Housecall Summer 2026 Bringing healthcare news to your home • columbushosp.org Feel like yourself again after cancer 8 Sleep troubles? Our Sleep Lab can help 12
2 Bringing healthcare news to your home HOUSECALL is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Columbus Community Hospital, 4600 38th St., P.O. Box 1800, Columbus, NE 68602-1800, 402-564-7118, columbushosp.org. Information in HOUSECALL comes from a wide range of medical experts. It should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. To recommend this subscription to a friend or family member, or request to be removed from this mailing, email aeblaser@ columbushosp.org. 2026 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Connect with us: columbushosp.org Contents Independent living: Stay safe and eat well at home Here’s how two simple programs help older adults; people with disabilities, injuries, illnesses or a risk of falls; and domestic violence survivors. Why give to CCH? 10 Donors tell what inspires them to support community healthcare Join our team 14 Discover the rewarding volunteer and career opportunities we offer! Columbus Community Hospital complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. The hospital does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Columbus Community Hospital: ● Provides free aids and services to people with disabilities so they can communicate effectively with us, including: ● Qualified sign language interpreters. ● Written information in other formats (large print, audio, accessible electronic formats, other formats). ● Provides free language services to people whose primary language is not English, such as: ● Qualified interpreters. ● Information written in other languages. If you need language assistance services, visit www.columbushosp.org/patients-visitors/interpreterservices; TTY: 1-800-833-7352. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística en www.columbushosp.org/patients-visitors/interpreterservices; TTY: 1-800-833-7352. CHÚ Ý: Nếu quý vị nói tiếng Việt, các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí có sẵn tại www.columbushosp.org/patientsvisitors/interpreter-services; TTY: 1-800-833-7352. Pride in our progress and an exciting future As summer arrives and we reflect on the past fiscal year at Columbus Community Hospital, I am proud of the advances we have made together to deliver exceptional healthcare for our community. At a time when hospitals around the country are struggling with negative margins, we have remained on firm financial ground, having retired our long-term debt in 2012. Our stability allows us to continue investing in our greatest asset — our team. We are also purchasing advanced technology, including a second Mako robotic surgery system and a new in-house positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner for improved diagnostic imaging access. This October, we will be celebrating the opening of the Mead Family Cancer Center. This new facility will bring radiation oncology, medical oncology and infusion services together in one location. Looking ahead, we will continue to focus on workforce development, community wellness, prenatal care and strong advocacy for rural healthcare funding and reimbursement at the state and national levels. As always, we are honored to serve you and your loved ones. Sincerely, Michael Hansen Michael Hansen, FACHE President and CEO 7 On the cover: Columbus Community Hospital’s Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care program offers personalized support to help people get back to the activities they love.
columbushosp.org 3 Columbus Community Hospital’s newest psychiatrist is passionate about mental health and believes his specialty offers the best way to help people in their daily lives. “Mental health interacts with every single aspect of a person’s life,” said Casey Reihe, MD. “In general, it’s what gets people out of bed.” Reihe recently joined the team at Columbus Psychiatry Clinic. He sees adults on an outpatient basis and diagnoses and treats a full range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder and panic attacks, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Currently, his services in the clinic include: Medication management, which involves prescribing and adjusting medications as needed to help treat mental health disorders. Medication and therapy comanagement, which involves treating mental health conditions with a combination of medications and talk therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy. Reihe believes the greatest way he helps people in the psychiatry clinic is by listening to them. “I take an individual-first approach, where each person is unique and separate from their diagnosis,” he Schedule a visit Visit columbuspsychiatry.org or call 402-562-4765 for an appointment. scan Dedicated to mental healthcare Help us welcome psychiatrist Casey Reihe, MD said. “I put my patients before their diagnosis, and I’m very passionate about helping them.” Path to psychiatry Reihe grew up in South Dakota, where he trained to become an emergency medical technician in high school. On one occasion after his crew had transported a patient to a local hospital, an emergency department physician invited Reihe into the emergency room, asking, “Do you want to get your hands dirty?” “I’m like, all right, yep. I’m going to be a doctor,” Reihe recalled. “And that didn’t really change. I figured I’d train to become a doctor, and that was it.” Reihe completed his undergraduate degree at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota, and entered medical school there. He considered specializing in other fields of medicine but ultimately decided on psychiatry. “I could not stop thinking about it,” Reihe said. “It’s just so important. It has completely changed my entire life. It’s my favorite thing to do.” Reihe completed residency training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. And when considering job opportunities, he looked nearby. “I wanted to prioritize areas that were near home,” Reihe said. “And Columbus seemed like a great place to establish strong family roots.” Outside of work, Reihe enjoys spending time with his family, reading and working on personal projects. And even when he’s away from the clinic, psychiatry and delivering the best mental healthcare possible are often on his mind. “I consider that a hobby, too, because I just love it,” he said.
4 Bringing healthcare news to your home
columbushosp.org 5 For the past several years, Columbus Community Hospital has offered positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) scans via a mobile service that parks outside the radiology department once a week. While this provides a much-needed service locally, mobile scanners are often less accessible than permanently installed units. That’s what makes the arrival of CCH’s new Siemens PET/CT scanner so exciting. This summer, workers will install it inside the Mead Family Cancer Center, where it will be available five days a week starting in October. “We’ll have greater flexibility to schedule patients,” said diagnostic radiologist Anthony Krueger, MD. “We’ll be able to offer more days throughout the week and more times throughout the day to perform PET/CT scans.” Less delay, more convenience Mobile PET/CT units can experience delays because of breakdowns or driver unavailability. A permanent, in-house unit eliminates this problem and streamlines scheduling. This means patients will be able to complete scans and transition from cancer diagnosis to treatment more quickly. And because the PET/CT unit will be in a convenient location, “patients can have their imaging done in the same building where they see their oncologist for diagnosis or follow-ups,” Krueger noted. How it works and what it’s used for A PET/CT scan produces some of the most detailed images possible. Those pictures can be especially useful when it comes to cancer care. Doctors often use PET/CT scans to: ● Detect and diagnose cancer. ● Reveal whether cancer has spread (a treatment planning step called staging). ● Monitor how well treatments are working. ● Determine if cancer has returned after treatment. For a PET/CT scan, you’ll receive an injection of a radioactive tracer, or radiotracer. Radiotracers contain glucose-like molecules, which rapidly dividing cancer cells readily absorb. Detectors inside the scanner record the energy emissions from the radiotracer. “The glucose goes right to those cancer cells and lights up like a light bulb on the PET/CT,” Krueger explained. “We can tell the difference between cancer and noncancerous growths or tumors.” A computer fuses this information with a detailed CT scan. A typical PET/CT scan takes about 30 minutes. Afterward, one of CCH’s highly skilled radiologists will interpret the test results. The new PET/CT scanner will also be useful for evaluating growths in the lungs (called nodules), Krueger noted. (continued on page 6) Cancer center to gain permanent PET/CT scanner Easier access to the latest in imaging technology “We are fortunate to be able to have this technology in a community our size — and to have it available Monday through Friday.” — Denise Tomek, director of diagnostic imaging at CCH
6 Bringing healthcare news to your home (continued from page 5) Cancer center to gain permanent PET/CT scanner Advanced nuclear medicine technology The Siemens device is a brand-new scanner that has just been made available in the United States within the last year. “It is absolutely the most up-to-date technology,” said Denise Tomek, director of diagnostic imaging at CCH. Many hospitals in similarly-sized communities aren’t able to offer in-house PET/CT imaging. “We are fortunate to be able to have this technology in a community our size — and to have it available Monday through Friday,” Tomek said. The new, in-house PET/CT unit is another way CCH is demonstrating its commitment to making high-level services available to our community without the added stress of travel. “Our hospital board and administration feel very strongly that patients should get great care close to home,” Tomek said. scan Discover more about our care Learn about diagnostic imaging: columbushosp.org/ services/diagnostic-imaging. Explore cancer care and follow Mead Family Cancer Center updates: columbushosp.org/ services/cancer-services. scan More state-of-the-art imaging Columbus Community Hospital is home to the full spectrum of advanced diagnostic imaging technology that helps doctors find and treat many different disorders, diseases and injuries. In addition to the new, permanent PET/CT system, this includes: ● 3D mammography for breast cancer screening. ● MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which uses powerful magnets, radio waves and a computer to create highly detailed images of internal structures. Our wide-bore MRI unit has more space inside, making it more comfortable for those who have claustrophobia, pain or a larger body size. ● CT, which creates very clear crosssectional image “slices” of organs, bones, tissues and blood vessels. ● Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to allow doctors to see inside the body. ● DXA bone density scans, which screen for osteoporosis (a bone-thinning disease). In addition to applying these advanced imaging systems for diagnostic purposes, specialists at CCH use ultrasound, CT and fluoroscopy (a realtime X-ray) to perform interventional procedures, such as image-guided needle biopsies or medication injections.
columbushosp.org 7 Safe at Home and Meals on Wheels support living independently Columbus Community Hospital offers many services to help support our community’s wellbeing, including programs that help people stay safe and wellnourished in their own homes. Safe at Home CCH’s Safe at Home program offers personal emergency response systems that send help day or night at the push of a button. “We have devices that are used just at home, and we have some that you can take anywhere,” said Hailey Rathje, program coordinator for Safe at Home. Older adults; people with disabilities, injuries or illnesses; survivors of domestic violence; and those who are at risk of falling are among the people who use the service, Rathje noted. When you alert the system, a trained dispatcher will send the appropriate help, whether that’s emergency medical services or a designated neighbor to check on you. For instance, Rathje said, “Someone pushed their button because their cellphone fell behind the couch and it was not safe for them to crawl back there and get it. They asked for Meals on Wheels Meals on Wheels serves people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves or leave home to eat. “Maybe there’s a need to make sure that your mom or dad is getting nourishment every day,” said Angie Ramaekers, director of volunteer and guest services at Columbus Community Hospital. “The Meals on Wheels program’s got you covered.” CCH’s nutrition services department prepares nutritious meals — currently priced at $6.44 per meal — and community volunteers deliver them with a side of soul-nourishing conversation. “The wonderful community volunteers bring a spark and help make the service stand out,” Ramaekers said. A typical meal includes meat and potatoes or a casserole, a vegetable, salad, dessert, bread and milk. “If you have dietary restrictions, we can accommodate some of those,” Ramaekers noted. The program also offers special touches, such as inviting area children to color pictures that will go with Christmas meals. “We share those drawings or notes of love with the Meals on Wheels subscribers,” Ramaekers said. Live confidently, eat well the neighbor to be called to come over and assist in retrieving it.” When you opt in to the Safe at Home program, a representative will set up the device for you and teach you how to use it. And someone local, like Rathje, will promptly help with any future questions or concerns. ABOVE: Hailey Rathje (left), the Safe at Home program coordinator, and LaVonne Schultz (right) are shown with medical alert system devices. BELOW: Peg Speicher (left) and Kay Steiner (right) are two of the volunteers who make Meals on Wheels deliveries. Help is here Please call 402-562-3382 to connect with Safe at Home or Meals on Wheels.
8 Bringing healthcare news to your home A cancer journey isn’t easy — the disease and its treatments can take a toll. Many people feel like they’ve run out of energy, or they struggle with pain, memory lapses or other lingering side effects that make daily tasks difficult even after treatment ends. “Many people may think, ‘This is just life now,’” noted Doug Janssen, PT, DPT, director of Rehabilitative Services at Columbus Community Hospital. “We want you to know that you don’t have to live with those impairments and the loss of function. There are interventions that can help you thrive again.” How cancer rehab can help Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care includes an array of physical, occupational and speech therapy services designed to help you navigate challenges at any point in your cancer journey. Some of the many cancer-related issues rehab can address are: ● Fatigue unrelieved by rest. ● Pain. ● Balance problems. ● Loss of strength or range of motion, which makes it hard to complete functional tasks. ● Swelling (lymphedema). ● Memory changes or “brain fog.” ● Difficulty swallowing. It’s never too early or too late to seek this care. “When we tell people that we can improve their fatigue and endurance or decrease some of these side effects, often we hear, ‘I wish I would have known about this sooner,’” said program coordinator Michell Ruskamp, MS, CCC-SLP. The journey begins with a free consultation, called a Thrive intake interview. THRIVE CANCER REHABILITATION CARE Therapy and support can ease your cancer journey Physical therapist Kelly Brester (far left) and Jordie Nekl, a Columbus Family YMCA personal trainer (bottom right), work with Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care patients at CCH.
columbushosp.org 9 “We gather your background medical history and screen for any impairments you might be having related to cancer and its treatments,” Ruskamp said. Even if you’re not experiencing symptoms yet, you could benefit from education on what to expect and possibly some therapy exercises to help prepare you better for the next steps. “Or maybe you’ve finished your treatments a year ago and you’re coming to us worn out and unable to get back to things you want to do,” Ruskamp said. The team can guide you toward the most helpful services, whether that’s physical, occupational or speech therapy or a consultation with a dietitian. Expert therapy team The cancer rehab care team encompasses specially trained medical professionals, such as physicians, oncology nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, registered dietitians and social workers. These team members work together to guide and support you. Your therapy plan will depend on your individual goals. It may include: ● Increasing your strength and energy for work or school and activities of daily living. ● Resolving or relieving your pain. ● Improving your functioning and quality of life. Connect to care Although you need a physician referral for therapy services, you don’t need one to schedule an initial consultation. Insurance providers cover most services. To learn more about Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care, please call 402-562-3333. For instance, you could meet with a physical or occupational therapist who has additional training and continuing education in cancer rehabilitation. Your therapist would develop a personalized treatment plan for you. That plan could include a home exercise program; adaptation of your activities at home; community exercise, such as Livestrong® (an exercise group at the YMCA for cancer survivors); and formal therapy sessions to get you started. Or you might see a speech therapist for help with speaking, swallowing difficulties, memory issues or thinking problems. It all depends on your needs. To further support you, the team will also check in about any emotional distress related to your cancer. “That’s part of our whole-person approach,” Ruskamp said. “We don’t just focus on impairments from cancer. We also look at what else is happening in your life. If we can decrease that level of distress, that’s a big win for people.” Livestrong® is a registered trademark of the Livestrong Foundation. Is it right for you? Janssen and Ruskamp realize cancer rehab can seem like one more thing on your to-do list right now. But they want you to know their team is here for you. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, they will listen and help you. “Rehabilitation isn’t an afterthought,” Ruskamp said. “It really should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan.” Thrive Cancer Rehabilitation Care program coordinator Michell Ruskamp, MS, CCC-SLP, speaks with a patient.
