Jun22

Pawnee Valley Hospital Nurses Complete the RN Residency Program at HaysMed

HAYS, Kansas – Two registered nurses from Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) and 20 nurses from HaysMed and were honored recently at a recognition ceremony and luncheon. They completed the yearlong RN Residency Program offered at HaysMed.

The program began a year ago in July 2020 with training focused on clinical experience, one on one mentorship with their preceptor, high-fidelity simulations and on the job training. Additionally, nurses received training from professionals in several departments, such as radiology, pharmacy, cardiac care, peri-op and others.

The RN Residency class from PVCH included Joey Benish, RN and Christy Green, RN.

Nurses from HaysMed included Emily Bellerive, RN, Taryn Bilbrey, RN, Katelyn Billings, RN, Amelia Borell, RN, Alexa Basgall, RN, Emily Duncan, RN, Ruth Hair, RN, Avery Hall, RN, Samantha Hollerich, RN, Dustin Koster, RN, Katie Kreutzer, RN, Dallas Mead, RN, Kayla Reed, RN, Courtney Robinson, RN, Haley Schonthaler, RN, Autumn Smades, RN, Emily Sable, RN, Morgan Tebo, RN, Melanie Tilton, RN and Megan Walter, RN. Those from PVCH included

“It is so important for new nursing graduates to have a group of peers and mentors who assist them in enhancing their skills and becoming comfortable with the challenges of practice,” said Shari Hertel, RN Residency Coordinator. “Our program is evidence based, with positive clinical outcomes that will help not only the participating nurses, but also our patients.”

Currently there are 16 nurses scheduled in the next program which begins in July. The program is open to newly graduated RNs and RNs that have less than one year of acute care experience.

Jun14

Wilhite accepts admissions manager position at Pawnee Valley Campus

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

A long-time Larned resident recently was appointed to the position of admissions manager at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus.

In her new role, Angela Wilhite supervises the admissions/registration process at the hospital.

“The process is the same whether you are being admitted to the hospital or registering for an outpatient procedure or other healthcare service,” Wilhite said. “When patients arrive, they are screened for their temperature and then report to one of the three registration offices.

“Once we gather all the necessary information, they are ready for their appointment.”

Thanks to electronic medical records, Wilhite noted, the process is much more streamlined than in the past. “Everything is computerized and information pops up on a tracker for all departments.”

Wilhite supervises two other admissions/registration employees.

“This is a family-like working environment,” she commented. “I have lived in Larned for 15 years and love this community. It is just a wonderful place to live and work.”

In addition to her new duties, Wilhite assists the hospital’s Auxiliary and serves on the Patient Family Advisory Council and Culture Committee.

Wilhite graduated from Ness City High School; she earned her associate’s degree in administration at Dodge City Community College and bachelor’s in general studies at Fort Hays State University.

She also has a master’s certification in Human Resources from Baker University.

Prior to joining the Pawnee Valley Campus staff, Wilhite worked at Hays Medical Center for about a year in Human Resources. She served as the benefit coordinator and analyst in that department.

Other previous employment includes six years in long-term care, six years at Larned State Hospital and three years at a medical staffing agency.

Wilhite and her husband, Chris, have four children and three grandchildren.

Jun3

Angela Beck brings experience to Pawnee Valley Campus Emergency Department

By Gayla Wichman - Pawnee Valley Community Hospital News

Angela Beck became familiar with The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus during her final clinical rotation and is now caring for patients there.

Beck recently joined the staff in the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) as an advanced practice registered nurse.

“While I was completing my rotation in the family nurse practitioner specialty, everyone made me feel welcome here,” Beck recalled. “The whole experience exceeded my expectations. I enjoy working in a smaller hospital where you know other staff members and can form close relationships with patients.

“In addition,” she noted, “this facility is immaculate and completely up-to-date. It was wonderful to walk into a relatively new facility that was designed to accommodate patients, staff and visitors. I also am impressed with the amazing customer service offered by everyone in the organization.”

In her new position, Beck manages health conditions and coordinates patient care in the ED.

“I provide medical and emergency interventions based on the healthcare needs of each patient,” she commented. “I also prescribe and monitor medications administered to patients.”

Beck brings more than 11 years of ED experience to Pawnee Valley Campus.

Previous employment includes: RN/paramedic at Barton County Transfer Service in Claflin and Hoisington EMS; and RN in the ED at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington.

She earned her associate of applied science in nursing degree in 2009 at North Central Kansas Technical College and associate of applied science-paramedic in 2013 at Barton Community College.

Beck went on to complete her bachelor’s in nursing in 2018 at Fort Hays State University and master’s in nursing last year at United States University in San Diego, Ca.

The advanced practice registered nurse is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Basic Life Support, Trauma Nursing Core Course and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Beck is originally from Bison and has family in Rush and Barton counties.

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