Sheila Jones Honored with Prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing

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Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) is proud to announce that Sheila Jones, RN, has been named the latest recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This national honor recognizes the exceptional, compassionate care nurses provide to patients and families every day.

Sheila, an Acute Nurse for over five years, was nominated by both patients and colleagues for going above and beyond in her commitment to patient care. Her calm demeanor, clinical excellence, and heartfelt compassion have left a lasting impression on those she serves.

“Sheila exemplifies everything the DAISY Award stands for,” said Kendra Hagerman, Director of Nursing at PVCH, “Her dedication, kindness, and tireless efforts make a real difference in the lives of our patients and their families. We are incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.”

The DAISY Foundation established the DAISY Award (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) to honor the memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at age 33 from an autoimmune disease. The award is now an international recognition program that celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.

When presented with the award, Sheila was surprised and humbled. “I’m truly honored,” she said. “It means the world to know that the work I do matters to my patients and my colleagues. I love being a nurse—it’s a privilege to care for people during some of their most vulnerable moments.”

As part of the award presentation, Sheila received a DAISY pin, a certificate of recognition, and the award’s signature hand-carved “Healer’s Touch” sculpture.

Please join us in congratulating Sheila Jones on this well-deserved recognition. Her compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment to care inspire us all.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital offers new x-ray room equipment

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The new x-ray room at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) is home to equipment with built-in safety features, as well as the capability of taking images while the patient is standing.

The Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation helped finance this project.

“Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is fortunate to have such strong local backing, which helps provide the means to improve our equipment and services,” said Julie Robben, director of imaging. “Since technology is forever changing, equipment upgrades are so important for our patients and staff.

“With our digital radiography technology, we can provide exceptional imaging quality to support an accurate diagnosis by a radiologist,” Robben said. “Also, images are displayed immediately so the technologist can review them prior to sending them to the radiologist.

“In addition, this spacious room allows us to accommodate patients brought to us on a stretcher.”

The updated x-ray room has its own bathroom for the convenience and comfort of patients.

“All our staff members appreciate the hard work by the PVCH Foundation in raising funds for this project,” Robben commented. “We also are grateful to each business and community member that made donations.

Cody Thacker, PVCH Foundation director, said the purchase of the new x-ray room was important “because it provides access to advanced diagnostic imaging right

here in our community. It also supports the hospital’s reputation as a center for high-quality healthcare.”

The Foundation donated $100,000 toward the purchase of the new facility. Then, a local private donor contributed an additional $50,000, bringing the total Foundation contribution to $150,000.

“In partnership with donors, the Foundation has been raising and investing funds to advance quality healthcare in Pawnee County, making a number of hospital projects possible,” Thacker commented. “The Foundation is guided by a group of local trustees who are valued for their leadership and vision for the Foundation’s success.”

Fifteen Years of Care: PVCH’s Impact Beyond the Numbers

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This week, as we celebrate Hospital Week, we’re shining a light on the people, partnerships, and purpose that keep Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) at the heart of healthcare in Pawnee County. The timing is especially meaningful: 2025 marks 15 years since the founding of PVCH under local ownership and a new partnership with HaysMed.

Over the past decade and a half, PVCH has grown from a vision into a vital healthcare provider serving our families, friends, and neighbors. We’ve expanded our capabilities, brought in new providers and services, advanced our technology, and continued to serve with compassion and excellence — all while staying rooted in the values of small-town care.

 A Shared Investment in Local Health

Sustaining a rural hospital takes more than operational know-how — it requires shared responsibility and long-term planning. Since our founding, Pawnee County has invested $7.84 million in tax support to help make local healthcare possible. These funds have been critical to keeping services close to home and ensuring our doors stay open to everyone who needs us.

But that’s only part of the story.

To build on this foundation and support ongoing sustainability, PVCH has contributed more than three times that amount — a total of $26.46 million — back into the hospital’s infrastructure and operations, including:

  • $6.99 million in modern buildings and medical equipment
  • $12.78 million in lease and bond payments
  • $6.69 million toward final building principal payments

This reinvestment reflects operational necessity and our belief that rural communities deserve the same level of excellence and access as urban areas.

More Than a Milestone — A Mission in Motion

 While county funding plays a pivotal role, it only covers a portion of what it takes to run, maintain, and improve a hospital. That’s why PVCH has continually sought to go further — expanding services, recruiting, and retaining skilled professionals, and keeping pace with evolving clinical standards.

We’ve embraced an evolving model of care and collaborated with regional and state partners to bring sustainable solutions to our rural setting. Through it all, our mission remains clear: to keep care local, personal, and high-quality for the people who call Pawnee County home.

