Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Feeling SAD? Behavioral Health Team Has Some Guidance
• Blood Donations Needed at SVH Community Drive
• Walk with a Doc Program in Topeka this Saturday
• RETAINWORKS 2023 Project ECHO
• Time for Excellence in Nursing Award Nominations
• Current Status at Stormont Vail Health

Feeling SAD? Behavioral Health Team Has Some Guidance

Have you found yourself feeling down or maybe a little disinterested in the past month? You might be suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder and not even know it. Read this week’s blog on the Stormont Vail website with information from our Behavioral Health team. Find out more about Seasonal Affective Disorder, tips on how to combat those winter blues, and more!

Blood Donations Needed at SVH Community Drive

January is National Blood Donor Month and we are encouraging community members and team members alike to help stop the shortage!

The American Red Cross came out earlier this year with the message: “National blood crisis – its worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care. Amid this crisis, doctors have been forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.”

Stormont Vail Health is hosting a community blood drive in hopes that saving lives can be as easy as possible. Please join us from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Pozez Education Center, Centennial Rooms A and D.

• Make sure you meet all qualifications by visiting: Can I Donate? | Save a Life Now
• Register now: https://donate.savealifenow.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/78959

Walk with a Doc Program in Topeka this Saturday

Take a walk with Dr. Casey Whale, orthopedic surgeon, at the January Walk with a Doc. It will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at Washburn University. This doctor-led group is a fun and safe place to hear briefly about an important health topic and enjoy a walk outside with a physician each month.

Dr. Whale will share information about orthopedics and sports medicine. Participants should meet at the east side of Lee Arena at Washburn University. The walk is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. If it’s too cold or snowing, the walk will be done indoors.

According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following benefits:

• Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity
• Enhance mental well-being
• Reduce the risk of osteoporosis

​Mark your calendar for the February Walk with a Doc: Feb. 18 with Dr. Hisham Hakeem from Cardiovascular Services.

Current Status at Stormont Vail Health

The weekly COVID-19 scorecard is posted on the Stormont Vail website. Here are highlights are from the scorecard:

• 13 inpatients are COVID-19 positive. That is similar to 15 last week.
• 95% of recent COVID-19 admissions are unvaccinated or had last dose/booster more than 6 months ago.
• COVID-19 inpatient discharges (previous week): 18. Deaths: 0.
• 3 COVID-19 positive patients in the outpatient Enhanced Primary Care program.
• 9.6% of people tested for COVID-19 at Stormont Vail facilities the past seven days were positive. That is similar to 9.5% last week.
• 15 team members and 1 providers on contact leave for COVID-19. The total of 16 people on contact leave this week compares to 17 last week.
• 111,311 vaccinations (included boosters) administered.
• To schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment:
  • Use online scheduling assistant at stormontvail.org/covid19/vaccine
  • Call (785) 270-4786.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy