Health and Wellness

Some of life’s biggest moments are spent with a nurse. National Nurses Week provides the perfect opportunities to celebrate the nurses who care for us, our friends and our families.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital Earns CMS 5-Star Rating

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH)

Transitional Care - Not Just Hip & Knee Replacements

When you think of excellent health care, you think of Sheridan. This not only applies to your Emergency Room visits or the birth of newborns

Why I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine Shot? Why You Should Too...

With the COVID-19 vaccines becoming more and more available to everyone, we asked some of our health care providers why they got the vaccine and what their thoughts are for our community.

It’s Not Glamorous, but Colon Cancer Screening Saves Lives

It may not be the most glamorous subject, but talking about colorectal cancer saves lives. Among cancer affecting both men and women, colorectal

Options for Care

Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult. Even in a small town like Sheridan, there are multiple options for care and it may not always be clear where to start. Sheridan Memorial Hospital

COVID-19 Vaccines explained

We have all been affected by Covid-19, which is why we look for safe and effective ways To protect our families, communities, businesses and mental health by reducing disease burden, keep us from getting Covid-19, and allow us to resume social

February: American Heart Month – Check Your Blood Pressure

Did you know that nearly 1 in 2 Americans have high blood pressure and many people don’t even know they have it? That’s because there are often

Charlotte Walter, PT, DPT, ATC - Physical Therapist at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Wyoming Rehab

Joint Friendly Exercises to Avoid Pain While Increasing Activity

If 2020 knocked you off your fitness routine or reminded you of the importance of starting one, read on. A common barrier for individuals wanting

2nd Dose COVID-19 Vaccine

Through January 22, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has provided COVID-19 vaccinations to approximately 1,000 people in Sheridan County. That includes SMH employees and the priority

COVID-19 Vaccine Demand Outpacing Supply

To date, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has received approximately 970 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. That includes 700 doses in late

Charlotte Walter, PT, DPT, visits about patient-centered care at SMH's Wyoming Rehab

Wyoming Rehab's Licensed Physical Therapist Charlotte Walter describes her approach to creating individualized treatment plans to help each patient achieve their goals.

Connie's Story

Connie Bachel, a longtime employee of Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH), contracted COVID-19 in mid-September. Bachel and six of her co-workers

January – Thyroid Awareness Month

In this new year, we want to remind you to take care of yourself. With all of the talk and concern about the COVID-19 virus, it’s a very confusing

Simplify, focus on what is important to feel more connected during the holidays

Simplify, focus on what's important to feel more connected during the holidays

We know there is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season

Erica Ridgeway, BSN, RN – Sheridan Memorial Hospital Trauma Program Coordinator

Fall Prevention is Key in Trauma Program

Megan Ripley, RN, Chemotherapy/Infusion Nurse, Welch Cancer Center Sheridan Memorial Hospital

SMH’s Own Megan Ripley, RN Shares Her Journey of Wellness & Diabetes

COVID Hotspot in Billings, MT Highlighted on NBC News.

New Internal Medicine Physician, Elise Sylar, MD

We are excited to welcome Dr. Elise Sylar to the staff at Sheridan Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine. She is now accepting appointments for adults and adolescents 16 and over. Please call 307.675.2650 Option 4 to schedule your appointment today.

October is National Physical Therapy Month

Celebrating Physical Therapist at Sheridan Memorial Hospital's Wyoming Rehab

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Some of life’s biggest moments are spent with a nurse. National Nurses Week provides the perfect opportunities to celebrate the nurses who care for us, our friends and our families. They have an important job to do, and we are grateful to them for being there for us. We put out a call to our community to share with us how an SMH nurse or nurses have been there for them. Now we share their words with you and the nurses with gratitude. Do you have a great nurse story to tell? Click HERE to tell us about it and recognize the nurse who made a difference in your life.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has earned an Overall 5-Star rating. This comes only two years after SMH garnered overall 4-Star status and places SMH as one of only two 5-star hospitals in Wyoming.

“Attaining 5-Star status puts us in the top 13.56 percent of hospitals nationwide and shows the efforts we are putting into improving our processes are working,” said Barb Hespen, Chief Nursing Officer. “It really is a testament to the hard work and dedication put in by our physicians and staff every day.”

Since the start of the star rating system in 2015, CMS collects and compiles data from hospitals and uses that information to assign ratings from 1-5 stars. Much of the data comes from surveys of actual patients assessing their specific experience. CMS uses the rating system to measure multiple facets of over 4,000 hospitals across the country to drive systematic improvements in care and safety for patients. The specific performance indicators in the CMS Star Rating system include measurements related to five areas: Mortality, Safety of Care, Re-Admission Rate, Patient Experience and Timely and Effective Care. The ratings are published on the CMS Care Compare website.

Hespen added that improvement in readmission rates and patient length of stay was a major factor in earning a 5-Star rating.

“Our number of 30-day readmissions continued to be lower than the national average; in addition to the low number of excess days patients spent in acute care,” Hespen said.

In a memo to SMH physicians and staff members, CEO Mike McCafferty stated, “Thank you all for your commitment to our mission and your dedication to strive for perfection in all that we do. The road to excellence is a journey that requires all of our team members to embrace our principles and standards of behavior to deliver the best possible experience and value to our patients. Let’s continue to support one another to sustain this level of excellence for years to come.”

When you think of excellent health care, you think of Sheridan. This not only applies to your Emergency Room visits or the birth of newborns but when you need additional time to recover from your injury or illness. That is Transitional Care.

Many think of the Transitional Care Unit (TCU) for rehab following a total knee or hip replacement. These patients make up only 5% of whom we treat in the TCU. In actuality, 95% of our TCU patients need our services after an unexpected hospitalization due to severe injury, illness, or urgent medical conditions like those listed below.

Respiratory illness – pneumonia, COPD, influenza, COVID-19
Cardiac conditions – congestive heart failure, post bypass surgery
Urinary tract infections
Multiple falls at home caused by an underlying medical condition
Diabetes
Complex wound care management
Fractures – especially hip and leg
General decline and weakness complicated by one or multiple medical conditions
Long-term IV antibiotics due to complex infections

If you and your doctor plan for you to go home but your recovery is slower or more extensive than expected, you may require short-term rehab to ensure the best possible outcome. A transitional care stay is tailored to your needs based on the extent of your injuries or medical condition, your overall health, and your ability to live safely upon discharge. On average, the length of stay is 14 – 18 days, but patient needs vary from as little as a week to others requiring a few months.

