Rathje Named Program Coordinator For Safe At Home

Columbus Community Hospital’s medical alert service not only has a new name — it also has a new program coordinator. Hailey Rathje was named program coordinator of Safe at Home services, formerly known as Philips Lifeline, in November 2023.

CCH’s Safe at Home medical alert service allows people to enjoy life in the comfort of their own homes, and gives them the freedom to go anywhere with confidence.

The hospital started its medical alert program on Dec. 15, 1983, with only 17 units, so that it could provide a needed resource to the community. Because of technological advances over the last 40 years, personal emergency response systems have become readily available to anyone in need. 

Columbus Community Hospital offers on-the-go and in-home versions of these systems, which give users access to help 24 hours a day at the touch of a button.

“Being in my position for such a short period of time, I have already seen the impact this service provides the community,” said Hailey Rathje, Safe at Home program coordinator at the hospital. “There are quite a few dedicated subscribers who feel so safe and secure with this program.”

Rathje, who is from Columbus, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. This, combined with her love for gerontology and data, brought her to her current position.

“There are many different things I do within my new position, including distributing information about the system and helping install or service the units,” said Rathje. "But I do not respond to the emergency calls.”

Rathje said she always imagined herself being involved in health care in some form. Since she was in and out of hospitals many times as a child, she got comfortable in her surroundings and saw herself staying in hospitals as a career.

Now, as the program coordinator of Safe at Home, Rathje said she is noticing the impact this service has on the community.

“Our longest subscriber has been with us for over 15 years,” she said. “And there are many others up there as well. Being able to see them and talk to them about how this program has offered them safety and security has been really exciting.”

For more information on the Safe at Home program and its products, call 402-562-3382 or visit columbushosp.org.