Since Shannon Deines understands the whirlwind schedules of working moms, she wanted to offer an expanded service to make their lives a little easier.

Deines, imaging supervisor at St. Rose Health Center, is now scheduling after-hours appointments for mammograms. Beginning Feb. 12, Deines will offer the breast screenings on the second and fourth Mondays of the month.

Appointments will be scheduled every 30 minutes, starting at 4:30 p.m. with the last one of the day set for 6:30 p.m.

“Many of our patients have asked about making the appointment schedule more convenient,” Deines said. “Their work schedules make it difficult for them to find time for this important screening.

“I hope women will take advantage of this new opportunity for preventive health care at St. Rose.”

The best way to fight breast cancer is to find it early, Deines noted.  “And the best way to find it early is by having an annual screening mammogram,” she said. “The test is safe and takes only a few minutes. It could save your life.”

After-hours mammograms are scheduled only for screening purposes. They are not designed for: anyone with a history of breast cancer; anyone who needs a follow-up exam; or anyone with a particular breast concern.

“For these issues,” Deines said, “I may need to consult with a radiologist during regular hours.”

Deines added that she appreciates St. Rose accommodating this new schedule. “It is just one more example of our commitment to the health-care needs of our communities.”

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

St. Rose Health Center provides cardiac rehabilitation for patients after a heart-related event but they also realize the importance of preventing problems from occurring in the first place.

Since February is American Heart Month, Shannon Deines, imaging supervisor, shared information on the three cardiovascular screenings available at St. Rose. She encourages the community to take advantage of these screenings to help prevent a variety of concerns.

“Each non-invasive test takes less than 30 minutes and the cost is very affordable,” Deines said. “Anyone concerned about cardiovascular disease is encouraged to call for an appointment.

“When screens detect a problem, we refer patients to their primary-care physicians,” she added. “When a problem is not detected, the patient can enjoy peace of mind.”

One screen checks for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) to help determine the risk of blockages in leg arteries.

“Those who are wondering about PAD might consider a few questions,” Deines suggested. “For example, do you have leg cramping, aching or fatigue when you walk? Do you have poorly healing ulcers on your feet or toes? Do you smoke, or have hypertension, diabetes or high cholesterol?”

A stroke scan also is available at St. Rose. This is an ultrasound test to see inside the carotid arteries in the neck. It can detect early signs of plaque build-up.

And the third screening involves a scan for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a ballooning of the arterial wall that may cause the artery to burst.

A doctor’s referral is not necessary for any of these screenings, and the fee for each is $30. However, if someone chooses to have all three at the same time, the total cost is $75. Cash and checks are accepted.

“When screening results are available, we mail them to the patients,” Deines noted. “They can share results with their doctors.

“If any concerns are detected,” she elaborated, “we will recommend they follow up with their doctor for further testing. This type of preventive health care can go a long way to preventing or alleviating more serious conditions in the future.”

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

Haley Gleason, APRN

Family Medicine

Alisha Stinemetz APRN, FNP-C

Great Bend Internists, Walk-In Clinic

A few weeks ago, St. Rose Health Center providers were caring for one or two influenza patients a week.

Now they are treating several each day.

“We are seeing a significant increase,” said Haley Gleason, advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) at St. Rose Family Medicine. “Most of these patients have influenza A, which is known to cause increased hospitalizations and deaths in older adults and young children.

“We also treat some influenza B cases, but influenza A is more prevalent – not just here but nationwide,” she added.

In some cases, Tamiflu is helpful during the first 48 to 72 hours of the onset of symptoms, depending on the patient’s age and/or high-risk conditions.

“Tamiflu is especially helpful for those over 65 and young children,” Gleason noted. “In addition, patients who have conditions such as asthma, diabetes, a compromised immune system or kidney problems may benefit from a Tamiflu prescription.”

Those who are wondering if an actual case of influenza is making their lives miserable can have their curiosity satisfied quickly.

“In 20 to 30 minutes, we can have test results that indicate whether or not you actually have the flu,” Gleason explained. “It is always better to know so that you can take precautions against infecting those close to you.

“This is really important if a family member is at high risk for the flu and its possible complications,” she added. “We encourage people to be tested as soon as possible.”

Alisha Stinemetz, APRN at St. Rose Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, noted common flu symptoms include high fever, body aches, cough and fatigue.

