Hospital announces September Employee of the Month

August 26, 2010

Lisa “Renee” Spellman, of Junction City, was selected the September Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital. Spellman is a certified nurse aide in the Tom and Barbara Fegan Intensive Care Unit and has worked at the hospital for ten years.

Spellman always exceeds what is expected of her in ICU and within the department of nursing.  She handles and copes with stressful situations appropriately. Recently, she sat still and smiled when an emotional emergency department patient threw ice water at her.  She is also willing to help in other departments without a fuss. 

Spellman is prompt, timely, efficient and thorough.  Renee was a member of the employee survey committee to help save hospital funds, which speaks volumes for her value to the hospital and trust by its leaders. 

Spellman received a day off with pay, a reserved parking place for one month, and an “Employee of the Month” pin.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Hospital announces August Employee of the Month

July 26, 2010

Kathleen Bowman, of Wakefield, was selected the August Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital. Bowman is the catering supervisor in the Nutrition Services Department and has worked at the hospital for 22 years.

Bowman exhibits pride and creativity in her catering. One example was the efforts she put into catering a meal for the clinic committee in following a baseball themed menu and decorations. For an auxiliary meal with a safari theme, she brought in her husband’s stuffed tiger and zebra heads.  She goes all out to make each event memorable. A Doctors’ Day luncheon inspired the steak specials on Fridays in the new Flint Hills Bistro (formerly the cafeteria).

She is prompt in making sure each room is set up properly before a meeting and makes sure the food is delivered as close to the meal as possible to ensure maximum freshness.  She has the confidence and respect of the entire staff because of the quality work she does.

Bowman received a day off with pay, a reserved parking place for one month, and an “Employee of the Month” pin.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Local ob/gyn announces adding female ob/gyn to his practice

July 12, 2010

Anwar Khoury, M.D., Junction City obstetrician and gynecologist, announced the hiring of Lynley W. Budinas Holman, M.D. to his practice, effective in August.

Holman will join Khoury, who has practiced in Junction City for 14 years, as well as certified nurse midwives Susan Corbett and Terrah Stroda in Flint Hills Obstetrics and Gynecology, located in Geary Community Hospital’s Medical Arts II, Suite 101.

Holman grew up in Junction City and graduated magna cum laude from The University of Kansas with a B.A. in Psychology in 1998. She was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the KU Honors Program, and the Mortarboard Honor Society while at KU. She graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2005 and completed the core curriculum for a master’s in public health at the same time.

For the last four years, Holman has been in an ob/gyn residency at Maricopa Integrated Health System/St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated in June 2010. She was chief resident 2009-2010.

Her honors include the Bayer Pharmaceuticals Best Second Year Teaching Resident in 2008, the Best Fourth Year Teaching Resident in 2010, the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Resident Achievement Award in 2010, and nomination for Outstanding Teaching by a House Officer by the University of Arizona School of Medicine in 2010.

While in residency, Holman was vice-chair and chair of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Arizona Section Junior Fellows.  She was also an ACOG McCain Fellow in Health Policy and spent five weeks lobbying with ACOG on Capitol Hill at which time she also developed health statistic fact sheets for all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2009.  She was a participant in the ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. in 2009 and 2010.

Her medical interests include female adolescent health, patient education and preventing violence against women. Holman said, “I practice and enjoy the full scope of obstetrics and gynecology including normal and high-risk pregnancy, menstrual disorders, abnormal pap smears, birth control, STD treatment and gynecological surgery, including laparoscopy.”

Holman is thrilled to be returning to her hometown to work with Dr. Khoury and about providing obstetrical and gynecological care to the women in the Junction City area. “I didn’t think that when I left at 18 I’d ever return permanently, and now I’ve never been more excited about an opportunity,” Holman said.  “This is my home and its treated me well. I have so much that I want to give back and believe I can do so by taking care of women’s health.”

She recently married Junction City native Richard Holman in Jamaica. Her brother, Jason Budinas, and his wife, Jessica, and their children also live in Junction City.  Her parents, Stanley and Vicky Budinas moved to Olathe in 1996, but relocated back to Junction City in 2008.

To make an appointment with Holman or any of the practitioners in Flint Hills Ob/Gyn, call 785-223-5555.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Hospital announces July Employee of the Month

July 1, 2010

Leana Hall, of Fort Riley, was selected the July Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital. Hall was recently promoted from the medical/surgical unit to nursing administration as a nurse coordinator.

