Allen County Hospital recognized

Allen County Hospital was recognized this week for its accountability with health care practices and how it cares for pneumonia sufferers.

The Joint Commission, the nation’s leading accreditor of health care organizations, announced Wednesday ACH was “one of the nation’s top performing hospitals on key quality measures.”

Specifically, ACH was cited for “using evidence-based clinical processes … shown to improve care for pneumonia,” according to a press release from HCA Health Midwest Systems, which manages the hospital.

Additionally, ACH was one of 620 hospitals across the country to earn the distinction of “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures,” which looks at information on health care practices. Less than 20 percent of the accredited hospitals reporting data to the Joint Commission earned the distinction.

The study ensures proper health care measures are being taken, particularly in terms of accountability.

Cris Rivera credited physicians and health care professionals on staff at ACH.

“The cohesive team at Allen County Hospital collaborates to deliver not only excellent and compassionate patient care, but also the best possible outcomes and support for patients during their treatment,” Rivera said.

“When we raise the bar and provide the proper guidance and tools, hospitals have responded with excellent results,” said Mark R. Chassin, Joint Commission president. “This capacity for continual improvement points toward a future in which quality and safety defects are dramatically reduced and high reliability is sought and achieved with regularity. Such day-to-day progress will slowly but surely transform today’s health care system into one that achieves unprecedented performance outcomes for the benefit of the patients.”

HCA Midwest had five hospitals in the Kansas City area recognized by the Joint Commission, including ACH.

All will be included in the Joint Commission’s “Improving America’s Hospitals” annual report, as well as the commission’s Quality Check website, qualitycheck.org.

“Excellent health care is what all patients expect and deserve,” HCA Midwest Health System President Mel Legarde said. “We’re honored to have five hospitals on this distinguished list.

Allen County Hospital is a 25-bed acute care facility serving Iola and the surrounding communities. It is a Kansas Critical Access hospital and offers 24-hour emergency care, specialized services such as home health and wound care and comprehensive family care. Allen County Hospital’s medical staff covers a variety of specialties including cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, radiology and more. For more information, visit allencountyhospital.com.

Red Devil cross country teams ranked

Allen Community College’s cross country teams continue to be in the top five of the NJCAA Division I Hill N Dale rankings.

In the third week of rankings, the ACC men moved back to No. 2 after going to No. 3 last week. Central Arizona stays in the No. 1 spot.

Allen’s women, who had dropped from No. 2 to No. 4 last week, climbed up to No. 3. Iowa Central stays at No. 1 for the third straight week with Central Arizona at No. 2.


Humboldt, Crest runners compete

Humboldt High and Crest High competed in Tuesday’s Iola High Doc Stiles Invitational cross country meet. From the complete results list here are the results from those two area schools:

Varsity boys (5K distance): 25. David Womelsdorf, Crest, 19:41; 40. Mike Armstrong, Crest, 20:51; 42. Caleb D’Armond, Humboldt, 20:54; 44. Rene Rodriguez, Crest, 21:02; 55. Andrew Keazer, Humboldt, 22:06; 59. Zach Vanatta, Humboldt, 22:35; 65. Rayden Goltry, Humboldt, 23:31; 67. Layne Gonzalez, Humboldt, 24:52; 69. Jud Hawley, Humboldt, 20:07, 70. Jimmy Mangold, Humboldt, 30:55.

Varsity girls (4K distance): 47. Kolbyn Allen, Humboldt 22:06; 49. Brooke Boatwright, Humboldt, 23:06, 50. Christian Sallee, Humboldt, 23:55, 51. Kelsey Crammer, Humboldt, 23:56.

Junior Varsity boys (5K): 28. Caleb Vanatta, Humboldt, 23:57; 42. Ryan Huse, Humboldt, 28:58; 46. Dawson Mauk, Humboldt, 31:54.

Junior Varsity girls (4K): 22. Brooklyn Gray-LaCross, Crest, 20:54.

Freshman boys (4K): 3. Jarred Ronny, Humboldt, 15:53; 7. Dillon Aikins, Humboldt, 16:20; 11. Dal Lacey, Crest, 16:49; 19. Bryce Isaac, Humboldt, 19:05; 27. Kaden Strickler, Crest, 21:16.


Bring on the Blue and Gold

Fall Homecoming 2012 is Friday for Iola High School. Students have been celebrating all week with weird and wacky days at school. Wednesday night the Mustang football team hosted a pep rally and bonfire.

Spirit is high. So when Prairie View High’s Buffalos and their fans come into Riverside Park and over that little hill, they should see nothing by Blue and Gold.

Blue and Gold are the standards for Iola High. And as the Mickey Mouse Club March says “Forever let us hold our banner High!, High!, High! High!”

At IHS and the rest of the district’s schools, Friday is Blue and Gold day. All IHS fans should break out their Blue and Gold and come out to the football game on Friday night.

You might keep the rain gear out too. Yes, for the fourth straight week, there’s a call for rain Friday. Let’s hope it ends up like two weeks ago in Osawatomie — the rain came early then cleared out by game time.

Come early to the football stadium Friday. The IHS fall homecoming king and queen will be crowned prior to the game. The ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m.

Iola High Booster Club will have its cook wagon fired up to have food available at the game. The booster club will also have a booth with all types of Mustang and Fillies spirit items for sale.

“We’re going have a great show for you Friday night. Come out and bring your friends to help us get the homecoming victory,” said Mustang head football coach Doug Kerr at Wednesday night’s pep rally and bonfire.

“We’ve entered a new part of our schedule. We call it the homecoming part since our homecoming is Friday then we go on the road for two weeks at Central Heights and Wellsville — both are homecoming games. We want three homecoming victories.”

That brought a roar from the fans gathered to cheer on IHS.

The Mustangs take on the Prairie View Buffaloes in a Pioneer League contest Friday. The Buffaloes have won two games in a row — blowouts of Anderson County and Wellsville — both were league victories.

“Coffeyville wasn’t a league or district game. We went in with confidence and to see where we are as a team against a ranked opponent,” Kerr said of last week’s 40-20 loss at Coffeyville. “Now, we step back into the meat of our schedule turning our attention to league and district games. First is Prairie View then we move to the next one.”

Move forward Mustangs in Blue and Gold.


Local 4-H’ers take home State Fair championships

HUTCHINSON — Four local 4-H entries took home championships during the 100th Annual Kansas State Fair, while a number of other 4-H’ers ranked highly against other competitors from across the state.

Caitlin Dreher and Brody Nemecek were declared champions for their swine showmanship. Jillian Keller showed the championship market heifer and Jessica Sharp, Khrystal Smith, Delaney Umholtz and Clara Wicoff teamed up to take home first place overall in a family and consumer sciences judging contest.

Dreher, 14, was named Grand Champion Senior Swine Showman. In addition, she exhibited the reserve champion Yorkshire market hog and took third with her Yorkshire breeding gilt. Dreher is a member of the City Slickers 4-H club in Allen County and is the daughter of Jerry and Cathy Dreher of Iola.

Nemecek, 10, was named Grand Champion Junior Swine Showman. He also exhibited the reserve champion and second place Hampshire breeding gilt and second place meat goat.

Keller, 10, also had a first-place crossbred steer and a second-place Simmental heifer. She is the daughter of Mark and Gretchen Keller.

Meanwhile, Sharp, Smith, Umholtz and Wicoff were tested in a broad swath of family and consumer science topics from food safety and budgeting to sewing and nutrition.

“The thing is, they don’t know what they’ll be tested on until they get there to the competition,” said Kathy McEwan, Southwind Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. “It requires a vast knowledge about a large number of topics.”

With their championship, the team received $400 from the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University to be used for an educational trip.

Others narrowly missed out on championships.

The intermediate photo judging team of Jenna Wilks, Isaiah Wicoff, Allyson Hobbs and Chyanne Vaughn took home third place. 

“We’re proud of all the kids and how well they did,” McEwan continued. “They put a tremendous amount of work into this.”

McEwan also offered praise to Iolan Terri Kretzmeier, “who takes a lot of time out of her schedule to work with the students in family and consumer sciences.”

The State Fair began Sept. 7 and ended Sunday.


Jason Arbeiter

Jason Edward Arbeiter, 41, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Iola Nursing Center.

Jason was the son of Elden and Judy Jordan Arbeiter.

He is survived by his mother; his brother, Sean McReynolds and his wife, Christie; and a niece, Kira McReynolds, all of Humboldt.

He was preceded in death by his father.

The family will hold private services later.

Merle Tennis

Merle C. Tennis, 92, passed away Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at Heritage Health Care Center, Chanute. 

Merle was born Aug. 17, 1920, in rural Wilson County, the son of Israel and Leona Mae (Trapp) Tennis. He graduated from Chanute High School with honors in 1939. 

He was united in marriage Sept. 6, 1953, to Laurilla Fursman. They made their home in Chanute, where in addition to many other interests and pursuits, Merle raised cattle and horses and supported his family as a successful farmer, utilizing the long-time family farm.

He is survived by his wife, Laurilla, of the home; his son, David Tennis and his wife April, Chanute; a brother, Dean Edward Tennis, Meade; a sister, Florence Marie Carlburg, Wichita; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, Merle was preceded in death by his son, Bryan Anthony Tennis; two sisters, Helen Louise Rinehart and Ruth Frances Thielen; and two brothers, Marvin Tennis and Richard “Dick” Tennis.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Chanute. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Chanute.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Friday at the church. 

