Artesian Valley Health System

Artesian Valley Health System is located in Meade, Kansas, and is comprised of a 20-bed critical access hospital, a 45-bed long-term care center, and three rural health clinics. AVHS provides comprehensive patient-focused care in a variety of settings, delivered by skilled medical professionals. Our not-for-profit status ensures that all financial resources remaining after expenses are re-invested in the system to improve technology, the facilities, and patient services.

Artesian Valley Health System Announces New CEO

Dawn Unruh, MSN-NE, PMC-HA, RN

Artesian Valley Health System’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Dawn Unruh, MSN-NE, PMC-HA, RN has been named as the new Chief Executive Officer of Artesian Valley Health System (AVHS).

“Dawn’s proven leadership and expertise has positioned her well to serve as the AVHS CEO.  She is an experienced, engaging, and compassionate leader who is committed to our community and our employees,” said Lori Ulichnie, AVHS Board Chairman. “The Board is confident that she will lead AVHS as we move into the next era of serving our community’s healthcare needs.”

Rebuilding Strength and Enjoying an Active Life Through,

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a supervised program that includes exercise training, disease, and medication education, and breathing techniques for individuals who have certain lung conditions that prevent them from doing daily living activities. Pulmonary rehabilitation will help you manage your disease, increase your stamina, and decrease your breathlessness. At Meade District Hospital, our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Director will educate you on how to pace your breathing with activities and prepare an exercise program just for you. The exercises will begin at a level that you can handle. The amount of time you exercise will be increased through time and the level of difficulty will change based on your ability. As your muscles get stronger, you will exercise longer with less breathlessness and exhaustion.

Pulmonary rehabilitation may improve your quality of life by:

  • Reducing shortness of breath
  • Increasing exercise tolerance
  • Promoting a sense of well-being
  • Decrease hospitalizations
  • Reducing emotional stress, depression, and anxiety
  • Decreasing blood pressure along with improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels