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Phyllis Oetting
Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems (MCHHS) would like to announce the retirement of Phyllis Oetting, HR Director, and congratulate her for 45 years of service to our organization. A public reception will be held in her honor at MCHHS on May 29th from 2 pm to 3 pm.
Phyllis graduated from Waconda East High School in 1975 before furthering her education and earning an Associate of Science degree in Data Processing from Cloud County Community College in 1977. She started her career at MCHHS on September 5, 1978 as a business office clerk, after working in the data processing department of Kansas–Nebraska Natural Gas Company in Phillipsburg, Kansas.
In the early days of her tenure at MCHHS, Phyllis Oetting embarked on a journey that involved numerous responsibilities within the business office from handling admissions to calculating charges for both inpatients and outpatients, and even preparing monthly statements. Remarkably, all of these tasks were carried out manually. It was during the early 1980s that Phyllis faced one of her most significant challenges, the conversion of the accounts receivable system to a computerized billing system. This marked a pivotal moment in her career, paving the way for greater efficiency and accuracy in financial operations. From that point forward, Phyllis became involved in numerous computer system conversions, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities for growth.
Oetting's journey at MCHHS took a significant turn when she was recruited to assume the role of Bookkeeper. Phyllis took charge of processing accounts payable invoices, managing vendor payments, and overseeing employee benefits and payroll. During this period, the complexities of payroll management involved manual computation of time cards. As technology advanced, so did the hospital's payroll system. Phyllis witnessed the transition from manual time card processing to an electronic badge timekeeping system, a significant step in payroll management. Since those times, MCHHS has embraced web-based computer timekeeping, reflecting Phyllis's adaptability and commitment to embracing technological advancements.
Phyllis’s journey continued and her experience led her to the pivotal role of Human Resource Director on December 1, 1996. As HR Director, she championed numerous initiatives aimed at fostering a supportive and positive work environment for employees.
Beyond her responsibilities within the organization, Phyllis actively engaged with her community. She participated in the 2nd class of Leadership Mitchell County, as well as serving as a board member and curriculum committee member. She was a 4-H leader, Post Rock Extension board member, St. John’s Catholic Church Finance committee member, Solomon Valley Community Foundation board member, and Farmway Credit Union finance advisory committee.
Phyllis's exceptional dedication and contributions were recognized through awards such as Employee of the Quarter in April 2001 and the honor of being named the 2023 Kansas Healthcare Human Resources Association Professional of the Year.
Phyllis and her husband, Jerry, have celebrated 44 years of marriage. Jerry farms and works at Beloit Farm Supply. They have two grown children, Emily Winsor and her husband, Ben, of Perry, Kansas and Blake Woods and his wife, Julie, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. They have four grandchildren, Grayden and Kinsley Oetting and Collins and Rhowyn Winsor.
In retirement, Phyllis intends to dedicate more time to family activities, such as attending grandchildren's events and traveling alongside her husband. Additionally, she looks forward to enjoying more hobby time, which includes flower gardening, sewing, quilting, and reading.
Phyllis expresses, “Over the years with MCHHS, I have made many great friends and memories, but most of all, I hope I have made a positive impact in the lives of others. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the wonderful MCHHS team. I will miss all of you! ‘Retirement may be an ending, a closing, but it is also a new beginning.’ by Catherine Pulsifer. I am looking forward to this new beginning”.
As Phyllis embarks on this next chapter of her life, we celebrate not only her professional achievements but also the impact she has had on the lives of so many. Janelle Kircher states, “After over 45 years of employment with MCHHS, Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of dedication and wisdom that has shaped the human resources department and she will be greatly missed.”