Blaha and Flessner Appointed to VCHS Board of Trustees
The Valley County Board of Supervisors has appointed Charles Blaha, DDS, and Nathan Flessner as new members of the VCHS Board of Trustees. Blaha and Flessner will serve three-year terms. Blaha and Flessner join the six current board members Gary Garnick, Carl Streeter, Garry Miska, Roger Lansman, Michelle Zangger, and William T. Sugg (ex officio), VCHS President and CEO
Following graduation from Ord High School in 1956, Charles Blaha, DDS, attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he graduated with a degree in Science. He then attended the Universtiy of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln. After graduation, Dr. Blaha returned to Ord, and started his private practice in 1971. Charles and his wife, Jean, have 3 children, Mike Blaha, Mark Blaha, and Shelley Petska, and a total of 11 grandchildren.
Dr. Blaha is now retired from private practice but currently serves on the Dean's Advisory Council at the University Medical Center at Lincoln. He has also served on other boards including, State Chairman for Ducks Unlimited, Game and Parks Board Commission, and currently serves on the Game and Parks Foundation.
Charles stated, "I am honored to join the VCHS Board of Trustees. I have a genuine interest in our Health System, and the importance it has in our community. I hope to use my years of experience to support and help make it even stronger."
Nathan is originally from Missouri, his family moved to Ord when he was in the seventh grade. Following graduation from Ord High School, he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and then transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Biology. Nathan is an EMT with the Ord Volunteer Fire Department, and has always been interested in the medical field.
Nathan returned to Ord in 2001, where he lives with his wife, Kimberly, a fellow Ord High School graduate. Nathan and Kimberly have three children Zachary, 13, Alex, 10, and Kaitlyn, 7, who attend Ord Public Schools. Nathan is an associate at First National Bank in Ord, where he has worked since 2001.
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Valley County Health System, along with other national, state and community organizations, is working to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making-an effort that has culminated in the formal designation of one day in April of each year, as National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). This year it was Tuesday, April 16th.
VCHS encourages area residents to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Nebraska state laws.
The NE Hospice and Palliative Care Association devotes much of its time educating Nebraskans on the importance of completing advance directives. Initiatives like the formation of community end-of-life coalitions across the state, outreach campaigns, and the placement of articles in consumer and professional publications have contributed to growth in the number of Nebraskans with an advance directive. Thirty-seven percent of Nebraskans report having an advance directive.
Talking with family members and others in your life about your end-of-life wishes, coupled with an advance directive, can significantly ease the burden on those who must make health care decisions for you. Regardless of your age, we hope you will use the tools we provide you to have these important conversations with the people in your life and formally document your wishes in an advance directive.
"Advance Directive" is a general term that describes two types of legal documents - living wills and health care powers of attorney. These documents allow a person to give instructions about future medical care, should he or she be unable to participate in health care decisions due to serious illness or incapacity.
A living will is a written statement that describes the type of care a person wishes to receive in the event he or she is suffering from a terminal illness or is in a persistent vegetative state.
A power of attorney for health care is a document through which one person (the principal) authorizes another person (the agent) to make health care decisions on his or her behalf.
For more information about advance directives, call Marilyn Winkelbauer at Valley County Health System at 308-728-4315, or visit www.NationalHealthcareDecisionsDay.org or www.NEHospice.org.
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At their March 20, 2013 board meeting the Valley County Health System Foundation Board approved donations in the amount of $13,244.62 for the purchase of a BioDex Unweighing System, a Power Infuser, and Home Health and Hospice needs. The Foundation had received some generous donations at year-end 2012, as well as at their annual Gala in January to provide for the Infuser & Unweighing System. 
The donation for the BioDex Unweighing System in the Rehabilitation Department was $8,209. This System will enable partial weight-bearing therapy to be conducted with the assurance of patient comfort and safety, and with convenient access to our patient for manual assistance and observation. This machine incorporates a dynamic suspension system that accommodates the vertical displacement of the center of gravity. 
The $1,895 Power Infuser, is the first portable electronic infusion pump designed specifically for the management of IV fluid and blood. The Power Infuser adjusts flow rates from 0.2 to 6 liters per hour, compared to our old method of manually squeezing the bags. Another $3,140.37 was donated to the VCHS Home Health and Hospice department for the purchase of a variety of needs. Our VCHS Home Health provides services in Valley, Garfield, Loup, Custer, Wheeler, Greeley, Sherman and Howard Counties.
The 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 sustaininghigh-quality healthcare in Central Nebraska.
For more information or to make a donation, contact Becky Ries at the VCHS Foundation by calling 308-728-3011 or visit them online at www.vchsf-ord.org.
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Dolores Sich Honored at NE Hospice Annual Banquet
 Dolores Sich, volunteer for Valley County Health System Hospice, was honored as their outstanding volunteer at the Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association's (NHPCA) annual awards banquet on March 26th in Lincoln. The banquet was part of the 2013 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.
Dolores has been a Hospice volunteer for the past 21 years. She began as a Hospice volunteer in Ord when it was still a satellite program of Good Samaritan Hospice. Dolores has continued volunteering with Valley County's Hospice program, which began in the fall of 2006. Dolores helps with the Hospice's Annual Memorial Service and is always willing to bring compassion, caring and a special understanding to the Hospice patients and their families.
Anyone interested in becoming a Hospice volunteer, please contact Marilyn at 728-4315.
Picture Caption: Dolores Sich is being presented with a certificate honoring her as Valley County Hospice's Outstanding Volunteer. Presenting her with the award are Jennifer Eurek and Gary George of the NHPCA.
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Valley County Health System
Progressive Care with Compassion
Mission: Valley County Health System will provide progressive healthcare services in a healing, patient-centered environment.
Vision: To be the healthcare provider of choice and a symbol of strength, vitality and caring in the region we serve.
Values: Integrity, Compassion, Ownership, Respect, Trust |
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Upcoming Events
Foundation Golf Tournament
Friday, July 5, 2013
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For more information
Public Relations & Marketing Specialist
308.728.4397.
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