CHI Health St. Francis

07/29/2025

So PROUD to now be able to offer Birth Tissue Donor Services to our patients. ❤️

Birth Tissue Donor Services gives expectant mothers the option to donate their birth tissue after the safe delivery of their baby. This gift can be made into lifesaving, life-enhancing tissue grafts.

07/28/2025

Please help us congratulate Julisa & Pedro on the birth of their daughter, Amira Itzel.

“My stay at CHI Health St. Francis was exceptional. The nursing staff provided outstanding care, ensuring my comfort and that of my partner. They effectively communicated with us, keeping us informed throughout the process. The care extended to my baby was also noteworthy. Thank you to all the staff that was involved in our sweet baby girls arrival. I would like to extend special recognition to Tabitha, Shawnee, Tatiana, and Alissa, whose exceptional service significantly enhanced my stay. They were all so amazing! Thank you!!”

Thank you for choosing CHI Health St. Francis for your delivery! Blessings to you all at home!

07/27/2025

Last week, the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation awarded more than $127,632 to 16 local fire and rescue departments and funded trauma skills training at the hospital. The majority of the grant funding was made possible by the Foundation’s annual premier fundraiser–Ticket to Win.

The following first responders received grants totaling $66,565.80 for unbudgeted expenses:
Alda Volunteer Fire Dept (Personal Protective Equipment) $7,000
Aurora Volunteer Fire Department (Nebraska) (Firefighter Bunker Gear) $7,000
Boelus Fire & Rescue (Ventilation Fan & Air Bags) $4,000
Cairo Volunteer Fire Department (AED, Binder Life & Equipment Storage) $4,000
Central City Volunteer Fire Department (Suction Machines & Pulse Oximeters) $2,000
Dannebrog Fire & Rescue (Scoop Stretchers) $3,156.80
Doniphan Fire and QRT (Personal Protective Equipment) $2,000
(Dive Rescue Equipment) $5,000
Greeley Rescue Squad (Emergency Pagers) $2,0000
Grand Island Rural Fire Department (Thermal Image Camera) $6,000
Giltner Fire & Rescue (Battery Powered Ventilation Fan) $4,000
Hampton Fire and Rescue (Firefighter Bunker Gear) $8,000
Palmer Volunteer Fire & Rescue (SCBA Bottles, Hurst Ram Cutter & Spreader) $4,000
Phillips Fire & Rescue (Powered Stryker Cot) $2,500
Saint Libory Nebraska Fire & EMS (Full Vacuum Body Splint) $2,000
Wood River Fire & Rescue Dept. (Stop The Bleed Kits & Burn Kits) $4,000

The hospital’s Educational SIM Center, a resource for St. Francis clinicians, area emergency medical personnel and the community, received a grant of $61,066.50. The center is acquiring a pediatric and an adult high-fidelity manikin, used to simulate various trauma scenarios, offering clinicians valuable opportunities to hone their lifesaving skills.

“By investing in the advanced capabilities of our local first responders, who are true life-savers, we are fulfilling our mission to create healthier and safer communities for all. Our region is incredibly fortunate to have these dedicated men and women, and we are deeply thankful for all those who support Ticket to Win each year,” says Foundation Director Melissa Griffith.

To learn more about the Ticket to Win fundraiser and grant opportunities offered to local fire and rescue departments, contact the Foundation at (308) 398-5400.

07/26/2025

🎉 HUGE NEWS! 🎉 Our Emergency Department at CHI Health St. Francis just received the prestigious Lantern Award from the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)! 🏆 This award recognizes our team's exceptional leadership, dedication to patient care, and commitment to staff well-being.

The ENA recognized 96 emergency departments worldwide for excellence in practice, collaboration and innovation. St. Francis was the only hospital in Nebraska to receive this award.

“Receiving the ENA Lantern Award is a huge honor for us! It highlights the incredible work and skill of our ED team,” says Amelia Swanson, ED Director. “We are all committed to providing each patient with the best possible care and ensuring safe patient outcomes. This is something we're very proud of and this recognition also helps us attract and retain the best employees.”