 A Community Effort Worth Celebrating

 Anniversaries are a time to reflect, but also to look ahead. As we mark our 15th year and celebrate Hospital Week, we extend our sincere thanks to the many people who make our work possible: the talented providers and staff who give their all every day, the county leaders who believe in strong rural healthcare, our donors who raise and invest funds to support greater health outcomes, and the community members who continue to trust us with their care.

Together, we’ve built more than a hospital — we’ve created a dependable, forward-looking health resource for generations to come.

PVCH Associate of the Quarter award honors Cody Thacker

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When help was needed, Cody Thacker stepped up and assisted with the front office duties in the PVCH Rehabilitation Department. He assisted with phone calls and other clerical duties to maintain high-quality customer service and patient communication. Cody even stayed late to assist the team. We appreciate everything he does for PVCH to keep it running smoothly.

Each quarter, our Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) determines the recipient based on the many amazing peer nominations received.

Sanderson’s career takes her through new hospital process in Pawnee County

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LARNED — Susan Sanderson considers the opening of the new Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in 2013 a highlight of her nursing career.

She was already working as a nurse in St. Joseph Hospital in 2009, when the news came out at the hospital would be closed, and with it, its designation as a Critical Access Hospital in the community.

“Our hospital was on the verge of being closed, but then our community banded together,” she recalled. “Through the hard work of many people, reaching as far as the State Capital, our hospital was saved. In 2013 Pawnee Valley Hospital was dedicated. Being a part of maintaining the hospital status and then being involved in the new build was definitely a highlight of my career.”

The experience helped her in developing the belief that “tenacity and flexibilty are two characteristics that can help a person reach their goal.”

Sanderson’s career development

Growing up in Western Kansas, Sanderson was set on a career path working as a Certified Nurse’s Aide in high school. She worked in a Catholic hospital,“where the nuns had such dignity and respect toward the ill and infirm,” she said. “I wanted to have a chance to experience

that; this in when my heart started having a passion for being an influence on a person’s health and well-being.”

She graduated from Dodge City Vocational School in 1971. She moved to Larned in 1976, to work at Larned State Hospital. “The state hospital did not use LPN’s back then, so I branched out and earned a license as a Mental Health Technician,” she said.

After nine years, she was eager to get back into medical nursing. In 1988, she was hired as an LPN at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital. “Quickly, I realized how drastically nursing had changed in the hospital and to be successful, I would need to further my education. Barton Community College was my choice to earn my associate’s degree in nursing, which I did in 1992.”

At St. Joseph, she had the opportunity to work as a direct care nurse on the medical floor, assist with the long-term care unit and give lectures in the chemical dependency unit.

“As I gained experienceI was then sent to theEmergency Departmentwhere I worked for manyyears. One of the bestthings I learned is howimportant it is to havegood mentors. St. Joe’shad some very experienced,devoted nurses who were

willing to share their knowledge with me. I cherish the relationships built on the common ground of helping people feel better and the ability to carry out lifesaving measures. These were the people that gave me the courage to press on in my career.”

Married with three children, she broadened her nursing understanding with a Bachelor of Science degree from Fort Hays State University in 1988.

While at St. Joseph, it was her passion to work in the emergency department. She also assisted the Director of Nursing for several years. She also has worked as a charge nurse until recently at PVCH.

Take a Time-Out for a Sports Physical

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Attention Larned Families!
 
We’re offering FREE sports physicals at Larned High School on Tuesday, May 20! Make sure your student-athletes are ready for the upcoming season.
 
Important: All required paperwork must be completed and signed by a parent before the physical. Please download and bring them with you!
 
Can’t make it that day? Sports physicals are also available with a well-child exam at our Family Medicine Clinic — convenient, comprehensive care in one visit!
 
For more info or to schedule an appointment at the Family Medicine Clinic, call us today at 620-804-6007!
 
KSHSAA.ConcussionReleaseForm.2025-26.docx
 
2025 Sports Physicals form-ppe

Spring Lab Fair – May 2

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Affordable healthcare starts with prevention, and Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is making it easier for you.

We invite you to our Spring Health Fair at the First Southern Baptist Church in Larned on Friday, May 2, from 6:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Take advantage of low-cost blood tests and explore various health and wellness booths. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to prioritize your health. See you there!

 

See you there!

Lacy Bowman provides care at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital

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The new family nurse practitioner at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH) is back in familiar surroundings as she “combines clinical expertise with a holistic approach to improve her patients’ overall well-being.”

Lacy Bowman completed most of her clinicals at PVCH in the Family Medicine Clinic where she is now caring for patients of all ages. The hospital was her initial nursing job in Kansas after relocating from Arkansas, and she has also cared for patients working as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department.