Think about how hard it is to go on vacation and get back into a routine. When the body is fighting any of the above medical issues, patients are surprised at how rapidly their physical abilities deteriorate. Being ill or injured and out of your routine can cause you to lose the ability to perform daily tasks, stay mobile, and provide the level of self-care necessary to return home safely. Transitional Care helps patients relearn functions like how to properly reach into a closet and dress after their injury, ensure optimal breathing after a bout with pneumonia and being bedridden for a week, or navigate rugs and other trip hazards at home with their new walker.

Most don’t plan on needing an additional rehab stay, but we are here to get you back to your house and your life when the unexpected happens, and you need it most.

To learn more about Transitional Care talk to your provider or Click Here (https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/transitional-care/) today.

With the COVID-19 vaccines becoming more and more available to everyone, we asked some of our health care providers why they got the vaccine and what their thoughts are for our community.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital Providers – Why I got my COVID-19 Vaccine shot.Download

For more information about COVID-19, the current priority list or to schedule your vaccine appointment online, please go to sheridanhospital.org or call our automated message line: 307.675.4471.

It may not be the most glamorous subject, but talking about colorectal cancer saves lives. Among cancer affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Unlike many cancers, we have effective tools to help decrease the development of colorectal cancer and identify its presence at an earlier stage.

The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age, with more than 90% of the cases we see being diagnosed in people age 50 or older. There are many factors that are associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Some of these risk factors are related to lifestyle choices and are therefore modifiable. Maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, not smoking or chewing tobacco, avoiding heavy alcohol intake, and eating a balanced diet that limits intake of red or processed meat can all help decrease your risk of colorectal cancer.

Some risk factors cannot be changed. For one, colorectal cancer is more common as we age. It is also more common in people with a personal history of a certain type of colon polyp, called adenomatous, or a previous colon cancer. Being diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis, increases your risk. Most colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people who do not have a family history of colon cancer, but nearly 1 in 3 people who are diagnosed with colon cancer do have a family history of the disease. Only about 5% of cases of colorectal cancer are related to an inherited predisposition, but the rate of colorectal cancer is much higher in these individuals than in the general population, and it tends to develop at an earlier age. Two of the more common genetic predispositions are familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome). Although we don’t understand why, African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates of all ethnic groups in the US.

Colorectal cancer may cause symptoms as it grows. These symptoms include seeing blood in or on your stool, unintentional weight loss, a change in bowel habits and weakness or fatigue caused by a low blood count.

Screening is the practice of looking for cancer or pre-cancer in individuals without symptoms. Screening is incredibly effective when it comes to colorectal cancer because, from the time the first abnormal cells start to develop, it takes on average 10-15 years for those cells to become a colorectal cancer. Screening is one of our most effective tools for preventing colorectal cancer because it allows us to find and remove precancerous polyps and identify people who would benefit from more frequent screening. Screening can also identify small cancers that aren’t yet big enough to produce symptoms.

There are several screening tools for colorectal cancer, including tests done on your stool, radiographic studies and colonoscopy. The stool studies either look for evidence of trace blood that isn’t enough to be seen by the naked eye or look for altered DNA that can be associated with abnormal cells in the colon. Stool studies that look for blood need to be repeated every year if negative. A negative stool DNA test needs to be repeated every three years. A CT or virtual colonoscopy is a radiographic study that involves cleaning out the colon at home and then coming into the hospital for a CT scan. If any abnormalities are seen, the study needs to be followed up with a colonoscopy at a later date. If the study is negative, it should be repeated every five years. Stool studies and virtual colonoscopy are only appropriate for patients with an average risk of colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is a procedure that is done using a small fiber-optic tube and air to examine the lining of the colon after a prep has been completed the day before. Colonoscopy allows for the identification of polyps and removal, or biopsy if too large, at the same time as the procedure. Depending on the findings during the procedure and individual risk factors, colonoscopy may be repeated every year for high-risk individuals to a more typical range of 3-5 or 8-10 years.

Talking to your doctor about your risk factors can help identify the most effective and appropriate screening test for you. In general, screening is recommended between the ages of 50 and 75, though there are reasons to start earlier or stop later for some people. It is estimated that only about two-thirds of adults in the US are up to date with their colorectal cancer screening. Every year, about 140,000 people in the US will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 50,000 people will die from it. Our best tool to decrease both of these numbers is screening. Talk to your doctor today.

Talk to your primary care provider about your risk factors. If you don’t have one, check out Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine practice or call: 307.675.2650

By David Nickerson, MD – Medical Director of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Urgent Care

Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult. Even in a small town like Sheridan, there are multiple options for care and it may not always be clear where to start. Sheridan Memorial Hospital offers three different points of access for general medical care.

Internal Medicine

The Internal Medicine Clinic is located in the Outpatient Center at 1333 W. 5^th Street and is the best location for treatment of chronic medical problems, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, and diabetes. There is also a focus on health maintenance and prevention. The Internal Medicine Clinic uses the team model, meaning that you will have a primary doctor or advanced practice clinician but can also see one of the colleagues with whom they work closely if they are not available. In addition, patients can also be referred on to the appropriate specialist, if needed.

For the safety of patients and staff, patients with symptoms that could represent COVID-19 (Fever, chills, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, or changes in the sense of smell or taste) are currently being referred to the Urgent Care or Emergency Department.

To make an appointment at the Internal Medicine Clinic, patients may call 307.675.2650.

Urgent Care

Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Urgent Care recently moved to 1435 Burton Street, the former location of Bighorn Mountain Medicine. It is the ideal location for immediate treatment of new medical problems, such as colds, flu, ear/nose/throat issues, musculoskeletal injuries, skin issues, urinary problems, stomach issues, and headache. It is also the best place to be seen for non-life threatening COVID-19 concerns.

Laboratory and x-ray equipment are onsite and common prescription medications can be dispensed during your visit through local pharmacies. Finally, if you have a medical problem and are unsure where you should be seen, the Urgent Care is an excellent starting place and can refer you to a specialist or transfer you to the Emergency Department.

No appointment is necessary at the Urgent Care and you may walk in or visit www.SheridanUrgentCare.com to save your spot. The Urgent Care may also be reached at 307.675.5850.

Emergency Department

The hospital’s Emergency Department is located at 1401 West 5^th Street. It is the best place for treatment of life-threatening medical problems and injuries such as heart attack, stroke, abdominal pain, dislocations, severe fractures, and severe pain. Patients are prioritized based on the severity of their condition. Onsite consultations from surgeons, cardiologists, internists, pediatricians, orthopedists, OB/GYNs, and other specialists can be obtained as appropriate, as are admissions to the hospital and transfers to larger facilities if needed.