“When there is an influenza diagnosis, patients should stay home to lessen the chance of infecting others,” Stinemetz said. “Rest and lots of fluids are always recommended. The flu is a virus and we can treat only the symptoms.”

Stinemetz noted that antibiotics are not effective against an influenza viral infection, which is another reason to be tested. “An early diagnosis can reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics,” she explained.

Those who have not been vaccinated against the flu should consider doing so now.

“There is still time to get a flu shot,” Stinemetz said. “We cannot stress enough how important the vaccination can be.”

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

Jenna Sloan, M.D., is no stranger to Great Bend and feels fortunate to now be part of the HaysMed/St. Rose Specialty Clinic here.

Dr. Sloan is the newest member of the obstetrics-gynecology team that visits St. Rose Health Center each Monday; she is typically at St. Rose on the fourth Monday of the month, seeing 10 to 20 patients each day.

“Great Bend has a special place in my heart because my aunt and uncle lived there when I was growing up,” Dr. Sloan said. “I even lived with them for a summer during college. I met a lot of really nice people that summer and have many fond memories of visiting Great Bend.”

She worked at Sunflower Diversified Services and the Dominican Sisters Convent, and was a certified nurse’s aide at the former Central Kansas Medical Center.

Dr. Sloan grew up on a farm between Hoxie and Grainfield in northwest Kansas. “As I got older, I became aware of the limited ob-gyn services available to women in rural Kansas,” she commented. “Now I am passionate about providing these services to women in smaller communities.”

The fringe benefit is St. Rose “is a beautiful facility and the people who work here are very kind,” Dr. Sloan said. “I am really enjoying meeting all my new colleagues.”

Other members of the Hays Medical Center ob-gyn group that sees patients at St. Rose are Dr. Joel Fort, Dr. Lee Hodny and Dr. Timothy Hoskins.

“I am so lucky to have joined these three great physicians,” Dr. Sloan said. “They take excellent care of their patients. We collaborate regularly, which results in better patient care and outcomes.”

Dr. Sloan’s registered nurse, Sarah Balthazor, also is part of the team. “Sarah is a wonderful person and a great nurse. Our patients can count on her to provide high-quality care. I think they will enjoy becoming acquainted with her too,” Dr. Sloan said.

The physician group provides general ob-gyn services, including pre-pregnancy and pregnancy care and well-woman care. The ob-gyns also help women with troublesome menstrual cycles, urinary leakage and the transition into menopause. “Our specialty can include almost anything that affects a woman’s health throughout her lifetime,” Dr. Sloan noted.

Dr. Sloan earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology with a secondary major in natural resources and environmental science in 2008 at Kansas State University. She graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in 2013; her residency was performed at Baylor Scott & White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Tx.

Dr. Sloan’s extensive resume includes volunteering and teaching endeavors in Guatemala, Ghana and China.

“I enjoyed my traveling, as well as my policy job in Washington, D.C., at the Office of Rural Health Policy,” Dr. Sloan commented. “That job taught me a lot about the difficulty of accessing services in rural areas, which also contributed to my passion for rural women’s health. And it taught me that I wanted to live in Kansas.”

Dr. Sloan’s husband, Hale, is a civil engineer. They have two children, ages 2 and 5 months.

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

Since an annual vaccination is the first step in protection against the flu virus, St. Rose Health Center is once again offering its free drive-thru, flu-shot clinic, Executive Director Zena Jacobs announced.

The event, which is for those 18 and older, is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 at the St. Rose parking lot, 3515 Broadway. Motorists are asked to use the main entrance off of Broadway into the patient parking lot.

“We encourage the community to attend this clinic,” Jacobs said. “Protecting yourself against the flu also helps protect the people around you who may be more vulnerable to the virus because of a compromised immune system.

“St. Rose has a long history of providing this service to the community,” she added. “The health and wellness of our neighbors is important to all of us, and a flu shot is a great way to prevent problems.”

Many associates of St. Rose will be on hand at the clinic because “they recognize the importance of preventing the flu,” Jacobs noted. “They are volunteering their time as a way to give back to their community.”

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic. Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

When Alisha Stinemetz was interviewing for an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) position at St. Rose Health Center, she was impressed with the facility itself, as well as the “exceptional medical and nursing staffs that have served here for many years.”

Stinemetz, who grew up in Lawrence, is the new full-time APRN at St. Rose’s Great Bend Internists (GBI). She brings to the job a variety of nursing experiences in central Kansas and Florida.