The family suggests contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Chanute, and may be left with Penwell-Gabel Gibson Chapel or at the church. 

To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelChanute.com.


Letter to the editor — September 19, 2012

Dear editor,

I was recently a patient in Allen County Hospital and I would like to express my thanks for the care and attention I received while staying there. 

Although the nursing staff was extremely busy at the time I never encounter a moment of neglect from them. 

Always there was immediate response to the call button and my comfort and welfare closely monitored at all times. The personalities presented by the ladies was superb at all times of day or night. The culinary staff is outstanding. There was a wide variety of food that was well prepared and pleasantly served. 

Checking in and out of the facility was fast, efficient and complete. 

I hope that the new hospital is fortunate enough to retain this entire staff in the new facility.

Gene Burrows,

LaHarpe, Kan.

Romney reveals his true feelings — not pretty

Mitt Romney was caught on a hidden camera saying that 47 percent of the American people “pay no federal income tax and are dependent on government. They believe they are victims who are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you name it.”

Those people — about half the population — he told supporters at a posh fund-raising event, would probably support President Obama. 

At a hastily-called news conference Monday night, Romney said he stood behind the comments, even though they may not have been stated elegantly. 

He went on to say that the core issue was whether Americans wanted a government-centered society or one in which individuals could achieve their dreams through ambition and their own hard work.

Well, Mr. Romney is about as wrong as a person can get about the America he lives in.

Almost all of us believe that working hard and working smart will lead to a comfortable, rewarding life. That’s what we teach our children — and that’s what those offspring are teaching their children. Americans are the hardest working people in the world. That’s not a brag, it’s fact. U.S. workers put in more overtime and take less time off during the working year than do workers in any other country. More of us hold full-time jobs and stay on those jobs later in life.

Americans also believe that one of the central purposes of government is to help the helpless; to provide safety nets. That’s why support for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is strong. That’s why the public supports V.A. hospitals, care and training for the developmentally disabled, military pensions, food stamps and the other programs created by the federal, state and local governments to care for those in need and the less fortunate among us.

Americans believe in education as the great leveler which gives every person an opportunity to succeed. That’s why there are public schools and public universities. That’s why there are Pell grants to allow youngsters from low income families to win college degrees.

These programs were not created because Americans believe they are entitled to the basics of life from a paternalistic government, but because Americans have believed from the beginning that all of us should have a equal go at a good life: to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That’s why we band together to help each other thrive. That’s why the community called the United States of America has achieved so much over these 236 years.

Government helps Americans achieve those goals because government is how Americans work together to create a good society in which as many as possible can thrive.

WHEN MITT ROMNEY looks at America, he sees half of us as makers and the other half as moochers. As David Brooks, a moderate conservative columnist who has supported Romney, off and on, wrote:  “ …  he really doesn’t know much about the country he inhabits. Who are these freeloaders? Is it the Iraq war veteran who does to the V.A.? Is it the student getting a loan to go to college? Is it the retiree on Social Security or Medicare? 

“ … It says that Romney doesn’t know much about the political culture. Americans haven’t become childlike worshippers of big government. On the contrary, trust in government has declined. … The people who receive the disproportionate share of government spending are not big-government lovers. They are Republicans. They are senior citizens. They are white men with high school degrees. As Bill Galston of the Brookings Institute has noted, the people who have benefited from the entitlements explosion are middle-class workers, more so than the dependent poor.” 

Mitt Romney’s dismissal of 50 percent of the American population as moochers who wouldn’t vote for him anyway, lets 100 percent of us understand the man better.

— Emerson Lynn, jr.


MVJH girls claim title at Uniontown tourney

UNIONTOWN — It was a clean sweep for Marmaton Valley Junior High’s volleyball team Saturday.

The Wildcats didn’t even drop a set in winning the Uniontown tournament. They were 4-0.

Marmaton Valley defeated host Uniontown 20-6, 20-14 then topped Crest 20-11, 20-8. The Wildcats avenged an earlier season loss to Jayhawk-Linn by beating the Jayhawks 22-20, 20-13.

With a 20-9, 20-9 win over Pleasanton, the Wildcats captured the tournament championship.

“The girls finally came together and reached their potential like we knew they could,” said Brenda Mills, MVJH head coach. “Hopefully, we can keep that kind of play up the rest of the season.”

Leaders for the Cats during the tournament were Misty Storrer and Magie Stevenson as they each served for 19 points.

Kyla Drake, Emily Plaschk and Megan Ensminger served up 14 points apiece.