When medical issues arise, knowing the most appropriate location to seek care can save you time and money. We wish you the best of health, but Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s outpatient services are here and ready to serve you when needed.

For more information visit Urgent Care vs Emergency Room.

By Sierra Gross Stallman, MD – Medical Director of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine Practice

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been successful in developing Covid-19 mRNA vaccine. Researchers have been studying mRNA vaccines for decades, refining and accomplishing a standardized process for safe and timely production. Having this technology readily available to use allowed for rapid response to the pandemic in developing a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine. Even though scientists promptly replied to demand with scaled, standardized vaccine development, mRNA vaccines have been held to the same rigorous safety and effectiveness standards as all other types of vaccines to get approval or emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What is mRNA? It is a messenger that provides information to our immune system. Once recognized, our immune system uses the information as a template to produce antibodies that can detect and destroy the virus causing Covid-19 for future infections. This takes the body a few weeks to complete, so it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus and get sick from Covid-19 just before or just after vaccination because the vaccine has not had enough time to provide protection. Covid-19 mRNA vaccine does not contain live virus; rather, it has harmless protein pieces found on the virus’s surface. The vaccine is given as an injection into the upper arm muscle in two doses separated by ~21 days for Pfizer and ~28 days for Moderna. This two-dose regimen conferred 95% protection against Covid-19 in persons age 16 or older. Side effects from the vaccine are similar to that of other types of vaccines and largely consistent with the appropriate response of the body’s immune system. Transient and mild local reactions such as injection site tenderness, redness, fever, fatigue, headache, and joint pain can occur. The CDC is monitoring reports of allergic reactions, and as of December 23, 2020, there were 21 cases of anaphylaxis out of 1,893,360 doses given. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur rarely after vaccination, with onset usually within minutes. All reactions were treated and recovered. Worldwide there have been over 44 million vaccine doses administered in over 50 countries.

Who should get vaccinated? The goal is for everyone to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as soon as enough vaccine is available. Covid-19 can have severe complications, including hospitalization, admission to ICU, intubation or mechanical ventilation, or death, particularly to those at-risk. At-risk persons include any adult older than age 65 and adults of any age with certain underlying conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking.

Due to the limited supply of vaccines around the country, Wyoming has a phased approach to ensure equity in vaccine allocation and distribution. The prioritization list can be found here and on the WY Department of Health website. Sheridan County is currently in phase 1b, including people who are 65 years of age or older. Sheridan Memorial Hospital is working closely with Public Health to distribute vaccines to our community as quickly and efficiently as possible. We anticipate it will take about two months to get through this current phase based on allocation supply.

If you fall into this category, call 307.675.4471 to schedule a vaccination time.

As always, reach out to your healthcare provider with questions or concerns regarding your health and the Covid-19 vaccine. Thank you, Sheridan, for sticking together, supporting our community, and doing your part to reduce the spread.

By Kristi Ramsey, RN, BSN, RCIS, CVRN – Sheridan Memorial Hospital Cath Lab Manager

Did you know that nearly 1 in 2 Americans have high blood pressure and many people don’t even know they have it? That’s because there are often no warning signs. Having high blood pressure (also called hypertension) makes a stroke or heart attack much more likely.

High blood pressure is the force of your blood moving against the walls of your arteries. So when your blood pressure is too high, your heart is on overdrive. Over time, elevated blood pressure can weaken your heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of your body.

There are many steps you can take to lower your blood pressure. It’s important to work together with your health care team to set your blood pressure goal, the reading you’d like to consistently see when your blood pressure is taken—and how you can best reach it.

We’ve gathered this information from the American College of Cardiology:

Living with High Blood Pressure

The goal of any treatment plan is to prevent or reduce the impact of high blood pressure and the onset of complications, including stroke, heart attack, heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Lower is Better

Know your numbers! Your healthcare professional may talk with you about setting a “target goal.” A normal blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mmHg.

Research shows that lower blood pressure goals improve heart health.

Lifestyle Changes are Key

Lifestyle changes are the main treatment for those with elevated or stage 1 high blood pressure. They are also important in treating individuals with stage 2 high blood pressure (>140 mmHG/>90 mmHG) and for good overall health. Healthy choices can go a long way in helping to lower your numbers and include:

Getting regular physical activity
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Focusing on healthy eating (follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, limit salt and eat potassium-rich foods)
Limiting alcohol (no more than one drink per day for women, two drinks per day for men)
Smoking cessation

It’s important to cut back on the amount of salt (sodium) you consume, particularly if you are already eating a diet that is high in salt. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend people consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day—less than a teaspoon of salt. However, for people with high blood pressure or at risk for it, less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day is often the goal.

Stress also can cause your blood pressure levels to spike, so make sure to do things that help you relax and reset. Some examples include: listen to your favorite music, go for a walk, or take a yoga class.

Medications Play a Role

Some common medications used in treating high blood pressure include thiazide-type diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists and beta-blockers, which may be considered specifically if the person has coronary artery disease after a heart attack or heart failure. You may need multiple medications, especially if your numbers are significantly above your goal.

It’s critical to take medications exactly as prescribed and report any side effects. Be sure to share a complete list of all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

The new guidelines lower the threshold for when treatment is needed. If you’re already being treated for high blood pressure, it’s a good time to review your treatment plan and decide with your care team whether your target blood pressure numbers should be lower. You might need to step up your lifestyle changes or medication, or both.

Track Your Blood Pressure

Tracking your blood pressure is a key part of managing it. Find out how often you should take and keep a record of your blood pressure readings. Having this information in hand can help your health care professional know what is working and when to adjust your treatment plan.

Other conditions, sometimes called secondary causes, might be triggering high blood pressure and should be taken into consideration. These conditions include sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, certain medications, and adrenal or thyroid disorders.

Talk to Your Care Team

It’s important to talk with your healthcare professional about your blood pressure and any other factors that put you at risk for heart disease. Knowing your numbers can help you take steps to either prevent or lower high blood pressure.

If you don’t have a primary care provider, give our Internal Medicine practice a call at 307.675.2620 and they can set you up with a care team.

By Charlotte Walter, PT, DPT, ATC – Wyoming Rehab

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that 2020 was not the year we expected. Increased stressors and disrupted schedules are often accompanied by decreased exercise consistency and other poor health habits. Once bumped off the wagon, it can be difficult to dust ourselves off and clamber back up. If 2020 knocked you off your fitness routine or reminded you of the importance of starting one, read on.

A common barrier for individuals wanting to start an exercise routine is joint pain or stiffness. Luckily, exercising the right way has actually been shown to decrease these symptoms. To avoid flaring up joint pain, it is important to start smart. Take an honest assessment of your current exercise levels – if you are not currently exercising at all, jumping into a six-days-a-week-60-minutes-a-day high-intensity exercise program will cause a significant increase of joint loading. Instead, start by incorporating low-impact cardiovascular activities such as walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, or rowing with gradual increase in duration.

Strength training is another joint-friendly activity that strengthens the muscles surrounding the joint, which in turn will support the joint and reduce joint stresses. Good news is you don’t need a full gym set-up to get a good workout! Using bodyweight, resistance bands, or free weights can still load muscle groups enough to induce strength gains. No free weights around the house? Get creative with empty milk or water jugs filled with water, sand, or rocks.

Flexibility exercises are an excellent complement to aerobic and strength training activities. Moving a joint through its full available range of motion encourages circulation of joint fluid and helps to reduce joint stiffness. Gentle stretching or yoga routines are a great way to work this in.

Keep in mind, exercise is just a piece of the fitness puzzle. An effective workout is hard to achieve if you are short on sleep, hydration, or nutrition. Start smart and make small, sustainable changes that will have a long-term positive impact on your health. Additional sources of information about physical activity can be found from the CDC, the American Heart Association, the Department for Health and Human Services, and others.

Does all of this sound great, but you’re unsure of where to start? As with any new exercise program, you should consult your doctor to address any medical concerns that could limit exercise before beginning. If you have medical clearance but are stumped by persistent pain, previous injury, or balance concerns, take advantage of your knowledgeable sports medicine and orthopedic therapy team at Wyoming Rehab! Our therapists offer FREE screens and treatment recommendations on non-emergent physical impairments or injuries. Don’t let those aches and pains hold you back. The therapists at Wyoming Rehab can help guide you in the right direction to get your 2021 on track.

Armed with the right knowledge and a desire to improve our levels of health, there’s no reason to not make 2021 the comeback year we all need.

Find out more about what Wyoming Rehab can do for you: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/rehabilitation-services/

Through January 22, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has provided COVID-19 vaccinations to approximately 1,000 people in Sheridan County. That includes SMH employees and the priority populations of essential workers and people over the age of 70.

The side effects from the second dose of the vaccination received can include arm soreness at the injection site, minor swelling, chills, fever, fatigue and headaches. A few SMH providers have provided a short video documenting their experience receiving their second dose.

“I’m feeling hopeful, and very grateful,” said Erin Strahan, PA-C with the SMH Internal Medicine Clinic. “This is one chance to get back to normal life.”

“I have a little soreness in my arm but nothing that kept me from seeing my full complement of patients,” explains Dr. Elisabeth Scalva, with the SMH Women’s Clinic. “I’m feeling grateful to be protected and to protect my family, my patients and mostly this community.”

“Initially, I had a little bit of a sore arm,” said Dr. Ian Hunter, Sheridan County Public Health Officer. “Later that night, I woke up and had a fever… I just didn’t feel good for about eight hours, then that resolved.”

Currently, all doses of the vaccine SMH has received or is scheduled to receive is already spoken for. This includes 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine scheduled for delivery on January 25 or 26.

SMH is accepting calls to place essential workers and people over age 70 on a wait list. Once more information is available regarding additional vaccine, SMH will be working through the wait list to conduct call backs and schedule additional vaccination appointments.

If you have been designated an essential worker or are over the age of 70 and you want to receive the vaccine, please call 307-675-4471 and leave your name, date of birth and phone number. You will receive a call back within the next business day to be placed on the wait list.

Click here for more information on the COVID-19 vaccine in Sheridan County

Click here for the Wyoming Department of Health Phase 1a and 1b COVID Vaccination Priority List

To date, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has received approximately 970 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. That includes 700 doses in late December and 270 doses in mid-January.

Another 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are scheduled to arrive January 26, and Dr. John Addlesperger, SMH Chief Medical Officer, says appointments are currently being scheduled to administer those doses as well.

“We have scheduled appointments for every dose of vaccine we have received so far or are scheduled to receive,” said Addlesperger. “Currently, demand is outpacing the supply chain for the vaccine. It’s good to see so much interest. This vaccine will be a big help in allowing us to return to life as we remember it before all the COVID protocols we have been following the last 10 months.”

Even though the vaccine schedules are currently full, SMH is still accepting phone calls and putting eligible people on a waitlist to be scheduled at a later date when the next vaccine shipments arrive in February.

“Our process for developing the waitlist and getting people scheduled is simple, but it takes a while to execute due to the high volume of calls we are receiving versus the supply of vaccine we have received,” said Tim Grollmes, SMH Internal Medicine Practice Administrator. “We don’t know what quantity of vaccine we are going to receive from month-to-month. That makes it tough to schedule.”

In making vaccine appointments, SMH is following a phased priority list established by the CDC and Wyoming Department of Health. Phase 1a is primarily essential workers and Phase 1b includes essential workers as well as people from the general public over 70 years of age. Click here – Phase 1a and 1b COVID-19 Vaccination Priorities – to see the complete priority list.

“Right now, we are scheduling vaccinations for essential workers and people 70 years of age and older,” Grollmes said. “Once we get through those two populations, we will move on to the rest of the priority list. It could take a couple of months depending on how many people want the vaccine.”

Since each of the vaccines requires a booster shot follow up (Moderna at four weeks and Pfizer at three weeks), SMH is scheduling patients for their booster shot immediately after receiving their first shot, before they leave the clinic.

Those who have been identified as essential workers or are 70 years of age or older and want to receive the vaccine, please call the SMH COVID Vaccination Clinic at 307-675-4471. More information is also available at the Sheridan County Public Health website – https://www.sheridancounty.com/covid-19/covid-19-vaccines/.

“Until we can get the majority of our community vaccinated, it is important that we remain diligent in following the COVID protocols set forth by the CDC,” Addlesperger added.

Those protocols still include: staying home when ill, wearing a mask, socially distancing, washing your hands and disinfecting high traffic surfaces.

Wyoming Rehab’s Licensed Physical Therapist Charlotte Walter describes her approach to creating individualized treatment plans to help each patient achieve their goals. In this video, she highlights a treatment plan she created for Pat Hall, who came to Wyoming Rehab with concerns of balance and mobility.

Do you have a condition or impairment preventing you from reaching the recommended amounts of physical activity? Don’t continue to put your health at risk. Find out how physical or occupational therapy may help. Reach out to Wyoming Rehab at 307.674.1632 if you would like to schedule a FREE Screen/Treatment Recommendation for a Non-Emergent Physical Impairment or Injury.

Connie Bachel, a longtime employee of Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH), contracted COVID-19 in mid-September.

Bachel and six of her co-workers at the SMH Urgent Care tested positive for the coronavirus, each exhibiting different symptoms. For the next two weeks, they recovered, checking in on each other’s progress and offering words of encouragement.

In early October, Bachel was feeling better, if not fully energized. But by mid-October, COVID-19 reasserted itself in full force, even worse than before. Bachel, suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, did not immediately want to go to the emergency room.

“It was so embarrassing — I didn’t want to do that in my own sandbox,” she said. “But my husband said, ‘No, you’re going to have to be a patient.’”

Bachel was immediately admitted and placed in a COVID-19 isolation wing.

SMH has two dedicated wings for COVID-19 patients: one in the Intensive Care Unit for critically ill patients and the other on the Med Surg floor for those like Bachel who need to be admitted but don’t need ventilators. Experts across SMH departments have worked together to ensure these wings are as safe as possible for patients and staff.

“It’s very scientific,” said Lacey Johnson, the Med Surg Manager at SMH.

Because COVID-19 is an air-borne disease, Johnson explained, one of the most important elements of the isolation wings is the air flow. Partitioned off from the rest of the hospital, the hallways and rooms have negative air pressure. Instead of filtering, cleaning, and recirculating the air like in most buildings, the mechanics of the hospital bring in air and then send it directly back outdoors, without returning to the hospital. All doors and windows must remain closed to maintain the seal.

In addition, the few dedicated staff members who are allowed into the wings must be in full PPE: gown, gloves, booties, N-95 mask, eye cover, and hair bonnet or a capper.

The cleaning staff for the COVID-19 wings uses “terminal cleaning” agents and gear, the same used in Operating Rooms, a lengthier and more involved sterilizing process.

Perhaps most importantly, the medical team must be conscientious of the time spent in the wings.

“If we go in to deliver medications, we get them all at once,” Johnson said. “We bathe patients, change the bed, etcetera, all in that time frame.”

While crucial for safety, the COVID-19 isolation wings can be just that — isolating.

At the time, Bachel’s daughter, Megan Perkins, was a registered nurse at SMH. Due to the strict safety protocols, even she could not enter the room — only the dedicated on-duty nurse could be admitted.

Perkins herself had worked in the COVID-19 wing. She had seen family members’ frustration at being kept apart and knew the importance of lifting patients’ spirits when at their most ill.

“As a nurse, it’s hard to see your patients struggle that way,” Perkins said. “I saw how much it dropped their mood and their affect. It hurts people’s sense of well-being when they’re so isolated. But I knew why we were doing it and that it had to be done. Just from taking care of previous COVID patients, I knew what my mom was going through.”

So, like many of her patients’ family members, Perkins found a safe way to engage with her mom. Bundling up against the October snowstorm, Perkins headed to the window outside of her mom’s room.

“I called her on the phone, and we sat by the window and drank coffee and pretended the window wasn’t there,” Perkins remembered.

Over the next few days, these chats meant the world to Bachel. And the support continued to flow. Friends, family, and co-workers visited — even her daughter’s friends popped by to throw snowballs and wave an encouraging sign out of the window.

“It means more to the people in that hospital bed than you know,” Bachel said, choking up.

After four days of treatment, Bachel showed improvement, tested negative for the contagious antigen, and was released to recuperate at home for another week. She gradually started working again, building up her hours and strength slowly.

Today, Bachel feels “100% completely better.” When she looks back at the fall, she realizes just how ill she was.

“After about a month and a half of being so sick, when you do finally feel good, you realize just how terrible you felt,” she said. “I’m so glad I went in because I don’t know what would have happened. They took great care of me.”

Back at work, Bachel — already a compassionate person — feels even more empathy for patients and family members after her experience. She sees the same change in her co-workers who also recovered from the disease.

“I know how they feel,” Bachel said. “I feel it. It’s real. We all need to wear our mask and practice hygiene. It’s just here. It’s here all the time.”

Her daughter agrees.

“I just hope that people understand what these regulations are for and what the mask mandates mean for certain people,” Perkins said. “Until it becomes personal for you, you don’t really take it to heart. Until you realize one of these patients is a mother or a grandmother — because one was your mother — you just don’t realize the detrimental effects. I think all the people who make a stink about our mask mandates need to take a step back and realize it’s about being a good person.”

In this new year, we want to remind you to take care of yourself. With all of the talk and concern about the COVID-19 virus, it’s a very confusing time. One important thing you can do is to pay attention to your health.

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. What an appropriate time to call attention to the various health concerns connected to the thyroid. We’ve gathered information in this column to help you learn more about the most common thyroid conditions. Most of us have heard about the thyroid, but we may not realize its importance. If you have questions about thyroid diseases or any other concerns, we urge you to visit your healthcare provider.

What Is The Thyroid?

The thyroid gland is located in your neck just below the Adam’s apple. It may be small, but it has a significant impact on your health, controlling your metabolism and creating new proteins. This butterfly-shaped gland is part of the endocrine system, directly affecting almost every organ in the body. It is responsible for regulating skin integrity, menstrual cycles, calcium levels, and the nervous system, heart and cholesterol levels. In addition, it controls brain development, your body temperature, respiration, metabolism and fat production.

Thyroid problems begin to occur when the thyroid gland produces too much hormone or not enough. There are several illnesses and diseases related to the thyroid, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, goiter and thyroid cancer. We will address the two main thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Each has an opposite set of symptoms.

Hypothyroidism, when the thyroid is working more slowly than it should, is most common in patients over 60, and the incidence of this disease increases with age. People with hypothyroidism tend to experience weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, slow heart rate, muscle aches, constipation, voice changes and the loss of body hair.

Conversely, Hyperthyroidism is where your thyroid works more actively than it should. Hyperthyroidism is most common in patients under age 50 and is marked by an enlarged thyroid gland, plus insomnia, a rapid heart rate, anxiety, weight loss, increased appetite, emotional instability, increased nervousness and anxiety, excessive perspiration, and diarrhea. The senior hypothyroidism patient may only have one or two of these symptoms. Although hyperthyroidism is associated with more energy, the body breaks down after a while, leading the person to feel more tired.

What causes the thyroid to malfunction?

Most thyroid malfunctioning is caused by an autoimmune response. The immune system of someone with hypothyroidism sees the thyroid as a threat and begins to attack it, causing inflammation and damage, leading to a decrease in hormone production. The immune system of someone with hyperthyroidism compels the thyroid, unnecessarily, to over-produce hormones.

A prevailing theory behind why women are more susceptible to thyroid disorders is because the female immune system is more pliable than the male immune system, capable of revving up or winding down in response to certain biological events, specifically pregnancy. When a woman becomes pregnant, the baby is seen as a foreign object in the body. To prevent the growing fetus from being damaged, the mother’s immune system must be suppressed.

