Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Carol Degenhardt Receives Extraordinary Care Award
• “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: Precautions for Cold Temperatures
• Car Seat Checkup Event: Jan. 13, 2024
• Stop the Spread of Illness – Wash Hands, Stay Home if Ill

Carol Degenhardt Receives Extraordinary Care Award

Congratulations to Carol Degenhardt, Social Work Manager in Case Management, for being awarded the Stormont Vail Health Extraordinary Care Award winner. This award is the highest recognition of Small Moments. It honors a team or individual who has made a significant impact towards Stormont Vail Health’s mission and embodies the spirit of Stormont Vail values and the Small Moment Culture.

Carol received her award Tuesday afternoon in a surprise ceremony with all of her peers and members of Operating Committee attending.

Her nomination in part said:

“This past year, Carol worked for months on securing the best possible discharge plan for an individual who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury. She advocated for this patient when he could not advocate for himself. She formed a relationship with his wife and his family and she went above and beyond.

Due to the severity of his brain injury, this patient was at high risk of falls and injuring himself. He had difficulty concentrating and was restless. Carol took time outside of work to purchase “fidget toys” and items to help keep this patient’s hands and mind busy throughout the day. After this patient was discharged, Carol stayed in contact with the family and community organizations that this patient was connected with to ensure he remained successful and safe outside of the hospital setting.

The thing that sets Carol aside is that this is just 1 in 1000-plus similar stories that could be shared. To know Carol is to know a leader, a mentor, and a friend. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this extraordinary care award.”

Carol’s colleagues describe her as understanding, dedicated, and compassionate, which shine through each day as she advocates deeply for the most vulnerable in our community.

Congratulations Carol on this special award, your work is felt far and wide, and is truly inspiring.

“To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: Precautions for Cold Temperatures

Find out how you can take care of yourself during cold temperatures headed our way on tonight’s WIBW “To Your Health.” Jason Butler, D.O., Flint Hills Campus emergency medicine physician, will share tips for avoiding health-related ailments when the weather is frigid. The segment will air at 10 p.m. on WIBW-TV, Channel 13. The segment will typically repeat at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Fridays on 13 News This Morning and be posted on wibw.com.

Car Seat Checkup Event: Jan. 13, 2024

Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat at the first car seat checkup event of 2024 scheduled to take place 9 a.m.-noon Jan. 13 at Topeka Fire Station #5, 720 SW 21st St.

Safe Kids Shawnee County and Stormont Vail Health partner to provide this event. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician will make sure your children are riding safely and help you find out if it’s time for a change.

The checkup event takes place on the second Saturday of each month, so if you miss January’s event, be sure to put it on your calendar for next month. To learn more, contact [email protected].

Stop the Spread of Illness – Wash Hands, Stay Home if Ill

Yes, Virginia, it is respiratory season. With holiday gatherings with Santa and crowded shopping excursions behind us, some of us received more than the gift of new pajamas. It may be packaged as influenza, COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but regardless, there are some things you can do to stop the spread and help keep those around you healthy.

• Get back to basic infection prevention measures.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough.
• Wash your hands regularly.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy