MCH, will not be all unwelcome to me. For just as good weather makes for a healthier and more active population, which for those of us lucky enough to experience are quite grateful…such that we have taken time off for vacations, and now anticipate the next annual life cycle event – isn’t that what each new start of school triggers: one incremental class grade to ours or our kids or our grandkids resumes, it almost feels like the start of school is far more of a “new year start” than that of a mid-winter January 1st..   All in all, our summer business has really not more than leveled off from its busy spring numbers…we have not seen a decline like in prior years.  Our day’s cash on hand is holding its own and, as any Flint Hill’s rancher, teacher, or work at home entrepreneur will tell you…cash still rules, as that is what pays expenses. I honestly believe our ER severity levels have continued to grow in the past couple of years, which is a very nice tribute to our resident’s thorough trust in our care. I am proud of our ER support team!   I close with a thank you to all of those student minded folks who are considering either starting or extending training in health related programs. Our MCH Auxiliary gave out two scholarships this week to two recent high school grads now enrolled in college to pursue Physical Therapy and Ultrasound degrees or certifications. This adds to numerous others I am hearing about that are in nursing programs, EMT, radiology, and lab tech programs…all of whom we are eager to make contact with and assist you with your mandatory clinical rotations. We can also assist you with your training costs in exchange for a commitment to work here following completion of your training. It is great to at last see an uptick in folks choosing the health care field, following some disruptive COVID related withdrawals from our space.   And, thanks to all our staff who are daily mindful that our customers and visitors come first! Kevin Leeper, CEO

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending July 20th            This political year is getting more and more interesting from my one biweekly report to the next (not every day we talk about assassination attempts and significant resignations). By sitting in a lead chair of a County owned business I am not permitted to speak from a politically directed perspective, but I CAN encourage everyone to dial in the best way they can as to what is really going on in our Country (and World) and recognize that the stakes for America’s ongoing global financial leadership may never be more vulnerable than they are today…and our lives will definitely not be the same if we lose that ranking. And I can also say that this year’s elections, starting on August 6, 2024 (with its primaries), are very important for us all to utilize our rights and voices and make sure we vote with a conviction from our studied hearts and minds. Even little Morris County has very important choices to make and I encourage everyone to turn out and “vote their preferences like they matter”!   Our local businesses (and hospital) are definitely impacted by choices made in Washington and to some extent in Topeka. We are all struggling with the added costs of business, driven by inflation, which has been escalated by the never before seen spending frenzy in Washington due to the COVID triggered stimulus spending…which I hope has reached its end, even though millions of people are still living with some financial distress. MCH is continuing its year and a half trend of significant growth in its business, partially contributed by the closure of the Herington Hospital, and also by continuing to bring in new services, but our rising expense impact, caused by inflation, has prevented us from growing our margin like we might have expected in the pre-Covid market. I know MCH is not alone in this dynamic, and it just accentuates the fact that we need change in how we are governed – which would be a whole lot easier if we weren’t such a divided nation – something not soon to end as things are now going.   Forgive my wandering, but it is getting late into a meaningful election year.  The MCH Board did just receive our Final 2023 Audit Report from Forvis this week, and the audit validated everything I just said: much improved growth in services, and also a growth in costs…bringing considerable improvement over a rough previous year, but not where we still aspire to be. That’s why we’re back pushing hard in 2024. I want to thank everyone for their recent work in prepping for an expected State survey by year’s end – also enduring a recent mock survey in decent fashion. The work for one of these required functions is a bit different than regular duties of patient care, but it is important, as it actually dovetails into how, via updated policies, we actually give that care. So thanks team for continuing with those tasks as well!   Glad to have Dr. Samani now start visiting us every week, and congrats to the Surgery and Nursing teams for delivering two total knee replacements in a single day this week…a first for our facility! And, thanks to all our staff who are daily mindful that our customers and visitors come first! Kevin Leeper, CEO

