Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is proud to recognize Kristi Engle, Lab Supervisor, as the first‑ever recipient of the Lewis Young Impact Award. This award represents the highest honor at PVCH and recognizes a team member whose work, leadership, and commitment truly reflect who we are and what we stand for.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is proud to recognize Lexi Lemuz, Environmental Services Associate, as the recipient of PVCH’s first‑ever BEE Award. BEE stands for Being Excellent Every Day and honors non‑nursing team members whose work and compassion make a meaningful difference for our patients, families, and care teams.

Nurses’ Week, celebrated May 6–12, is a time to recognize and thank nurses who make a meaningful difference, including this one.

When people reflect on meaningful healthcare experiences, they often remember the nurse who stood beside them during life’s most difficult moments. For many patients and families who have visited Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, that nurse has been Chase Crenshaw, RN.

Chase’s journey into nursing began years ago at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital, where he was first introduced to patient care. His early work in long-term care taught him the importance of showing up for patients with compassion every day. He later gained experience working in the lab, where he developed a deeper appreciation for the critical behind-the-scenes work that supports quality patient care. Those early experiences helped shape the nurse he is today. Over time, Chase continued his education, earning his LPN and eventually his RN license. Nursing was not part of his original career plan. In fact, Chase once envisioned a future as a Japanese translator. When that plan did not materialize, he applied to nursing school on what he described as “a whim”. That decision ultimately led him to a career that has made a lasting impact on patients, families, and colleagues throughout our community.

Today, Chase works in PVCH’s Emergency Department, an environment where emotions can run high, and situations change rapidly. Even in these high-pressure settings, his calm presence stands out. One patient shared that despite the chaos often associated with the Emergency Department, Chase has a way of making everything feel manageable. “The Emergency Room tends to be anything but calm,” they said. “Yet when Chase is there, everything seems like it will be OK.”

That same patient later recalled a night marked by a profound loss in the Emergency Department. During a time of shock and grief, Chase remained with the family, checking in frequently and guiding them through what needed to happen next. He brought chairs, offered water, and ensured they were not left alone in their hardest moments. “I don’t know how we would have gotten through that night without him,” they shared.

Chase’s compassion is equally evident to those who work alongside him. “Chase is a nurse who shows true compassion for the art of nursing,” said Kendra Hagerman, Director of Nursing. “He cares deeply about his patients and his coworkers and strives to provide the best possible care while supporting those around him.”

Another story shared from years earlier highlights the lasting impact of Chase’s approach to care. A young child was brought to the Emergency Department, every parent’s greatest fear. As tests were being completed, the room filled quickly, and the child became upset. When the parents were asked to step out and noticed their child had gone quiet, their fear intensified. Looking back into the room, they saw Chase standing at the bedside, softly stroking their child’s hair and speaking gently to him. In that moment, everything felt safer, a memory the parents have carried with them for years.

For Chase, moments like these define what nursing truly means. He shared that caring for patients receiving hospice or comfort care has had a particularly lasting impact on him. Being present, offering reassurance, or simply holding a patient’s hand during their final moments is a responsibility he considers a privilege. “Every day is a gift for me to care for others,” he said.

Although Chase briefly worked elsewhere during the COVID-19 pandemic, his time away only reaffirmed where his heart belonged. He returned to PVCH for the people, the coworkers he considers family, and the community he calls home.

During Nurses’ Week, we recognize the skill, dedication, and long hours that nurses provide every day. We also honor the moments that never appear in medical charts, the quiet reassurance, the dignity shown during loss, and the compassion patients and their families remember long after they leave.

PVCH is deeply grateful for nurses like Chase Crenshaw. His growth, dedication, and decision to continue serving this community exemplify why nurses matter and why having people like Chase at PVCH makes all the difference.

Everyday tasks that once felt simple, like getting dressed, working, or using your hands comfortably, can become challenging for many reasons. Occupational therapy helps individuals adapt, regain independence, and continue participating in the activities that matter most in their daily lives.

In recognition of Occupational Therapy Month, Pawnee Valley Community Hospital is highlighting the important role occupational therapy plays in supporting patients across Pawnee County and the surrounding areas.

“Occupational therapists use evidence‑based interventions to help people do the things they want and need to do,” said Camelle Wassenberg, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PVCH. “Our focus is on independence with daily tasks while promoting health, well‑being, and participation in everyday activities.”

Occupational therapy supports individuals facing limitations due to injury, surgery, chronic pain, neurological conditions, or developmental challenges. Care typically begins with an evaluation to better understand a patient’s experiences, goals, and daily routines, followed by a personalized plan of care focused on improving function and quality of life.

At Pawnee Valley, occupational therapy services focus on upper extremity rehabilitation. Patients may receive therapy for shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand pain, arthritis, tendonitis, tendon injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Services also include rehabilitation following sports‑related injuries and postoperative shoulder, wrist, or hand surgery.

In addition, occupational therapists at PVCH treat neurological and developmental conditions affecting the upper extremities, such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, cerebral palsy, dystonia, and other developmental conditions across the lifespan.

“These services can make a real difference in a person’s daily life,” said Addie Burns, OTD, OTR/L, occupational therapist at PVCH. “Helping people live more independently and safely, while continuing to do meaningful activities, is what makes occupational therapy so rewarding.”

Occupational therapy focuses on progress over time, with treatment plans adjusted as patients improve and work toward their goals. By emphasizing practical, goal‑driven activities, therapy helps patients regain confidence and function in everyday life.

At PVCH, occupational therapy services are provided by clinicians dedicated to supporting patients throughout their recovery.

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Occupational Therapy Associates:

• Camelle Wassenberg, OTD, OTR/L
• Addie Burns, OTD, OTR/L

That commitment is reflected in the impact they have on patients and the rehabilitation team as a whole. “We are very fortunate to have Addie and Camelle on our Rehab team here at PVCH. Their care and expertise are unmatched, and the results their patients see every day are proof,” said Jason Rath, Rehabilitation Department Manager.

Call us today to schedule an outpatient OT appointment at 620-285-8605, or visit pawneevalleyhospital.com/services/rehabilitation-services/ for more information.