Hall is a bundle of energy with an infectious sense of humor. Hall insists on teamwork as she helps new staff gain confidence and limits stress on the nursing units. Her positive attitude and confidence in her nursing skills sets a good example.  Her staff is happy and pleased to be working with her.  She creates an atmosphere of cheerful, compassionate care for patients.

Hall received a day off with pay, a reserved parking place for one month, and an “Employee of the Month” pin.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Local nurse promoted to leadership role

June 21, 2010

Melissa Wells, of Junction City, was promoted to nurse unit manager of the obstetrics department at Geary Community Hospital, effective June 8. Wells succeed Dawn Engel who was promoted to assistant chief nursing officer in May.

Wells grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where she graduated from Millard West High School in 2002.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kansas, in 2006.  She joined the obstetrics staff at GCH in July 2007 and proved her worthiness for leadership since then.

“I’m really excited to work with the three ob/gyns, two new pediatricians, and two nurse midwives in the coming months,” she said.  “These staff additions will be good for Junction City and for Geary Community Hospital.”  Wells also plans to continue and increase the cohesiveness between the nursing staff and the providers and to maintain the wonderful reputation the labor and delivery experience provides at the Martha K. Hoover Women's Health Center.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Terrah Stroda returns to her roots

June 21, 2010

Terrah Stroda, a native of Junction City, has returned to Junction City to practice midwifery after living in Kansas City for five years with her husband and child.  Stroda is a certified nurse midwife with Flint Hills Ob/Gyn (Dr. Anwar Khoury’s practice) and is happy to return to the clinic.  Stroda is working part-time in the clinic until October when she will be resume her full midwifery duties.

“When I was in the huge medical centers in Kansas City, I found myself comparing every hospital and every women’s center with Geary Community Hospital, and quite frankly, there was no comparison,” Stroda said.

“GCH is a great hospital and the staff are impeccable,” Stroda said.  She cited the hometown feeling and friendliness of the people in Junction City as well as the quality of obstetrics and gynecology available in Dr. Khoury’s practice.  She will work with Susan Corbett, also a certified nurse midwife, and another ob/gyn to be announced soon.

Stroda broke ground for midwives when she was the first nurse midwife to receive privileges at Geary Community Hospital in 2003.  Before that she received bachelors and masters degrees in nursing at The University of Kansas Medical Center in 1999 and 2003, respectively. 

To make an appointment with any of the providers at Flint Hills Ob/Gyn, call 785-223-5555.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Long-time social worker to retire

June 16, 2010

Pat Benson will retire on June 30 after nearly 21 years with Geary Community Hospital.  Benson, a LBSW (licensed bachelor of social work) is the director of patient services at the hospital and has been responsible for the social worker services provided to nearly all inpatient services and hospice.  Kolissa Tate, LMSW (to receive licensed master of social work credentials this month), also works in Benson’s department.  In the course of her career, she helped thousands of individuals and families find balance between the reality of their lives and health.

Benson made her mark in patient services excellence with the development of several key programs.  The sitter program provides a sitter at the bedside of confused patients and those at-risk for falls and other behaviors.  She also developed a private financial assistance program partially funded by the GCH Auxiliary, the Geary Community Healthcare Foundation and local churches.  This fund helps patients who are unable to pay for medicines and other healthcare needs stay healthy and compliant with the medications ordered upon discharge from the hospital. The fund also helps to pay for emergency healthcare needs.

As the hospital’s expert on advance directives, Benson frequently gave presentations to clubs and organizations in the area.

Benson founded the chaplaincy program to provide round-the-clock volunteer chaplaincy coverage for patients from among local ministers.  A hospital chapel was also designated during her tenure, giving distressed patients and families a quiet place to go.  Today, the chapel is across from the auxiliary gift shop on the hospital’s first floor.

In 2005, Benson was selected Manager of the Year because of her devotion to patients and the respect earned by co-workers.  During this time, Benson was known to transport patients to and from Manhattan, respond promptly to serious emergency department cases, coordinate the Lifeline Emergency Response program for seniors and home-bound patients, and provide resources for patients without the means to pay for their medicines.