The only way to know for sure if you have thyroid disease of any type is to have a blood test that measures your thyroid hormone levels. To confirm whether there is a thyroid concern, your physician may perform a thyroid-stimulating hormone test. This blood test measures whether the gland is working properly. It is highly recommended to get tested if you are a senior over 60, have family members diagnosed with the disease or believe you have symptoms.

Diagnosing thyroid disease in seniors can be difficult because some of the symptoms are also associated with aging or other medical conditions. It is natural to assume symptoms such as memory issues, constipation or weight gain are part of the aging process. However, these can also be signs of thyroid disease.

Causes & Treatment Of Thyroid Diseases

There are several causes, but some common causes can be attributed to autoimmune disease, certain types of medications, thyroid surgery or radiation therapy. Anyone can develop thyroid problems, but women age 60 or older seem to be more susceptible.

Hypo- and hyperthyroidism can be treated with medication, iodine, or hormones, and the other conditions can be addressed with therapy or surgery. Luckily, thyroid prescriptions can usually get symptoms under control. It is important to keep abreast of new symptoms that may occur because medications may need to be changed or dosages increased or decreased. It is also critical to be sure to take medication at the same time every day.

The nonspecific nature of symptoms can make thyroid conditions challenging to diagnose. If you feel you may be having problems with your thyroid, your best option is to bring your concerns to your primary care physician’s attention.

If you have questions, the healthcare professionals at our Internal Medicine Practice can help.
Call 307-675-2650 to schedule an appointment today.

We know there is a lot of pressure on people to enjoy themselves during the holidays. The season is supposed to be merry and bright, but many can feel increasingly isolated and unhappy this time of year.

Knowing how to juggle the holidays can be challenging, especially as the coronavirus pandemic looms overhead. Do what you can to get involved and get into the holiday spirit without stressing yourself beyond your limits or risking anyone’s health. If you put too much on your plate, neither you nor your loved ones will likely enjoy the festivities nearly as much. Remember that most families are facing difficult decisions and holiday celebrations are bound to look very different this year. Get creative and remember: your best efforts are good enough!

Isolation makes the holidays hard. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), older adults who are socially isolated are at higher risk for depression. The focus on family, friends and togetherness can bring melancholy feelings to the forefront during this time of year. With coronavirus cases ramping up, it’s more important than ever to be supportive of, and attentive to, our loved ones, but in ways that keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. This problematic situation poses serious challenges for families across the country and around the world.

If you or a loved one, friend or neighbor feel lonely or depressed, there are steps that you can take to help lift spirits. Remind yourself what the holiday season is truly about. Simplifying some things will allow you to focus on what really matters: the important people in your life.

With more of us forced to celebrate the holidays alone, I’ve assembled this list of suggestions for how to feel more connected during the holidays. I hope you can use some of them to brighten up your winter season.

It’s not just about you – reach out to others. Some older adults may go days without speaking to anyone, especially those in poor health or who have limited mobility or transportation options. Connecting with them can make you feel better too.
Make phone calls. Dial-up someone you haven’t spoken to in a long time. The chances are they would welcome a conversation. Make a point of actively listening to what they have to say. Find out what’s going on with them and their families. The call may lift their spirits and yours as well. Then keep the communication going in the new year by setting 15-30 minutes aside once a week to talk. Emails are a great way to stay in touch too.
Listen to them. Even if the discussion is negative, an honest and empathetic conversation can help someone who might feel distressed. If you know of someone in need, encourage their friends or family members to reach out to them as well. When you help others, you help yourself.
Share your feelings. Be honest with the people you trust, and tell them you’re feeling lonely. Divulging these feelings is a vulnerable and daring act – which most people will appreciate. They’ll want to help.

Ask for what you need. Sometimes we hope others can read our minds, and we can become disappointed and feel disconnected and lonely when our needs are not met. It’s important to clearly communicate your needs to others. For instance, you might ask your spouse to give you a hug or your child to make your favorite dessert.
Remember that you can do some things. Is there a hobby that you used to enjoy, but you don’t do anymore? Maybe it’s time to revive it – or to try something new. Do what you are capable of, and if you can, do something for someone else. Perfect your skills and look toward the future when you are able to share your time and talents with others.
Try to simplify your holiday plans to focus on the real meaning of these celebrations. Let others know you are trying to ignore the increasing hype over the food, gifts, decorations, and parties to focus on the people and values you cherish. Remind others of the importance of family and friendship and thank them for that.
Check with your church or religious organization to see if there is a way you can offer social and/or spiritual support. Just having someone to talk to can go a long way toward relieving depression.
Make plans! A night alone doesn’t have to be a sad occasion. Quite the contrary, make a plan to do something special for yourself. Watch a fun movie or do something that makes you laugh. Genuine laughter creates extreme relaxation. This relaxation affects your hormones. If something makes you laugh, levels of stress hormones drop, and the feel-good chemical dopamine increases.

Treat yourself and others. Make traditional baked goods or treats. Make your dining table festive – even if it’s just for yourself.
Often the reason for our loneliness and unhappiness roots in our thoughts or mindset. We focus our thoughts on what we don’t have instead of what we do have, making us feel incomplete and unfulfilled. During this joyous season, cure your loneliness by doing the opposite: focus your thoughts on what you do have instead of what you don’t have. Be grateful for all the blessings and opportunities you’ve had this year.

Have a safe, happy and heartfelt holiday season!

By Erica Ridgeway, BSN, RN – Sheridan Memorial Hospital Trauma Program Coordinator

Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Trauma Program reviews cases for patients who have suffered a trauma of any kind. Along with this, we review and develop policies and protocols to ensure best practices are followed and that each traumatic injury receives the most appropriate care. We also work to provide education about current policies, changes in policies, and changes in best practices. This includes doing community outreach and information related to injury prevention. By following these protocols, Sheridan Memorial Hospital has earned the designation as an Area Trauma Hospital from the Wyoming State Trauma office.

Injury prevention is an important part of a successful trauma program. One of the most common traumatic injuries in any trauma registry are falls resulting in fractures, therefore making fall prevention and safety extremely important.

The National Coalition on Aging notes that one in four Americans aged 65+ falls each year. Falls are the leading cause of fatal injury in older adults and are the most common cause of trauma-related hospitalizations for that population as well.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five falls results in a serious injury such as a broken bone or a head injury. More than 95% of hip fractures are caused by falling.

