Author: electricpulp

Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have almost unlimited options in terms where they could go to practice and live. But when you know where you’re supposed to be, you just know. That’s how June Reiling, CNP and Mackenzi Gatzke, PA-C feel about working at Monument Health Medical Clinic in Lead-Deadwood. Both women were born at Lead-Deadwood Hospital and grew up in the community. And after experiencing other communities, it’s really the only place they want to be.

“I came back here because I love this clinic and I love this area,” said June, who has returned to Lead-Deadwood multiple times. She started out as a Licensed Practical Nurse at the hospital. Between stints elsewhere, including Portland, Ore. for a master’s degree and Boise where she spent eight years, she has always found her way back. “I’ve lived other places and there’s just no place like the Hills,” she said.

Since returning to Lead-Deadwood, June’s fellow caregivers and patients have welcomed her back with open arms. “It’s been so heartwarming. It’s really made me confident that I made the right decision to come back.” She added that she has never felt professionally limited in Lead-Deadwood, as the area’s rural location and tourism industry provide a diverse group of patients. Furthermore, her time at other clinics has helped her truly appreciate the collegial relationships between providers and caregivers at Monument Health.

Mackenzi, who received her PA degree last year from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, said she debated which health care career she would pursue, but she never questioned where she would end up. “I just love the people in this community, and I wanted to come back and serve the community I grew up in,” she said. “I was a bit nervous at first, since many people still know me as a child, but everyone’s been very receptive and very respectful and has welcomed me into this role.”

For both women, understanding the community they serve and really getting to know their patients plays an important role their work. “With both Mackenzi and I, we really enjoy the history with everyone we have in the community. I’ve seen four generations of families here, and that’s a very rich experience,” June said. “To watch them go through the life cycle and to really understand what they’re saying when they tell you the most intimate details of their life is special.”

It is clear that both providers are going to call Lead-Deadwood home for the foreseeable future. “This clinic has stood by me during some very difficult times in my life,” said June. “They stepped in when I needed help. We just look out for each other, both in and outside of the clinic.”

That sure seems like something that would be hard to move away from. Thanks to June and Mackenzi for calling Lead-Deadwood and Monument Health your home.

Patient Care Champion appreciated by fellow caregivers

 

When fellow caregivers – six in one month, to be exact – submit formal notes of appreciation for the work you’re doing, it’s safe to say you’re doing something right. Whitney Pittmon, Patient Care Champion (PCC) at Rapid City Hospital (RCH) and nursing student at South Dakota State University, received WOW cards from six caregivers in May alone.

“I always try to go above and beyond at my job, so it’s very special to be appreciated by my coworkers,” said Whitney, a Rapid City native who joined the Cardiac Intervention Unit in November. One theme from her WOW cards is Whitney’s reliability and her ability to provide high-quality, compassionate care to patients even when difficult situations arise.

In his WOW card, Clinical Resource Nurse Tim Donner, RN, told Whitney that she “showed real calm and patience under very stressful situations.” He added that “It is always comforting to know you are on a pod, because your patients will all be well taken care of.” Brandy Myers, RN, said Whitney is always positive and cheerful, and her rapport with patients is fantastic. Ashleigh Kostboth, RN, said “I know I can always count on Whitney when I need help.”

Clinical Nurse Manager Amanda Dosch, BS, RN, said she appreciates Whitney’s tenacity and process improvement ideas. “She brought forward suggestions that we have or will implement such as a change to our pod checklist and standardizing our PCC report.”

The recognition from nurses on her floor is especially meaningful since Whitney hopes to join them one day as a registered nurse. “The team-building that’s exhibited on the CIU is super encouraging to me as a new nurse,” she said. “I feel like I have a place on this floor and like I have an extra family.”

Whitney said her fellow caregivers have reinforced the importance of patient-centered care, something she is learning about in nursing school. “[Patient-centered care] really does work. The patient needs to feel like they are the priority, and sometimes you can do that just by talking to them. Even though we have so many things to do, taking a few minutes out of the day to talk with a patient might be just what they need.”

Whitney has submitted her own share of WOW cards, because she feels it’s important to let people know how much she values their help. While she feels that formal recognition is important, she hopes fellow caregivers know they are always valued – WOW card or not. “Some people might think they aren’t appreciated unless they get a WOW card, but that’s not true. You are.”

Taking time to acknowledge someone’s hard work might be the boost they need that week. Thank you to Whitney and all PCCs and PCTs for making a difference for nurses, patients and families at Monument Health.

(Reprinted from the June 12, 2019, Black Hills Pioneer.)

By Dan Daly
Monument Health

Over the past few years, Kellan Anderson, the REP (Regional Elite Performance) Coordinator has become a familiar sight to high-school and middle school athletes in Spearfish.

Each summer, REP hosts a strength and conditioning camp at Black Hills State University and Spearfish High School, where over 150 Spearfish community 7th- to 12th-grade athletes attend to improve their athletic performance. The camp is designed with the purpose of educating and building a strong foundation for young athletes to progress over the course of their athletic careers; improving performance and decreasing the risk of injury is the ultimate goal.

“I want the athletes to know what we are doing, how to do it correctly, and why we are doing it,” Anderson said. He believes this is how you create important buy-in, and ultimately allow the participants to reach their potential and see optimal outcomes.

“Ninety percent of what we do as strength-and-conditioning coaches is the same, or very similar,” he added. “What separates us is the art of how we coach, with communication being key.”

Over the past two years, REP and Spearfish High School have partnered on a year-round strength-and-conditioning program as well, with Anderson providing strength and conditioning services to Spearfish High School through the academic year. Both he and the high school believed this was the next step to increasing the competitiveness and success of area athletes at all levels and in all sports.

Starting this year, REP will transition to a new name, “Monument Health Sports Performance Powered by EXOS.” With the new partnership with EXOS, a leading human performance company known for its work with professional athletes, Spearfish will be able to offer training services that in the past have been unavailable here. In addition to the new partnership, Monument Health will provide a dedicated Strength and Conditioning coach to Spearfish High School to continue to grow and advance the programs currently in place.

Rose Lewis, CSCS, will assume this position. She brings several years of experience working with middle school through university-age athletes in all sports.

For more information, contact:
Rose Lewis, rlewis2@monument.health.
Kellan Anderson, kanderson9@monument.health.

 

Pharmacists’ anticoagulation clinics provide thorough patient care

Pharmacist Claire Colgan, Pharm.D., meets with a patient at Monument Health Medical Clinic – Flormann Street.