If someone says cardiac rehab is not worth the effort, Wanda Smith has a succinct response.

“Then make plans to shorten your life,” the 57-year-old Great Bend woman said.

Smith is the first graduate of the new cardiac rehab program on St. Rose Health Center’s second floor; it is adjacent to Great Bend Internists.

She acknowledged that she was apprehensive at first but noted she is a glass-half-full kind of gal.

“I admit I was reluctant at first but everyone was fantastic,” she said. “I’m as happy as a pea in a pod; I’m on top of the world. I feel 100 percent better than I have ever felt in my entire life.

“I owe all this to the doctors and nurses at St. Rose and Hays Medical Center,” she added. “They are all wonderful.”

HaysMed and Centura Health co-own St. Rose.

Smith’s journey to cardiac rehab began in April this year when she underwent pre-testing for bladder/hernia surgery.

“They found out that I had had a heart attack at some point,” Smith said. “And I didn’t know it.”

A heart catheterization followed and ultimately triple-bypass surgery was performed at HaysMed. Dr. Elizabeth Ashworth, cardiothoracic vascular surgeon, performed the bypass Sept. 11 and Smith was released from the hospital five days later.

The next stop was cardiac rehab at St. Rose where Smith exercised on the treadmill, stationary bike and stair-stepper; she also used three-pound weights. Smith participated Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for six weeks.

“I actually miss going to rehab,” she commented. “Everyone there was easy to talk to and not judgmental. They were as supportive as my husband, Gary, and my daughter, Jennie.”

Even though Smith wants to return to work as a Countryside Vet groomer, she has to wait for Dr. Darrell Werth, urologist, to give the okay. He performed the bladder surgery Nov. 23 at HaysMed to treat Smith’s original concern.

“I really miss everyone at Countryside; they have all been so understanding,” Smith said. “I hope to return in January.”

Mike Penn, R.N., cardiac rehab coordinator, noted that Smith’s positive attitude was a big part of her recovery.

“Wanda’s outlook on life lent itself to the progress she made each time she came to rehab,” Penn said. “She is a hard worker and knew rehab was important to getting on with her life and feeling good.”

Smith is exercising regularly, which pleases Penn to no end. “Wanda understands the importance of follow-through,” he explained. “Very few people get enough exercise at work or around the house. They often don’t realize the goal is to reach their heartbeat target range for 30 to 60 minutes three to five times a week.

“Rehab is important not just for the few weeks patients are here,” he continued. “I emphasize they need to make exercise a regular part of their lives. Walking is God’s gift to those with heart issues.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Special Nursing Services, WellnessWorks, one-day surgical procedures, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. St. Rose is co-owned by Hays Medical Center and Centura Health

The last St. Rose Health Center blood screening of the year is scheduled for 6:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 and the dates for next year’s screens have been set.

The walk-in events are open to the public on St. Rose’s first floor.

Services include a $25 blood profile that involves a complete blood count; comprehensive analysis of more than 20 blood chemistries; lipid profile for breakdowns of cholesterol and triglyceride numbers; and a thyroid test.

Fasting for 10-12 hours is highly recommended for a blood profile.

Fasting is not necessary, however, for the other two blood tests offered at the screening. One is the $16 PSA that checks a man’s prostate and the other is the $7.50 HGBA1C test for diabetes.

Cash and checks are accepted.

It is not necessary to have a doctor’s referral or appointment; results are mailed to patients 5-7 business days after the tests.

The 2016 schedule has been set, with most screenings on the fourth Saturday of the month. In May, November and December, they will be on the third Saturday due to holidays.

The dates are: Jan. 23, Feb. 27, March 26, April 23, May 21, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.

The hours will change next year to 6:30 to 9 a.m., instead of 10 a.m. because a vast majority of people attend before 9’clock, said Karen Stewart, medical lab technician.

“As always, we strongly encourage the community to take advantage of this convenient, affordable service,” Stewart commented. “One of our goals is to offer ways to prevent small problems from becoming big problems. A blood screening is one way to reach that goal.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Special Nursing Services, WellnessWorks, one-day surgical procedures, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. St. Rose is co-owned by Hays Medical Center and Centura Health.

The memories of a nasty bout of the flu are still fresh in the mind of David Reiser. Which is why he didn’t hesitate to take St. Rose Health Center up on its offer to bring the flu vaccine to him this year.

As principal of Great Bend Middle School, Reiser was one of many USD 428 employees who were vaccinated in conjunction with St. Rose’s WellnessWorks program. St. Rose recently took its show on the road to all seven USD 428 facilities.

“When I had the flu three years ago, it laid me up,” Reiser recalled. “I missed work for one week but didn’t feel well for a month. I want to do all I can to prevent a repeat of that.”

Those who work in schools are especially vulnerable to catching a bug because “we are exposed to everything going around the community,” Reiser commented. “Everything comes through these doors at one time or another.”

In the time leading up to St. Rose’s visit, Reiser encouraged his colleagues by email to participate, as well as “telling anyone who would listen. I wanted to ensure everyone knew about it.”

Those who were vaccinated are not protecting only themselves, Reiser noted. They are protecting students, colleagues and families.

“If we can curtail the spread of the flu virus, we can cut down on absenteeism, as well as the extra costs of hiring substitute teachers and disruption in the classroom,” he said. “We have professional, high-quality substitutes but all of us realize students lose a little something when the regular teacher is away for a length of time.”

Reiser learned about the on-site vaccines during a conversation with Mark Mingenback, St. Rose director of public relations and marketing.

“Mark visited with me and I immediately thought it was a great idea for USD 428 and St. Rose to team up like this,” the principal said. “St. Rose made it convenient and you can’t beat the price; the shots were free to the employees.”

Mingenback said the Middle School had an especially good turnout because of Reiser’s input.

“David demonstrated leadership by getting the shot himself and encouraging others to do so,” Mingenback said. “The goal is to help everyone understand the value of a flu shot. We want to help employers maintain a healthy and productive workplace.”

The employer pays an affordable price for the vaccine, he said.

In addition to the schools, St. Rose has visited 15 private businesses this year. Any Barton or Pawnee county employer interested in a WellnessWorks clinic is encouraged to contact Mingenback by calling 620-786-6136.

“While we include the flu shots during the season, we always offer free blood pressure and body mass index tests at these events,” Mingenback said. “We will coordinate the event and provide our professional staff.”

The registered nurses who offer services at WellnessWorks clinics include Cathy Boyd, Faye Herrman and Amy Panzer. Frankie Bright, certified surgical technician, is also on the team.

“All of us feel compelled to do all we can to fulfill the mission of improving the community’s health,” Mingenback said. “We can accomplish this by engaging public and private businesses.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Special Nursing Services, WellnessWorks, one-day surgical procedures, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. St. Rose is co-owned by Hays Medical Center and Centura Health.