Heart and stroke patients can rely on a new resource at St. Rose Health Center that is designed to prevent further problems and provide a personal health coach to manage day-to-day issues.

Kristin Steele, R.N., is filling the new position created as a result of St. Rose joining the statewide Kansas Heart and Stroke Collaborative. (KHSC).

The University of Kansas Hospital sponsors the KHSC; its overall goal is to improve the health of heart and stroke patients in rural Kansas.

While Steele cares for patients in St. Rose’s Cardiac Rehab Department on a part-time basis, she is also available to serve as health coach for residents of Barton County.

“I am working directly with people who have a history of heart or stroke issues,” Steele said, noting they have at least one other chronic diagnosis such as diabetes. “I monitor their general health issues on a regular basis.

“But first comes a home visit,” she elaborated. “This is the best way to start building a relationship. I can talk with people face-to-face, instead of being only a voice on the phone.”

Steele will check in with patients by phone at least monthly to ensure they understand their medications and conditions.

“If a problem arises, we will keep their doctors informed,” Steele noted. “For example, if one doctor adds a medication, we will inform all the other physicians involved.

“We also will remind patients of doctors’ appointments,” she added. “By staying in contact we can often catch a problem – even over the phone. KHSC priorities include preventive care and avoiding hospital admissions. Early detection and prevention are key to everything.”

However, if a patient does require a hospital stay, Steele would schedule another home visit after discharge from the facility. This allows her to be up-to-date on the changes in health status.

“This will help close the gaps for better patient-centered care,” Steele explained. “It is so important for heart and stroke patients to be informed and take the right medications at the proper dosages.”

Steele’s Cardiac Rehab position includes caring for patients after surgery or a procedure such as stent placement. She collaborates with Mike Penn, R.N., and Lori Hammeke, respiratory therapist.

“We guide our patients as they use the treadmill and other exercise equipment in our Cardiac Rehab facility,” she explained. “We want to help their hearts get stronger and get them back on their feet as they make major lifestyle changes.”

Steele noted she was impressed with St. Rose’s personnel and services at the outset. “St. Rose has great leadership, and everyone is very professional,” she said. “In addition, St. Rose focuses on disease prevention. As a health coach, I can further explore wellness promotion with each patient and within the community.”

She is available to speak to community and civic groups; her number is 785-656-4526.

The nurse’s background includes care for cardiac patients at several facilities. She also successfully completed KHSC training.

Steele earned her associate’s degree in nursing at Mt. San Jacinto College in Menifee, Ca., and is finishing her bachelor’s in nursing through Newman University at Wichita.

Zena Jacobs, St. Rose site manager, said Steele is a good fit for this new position.

“Kristin exhibits such a caring attitude and is confident in her nursing skills,” Jacobs commented. “Every day, she challenges herself to be the best nurse she can be and embraces every situation with a positive attitude.

“This KHSC is an important new resource at St. Rose because it helps us engage our at-risk patients on a more personal level,” she elaborated. “We are gratified to play this key role in our patients’ overall health and well being.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Special Nursing Services, 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.

Members of the community had been asking St. Rose Health Center to start a new physical-therapy program and those requests have been honored.

Melanie Schroeter, physical therapist, recently began seeing patients in the remodeled St. Rose offices at 3520 Lakin.

A doctor’s referral is not necessary to make an appointment with Schroeter at St. Rose Therapy Services. The number is 786-6515.

“I am eager to help patients with a wide range of conditions,” Schroeter said. “They can schedule appointments for problems resulting from an injury or illness, or for conditions such as dizziness.”

Some of the more common reasons to seek treatment from Schroeter include: recovery from knee, hip and shoulder surgeries; back pain; balance problems; stroke rehabilitation; recovery after a fall; muscle weakness; and dizziness.

“While I enjoy all aspects of outpatient therapy, I do specialize in problems associated with dizziness and lack of balance,” Schroeter said. “People are often surprised to learn that physical therapy can sometimes help with these conditions.

“However,” she added, “if we discover that a patient may need other treatment, we strongly suggest making an appointment with a physician. Our entire focus is on what is best for the patient.”

At the outset of therapy, Schroeter wants to discover a patient’s goals so she can offer the appropriate treatment.

“Helping someone function better at work and home is what this is all about,” Schroeter said. “Whether you need to be on your feet 12 hours a day, or need to do the dishes, we can determine the best way to help.”

After evaluating the patient, Schroeter determines the amount of time needed for physical therapy. It guides patients to find a way to heal properly and get back to normal life in the shortest time possible, Schroeter said.

