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.”

At HaysMed and PVCH, we’re dedicated to continually improving your patient experience through enhanced communication and service options. This month, we are pleased to introduce a new billing notification system designed to streamline how you receive and manage your billing information.

This system features an innovative call service that automatically contacts patients to notify them of new bills and provides essential payment details. Our goal is to offer timely, convenient access to your billing information, ensuring you’re always up to date.

Recognizing our patients’ diverse preferences, we’ve also expanded the methods through which you can receive these statement notifications. Beyond the traditional paper notices, you now have the option to get notifications via email or text messages. This digital approach not only speeds up the process but is also eco-friendly and enhances accessibility. You can update your preferences for receiving these notifications through your online payment webpage- haysmed.com/online-bill-pay/ or pawneevalleyhospital.com/online-bill-pay/.

This change allows you the flexibility to choose your preferred notification method, ensuring you receive your billing information in the way that works best for you. Initially, you will receive an email and text notification; if unopened after a few days, we will send a paper version. Upon receiving the first email, you will also have the option to opt out of digital communications if desired.

Please note that final statements are only issued through postal mail.

We believe these new features will significantly enhance your interaction with HaysMed and PVCH, making it easier to manage your billing needs. Thank you for trusting us with your healthcare and stay tuned for further updates.

For assistance, please get in touch with our support team at 785-623-5100. We are here to help!

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.