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Community HealthCare System Announces Completion of Redbud Plaza Generator Project

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Posted On: November 20, 2025 by Community HealthCare System in: General, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is pleased to announce significant progress in the Redbud Plaza Generator Project, a major infrastructure upgrade designed to enhance safety, reliability, and quality of care for residents and staff at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living. Earlier this month, CHCS completed the final electrical tie-in for the new generator system, followed by a successful full-system test on November 17, 2025. The new generator will now provide comprehensive backup power to Redbud Plaza during outages—an important update for a facility that previously had only partial access to generated power. “This upgrade has been a long time coming, and we’re excited to see it performing exactly as planned,” said Gordon Beightel, Maintenance Manager. “Our team, along with Redbud staff, has worked hard to make sure this system is reliable and ready when it’s needed most. This will make a real difference for our residents.” The project involved
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Redbud News

Community HealthCare System Announces Completion of Redbud Plaza Generator Project

November 20, 2025

Categories: General, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is pleased to announce significant progress in the Redbud Plaza Generator Project, a major infrastructure upgrade designed to enhance safety, reliability, and quality of care for residents and staff at Redbud Plaza Assisted Living. Earlier this month, CHCS completed the final electrical tie-in for the new generator system, followed by a successful full-system test on November 17, 2025. The new generator will now provide comprehensive backup power to Redbud Plaza...
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Tags: Generator Project, safety

Training

Onaga Fire Department and CHCS Conduct Joint Fire Training at Onaga Hospital

November 6, 2025

Categories: Events

The Onaga Fire Department, in collaboration with staff from Community HealthCare System (CHCS), conducted a joint fire response training the evening of Monday, October 27, at the Onaga Community Hospital. The exercise focused on enhancing emergency preparedness and coordination during potential fire events within the facility. The training was designed to address one of the greatest challenges in emergency response—familiarity with the physical layout of the hospital and how to quickly and...
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Tags: safety, Training

CHCS Unveils Holton Campus Master Facility Plan: “Designing the Future of Care”

October 24, 2025

Categories: News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is proud to unveil its Holton Campus Master Facility Plan: “Designing the Future of Care.” The plan represents more than just construction or renovation—it’s a forward-thinking blueprint for how CHCS will continue to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients, families, and team members for generations to come. Guided by community input, data-driven planning, and the organization’s mission to provide high-quality, patient-centered...
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Tags: Holton Family Health Center, Master Facility Plan

Open E

Helping Patients Navigate Medicare Open Enrollment

October 16, 2025

Categories: News

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and it’s an important time for many of our patients and community members to review their health coverage for the coming year. Choosing between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage can be confusing. Original Medicare is accepted by most providers and doesn’t usually require prior authorizations for services. Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private insurers, may include added benefits such as dental or vision...
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Tags: Medicare Open Enrollment, SHICK

Grant News

Community HealthCare System Awarded $371,521 Grant for Portable Ultrasound Machines

September 30, 2025

Categories: General, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) recently received a $371,521 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to help purchase portable ultrasound machines for its Holton, St. Marys, and Centralia rural healthcare clinics. “We are extremely appreciative of the Patterson Family Foundation for these grant funds,” said John Fitzthum CHCS Chief Executive Officer. “These grants will help us improve prenatal outcomes, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and support equitable maternal...
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Tags: Grant News, OB Care, Ultrasound

Transportation

CHCS Launches New Transportation Initiative to Better Serve Staff and Patients

September 10, 2025

Categories: General, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) is excited to announce the launch of a new transportation initiative designed to make travel easier, safer, and more reliable for both staff and patients. Beginning in September, CHCS will offer scheduled daily routes between three of our key locations: Holton, Onaga, and St. Marys. These routes will function much like “bus stops,” giving employees and patients a dependable option for transportation between CHCS campuses. The daily route schedule...
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Tags: Transportation Initiative, Transportation Services

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Do It for Damon

September 8, 2025

Categories: General, News, Patient story

We can all look back on our lives and remember moments that changed the path we thought our lives were on. Sometimes those moments occurred after we made a big decision, but sometimes those moments happen when others make choices that change our lives forever.  On January 19, 2021 our 13 year old son, Damon, made the decision to end his life. That moment and many moments in the following days, weeks, and months truly changed the trajectory of my life. In those first few days, I remember saying...
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Tags: Damon's Purpose, Do It for Damon, Suicide awareness month, suicide prevention

Patient Story

Mason’s Story: How 340B Helped a Young Boy Thrive

August 28, 2025

Categories: Patient story

When Mason Helmerichs was just 18 months old, his family’s world changed. He was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EOE), a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the esophagus. For Mason, this meant food getting stuck, vomiting, and poor weight gain. Food allergies cause this.  His parents worked tirelessly to discover which foods triggered his condition, but the process was long and difficult—each answer only came through food trials and biopsies performed during surgery....
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Tags: 340B program, Story

Fall 2025 Health Fair

Community HealthCare System to Host Health Fair & Community Baby Shower

August 19, 2025

Categories: Community health news, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) invites the public to attend a Health Fair and Community Baby Shower on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Onaga Community Hospital. As a special part of the event, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and visit with CHCS CEO John Fitzthum and Board Chairman Justin Boswell. Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is open to all attendees until the food runs out. “This event is a celebration of health, family, and the relationships...
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Tags: health fair, low-cost labs, Onaga Community Hospital

History-Drone

Kansas Completes First Long-Range Medical Drone Delivery

August 15, 2025

Categories: Events, News

Community HealthCare System (CHCS) and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems have made Kansas history with the state’s first long-range drone delivery of medical supplies. On Tuesday, August 12, an unmanned aircraft departed Kelly Hills UAS Airfield in Seneca carrying an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and landed 30 minutes later at Charles E. Grutzmacher Municipal Airport in Onaga. The flight demonstrated how advanced drone technology can help bridge healthcare gaps for rural communities. The...
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Tags: Drone Fllight, Kelly Hills, Medical