“They can learn how to exercise the problem area properly,” Schroeter noted. “This can prevent further injury. But we don’t take a cookie-cutter approach. We target the treatment to you as an individual.

“This allows you to recover more quickly,” she added. “As the pain decreases, you can do your job better, perform household tasks and join in family activities.”

In some cases, physical therapy can prevent surgery, Schroeter said. For example, if someone is suffering rotator-cuff pain, a physician may suggest therapy as a first step.

“But even if surgery is ultimately necessary, the patient hasn’t wasted time,” Schroeter commented. “Physical therapy can help you build strength, which is important before any procedure.”

Schroeter also may make ergonomic suggestions, such as raising or lowering an office chair, or positioning things better in the workplace.

Schroeter earned bachelor’s degrees in kinesiology and nutrition in 2007 at Kansas State University, and her doctorate in physical therapy in 2010 at Wichita State University. She is a 2001 graduate of Larned High School.

Prior to her move to St. Rose, Schroeter was a physical therapist at Herington Municipal Hospital.

“I am excited to use my education and background to help patients at St. Rose,” she commented. “I have been impressed with the people here and the strong leadership. It is great to feel welcome.”

Schroeter and her husband, Brandon, have three children – Decorah, 4; Hazel, 3; and Dakota, 2 months. She is from rural Larned and now lives in Great Bend.

Theresa Roe, director of Rehabilitation Services at Hays Medical Center and St. Rose, said Schroeter is a perfect fit for this new position.

“Melanie is a great asset to the St. Rose team,” Roe said. “She has many therapeutic skills and strengths. A growing number of area residents had been asking for this expertise and we are happy to oblige Melanie’s background and eagerness to help patients are a real blessing.”

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Special Nursing Services, 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.

St. Rose Health Center staff members and volunteers will be on hand from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 25 for the next blood screenings. The public is encouraged to attend the walk-in event.

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

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

However, fasting isn’t necessary for the other three tests at the screening. These tests include the $25 Vitamin D test; $16 PSA that checks a man’s prostate; and the $7.50 HGBA1C test for diabetes.

It is not necessary to have a doctor’s referral or an appointment. Results will be mailed 5-7 business days after the tests and patients can give the results to their doctors if they choose. Cash and checks are accepted.

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Special Nursing Services, 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.

While retirees continue to be the backbone of the volunteer crew at St. Rose Health Center, they could use a little help from younger people in the community.

Two types of volunteer-service opportunities are available. Both would not only be educational and personally rewarding, but also the experience would be attractive to colleges and universities as students pursue their education, said Carol Gotsche, St. Rose administrative services manager.

“Those who volunteer to escort patients or work in The Gift Box will hone many skills as they give their time to help others,” Gotsche said. “For example, volunteers interact with people from throughout the community, while learning about the many facets of health care. Gift Box workers also learn to operate a cash register and the importance of customer service.

“Maybe most important,” Gotsche continued, “being a volunteer is personally rewarding. You can discover what it means to make a difference in someone’s life. As a compassionate volunteer, you could be the first friendly face our patients and families see when they arrive for care and treatment. You can be a little spark in their lives.”

Lacy Wolters, ACT/career coordinator for USD 428, echoed Gotsche’s comments and noted the importance of volunteering when it comes to higher education.

“Our counselors and I visit with students about the rewards of volunteer service,” Wolters said. “We encourage them to volunteer during their high school years and talk with them about specific opportunities when we learn about them.

“Volunteering is very important because universities, scholarship committees and prospective employers want to select candidates that are well rounded and active in their communities,” she emphasized. “St. Rose would be a good venue for volunteers because all of us can relate to going to doctors’ appointments and having medical tests.”

Anyone 16 or older is encouraged to contact Gotsche about becoming a St. Rose volunteer by calling 620-786-6163.

The number of hours donated each week or month is up to the volunteer. “They can schedule their hours according to what is convenient for them,” Gotsche said. “We are flexible and will accommodate them in any way we can.”

Ideally, Gotsche said, St. Rose would add 20 new people of all ages to its volunteer roster.

St. Rose specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Special Nursing Services, 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.

St. Rose Convenient Care Walk In Clinic will offer school sports physicals beginning in June on Monday and Fridays.  The physicals will be conducted during regular hours on those days.  Hours for the clinic are Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm, Saturdays 9:00 am – 4:30 pm and Sundays 12 noon – 5:00 pm.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian to sign the consent for treatment form.  Please bring the school sports physical form with you with your portion completed and also the child’s immunization record.  Parents are reminded that the school sports physical is not a well child check.  The fee of $35 will be payable at the time of service and will not be sent into your insurance company.  There is a $15 fee for each additional camp or second form that is completed.