There are many conditions that can increase the risk of falls:

Lower body weakness & impaired balance: As we age, many of us lose some coordination, balance and flexibility, oftentimes due to inactivity.
Use of medications: Some prescription and even over-the-counter medications can cause dizziness and dehydration, making you more likely to fall.
Vision problems and changes: In the aging eye, less light reaches the retina, thus making tripping hazards and obstacles harder to see.

If you have concerns about falling or other issues, schedule an appointment to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. They can evaluate your risk of falling and help implement specific things you can do. They can also refer you to a physical or occupational therapist who can help with balance and strength training. Tai Chi is an exercise that is often taught to help with balance and stability. There are many fitness programs offered both in-person and virtually that are designed for older adults. Additionally, some physical or occupational therapists will even come into your home and help assess safety and tripping hazards.

If you have had a fall or have a nagging ache, pain or physical impairment preventing you from going about your daily activities, Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Wyoming Rehab may be able to help you. Their physical therapists offer free screens and treatment recommendations for non-emergent physical impairments and injuries.

Some things you may want to consider implementing in your home include:

Get rid of things you could trip over and reduce clutter; rugs, in particular, can cause falls.
Add grab bars inside and outside your tub or shower and next to the toilet.
Put railings on both sides of stairs.
Make sure your home has lots of light by adding more or brighter light bulbs.
As the weather is getting colder, make sure you have appropriate footwear with a good grip.
Devise a plan with family or friends for snow and ice removal around your home’s exterior.

So again, reach out to your healthcare team! They can assess not only your risk of falling but also what steps to take to prevent a fall, as well as assess your ability to participate in a fitness program. Implementing the appropriate safety and health measures can greatly reduce your risk of falls and injury.

Diabetes is different for everyone, at every age. As we celebrate National Diabetes Awareness Month, SMH focuses on the impacts diabetes has on one’s life and the challenges faced. Meet our own smiley, sweet Megan Ripley who works as a Chemo Nurse at Welch Cancer Center. Megan shared with us her Wellness Journey, with Diabetes, and we find it an important one to share with all of you as we navigate this month, together.

While many of us prepare for cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and copious amounts of pie, one-third of the US populations is concerned with managing their blood sugar while still enjoying their meal. With much to be grateful for this time of year, we take a moment to appreciate the stories and knowledge surrounding the staff at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. This Diabetes Awareness month, we are excited to share with you how one of our own employees faces and maintains her wellness while facing the everyday realities of Type 1 Diabetes. Megan Ripley is an employee who has not only pursued wellness as a hobby, but has adopted it as her way of life. Even though she has to navigate through obstacles every day, from constantly maintaining healthy blood sugar levels to the everyday challenges of being a Chemo Registered Nurse, Megan strives to maintain her health and she does it all with a beaming smile on her face.

Megan Smith’s journey towards wellness started at the early age of 9, when she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to allow sugar to enter cells in order to produce energy. At the discovery of her condition, she feared how diabetes might affect her everyday life. Megan often wondered about what restrictions she would have to implement into her daily routine, or what opportunities she might miss out on because of her condition. However, Megan was fortunate enough to grow up just outside of Cheyenne during her early childhood and because of this, she was able to attend the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. “The doctors and nurses at the center were great and they always had the most cutting edge technology so I was able to get the best treatment possible” Megan shares. The Barbara Davis Center didn’t just have an impact on Megan’s physical health, but they were also able to provide her with tools to help maintain and enhance her mental health. Megan explained “I always wanted to grow up to become a nurse, but with my diabetes, I didn’t know if that would ever be possible. When the nurses in the center found out this was a fear of mine, many came forward to share with me that they too suffered from diabetes, and they showed me how they navigated throughout their day as a nurse with diabetes. The team showed me that I could still be the person I dreamed of becoming and I really can’t thank them enough for all the help they have given me throughout the years.”

The team at the Barbara Davis Center helped to give Megan the confidence that she could still live the life she wanted, but now she needed to figure out how she was going to balance it all. Megan went to work finding what other methods and tools she could use in her life to stay healthy and happy. One of the struggles that Megan was immediately faced with was what kind of exercise regimens she could use. High Intensity Exercise wasn’t on option because even if Megan liked it in the first place, and she didn’t, it could cause complications with her blood sugar due to Adrenaline production. You see, when Adrenaline (Epinephrine) is released from nerve endings or the Adrenals it acts on the liver, promoting increased sugar production as well as the breakdown and release of fat nutrients which travel to the liver and are converted into sugar and ketones. Simply put, Adrenaline raises blood sugar considerably, which for diabetics such as Megan who can’t naturally produce insulin, can lead to Hyperglycemia, causing damage to the vessels that supply blood to vital organs. So any strenuous exercise that would cause a spike in Adrenaline was unsafe for Megan to participate in. And if that wasn’t a large enough hurdle, Megan also was trying to find a way to manage her diet so that she could still enjoy all the foods she enjoyed so dearly, without causing massive spikes or falls in her blood sugar levels.

Megan was committed to finding a solution. She knew what a great influence exercise and diet would have on her physical and mental state, so she never quit looking for answers. Eventually, she found resolution to her exercise dilemma when she realized just how much she liked doing long-distance, moderately paced cardio. Walking, hiking, and biking were also activities that Megan loved doing because they could be done with others. None of them required going to a gym, none of them would produce adrenaline if paced correctly, and all of them promoted muscle growth and weight loss. As for her diet, Megan discovered portion control, a dieting strategy that she could utilize in order to keep eating her favorite foods, by simply adjusting and managing the portion sizes of her meals throughout the day

Once Megan knew how she was going to balance her exercise and diet, all she had to do was find a way to consistently motivate herself to continue eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis. Her motivation to stick to her diet is basic: “If I eat right and stick to my diet then I can stay healthy, but if I’m not willing to maintain my diet then my physical health will be seriously negatively affected.” Megan’s motivation to exercise is a little less cut and dry. Megan relies, for the most part, on friends and family to help her stay motivated throughout the week. On week days, Megan’s biggest motivator is her Dog Laya who is always eager to remind her about their daily walk together, they rarely miss a day, considering Laya is known to not taking no for an answer. A few days a week Megan also gets the opportunity to go on walks with friends from work, who she also credits as being some of her greatest supporters. On the weekends, Megan is motivated by excitement and adventure with her husband John and of course, Laya. Megan is always eager to plan out her family’s adventures and you can bet they’ll be doing a whole lot of hiking, canoeing, backpacking, or fishing with a whole lot of fruit snacks to keep her fueled. Megan’s most recent adventure sent her on a rigorous 16 mile hike, with almost 2450’ vertical gain to the beautiful and secluded Lake Angeline, high in the Bighorn Mountains.