Benson’s sense of humor, diplomacy and leadership allowed her star to shine brightly during her tenure at Geary Community Hospital.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

GCH Outstanding Leader Awards announced

June 7, 2010

Julie Hatesohl, of Manhattan, and Laura Reynolds, of Wakefield, were selected the first recipients of the Geary Community Hospital Outstanding Leader Award.  Hatesohl is director of patient financial services and Reynolds is director of patient access.

The Outstanding Leader Award was developed as a way to honor respected hospital managers who exhibit impeccable personal leadership traits who have also developed or redesigned a service or product line to enhance patient care, safety or community service.  The project should have an impact on increasing patient volume or revenue and should affect multiple departments. More information on both Hatesohl and Reynolds is available on the June/July Pipeline newsletter www.gchks.org.

The winners received $300, a trophy, a certificate from CEO David Bradley, their picture and recognition on a plaque to be designed for GCH, and a letter of commendation for their personnel file.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Hospital announces June Employee of the Month

June 1, 2010

Roanna Fultz, of Wamego, was selected the June Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital. Fultz is a registered radiological technologist and is also registered in mammography and ultrasound.

Even though she lives 30 miles away from the hospital, she takes both x-ray and ultrasound call, which can put her on the road several times during a 24-hour period.  She is pleasant and friendly with the patients, putting them at ease no matter how tired she may be.  She has 3-year-old twin boys to care for and yet, she still manages to continuously strive to improve her skills and knowledge as well as her versatility in making the department current with the newest exams and techniques.

Fultz received a day off with pay, a reserved parking place for one month, and an “Employee of the Month” pin.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Hospital announces May Employee of the Month

May 3, 2010

Ruth Dela Cruz, medical technologist in the laboratory, was selected the May Employee of the Month at Geary Community Hospital.  

Dela Cruz was commended for her efforts to solve problems with the interface between LabCorp and the GCH lab.  Her dedication and self-motivation are an inspiration for all. She is friendly and never backs down from a challenge.

Dela Cruz is the supervisor in the chemistry department, but freely helps the other departments when needed.  She constantly monitors quality control and evaluates the values in the data.  She writes and updates policy procedure for chemistry, serology and immunology to maintain high standards.  She makes an effort to make sure all the machines are working at optimum levels.

Dela Cruz received a day off with pay, a reserved parking place for one month, and an “Employee of the Month” pin.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

New KU resident coming in July; Training program reaccredited

April 22, 2010

Jason Leep, M.D., will join the University of Kansas Family Practice Residency-Junction City Rural Track, on July 1.  He is currently completing his first year of a family practice residency in Kansas City.  The last two years of his residency in family medicine will be completed in Junction City.

Dr. Leep was born in Detroit, Michigan, but calls Chassell, Michigan home.

He earned a B.S. in Biology from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan in 2001 before graduating from the American University of The Caribbean, in Netherlands Antilles in 2006.

He will join third-year resident Ryan Harrison, M.D., in the resident’s clinic, Medical Arts I, Suite 305.  Appointments are available for both physicians by calling 762-7707.

The National Residency Review Committee also recently reaccredited the University of Kansas Family Practice Residency-Junction City Rural Track for another two years. This is the maximum accreditation available for a rural residency site, according to Site Director Ronald D. Mace, M.D.

The residency program began in 1994 in Junction City.  Family practice residents spend the first year of their three-year residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and the last two years under Dr. Mace's direction at Geary Community Hospital in Junction City.  The program seeks to provide residents with the confidence and on-the-job experience to seek rural opportunities.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations

Dr. Frieze named new chief of staff

April 22, 2010

Family medicine specialist Todd Frieze, MD was named chief of the medical staff of Geary Community Hospital, effective May 1, 2010. Dr. Frieze has been family physician in Junction City and Chapman for eight years. He succeeds internal medicine specialist Tom Craig , MD, who served in this capacity for the last year.

As chief of staff, Dr. Frieze will represent the medical staff to hospital administration on matters of mutual concern.  He is the spokesperson for the medical staff in its internal, external, professional, and public relations interests. He will preside at all medical staff meetings and make appointments to various committees as required by the medical staff bylaws.

General surgeon Fouad Hachem, MD will serve as vice-chief of staff and orthopaedic surgeon Alan Holiday, MD will serve as secretary.  All terms are for one year.

Cyndy Platt, Director

Public Relations