Celebrating Senior Life Solutions’ 10th anniversary were, from left to right, Karia Browning (OPC), Sarah Watkins (Program Therapist), Cheyann Wheeler (Program Therapist), Stacey Stillwell (Program Nurse), and Gail Heitman (Program Director). (Submitted photo)
Community Hospital-Fairfax’s Senior Life Solutions celebrated a “Decade In Bloom” with an open house Wednesday, May 13. The Senior Life Solutions program is an intensive group counseling program for individuals over age 65. Pictured above visiting at the open house are Gerry Tohill and Kay Bulger.
Community Hospital-Fairfax’s Senior Life Solutions program has positively touched the lives of 183 patients who needed a mental and emotional health boost over the past 10 years. On May 13, 2026, Senior Life Solutions hosted an open house garden party May 13, 2026, to celebrate 10 years of providing care to seniors in our community.
Gail Heitman, R.N., program director, said, “It is my privilege to work with our fantastic team at Community Hospital-Fairfax: Karia Browning, OPC; Sarah Watkins, LPC; Cheyann Wheeler, LMSW; and Stacey Stillwell, LPN.”
She continued, “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, I think I can speak for the entire team when I say we love what we do, and it is so rewarding to see our patients thrive mentally. Depression and anxiety stalk many people in our world today, due to a variety of reasons. It is comforting to know that right here at home, Community Hospital-Fairfax’s Senior Life Solutions offers help for those in need.”
Gail has been a nurse for over 42 years in Holt and Atchison counties. “When I was asked 10 years ago to be the program director for Senior Life Solutions, I could think of so many different patients that had crossed my path throughout the years that would have benefitted greatly from this program, but there were no programs like it at the time,” she said.
In honor of those patients and family members, and with encouragement from my daughter, who is a nurse, Gail said, “I’ll give it a whirl!”
Gail continued, “I have never looked back! Ten years have flown by! I consider this role a calling rather than a job, and I am so blessed to be a part of it!”
Anyone can refer to the program, including family members, physicians, pastors, hospital employees, and community members. Patients can also refer themselves. Once referred, patients will be screened to ensure that they meet the qualification for the program.
The Senior Life Solutions phone number is 660-686-2319.
