After working for Berlin Memorial Hospital and Community Health Network for 23 years, CHN Home Care Administrator Jan Slusser has announced her retirement, effective December 3, 2010. Slusser has worked in Home Care for 20 years and recently received the Wisconsin Home Care Organization lifetime award.  Although Slusser will miss the people that have become her second family, she is excited to start a new chapter in her life, including a winter hiatus to Hawaii.

Although Slusser will be sorely missed by her Home Care team, her CHN co-workers and the many patients whose lives she has touched, CHN Home Care has an incredibly dedicated and skilled staff who will continue the work Slusser has begun.

The new administrator of CHN Home Care is Deb Dobyns, BSN.  Dobyns brings Home Care, Palliative Care and Hospice Care experience to CHN.

In addition, three members of the CHN Home Care team have recently furthered their education and training and obtained additional certifications.

Tracy Paris, RN, who has been with CHN since 1995, has obtained her Wound Care Certification (WCC) from the National Wound Care Education Institute. Paris has extensive wound care experience in both assessment and staging wounds. Slusser commented, “Chronic wounds need to be managed consistently and with the right products. CHN is fortunate to have a Registered Nurse nationally credited with the expertise to work with physicians and make these recommendations for their patients. Tracy has the knowledge and experience to improve the quality of life for our patients.” 

Wound Care Certification is a prestigious and highly recognized credential. Wound care is in growing demand due to the increased number of individuals with Diabetic wound complications. Fortunately, the training Paris received can help patients prevent Diabetic related amputations.

In addition, Lori Dolan, RN recently received her Home Care Coding Specialist-Diagnosis Certification (HCS-D), a vital skill that “ensures accurate reporting to insurance companies and guarantees proper reimbursement and risk adjustments,” according to Slusser.  Dolan will now be required to maintain 12 hours of Continuing Education every two years and retest to maintain her credentials.

Another Home Care member, Bertie Speak, RN received training and obtained her Foot Care Certification. Bertie makes home visits to homebound patients to manage the care of difficult toe nails. She also sees patients by appointment at the Berlin Home Care office. Slusser notes, “Bertie provides a service that is essential to the well-being of a specific clientele. If a patient has their feet and nails cared for, it can change their whole outlook on life!”

Although Slusser will be greatly missed when she departs her administrator role in December, such ongoing training and rigorous certification will certainly leave the CHN Home Care team capable of carrying on in her absence.