Coffey Health System

03/14/2026

Multi-generational farms carry more than crops and livestock — they carry legacy, responsibility, and pressure that spans decades. For many farm families, the weight of keeping the farm alive for the next generation can be overwhelming.

Farmers face some of the highest stress levels of any profession. Studies show:
• 1 in 4 farmers experience symptoms of depression 
• Farmers are 2–3.5x more likely to die by su***de than the general population 
• Over 70% of farmers report financial pressures as a major stressor 
• Nearly 50% say they feel overwhelmed or unable to cope at times 

Now add the pressure of protecting a family legacy, navigating volatile markets, unpredictable weather, rising input costs, and the expectation to pass the farm down stronger than it was received. That burden often falls on multiple generations at once — parents, grandparents, and young producers trying to carry the torch.

Behind every family farm is a family carrying a lot more than most people realize. Checking in, starting conversations, and supporting rural mental health matters more than ever.

03/13/2026

Erika Steffens has been assisting patients at Coffey County Medical Center for nearly seven years. For her dedication to the residents, she is nominated for the BEE Award for "Being Excellent Everyday."

If you'd like to recognize any non-nursing member of the CHS family for the BEE Award, visit https://www.coffeyhealth.org/patient-experience/. Got a special nurse who deserves recognition? Use the same link to nominate her/him for the DAISY Award.

In healthcare, there is nothing better than recognition from our patients!

03/13/2026

Chief Nursing Officer Suzanne Garcia, Infection Preventionist Linsey Knipp, and Chief Executive Officer Stacy Augustyn are trying out the latest personal protective equipment (PPE) at KHA’s infection prevention conference. PPE protects staff from infectious materials, bloodborne pathogens, and respiratory droplets.

03/13/2026

Can you spot Stacy, Suzanne, and Linsey? They are taking part in this important training experience.

03/12/2026

A registered dietitian can tailor a healthful eating plan that is as special as you are–plus, guide and motivate you with creative strategies to help with meal planning, grocery shopping, and mindful eating. During nutrition month and every day of the year, we appreciate Registered Dietitian Denise Hamilton!

03/10/2026

Our volunteers, Friends of CHS, collect plastic bags that are recycled into durable benches. Here, two volunteers, Sue Rodgers and Michelle Baldwin, pose with one of the two benches recently placed at CHS Rehabilitation & Wellness. In the past few years, the volunteers also donated benches to The Meadows and Yates Center Medical Clinic.

03/09/2026

Gwen Mays is a fixture at The Meadows where she has served as a CNA and cook for 25 years. For her dedication to the residents, she is nominated for the BEE Award for "Being Excellent Everyday."

If you'd like to recognize any non-nursing member of the CHS family for the BEE Award, visit https://www.coffeyhealth.org/patient-experience/. Got a special nurse who deserves recognition? Use the same link to nominate her/him for the DAISY Award.

In healthcare, there is nothing better than recognition from our patients!

03/08/2026

Programs like the Rural Health Transformation Program and the 340B Program aren’t just health policy — they’re economic development tools.
These programs help hospitals remain financially sustainable so they can continue providing care, employing Kansans and supporting local economies. Protecting these resources means protecting both access to care and economic stability across Kansas.

03/07/2026

We were honored to participate in the recent statewide Virtual Health Care Career Day, coordinated by the Kansas Hospital Association. A huge shout-out goes to Nurse Practitioner Ashley Beying for expertly representing CHS and her profession in both the video and the live Q&A discussion with 5,000 students across the state!

Thank you to everyone who helped with the CHS video, including Ashley, Myra Richard, John Shell, and Stacy Augustyn. Drone footage of our facilities was graciously provided by Vaughn-Roth Land Brokers.

In this 19 minute segment from the 2026 Virtual Health Care Career Day, the team at Coffey County Hospital in Burlington highlights their careers and answer ...

03/06/2026

Today's Lunch & Learn with Burlington Police Chief Mike Roney was a phenomenal experience! A full house of participants learned about various types of scams and how to avoid them. Thank you, Chief Roney, for sharing your commitment to the well-being of our community.

03/06/2026

No basement? Please take a minute today to locate your local tornado shelters!

**Courthouse Tornado Shelter**
Due to security changes, the main courthouse lobby doors will not be open for the tornado shelter. The west stairwell/ramp (marked on graphic w/ a red arrow) that leads to the Health Department floor will be unlocked for residents to proceed to the basement shelter. Parking (marked on graphic w/ white boxes) is available in the lot north of the courthouse, along Neosho Street & 6th Street. Use the crosswalk or follow sidewalk to enter the west door down the stairwell or using the ramp. The shelter is located in the big meeting rooms in the basement of the courthouse.

These doors will be unlocked during a Tornado Watch or Tornado Warning.

03/05/2026

We are well-represented at the Critical Issues Summit by Chief Executive Officer Stacy Augustyn, Chief Nursing Officer Suzanne Garcia, and Trustee Perry Chapman.

Today’s Critical Issues Summit brought together over a 130 hospital executives and board members to learn best strategies about strategic planning and effective board governance.