When Megan Homolka, nurse practitioner, visits Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) twice each month, she not only cares for patients, she also educates them about heart conditions and diseases.

            In observance of American Heart Month in February, Homolka wanted to take it a step further and share information about her PVCH visits and heart disease with the whole community.

            “I am here to meet with new patients for consultations, as well as follow-up visits for people with cardiac conditions,” said Homolka who is based at HaysMed. “I work closely with our physicians to ensure we provide the highest quality of care.”

            During this special heart-related month, Homolka has a message for the public.

            “If you experience chest pain, increased shortness of breath or irregular heartbeats, please do not hesitate to contact your local doctor or call DeBakey Heart Clinic at HaysMed for a self-referral,” she emphasized. “You should also watch for sudden weight gain, swelling and fatigue.”

            One big risk factor for cardiac disease is family history. “Unfortunately, we can’t change our genetics but we can take measures to reduce risk,” the advanced practice registered nurse said. “This includes lifestyle modifications, blood-pressure management, lipid control and other factors.”

            Homolka noted that residents of Larned and the surrounding area are fortunate to have the local resources of PVCH and its association with HaysMed.

            “Providing services locally allows patients to receive care close to home,” she explained. “By expanding access to care, we can save and enhance more lives. Since hypertension, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease are all-too common, PVCH is providing a valuable service through its Specialty Clinics.”

            Homolka added that PVCH offers high-quality imaging, which includes CT scans, stress tests, echocardiograms and vascular ultrasounds. “Our technicians are experienced in getting top-notch imaging, allowing for more streamlined cardiac care.”

            Homolka earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies from the University of Kansas; bachelor’s in nursing from Chamberlain University in Arlington; Va.; and master’s in nursing-family nurse practitioner from the University of Texas, Arlington.

            Jewel Davis, PVCH director of clinic operations, noted that Kalyan Wagle, MD, of the DeBakey Heart Institute, also travels to Larned twice a month.

            “Our Specialty Clinic option is so important because these professional providers can see patients right here at home, with access to all HaysMed resources,” Davis said. “If this access wasn’t available, local residents may choose not to see a cardiologist because they are unable to travel.

            “We are so fortunate that Megan Homolka is here regularly,” she added. “She sees a high volume of patients and is truly amazing in the care she provides.”

Developments from Topeka: KHA Advocacy Day

Last week, HaysMed and Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) were honored to represent our region at the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) 2025 Advocacy Day in Topeka. Alongside over 130 hospital leaders, HaysMed and PVCH leaders engaged with state officials to advocate for critical health care policies, underscoring our commitment to the health and economic prosperity of our Kansas communities.

The event highlighted speeches from prominent figures, including Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt and other key state officials. These discussions centered on the critical role hospitals play in the health care and economic sectors, addressing vital issues such as financial stability, workforce development, access to care, and reducing administrative burdens from insurance companies.

The Advocacy Day also offered a chance for direct discussions with legislators. The KHA Board met to discuss state and federal advocacy efforts, and also reviewed a new economic impact study of health care in Kansas.

For further details on the KHA Advocacy Day, we encourage you to read KHA President Chad Austin’s insightful article, “President’s Perspective – KHA Members Gather in Topeka to Advocate on Health Care Policies.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved for their efforts in amplifying our collective voice. Together, we continue to drive advancements in health care for all Kansans.

Larned, KS, December 19, 2024 – Pawnee Valley Community Hospital today announced it has earned a 2024 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in Quality. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Award recognizes top quartile performance (i.e., 75th percentile or above) among rural hospitals in Quality.

“We are deeply honored to receive this quality recognition,” said Melanie Urban, Administrator at PVCH. “Being recognized for the fourth year in a row is a testament to our amazing team. They work tirelessly every day to provide access to consistent, quality healthcare for the communities we serve.”