Megan’s advice to all those who have a desire to get well was this: “Start small and set goals that are attainable, all of us progress at our own rate and your rate is completely unique to you, so don’t compare yourself to anybody but yourself. If you need a donut, then eat a donut, but eat less of something else or just exercise more to compensate for it. It’s all about balance. Do not underestimate the power of thinking positively, mental health is just as important as physical health, and being happy and thinking positively can take you just as far as any workout routine.”

We’re so very proud to see how far Megan has come from where she once was and we can’t to see where she goes. We’d like to thank Megan for her inspiring story and providing such positive insight into living a balanced life with Type 1 Diabetes. We appreciate you leading by example and for showing us all what it really means to take wellness into our own hands. Sheridan Memorial Hospital honored to have you as a member of our staff and we are grateful for everything you have done and continue to do for this hospital. Thank you, Megan.

This video displays the stark reality of how COVID is affecting St. Vincent’s Healthcare in Billings, MT. We are not far behind them and we need your help to slow the spread of the virus.

This week, October 26-30, 2020, active cases in Sheridan went up by 38% and COVID hospitalizations continue to climb. This trajectory will have a negative impact on our ability to provide healthcare services for Sheridan and the Region. We need to keep our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed.

We are acutely focused on making sure we have people to take care of anyone who shows up at our hospital. People injured in accidents, heart attacks, strokes and acute illness. All of this becomes extremely difficult when we are not flattening the curve of this virus in our community.

We need your help!

Maintain your distance with people
Wear a mask in public settings
Wash your hands

Your first impression when meeting Dr. Elise Sylar, the newest addition to the Internal Medicine team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, may be that she is sharp as a tack. But the more you get to know her, the more you’ll come to realize that her heart is just as strong as her intellect. And although she may be brand-new to SMH, it’s clear that Dr. Sylar is by no means new to loving and serving the people around her.

Elise’s interest in healthcare began when she started volunteering at Camp Wapiyapi, a summer camp for children who have pediatric cancer in Estes Park, Colorado. There, Dr. Sylar formed close connections with campers and had the opportunity to leave a lasting, positive impact on the lives of the kids she interacted with. The experiences and memories Elise got from Camp Wapiyapi stirred an even greater desire to help and make a difference in the lives of others. So, when the time came for her to head to new horizons, Dr. Sylar was intent on entering the medical field, with hopes of specializing in pediatrics.

Following her graduation from Kelly Walsh High School, Dr. Sylar packed up and headed from her hometown of Casper to Laramie to attend The University of Wyoming, where she graduated with a degree in Physiology and a minor in Neurology. Before moving on to Med school, Dr. Sylar took a year to get some hands-on experience at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, researching CAR T-Cell Therapy in an Oncology Lab working to find a cure for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Dr. Sylar then applied and was accepted into the University of Washington School of Medicine, and thanks to the WWAMI program, Dr. Sylar got to complete her first year of med school in Laramie. During her attendance at Med School in both Laramie and Seattle, Dr. Sylar was given the opportunity to study and practice in all fields of medicine. When the time came to decide what she was going to specialize in, she decided against her original idea of pediatrics. Dr. Sylar explained, “I always thought I was going to go into pediatrics, even when I finished studying at UW. I was certain I wanted to become a Pediatric Oncologist. Still, the longer I studied at the University of Washington, the more I realized why adult medicine was a much better fit for me. My favorite part of healthcare is to form that connection between physician and patient. It’s empowering to see people become more knowledgeable and further involved in their healthcare thanks to the advice and resources that I can provide them. The problem I had with becoming a pediatrician was I knew forming a good connection with a child would be a much more difficult process than with an adult. I also wouldn’t be able to see my patients take an active role in their health because they simply don’t have the ability to be independent the way adults do.”

Dr. Sylar finished up Med School with a focus on Internal Medicine, and now, and after finishing her 3-year residency at the University of Arizona, she’s excited to get started building relationships with her patients right here in Sheridan.

Dr. Sylar shared, “I was always planning on coming back to Wyoming after I finished my schooling, in part because of the WWAMI program, but more than anything, the reason I came back was that I wanted to give back. I felt like supporting rural healthcare was the best way I could give back to the state that has provided me with so much throughout my life.”

Sheridan became the ideal community for Dr. Sylar because it suited both her needs and her spouse’s needs. “Sheridan Memorial Hospital offers a very robust healthcare system, which surprised me considering how rural the community is, it houses lots of innovative technology and offers practices which you wouldn’t typically find in rural communities, like vascular surgery, for example. It feels like the perfect place for me to begin my career, and since Sheridan houses a reasonably sized airport, it provides my husband the opportunity to continue his career as a pilot,” she added.

Outside of her profession, Dr. Sylar loves to spend her time hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling. And with the Big Horn Mountains just a few miles outside of town, it seems like Sheridan truly is the perfect place for her and her husband Ken to both work hard and play hard.

“I’m so excited for the opportunity I have to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the people here in Sheridan. And I’m even more excited to start building great relationships, not only with my patients but with all the kind and welcoming people here at SMH.”

Call 307.675.2650 and choose Option 4 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Elise Sylar in Internal Medicine today.

October is National Physical Therapy Month. Did you know that Wyoming Rehab provides FREE Screens and Treatment Recommendation on Non-Emergent Physical Impairments/Injuries? The therapists at Wyoming Rehab want to provide you with some tips for living a healthier life.

Physical activity can significantly impact your long-term health. A study published in the July 2020 edition of the British Medical Journal reported that physical activity is key.

People who regularly get 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, along with 2 days of strength training, are more likely to live a longer, healthier life.

Here are some simple examples to help you get the exercise you need…

Moderate intensity: you can talk but not sing during the activities such as:

Walking briskly
Water aerobics
Bicycling slower than 10 miles per hour on primarily level terrain
Doubles tennis

Vigorous intensity: you cannot say more than a few words without having to pause to take a breath during activities such as:

Race walking, jogging, or running
Swimming laps
Bicycling over 10 miles per hour with hills
Singles tennis
Aerobic dancing
Hiking uphill or with a heavy backpack

Strength training: two days per week involves exercises specifically-designed to fatigue muscle groups using weights or other resistance. You can also use your body weight for resistance by doing push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, leg squats or push-ups against a wall.

Do you have a condition or impairment preventing you from reaching the recommended amounts of physical activity? Don’t continue to put your health at risk! Find out how physical or occupational therapy may help.
Reach out to Wyoming Rehab at (307) 674-1632 if you would like to schedule a FREE Screen/Treatment Recommendation for a Non-Emergent Physical Impairment or Injury.

Health and Wellness