The ENA Lantern Award Committee recognized our commitment to care, employee engagement, and high-quality outcomes. Thank you to our incredible ED team for their hard work and dedication! 🙏

St. Francis serves as the region’s only Level III Trauma Center with Neurosurgery, Primary Stroke Center and Pediatric Ready Hospital. In 2023, a significant $13 million renovation expanded the ED to a new 26-bed unit, incorporating the latest technology, enhanced security measures and advanced infection prevention features.

07/25/2025

Please join us in celebrating Kat Morris, our newest DAISY Award winner! 🌼 Kat was honored in a special ceremony in the ICU for her extraordinary compassion and dedication.

Here's the heartfelt nomination that earned her this prestigious award:

“Our mom was admitted to the ICU. Kat took the time and explained everything that mom was going through. Kat was honest and so compassionate. Our family had many questions and we knew it was going to be a hard battle for our mom to recover. She had numerous conversations with us and provided updates on a regular basis. You could tell that she truly cared about our mom and wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. When our mom decided it was time to go on comfort care, Kat explained the next steps and what we could expect. About 24 hours later while sitting with mom, I could tell that she was getting close to going home to be with Jesus. While holding her hand, I reached for my cell phone trying to get one of our mom’s favorite songs to play, but the song wasn’t loading as quickly as I hoped for. Kat looked at me, while holding her other hand and asked, “What song are you trying to play?” I responded “Amazing Grace, My Chains Are Gone.” Kat didn’t miss a beat and she immediately started singing that song. Our mom passed peacefully while Kat was singing to her. The love, kindness and compassion that Kat showed to our mom during her last moments is indescribable. She definitely went above and beyond and we are forever grateful for Kat and everything she did while caring for our mother.”

Thank you, Kat, for your unwavering commitment to providing exceptional and compassionate care. You truly make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families! ❤️

07/24/2025

Welcome to the world, Harvey! 🎉 Big congratulations to Micha and Alex on the arrival of their precious son, Harvey. We're so honored they chose CHI Health St. Francis for this special moment. Micha and Alex shared, "The nurses and staff were amazing and made things so pleasant." It warms our hearts to hear that! Wishing your growing family all the best. ❤️

07/24/2025

Welcome to the world, Callie! 🎉 We're overjoyed to celebrate Chantal and Colton Kohl on the arrival of their precious baby girl. We're so honored they chose CHI Health St. Francis for this special journey.
They shared, "We had the most amazing experience at St. Francis. The facility itself is clean and beautiful. Every staff member we came in contact with was so kind— lab techs, EVS, dietary, admissions folks, even the security guards at the desk were incredibly welcoming. The heart of making our delivery experience amazing though, was of course the nurses. When I was scared and unsure about different interventions, the nurses encouraged me and advocated for me. When my husband asked questions, the nurses all uplifted him and made him feel like a confident dad. They were ALL so supportive every step of the way. Special thanks to Keri, Kaylee, Tayla, Molly, Haidyn, and Ryah. We’ll never forget you! Thank you for EVERYTHING you did to make our stay amazing. We are in absolute baby bliss and can’t stop reflecting on how great things went."

Congratulations, Chantal and Colton! Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments as a family. ❤️

07/23/2025

Nebraska Heart Institute, in collaboration with CHI Health St. Francis, will continue their free community education sessions at 6:30 p.m. TOMORROW, Thursday, July 24, in St. Francis Conference Room 2/3.

Please join us for “Low-Carb Myths,” presented by Dr. Doug Kosmicki. Part of a monthly series, this presentation is free and open to the community. Dr. Kosmicki is a board-certified interventional cardiologist practicing at Nebraska Heart.

07/23/2025

Another wonderful delivery at CHI Health St. Francis! 👶🍼 We're sending huge congratulations to Michael and Ali on the birth of their daughter, Isla Leigh!

They had such a positive experience, and wanted to share their gratitude: "We wanna thank everyone that was involved in bringing our sweet girl into the world. Huge shout out to Hailee and Makayla! Hailee was amazing and walked us through every decision and what was going on! We had such a great experience!

We're so proud of our dedicated nurses and staff who go above and beyond to provide compassionate and personalized care. Join us in congratulating Michael and Ali!