The Performance Leadership Awards are based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“The Performance Leadership Awards capture the commitment, diligence, and innovation with which America’s rural hospitals approach the delivery of care within their communities,” said Troy Brown, Network Consultant, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “It’s a tremendous honor to be able to recognize the efforts of this year’s award winners and celebrate their achievement as part of National Rural Health Day.”

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is a 25-bed facility offering emergency care (24/7), surgery, high-tech imaging and laboratory tests, rehabilitation, and a sleep and diagnostic center, as well as acute, skilled, and specialized nursing, wound care, and more. Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Family Medicine provides a full range of primary care services for all ages, as well as women’s health services.

Diabetes Solutions is a comprehensive educational program accredited by the American Diabetes Association. The class content includes information about Diabetes, healthy eating, being active, monitoring blood sugars, Diabetes medications, reducing risks, and healthy coping. This comprehensive program consists of two five-hour sessions. Each session runs from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and includes lunch. You are not required to attend consecutive classes in the same month.

If you are interested in enrolling in the Diabetes Solutions Class ask your primary provider to fill out the referral form, sign it and fax it back to us at 785-623-5108.  Our staff will then contact you.

For more information about the class, visit our Diabetes Solutions page or contact the Education Department at 855-429-7633.

2025 Class Dates

Tuesday, January 7
Tuesday, January 14

Tuesday, March 4
Tuesday, March 11

Tuesday, May 6
Tuesday, May 13

Tuesday, July 1
Tuesday, July 8

Tuesday, September 9
Tuesday, September 16

Tuesday, November 4
Tuesday, November 11

Time
8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Location
923 Carroll Ave, Larned KS 67550

A Larned native is the new Director of Clinic Operations at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) where she has strong ties professionally and personally.

Jewel Davis, who has been at PVCH for four years, served as Family Medicine Clinic Manager prior to her recent promotion.

Her responsibilities include a focus on the PVCH Specialty Clinics that offer many services close to home.

“Our specialty services are incredibly valuable for our community,” Davis said. “They allow patients and families to access expert care locally, without the need for long commutes to larger cities. They can receive high-quality care just down the street.

“This saves time and reduces the need for patients and caregivers to take extended time off work,” she added. “We strive to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for everyone.”

Specialty Clinics and their providers include: wound care, Heather Holaday, APRN; cardiology, Kaylan Wagle, MD, and Megan Homolka, APRN; pulmonology, Lesa Klozenbucher, APRN; urology, Ed Habash, PA; and sleep, Son Troung, MD.

In addition, Davis continues to manage the Family Medicine Clinic, which has expanded its obstetrics and prenatal-care services. Providers are: Arlo Reimer, MD/Medical Director; and Susan Aistrup, Kathryn Buchanan, Heather Holaday, and Marley Palmer, all APRNs.

Overall, Davis’s duties include providing administrative support; acting as a liaison between patients, families and staff; ensuring compliance with all state and federal laws; designing and implementing business strategies that help clinics meet organizational goals; and organizing potential new services and outreach providers.

She also serves on the hospital’s Administrative Team.

Personal side

“The hospital and its clinics have played a huge role in my family’s life for many years,” Davis commented. “This wonderful hospital cared for my husband, a cancer survivor. Without our local specialty services, we would have had to travel long distances.

“This journey played a huge role in my desire to serve other PVCH patients,” she continued. “I have the opportunity to give back to my community that willingly supported my family during a very challenging time. The care, love and support our providers and staff offered is unbelievable. I am proud and blessed to be part of this amazing team.”

Davis earned an associate’s degree in business management at Pratt Community College and has further education and experience in accounting. She graduated from the Kansas Hospital Association Leadership Institute in 2022 and the National Association of Rural Health Clinics Spring Institute the following year.

Her professional background includes positions as Controller/Corporate Office Manager at Straub International; Corporate Office Manager and Accountant for Francis Financial/Corrosion DC; and business manager at Dwight Shank Chevrolet, and Simmons and Simmons.

“I have worked in Larned for 26 years and held leadership positions for 24 of those years,” Davis noted.

Davis and her husband, Joel, have two sons, Wyatt and Wesley.