10 Bringing healthcare news to your home Janet Hibbs Jones worked as an educator for 43 years, and at age 91, she continues subbing at local elementary schools. “I still love it,” she said. “And I think that, most of the time, the kids like to have me there.” Her passion for early childhood development is a big reason why Hibbs Jones chose to include the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation in her estate planning. She directed her gift toward Wiggles & Giggles pediatric therapy, while noting that she’s happy to support other services as needed. “I think it’s important for rural communities to have a good hospital,” she said. “They contribute so much to the community.” Want to include the CCH Foundation in your will? Here’s some sample language you can use: “I [name], of [city, state, ZIP] give, devise and bequeath to Columbus Community Hospital Foundation [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose.” Having high-quality services nearby makes getting care easier, she said. “Some of us are not driving anymore, and to get into Omaha or Lincoln is a real chore,” Hibbs Jones said. “We want our local hospital to have as much of the upcoming new equipment in it as possible. And those things are expensive. It’s good for all of us to support our community hospital.” Recognizing generous donors through art Hibbs Jones is a member of the Sterling Society. Since 2021, CCH has recognized this special group comprising donors who have included a charitable bequest of $5,000 or more in their will or living trust. To honor the generosity of its Sterling Society donors, CCH’s donor recognition wall at the hospital entrance features a stunning piece of metal artwork that bears the names of each member. “We wanted it to stand out, and we’re very happy it’s come to fruition,” said Cori Fullner, the foundation’s director. “Now we just need it to grow. We would love to have to expand that artwork Sterling Society legacy gifts Consider naming the CCH Foundation in your will or living trust Jay Trofholz and Janet Hibbs Jones are strong supporters of the Sterling Society and local healthcare.
columbushosp.org 11 Be a part of it all Learn more about joining the Sterling Society and supporting local healthcare. Visit columbushosp.org/ foundation/sterling-society or contact Cori Fullner at 402-562-3375 or cjfullner@ columbushosp.org. so we can make room for more nameplates.” In addition, Sterling Society donors can designate a specific hospital department or service to support. With other giving programs, donations often contribute to a greatest needs fund. “We wanted to leave that up to the donors, because everybody has different services or departments they’re passionate about,” Fullner said. Supporting comprehensive care From his home near CCH, Jay Trofholz has a front-row seat to the hospital’s expansions and renovations. Over the past 20 years, he said, it has grown into a fullservice facility to serve Columbus and surrounding areas. As the former CCH Foundation board member points out, the hospital now has a full array of specialists and preventive health programs, such as the Columbus Wellness Center, the Columbus Fieldhouse and the Mead Family Cancer Center (coming soon!). Trofholz and his wife, Jeanine, want to help sustain these services, programs and resources for the community well into the future. “I think the community is so fortunate to have something like this,” Trofholz said. “That is the reason I gave to the Sterling Society.” Making a gift to support the CCH Foundation was a “simple procedure,” he said. “It feels good,” Trofholz added. “That’s the reason I did it, so families down the road will be able to enjoy and have a facility they can go to and be cared for.” Leave a legacy, get a tax break Did you know that including the foundation in your estate planning can give you tax benefits? Ask your lawyer or estate planner to talk you through how it works. And there are several ways to give a gift. You can: ● Choose to leave a percentage of your estate to the foundation. ● Make a specific bequest, such as a certain amount of cash, securities or property. ● Make a gift from your life insurance policy. After your lifetime, the CCH Foundation will receive your gift in whatever way you chose to give. scan
12 Bringing healthcare news to your home Good sleep is important for your health. In fact, you can’t live without it. “It’s one of your body’s basic functions,” noted Nathan Fuerhoff, director of the Sleep Lab at Columbus Community Hospital. “Your body needs sleep to run properly.” But essential, restful slumber may not be possible if you have a sleep disorder. What’s more, such a malady could even hurt your health. For example, take obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing stops many times during sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can leave you exhausted, accident-prone and less productive. It also may lead to other serious health conditions, like heart problems. To find out if you have a sleep disorder (see the sidebar on the facing page for warning signs), your doctor might recommend a sleep study, also known as a polysomnogram. Columbus Community Hospital’s Sleep Lab can help you with that. CCH performs studies that help doctors diagnose conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep-related movement disorders. Testing in the lab or at home CCH offers sleep study options both in the lab and at home. A lab specialist can help you decide which option is the best choice. In-lab sleep study. For an overnight sleep study, you will What to expect during a sleep study Inside the Sleep
columbushosp.org 13 Need a sleep study? Ask your doctor for a referral to the CCH Sleep Lab. Read more about it at columbushosp.org/services/sleep-lab. arrive at the lab around 8 or 9 p.m. A technologist will greet you and explain your test, and then you’ll prepare to sleep in one of two comfortable rooms. “Our rooms are set up very much like hotel rooms,” Fuerhoff said. “Each one has its own queen-size, adjustable bed; television; and private bathroom.” Removable sensors may be placed on your scalp, face, chest, legs and one of your fingers. These sensors collect data about your brain waves, heart rhythm, muscle activity and breathing while you’re sleeping. You can bring items from home, such as your sleep clothes and a favorite pillow. The Sleep Lab staff will offer you fans or other comforts to re-create your home environment and help you feel relaxed. When it’s time to doze off, you can sleep in any position you want while a sleep tech in another room monitors your sleep data in real time. At about 6 a.m., the technologist will wake you up and remove the sensors, and you can shower at the Sleep Lab before you go about your day. Home sleep study. Home sleep studies are primarily for sleep apnea testing. If you are scheduled to have a home sleep test, the Sleep Lab staff will provide a test kit and show you how to use it. “You’ll come in for about a 15- to 20-minute appointment,” Fuerhoff said. “We’ll go through the test kit and show you each of the three different pieces you have to put on before you go to bed. It’s very simple, with easy-to-follow directions.” In general, you will place a cannula device in your nose to measure airflow, wear a chest belt to monitor your breathing and place a sensor on your finger to monitor your heart rate and oxygen levels. The next day, you’ll return the test kit to the Sleep Lab, and CCH staff members will download the data collected while you slept. Better sleep, better well-being A sleep medicine specialist will review your sleep study results and prescribe a treatment plan for any disorder you are diagnosed with. For instance, the main treatment for sleep apnea is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which keeps your airways open while you sleep. Lifestyle changes, like losing weight if you’re overweight, can often help, too. In some cases, a medical procedure may be an option. Specialists at CCH also offer Inspire therapy, which uses an implanted device instead of a CPAP mask to help prevent breathing pauses during sleep. Lab Signs of troubled sleep Possible signs and symptoms of a sleep disorder include: ● Excessive daytime tiredness. ● Loud snoring. ● Morning headaches. ● Gasping for air during sleep. ● Trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. scan
14 Bringing healthcare news to your home Columbus Community Hospital is more than a place where you and your loved ones receive exceptional healthcare. It’s also a welcoming and rewarding space where you can volunteer or pursue a fulfilling career. Here’s a quick look at some of the many ways people contribute as volunteers or employee team members at CCH — and why you might want to join them. Workplace feels like family, great benefits CCH is like a small city, with many different career paths available, said Michelle Meyer, the hospital’s human resources director. In addition to serving as physicians, nurses, therapists, laboratory techs and other clinical professionals, employees work in areas such as: ● Information technology. ● Finance. ● Environmental services. ● Food services. ● Facilities maintenance. “It takes every single person to make this place run efficiently,” Rewarding volunteer and career opportunities available Work or volunteer at CCH! Meyer said. “Everyone is valued and supported here.” Asked what stands out about working at CCH, Meyer pointed to the personal connections among staff, patients and the community. “Because we’re a community hospital, our employees care for their neighbors, friends and family members,” she said. “That helps create a level of compassion and dedication you might not always see in larger hospitals.” You can start a new career at CCH, as well as develop professionally. “Many of our employees build a long career here, supported by mentorship, education and a team that truly wants to see them be successful,” Meyer said. CCH also offers generous benefits, including health insurance options covering employees and their families, a retirement plan, and educational assistance that can help you continue training or advance your healthcare career. CCH currently has 125 employees who have more than 20 years of service. Meyer herself has worked here for 39 years. “In many ways, it feels less like a workplace and more like family,” she said. Volunteers provide crucial support Volunteers fill a vital need at CCH, and the hospital depends on them daily. Among their many contributions, they free up patient care staff so they can focus on providing excellent care to patients. Serving with heart, Kathy Jackson exemplifies service excellence through her dedication to the beverage cart — bringing comfort, care and kindness to every patient and staff interaction.
