Zena Jacobs, R.N., still cares for patients whenever she can but she has taken on another role at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center.

          Jacobs’ new title is assistant administrator of physician clinics at St. Rose.

          These clinics are Great Bend Internists, St. Rose Surgical Clinic, St. Rose Family Medicine & Urgent Care and St. Rose Specialty Clinic.

          Jacobs started caring for patients in 2000 at the former Central Kansas Medical Center; it is now St. Rose. She has worked in the areas of medical/surgical, intensive care and Urgent Care. In addition, she has experience in psychiatric nursing.

          “I have been here quite a while and built a rapport with many patients,” Jacobs said. “They have gotten to know me and vice versa. These kinds of relationships are rewarding for all of us.”

          One of Jacobs’ main priorities in her new job is the same as in her old job - listening to patients and families. One recent result of listening to feedback is extended hours at St. Rose Family Medicine.

          “We extended the hours several weeks ago and it has already helped,” Jacobs said. “The patients wanted us to add Friday hours and we did. That extra day a week is making a lot of positive difference for our patients and health-care providers.

          “While we focus on what patients are telling us, my overall job is to lead and provide oversight for the development and coordination of health-care services at all our clinics,” Jacobs commented. “I am blessed to be part of such an amazing team of providers, nurses and clerical workers; we also have a great hands-on administrative team.”

          Jacobs also noted that Stephanie Waggoner, administrator of physician clinics for Kansas, has been an integral part of local clinic improvements.

          “Stephanie and I work closely together to ensure our ideas are aligned with the vision of Centura Health Physician Group,” Jacobs said. “Centura supplies us with all the educational and technical resources we need. They are directly involved and available if our clinics and patients need anything.”

          She also noted that all clinic providers are accepting new patients.

          Jacobs received her associate’s degree at Barton Community College in 2001. She earned a bachelor’s in nursing in 2009 and a master’s in business administration in 2011, both at Tabor College in Wichita.

          She lives in Great Bend; her son, Ryan, is in the paramedic program at BCC.

          Centura Health connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.