Kelly Bachar, R.N., had her first taste of the medical profession when she started as a nurse’s aide at Central Kansas Medical Center. Now, almost nine years later, Bachar is the new CKMC director of nursing.
Prior to her promotion, Bachar was house supervisor, helping coordinate admissions, discharges and staffing, as well as tending to patients as a nurse.
“My new areas of responsibility include the intensive care unit, in-patient rehab, swing bed and acute care,” Bachar said. “Acute care is for those patients requiring hospital care due to illness, trauma or post-surgical conditions.
“Swing-bed care involves situations such as rehabilitation after an accident or stroke,” Bachar continued. “These patients are not able to go home yet but they don’t need the ICU or acute-level services either. Each CKMC patient can be assured that whatever the level of care they need, professional, caring nurses will be right there at their side.”
This is one of the many reasons Bachar said she is happy to be at CKMC.
“CKMC’s mission and values guide us as we care for patients and their families,” Bachar explained. “This is home to me. I started as an aide and everyone here has always been willing to help me continue my education in all aspects of patient care.”
Kathy Cushing, CKMC chief nursing officer and chief operating officer, said the hospital is fortunate to have Bachar in her new position.
“Kelly is an ICU nurse with a big heart,” Cushing said. “She displays her compassion and professionalism every day and is well-respected by her colleagues.”
Bachar is a Russell High School graduate; she earned her R.N. in 2005 at Barton Community College. She and her husband, Jay, have three children – Brooke, 9; Bailee, 8; and Brent, 5. They reside in Hoisington. |