Continued Dedicated Service to Our Community For Pay Period Ending July 6th Does it feel safe to say that the Dog Days of Summer are starting to secure their grip on us? I see three digit temperatures are again in our forecast, and surely our abundance of rain is soon to dry up. Indeed the passage of time has no brakes, and the next season is creeping up on us just as we are beginning to enjoy summer’s edge. For MCH, we have passed our mid-year cycle and June, which started out quite sluggishly, ended with a bang. It was very rewarding to be called to deliver some newly approved medications through our infusion center, which resulted, in essence, in an expanded service center for us. Whatever we can do to help keep our  area-wide residents from traveling to more congested health centers, the better for all of us.   It has been reported that our new, as the first of the year, Pulmonary Rehab Center, is now graduating members with a far greater capacity of unburdened exertion than they had experienced 3-4 months before. This mirrors our targeted results, but it so is nice when patients actually speak proudly of achieving those goals. Also, Dr. Samani has commenced with his now weekly visits to Council Grove, and he is already scheduling more rehabilitative surgeries to help our patients’, right here at home.   Our recruiting efforts for next year’s residency graduates of Drs. Peach and Gillam ended unceremoniously with their election to go to western Kansas, where they had gone through a rural training rotation at Scott City Hospital. Coming in a strong second place just doesn’t feel good, but partially with their recommendations, we have 3-4 more prospects to whom we will be showcasing our wonderful Community. We mustn’t hang our heads…because we do have plenty to offer, and recruiting two families of three can be more slippery than focusing on just one doctor (and family) at a time.   As July represents Men’s Health Month, I encourage all males of households to consider getting their prostate cancer screenings done and if it has been a while, to schedule a complete wellness exam. Know also, that our doctors and midlevels are all well trained and skilled in analyzing skin growths and removal of suspect spots.   Thanks to all our staff who are daily mindful that our customers and visitors come first! K evin Leeper, CEO

The heat doesn't have to stop you from getting outside and getting a good walk! Here are some tips to keep moving (and getting the benefits of walking outdoors) even when the temps begin to rise. Choose the Right Time: Plan your outdoor workouts during the cooler parts of the day, typically early morning or late evening. Avoid exercising during the peak heat hours, usually between 10 AM and 4 PM. Stay Hydrated: Hydration is key when exercising in the heat. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout. Carry a water bottle with you as you head out the door, and electrolyte drinks can also help replenish salts lost through sweat.  Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing that allows your body to breathe and sweat effectively. Opt for moisture-wicking fabrics to keep you dry.  Pace Yourself: Reduce the intensity and duration of your workouts in hot weather, especially if you're not accustomed to exercising in high temperatures. Listen to your body and take breaks as needed.  Seek Shade or Cool Areas:  If possible, choose shaded or cooler locations for your workouts, such as trails with some tree coverage.  This can help reduce the overall heat stress on your body.  Wear Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from sunburn by applying sunscreen with a high SPF before heading outdoors. Reapply as necessary, especially if you're sweating heavily. A hat is a great choice to protect your face if you don’t want to chance sweating sunscreen into your eyes.  Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses:  Be aware of symptoms such as excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, headache, or cramps. If you experience any of these, stop exercising immediately, find a cool place, and hydrate.  Consider Indoor Alternatives:  On extremely hot days, consider indoor alternatives such as gym workouts, swimming, or exercise classes in air-conditioned environments. Our local Council Grove Life Center has some great indoor exercising options. Gradually Acclimate:  If you're new to exercising in the heat, gradually acclimate your body by starting with shorter workouts and slowly increasing intensity and duration over time.  Listen to Weather Warnings: Pay attention to weather forecasts and heat advisories in your area. It's crucial to adjust your workout plans accordingly to ensure safety.  Health Wise Lunch Bunch meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month and in July, Vanessa Kitchens, RRT will be talking about our new Pulmonary Rehab center and how you can improve your lung function. She is a great resource for those with lung disease such as Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis and much more!  Lunch is $6 and you do need to reserve your spot. You can call 620-767-6811 ext. 148 or email szeigler@mrcohosp.com  to reserve a spot. Save the date for the 27th annual MCH Golf Benefit tournament to be held on Saturday, August 17th at the Council Grove Country Club. If you need a registration flyer, you can pick one up from the hospital, or at www.mrcohosp.com . Morris County Assisted Living residents love a good bingo game as they stay indoors trying to beat the heat.  Do you know someone who would benefit from joining this fun group? We currently have three apartments open and ready to move in! Contact Laverne for a tour and more information. 620-767-5600.