News

A long-time Larned resident recently was appointed to the position of admissions manager at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus.

In her new role, Angela Wilhite supervises the admissions/registration process at the hospital.

“The process is the same whether you are being admitted to the hospital or registering for an outpatient procedure or other healthcare service,” Wilhite said. “When patients arrive, they are screened for their temperature and then report to one of the three registration offices.

“Once we gather all the necessary information, they are ready for their appointment.”

Thanks to electronic medical records, Wilhite noted, the process is much more streamlined than in the past. “Everything is computerized and information pops up on a tracker for all departments.”

Wilhite supervises two other admissions/registration employees.

“This is a family-like working environment,” she commented. “I have lived in Larned for 15 years and love this community. It is just a wonderful place to live and work.”

In addition to her new duties, Wilhite assists the hospital’s Auxiliary and serves on the Patient Family Advisory Council and Culture Committee.

Wilhite graduated from Ness City High School; she earned her associate’s degree in administration at Dodge City Community College and bachelor’s in general studies at Fort Hays State University.

She also has a master’s certification in Human Resources from Baker University.

Prior to joining the Pawnee Valley Campus staff, Wilhite worked at Hays Medical Center for about a year in Human Resources. She served as the benefit coordinator and analyst in that department.

Other previous employment includes six years in long-term care, six years at Larned State Hospital and three years at a medical staffing agency.

Wilhite and her husband, Chris, have four children and three grandchildren.

The new clinic manager at Pawnee Valley Medical Associates, on The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus, is passionate about providing healthcare services, especially in the Larned community for professional, as well as personal reasons.

Jewel Davis was recently appointed to the managerial position to oversee all clinic operations.

“The goal of the clinic is to provide the best patient experience for everyone who seeks healthcare here,” Davis said. “My focus is on building the highest level of professionalism and compassion, along with supporting the highest level of patient care.

“In addition, we want to ensure the clinic is the best place to work for our employees.”

The clinic manager’s responsibilities include: performing many administrative functions; ensuring regulatory compliance; helping with scheduling; and keeping the lines of communication open with patients and families.

On a personal note, Davis and her family have relied on The University of Kansas Health System through its Pawnee Valley Campus, HaysMed Campus and other health system facilities in Kansas City.

“My family members have suffered serious illnesses and received care and treatment through the health system,” Davis explained. “I have witnessed the many sides of healthcare through these experiences.

“I quickly learned the health system offers the best care in the state and I am thrilled to be part of it. I want to make a difference in the lives of patients and in my community. The support my family has received in the last five years is unbelievable. I am blessed to be working here.”

Clinic services include: family medicine; colon-cancer screenings; many types of physical exams; health and wellness checks; pediatric and prenatal care; women’s health; and minor on-site procedures.

Providers are Christian Whittington, MD; Crystal Hill, MD; Susan Aistrup and Haley Gleason, both advanced practice registered nurses; and Heather Holaday, doctor of nursing practice.

Davis has always lived in the area and currently resides in Larned. She attended grade school and high school in Macksville and studied office administration and business management at Pratt Community College.

Previous employers include Simmons & Simmons accounting firm and Dwight Shank Chevrolet, where she was business manager. Davis also served as controller at Roth Equipment/Straub International in Larned and corporate office manager/controller at Straub’s Great Bend office. Next, she was an accountant at Francis Companies in Great Bend.

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

Since the focus at the hospital in Larned is on patients and their families, each new hire and current employee participates in customer-service training.

 The Five Star Customer Service sessions started last year at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus, 923 Carroll Ave. The first round of classes is wrapping up.

 In addition to hospital and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates employees, class participants also include members of the medical staff and Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Auxiliary.

 The instructor is Julie Bugner-Smith, director of the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation. Bugner-Smith earned her credentials through specialized training.

 “We want to be the best of the best when it comes to customer service at our hospital,” Bugner-Smith said. “Even though we strive to attain this goal every day, it benefits all of us to zero in on customer service through this class.

 “Our current employees benefit from a refresher course and newcomers learn that we highly value treating your family like we would treat our families,” she added. “We won’t settle for anything less than excellence. Local and area residents are the reason we are here and we take their care seriously.”

 Bugner-Smith also noted she is hearing positive feedback from class participants. “Everyone appreciates the topics we cover and will use the information to support patients and families.”

Highlights of the all-day class include: the needs of heart and mind; diversity and inclusion; and consistency and reliability.

 “It is important to make great customer service a habit,” Bugner-Smith commented. “Everyone in the class pledges their commitment to do their part each day.”

 Class size was limited to about eight people because of COVID-19 protocols. “We practice physical distancing and everyone wears a mask,” Bugner-Smith noted.

 The Customer Service Team will participate in quarterly refresher exercises. In addition to Bugner-Smith, team members are Angela Meitner, Nishka McKenzie, Leslie Presley and Megan Donecker.

 Melanie Urban, Pawnee Valley Campus administrator, said customer service is “always a top priority here. All of us strive to be professional and compassionate. These classes help us keep this philosophy at the front of our minds as we interact with patients and families.

 “We understand they are going through a difficult time and want to help in any way we can,” Urban continued. “The community can be assured that we will provide the best in medical care and tend to their emotional needs too.”