“I have a special place in my heart for Pawnee Valley Community Hospital and Larned,” Bowman said. “My husband is a fifth-generation farmer and all our children currently attend and will attend school here.

“Since we are so thoroughly invested in this community, there is no place I would rather provide care. I look forward to giving back to the place I call home.”

Bowman’s family-medicine services include preventive healthcare, chronic-care management, acute care, women’s health, pediatric care and well-child visits.

“While I enjoy the diversity of family medicine, I have a special interest in diabetes management and prevention, as well as women’s health and postpartum mental health. My goal is to provide patient-centered care, while encouraging patients to be actively involved in making decisions about their health management.”

The nurse practitioner has worked in facilities of all sizes and believes that “sometimes there are misconceptions about smaller hospitals. PVCH is an incredibly nice facility with spacious patient rooms and high-quality equipment. PVCH is an organization that offers needed services locally, which is a benefit often missing in rural healthcare.

“What makes PVCH truly special is the deep bond we share with our community, patients and staff. We are caring for people we know and genuinely care about – those we see at ballgames, the grocery store and community events. That connection is something you won’t find everywhere, and it is what sets us apart. Our patients are also our neighbors, friends and family.”

Melanie Urban, administrator at PVCH, expressed her enthusiasm about Bowman joining the Pawnee Valley team, saying “family-medicine providers play a crucial role in delivering comprehensive healthcare to our community. Lacy’s interest in diabetes management and women’s health, along with her passion for caring for her community, make her a great addition to our team.”

Bowman was born and raised in Russellville, Ark., and earned an associate’s degree in nursing in 2018 at Baptist Health College Little Rock. She received her bachelor’s in nursing in 2022 from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and was awarded her master’s in nursing, with a specialization in family nurse practitioner, from Chamberlain University last year.

The foundation for her career developed at Baptist Health Little Rock; other employers include HaysMed and The University of Kansas Health System Great Bend campus.

Bowman and her husband, Duskin, have three daughters. She enjoys reading, volunteering at her children’s school and lending a hand on the family farm.

Local Agencies Collaborate for Successful Decontamination Training

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Pawnee Valley Community Hospital now offers proven PAD treatment

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Anyone who has a diagnosis of peripheral artery disease (PAD) now has access to a “proven, effective treatment” at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital (PVCH), said Dusty Thacker, director of Cardiopulmonary Services.

The treatment is called supervised exercise therapy (SET) and is specifically tailored to PAD, a condition in which blood vessels to the legs and feet become narrowed or blocked. This is due to a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries that limits blood flow.

“SET is a structured workout program designed to help people improve their physical health under the guidance of a trained professional,” Thacker said. “Sessions are tailored to the person’s needs and focus on improving strength, endurance and mobility.

“The treatment also helps improve circulation, which can reduce or eliminate pain while walking.”

Exercise sessions typically involve a combination of aerobics, strength training and stretching. This includes walking on a treadmill at a moderate pace, with an incline, until the patient begins to feel mild to moderate leg pain.

The patient then rests until the pain subsides before resuming the exercise during up to 36 sessions with a registered respiratory therapist.

“SET is a key treatment approach that focuses on improving blood flow, reducing leg pain and enhancing overall mobility,” Thacker summarized.

Smoking and diabetes are the strongest risk factors for PAD, Thacker noted. Other factors include being over 75; high blood pressure and/or cholesterol; not enough physical activity; stress; diets high in saturated fats; obesity; chronic kidney disease; and family history.

“A few classic symptoms of PAD are pain, burning or cramping in your legs and feet during an activity that improve with rest,” Thacker said.

Others are leg and foot pain at night or while lying down, as well as coldness or numbness in the legs or feet. Additional possibilities are leg weakness or heaviness, slow-healing sores on feet or legs, discolored skin and leg-hair loss.

The therapist offers education about smoking cessation, a heart-healthy diet, weight management, blood pressure control and increasing physical activity.

“We are pleased that we now offer this important exercise therapy,” Thacker commented. “Many of our patients have benefited from our Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary Rehab services by gaining control of their symptoms, improving their quality of life and reducing the risk of future hospitalizations.

“SET is a similar service. Patients with PAD now have a treatment that can help them manage symptoms and improve overall vascular health.

“We are excited to expand our cardiopulmonary services and incredibly fortunate to partner with HaysMed and the DeBakey Heart Institute. This collaboration connects our Larned community with any necessary advanced services and direct access to cardiologists. It allows us to offer specialized care close to home, significantly enhancing the quality of care and positively impacting our patients’ health and well-being.”

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