Living the Mission: Department Spotlight
Social Work, Case Management , Behavioral Health, & Senior Life at Holton Community Hospital
How Social Workers Transform Care in Rural Hospitals
March is National Social Work Month, and this year’s national theme — “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform.” — honors the essential role social workers play in building healthier communities.
In rural healthcare, this work is even more critical.
At Holton Community Hospital, our Social Work, Case Management, Behavioral Health, and Senior Life Solutions teams work together every day to guide patients through complex medical, emotional, and social challenges. Their shared mission is simple: remove barriers, support whole-person wellness, and ensure every patient receives safe, compassionate, coordinated care.
Living the Mission: Department Spotlight. The mission of Holton Community Hospital is “To provide professionalism, compassion, and excellence in healthcare for a healthier community. This month we focus our spotlight on them.
Hospital Social Work in Rural Kansas
Supporting patients through crisis, transition, and healing
Chelsea Shupe, LMSW — Acute Care Social Worker & Behavioral Health Therapist
Chelsea serves patients in both the hospital setting and Holton Family Medicine (link this to your Behavioral Health program page).
Her work includes:
Psychosocial assessments
Discharge planning
Connecting patients with home health, community resources, and financial support
Supporting swing-bed patients
Addressing social determinants of health
Providing outpatient behavioral health therapy (anxiety, depression, trauma, crisis intervention)
Chelsea helps ensure patients leave the hospital with the resources, confidence, and support they need to heal safely at home.
Traci Smith, LMSW — Acute Care Social Worker, Grief Coach & Outpatient Therapist
Traci supports patients and families during medical and emotional turning points.
Her acute-care work includes:
Crisis response
Resource navigation
Complex placement coordination
Psychosocial assessments
As an outpatient therapist, she provides:
Individual counseling
Trauma-informed care
Anxiety and depression treatment
Grief support
Ongoing care coordination
Traci’s dual role bridges immediate hospital needs and long-term emotional healing.
Case Management in a Critical Access Hospital
Ensuring safe discharges, removing barriers, and supporting continuity of care
Case Managers and Social Workers work hand-in-hand every day. At Holton Community Hospital, this collaboration is essential to navigating the complexities of rural healthcare, limited resources, and individualized patient needs.
Breann H., RN, BSN — Case Management
With 22 years at Holton Community Hospital, Breann brings deep clinical insight to her patient advocacy role.
Her work includes:
Admission assessments
Safe discharge planning
Coordinating Home Health, Hospice, oxygen, and DME
Arranging in-home caregiving and facility placements
Patient and family education
She also contributes to multiple hospital committees including Service Excellence, Employee Relations, Patient Safety, Care Coordination, and Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
Sandy J., BSN, RN, CCM — Patient Care Coordinator
Sandy has over 15 years of experience in hospital case management and eight years at HCH.
Her work includes:
Admission assessments
Swing Bed Care Plan meetings
Joint Camp education for orthopedic patients
Patient and family advocacy
She contributes to Quality Council, Employee Empowerment, Wellness Committee, and serves as an Onboarding Ambassador.
Why Social Work and Case Management Matter in Rural Healthcare
These teams play a vital role in improving outcomes by:
Coordinating safe, timely discharges
Reducing barriers to care
Ensuring patients receive needed home and community services
Supporting mental and emotional health
Addressing financial, social, and environmental challenges
Advocating for dignity and autonomy
Improving quality, safety, and long-term success
Their work reflects our hospital mission and embodies this year’s national theme:
Uplift. Defend. Transform.
Behavioral Health Services at Holton Community Hospital
Behavioral health is a growing priority in rural communities. Through counseling, crisis support, and coordination with primary care, our social workers provide essential mental health access close to home.
(You may link this section to your Behavioral Health Telemedicine or clinic service page.)
Senior Life Solutions: Mental Health Support for Older Adults
Helping seniors regain confidence, connection, and emotional well-being
Senior Life Solutions is Holton Community Hospital’s voluntary outpatient mental health program designed to address the distinct needs of older adults, typically aged 65 or older, who are struggling with depression and anxiety, often related to the challenges of aging:
Depression
Anxiety
Grief
Social isolation
Emotional changes related to aging
The interdisciplinary team includes:
LeighAnn Schultejans, LMSW — Therapist
Leads group therapy, individual sessions, and family counseling
Supports seniors through life transitions
Strengthens coping skills and resilience
Coordinates with families and community providers
Nicole Baum — Program Director/Registered Nurse
Oversees clinical coordination
Monitors medical and behavioral needs
Communicates with primary care and specialists
Ensures high-quality program operations
Jordan J. — Office Patient Coordinator
Coordinates referrals
Handles scheduling and insurance authorization
Assists with transportation needs
Ensures seniors feel comfortable and prepared for care
Our multidisciplinary team includes a psychiatrist, a master’s-level social worker, nurse, and care coordinator working together to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. Services include monthly psychiatric evaluations, individualized and group therapy sessions, and weekday wellness check-ins to ensure consistent support and monitoring.
Family members, doctors, or other health experts can recommend people to our program. But, you don’t need a doctor’s note to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hospital social workers help patients navigate emotional, social, and practical challenges related to illness, hospitalization, and recovery.
They coordinate discharge planning, home services, equipment, insurance needs, and community resources to ensure safe and successful recovery.
We provide outpatient therapy, behavioral health telemedicine, crisis support, and Senior Life Solutions for older adults.
A structured outpatient therapy program supporting seniors experiencing depression, anxiety, or emotional challenges related to aging.
Still have questions? Contact us.
If you or a loved one need support from Social Work, Case Management, or Behavioral Health services at Holton Community Hospital, we are here to help.
📞 Social Services/ Swing Bed: 785-364-9659
📞 Senior Life Solutions: 785-364-9610
📞 Family Medicine & Behavioral Health: 785-364-2126
Learn more:
Behavioral Health / Telehealth
https://holtonhospital.com/hospital-care/mental-emotional-wellness/Senior Life Solutions
https://holtonhospital.com/hospital-care/mental-emotional-wellness/Family Medicine
https://holtonhospital.com/family-medicine/Home Health (discharge planning relevance)
https://holtonhospital.com/home-health/