columbushosp.org 15 “Volunteers really allow our staff to do what they do best,” said Angie Ramaekers, the hospital’s director of volunteer and guest services. CCH offers 33 different adult volunteer positions and about a dozen teen volunteer opportunities. Volunteers serve in a variety of hospital departments, such as the hospital and Healthpark Medical Office Building information desks. They also assist in The Gift Shop, guide visitors, provide wayfinding assistance, support the surgery waiting area and much more. As a volunteer, you’ll serve at least twice a month. When you begin, you’ll receive orientation; training; and an assignment tailored to your talents, interests and needs. Volunteering may also boost your well-being. Studies have suggested it helps people maintain joy and purpose, stay active, and expand their social circles. “A lot of friendships have started here because of volunteering,” Ramaekers said. Teen volunteer program CCH’s VolunTEEN program offers opportunities for students exploring careers. It provides hands-on service, resumé building and annual scholarship opportunities. Teen volunteers must be between 14 and 18 years old and current high school students. They must make a minimum of a one-year commitment to the program. In addition to allowing teens to explore a healthcare career, volunteering builds soft skills that many employers look for on a resumé. “We have a variety of options, and you can dip your toes in the water a little and get a good sense of the day-to-day operations at the hospital,” said Lucas Wieser, a volunteer coordinator at the hospital. Be a volunteer ● For adults: columbushosp.org/ volunteer. ● For teens: columbushosp .org/volunteer/ volunteen-program. scan scan Work at CCH ● Visit columbushosp .org/careers. scan LEFT: CCH volunteers Sharon Goettsche and Gary Klco assist VolunTEEN Emily Mowry in the Healthpark Medical Office Building. RIGHT: Mandy Loeffler, a marketing and community benefit specialist, guides volunteers Alice Wragge, Fred Weinard, Mary Hellbusch and Marlene Olson in filling Easter bags for the hospital’s 15th annual Eggsperience event.
4600 38th St. Columbus, NE 68601 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 Visit columbushosp.org ● Manage your hospital bill online. ● Donate to the CCH Foundation. ● Send an e-card to a loved one or friend at CCH. Focus on health Education and support group sessions are free unless otherwise noted Baby care Bump & Beyond Prepared Childbirth class To learn more, call 402-562-3266. Diabetes education Diabetes activity group, education classes and support group To learn more, call 402-562-4462. Fitness & nutrition Ai chi water exercise classes To learn more, call 402-564-9477. Cooking classes To learn more, call 402-562-4460. Enhance Fitness classes To learn more, call 402-564-9477. Healthy Lifestyle Club CHIP/Pivio™ To learn more, call 402-562-4490. SpineFit classes To learn more, call 402-562-3333. Support groups A Time to Heal To learn more, call 402-562-4794. Columbus Alzheimer’s & dementia support group To learn more, call 402-910-8111 or 402-910-8580. Grief support group To learn more, call 402-562-3300. Columbus Cancer Care support group To learn more, call 402-562-4436. Parkinson’s wellness group To learn more, call 402-562-3333. Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s To learn more, call 402-562-3333. Speak Out! exercise group To learn more, call 402-562-3333. Harvest for Health and Living Swell Thursday, Oct. 22 Columbus Fieldhouse gym Columbus Community Hospital will host a health fair doubleheader to help you feel your best! Here’s a sample of what to expect. Harvest for Health, 7 a.m.-noon Free screenings: ● Bone mineral density ● Blood pressure ● Vision ● Hearing ● Atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) ● Peripheral artery disease Other preventive services: ● Flu shots, $30 ● Prevnar 20 pneumonia vaccinations, $250 ● Fasting wellness profile, $61 Living Swell, 4-8 p.m. Free screenings: ● Blood pressure ● Vision ● Atrial fibrillation Living Swell will also offer healthy cooking and activity demonstrations. Plus, the first 50 youth under 18 will receive swag bags. Questions? Call 402-562-4480.
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