As an APRN, Stinemetz treats illnesses and conditions including heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

“This treatment is provided by conducting health screenings and comprehensive physical exams,” she said. “We are able to offer primary wellness and preventive health-care services, while managing long-term illnesses through assessment and diagnostics.”

While GBI specializes in internal medicine for patients 18 and older, Stinemetz noted she can care for all ages if she is needed in St. Rose’s Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic.

She also noted she has valuable experience in women’s health.

“I am eager to work with my new colleagues who demonstrate a strong commitment to patients and the community,” Stinemetz said. “Because of the nurses’ longevity, patients enjoy seeing familiar faces.

“I am impressed that St. Rose offers so many on-site services such as imaging, laboratory testing, physical therapy, and home-health and hospice care,” she continued. “In addition, St. Rose patients benefit immensely because of the HaysMed Specialty Clinic here. They can be assured their health-care providers collaborate to offer high-quality services.”

All these factors are an integral part of patient care, she added. “St. Rose is a state-of-the-art facility equipped to provide comprehensive care.”

Most recently, Stinemetz was a traveling nurse for Supplemental Health Care in Garden City. She also has been a registered nurse at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hodgeman County Health Center and Southlake Hospital/Elite Medical Staffing in Clermont/Altamonte Springs, Fl.

She served as clinical instructor at Hutchinson Community College.

Stinemetz earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of Central Florida in 2006 and her master’s in nursing at Fort Hays State University earlier this year. She is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support, as well as Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

“After living in Orlando, Fl., we wanted to raise our family in a more close-knit community,” Stinemetz commented. “I also wanted to provide health care in a more rural setting.”

She and her husband, Jeremy, have five children – Mia, 17; Kaedyn, 12; Bryce, 10; Rhys, 5; and Jaxon, 2. They have other immediate and extended family members throughout central Kansas.

Hays Medical Center, which is part of The University of Kansas Health System, is the sole owner of St. Rose.

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

The new physician assistant at St. Rose Health Center is eager to start seeing patients in the facility’s Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic.

Linda Avila, a Kansas native, will be available in the clinic beginning Aug. 22 to care for and treat patients with a variety of illnesses and conditions.

“Providing walk-in services is gratifying to me,” Avila said. “I can help the patient feel better that same day and have the chance to meet new people every day.

“Many rural communities are typically underserved in primary care,” she continued. “Convenient care walk-in services help fill the gap for relatively minor health concerns, especially when patients cannot see their primary providers because of busy schedules or do not need emergency services.”

Avila’s first experience in walk-in services was the five years she spent in an underserved area in Texas. She was instrumental in getting the new clinic up and running.

“I was the first convenient-care provider there and developed the health-care services protocols,” Avila explained. “It was such a rewarding experience and I have stayed in this line of health care ever since. I like to think I am an extension of the primary-care physician.”

In a sense, Avila said, her new job at St. Rose is like coming home. She previously worked in the Dreiling/Schmidt Cancer Institute at Hays Medical Center. HaysMed is the sole owner of St. Rose.

“I loved that experience and am looking forward to reconnecting with my friends and colleagues at HaysMed, as well as making new friends at St. Rose.

“I love Kansas, and Great Bend has a friendliness found only in small towns,” Avila added. “It offers wonderful amenities such as sports, fitness, a great downtown, fun zoo and many restaurants. All this combines to make Great Bend an attractive place to be.”

Avila noted that St. Rose is attractive to both providers and patients because many services are under one roof. These include physical therapy, laboratory work and imaging services.

In addition, the HaysMed Specialty Clinic at St. Rose offers obstetrics-gynecology, cardiology, orthopedics, pulmonology and urology. General surgeons also see patients at St. Rose each week.

Avila has cared for patients in several Kansas and Texas facilities; her most recent position was at the Manhattan Urgent Care Clinic.

Avila earned her bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in health sciences from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical School, and completed health sciences studies at Washburn University in Topeka.

She also has a bachelor’s in business administration from Baker University.

She married Don Avila a year ago, and has two sons and six grandchildren.

St. Rose Health Center specializes in primary care, prevention and wellness. Services include St. Rose Family Medicine, Convenient Care Walk-in Clinic, Great Bend Internists, Imaging, Cardiac Rehab, Physical Therapy, Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice and a comprehensive Specialty Clinic.

St. Rose Health Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age disability, or sex.

ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you free of charge. Call 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).

CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1–855-429-7633 (TTY: 1–800-766-3777).