07/21/2025

07/21/2025

In case you missed it...✨ Unlock the Secrets to a Healthy Home with Low Carb Living! ✨

Anna Fruehling and Kim Kosmicki presented a FREE community educational session: "Tips & Tricks for a Low Carb Home"!

Whether you're a seasoned low-carb enthusiast or just curious about the benefits, this session is for you! They explored simple, effective strategies for creating a healthier home environment through mindful eating. Plus, they share valuable insights on incorporating low-carb options into family meals, making it easier than ever to nourish everyone from grandkids to growing kids.

What you'll learn:
The basics of low-carb eating and its potential health benefits.
Tips for making sustainable lifestyle changes.

07/21/2025

🌟 Stroke Support Group - Join Us for Support & Learning! 🌟

We're here to help both caregivers and survivors on their journey to health and healing after a stroke. In our group, you'll find education, support, and a chance to connect with others who understand what you're going through.

Come and take the first step towards healing with us!
○ July 21, 2025
○ September 15, 2025
○ November 17, 2025
● 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Location: CHI St. Francis Inpatient Rehab Unit 6th Floor
*Have questions? Just give us a call at: 308-398-5896!
To get reminder updates and join our email list, send a quick email to jennifer.niedfelt@commonspirit.org. We can't wait to see you there! 😊

07/08/2025

Did you know pelvic floor issues can affect children too? Justine Lallman, PT, DPT, explains pediatric pelvic therapy and how it can help with bedwetting, constipation, and more. https://ow.ly/86XR50WlOq1

07/07/2025

There's hope for those suffering from facial paralysis. Jill Swanson, MS, CCC-SLP, talks about how targeted facial therapy can help overall facial function. Learn more: https://ow.ly/kWZ450WlF15

07/06/2025

Want to live a longer, healthier life? ❤️

Learning your heart's "real age" is the first step! Our health risk assessment can reveal your risk for heart disease and empower you to make positive changes. Take control of your heart health! https://ow.ly/QRgE50VMfcp

07/05/2025

Urinary incontinence is more common than you think! 💧 It's also often treatable. Don't suffer in silence. Mindy Rathe, APRN, talks about the causes, types, and treatment options. https://ow.ly/R9Zp50WjVVu

07/04/2025

Wishing you a joyful 4th of July celebrating freedom and family!

Note that our Priority Care locations will be open from 8 am - 2 pm today. Virtual Quick Care will be available regular hours.

Priority Care: https://ow.ly/52og50WjQJf
VQC: https://ow.ly/IU0750WjQJe

07/03/2025

Fireworks are a blast -- until someone gets hurt. Before you hand your kid a sparkler or light that fuse, hear what a nurse and burn educator from CHI Health want you to know to stay safe.

07/02/2025

Fireworks are a symbol of celebration, but for some, they may be experiencing a different reality.

Alisandrea N. Elson, MD, explains the impact of PTSD, particularly around triggering events like fireworks: https://ow.ly/JmpB50VyAng

07/02/2025

Congratulation to the teams at CHI Health Good Samaritan on this successful event!

07/01/2025

The postpartum period requires a holistic approach to recovery. Kristen Scherer, PT, DPT, provides valuable insights into navigating the challenges, including pelvic floor dysfunction, and seeking appropriate support. https://ow.ly/s7WH50Wcul8

06/30/2025

Tired of migraines and headaches disrupting your life? Caitlin Walter, APRN, offers practical strategies for managing your pain and finding relief: https://ow.ly/ZzzE50WcuC0

06/29/2025

The providers and staff of the CHI Health Immanuel Bariatric Surgery department held their first annual gala titled "An Evening to Celebrate YOU." Patients of the Bariatric Surgery program were invited to walk the red carpet, take photos, enter prize giveaways, and celebrate all of their successes from our bariatric surgery program. Congratulations all! Learn more: https://ow.ly/36Hv50WgoSf

06/28/2025

A positive antibody screen during pregnancy can bring up questions. Michael Barsoom, MD, addresses what a positive result means during pregnancy, what to discuss with your doctor, and the importance of personalized care. https://ow.ly/3j9p50WcjqN