News and Community

NEW Transitional Care Unit Set to Open this Summer

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) strives to meet community and regional demand for patient care. In recent years we have become even more aware

Did you know? Patient Portal Explained

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) is pleased to offer convenient, secure, online access to your personal health information through our patient

Celebrating - Better Hearing & Speech Month

Better Hearing & Speech Month is an annual occasion designed to raise awareness of hearing loss and speech problems. The American Speech-

Prevention is Cure

On May 12, 2022 Governor Gordon signed a proclamation recognizing May as Trauma Awareness Month in Wyoming. Every year in May,

Sig's Story

For most people, Sheridan, WY is a place to come when you want to get away from the crowds yet still crave the comforts of a small town. For Sig

May – Stroke Awareness Month

What can you do? Know the risk factors. Free Drive-up Stroke Awareness Event May 24, 2022. Every 40 seconds in the United States, someone

Trap Shooters Raise Funds for Welch Cancer Center Patients

The Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Association is once again hosting its Cancer Benefit Trap Shoot with funds raised going to help patients at

Heartfelt Thanks

National Nurses Week is May 6-12, with the American Nurses Association recognizing and honoring nurses across the United States. Nurses

Appreciating our Hospice Volunteers

Hospice volunteering takes a special kind of person who is flexible, doesn’t take things personally, has good self-awareness, good

Street Fentanyl vs Emergency Department Fentanyl

Newsworthy stories about pharmaceutical misuse and abuse can add an extra layer of complexity to our daily doctor-patient

Sheridan Memorial Hospital Volunteers: At The Heart of Our Organization

Robert's Story

Robert Kessler has led a full life for sure. He has lived in Buffalo, WY, since 1964. He has been in the Navy, run his own business in Buffalo, and then

Talking about Saving Lives

It may not be the most glamorous subject, but talking about colorectal cancer saves lives. Unlike many cancers, we have effective tools to help

SMH Designated Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital for Seventh Straight Year

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Rural &

Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation: Treatment for Urinary and Bowel Incontinence and Pain in the Pelvic Area

The term “Pelvic Floor Health” encompasses

Hospital Employees Give Back to the Community

Each year, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) employees find ways to give back to the

WBCI Awards Community Grant for Welch Cancer Center Navigation Program and Breast Boutique

Did you know that breast cancer is one of the few

Rose Leonard earns Presidential Bronze Medal for Volunteering

Rose Leonard, Sheridan Memorial Hospital night shift Respiratory Therapist recently received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

T.R. Shelby Gives Auction Proceeds as a Matching Gift to Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Loving Memory of his Dear Wife,...

T.R. and Emily Shelby spent many wonderful years

SMH Foundation Celebrates 18 Years in Employee Partner Contributions

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, Sheridan Memorial Hospital employees celebrated their contributions to the hospital’s Foundation with

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By Cathy Bealer, RN, MHA, FACMPE, Chief Nursing Officer

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) strives to meet community and regional demand for patient care. In recent years we have become even more aware of the importance of growing and adapting in ways that add value for our patients and appropriately meet the needs of the Sheridan community and region. Providing care close to home ensures people are able to stay near their family and friends when health issues arise.

One area where care close to home is especially important is Transitional Care. Having a comfortable, private environment to heal and regain strength and confidence for a safe return home following a serious illness, injury, or surgery is critical.

SMH’s Transitional Care service began in 2005. Since then, our patients’ needs have continually grown. Today, the hospital averages eight to ten Transitional Care patients per day; however, we have had requests locally and regionally that surpass our ability to accept patients in the current space.

The good news is that over the last two and one-half years, the hospital and the SMH Foundation have been working toward the Transitional Care Expansion – repurposing the 2nd and 3rd floors of the original 1954 hospital building into a place where patients can recuperate and receive the rehabilitation services they need to regain a level of independence to safely return home or transition to a different level of care.

Our new Transitional Care Unit (TCU) is set to open in late summer and we are excited to expand our capacity to serve our community. The new unit has 20 comfortable private suites, each with its own bathroom. Complete with a private dining area and spacious therapy gym with striking views of the Big Horn Mountains, the 15,600 square feet space is a welcome expansion from our current 8-bed unit.

Tommi Ritterbusch, our new Transitional Care Manager, has played a pivotal role in the expansion. She says, “The TCU opening is an exciting time for our community as we now can offer 20 private rooms to patients who are working towards recovering and regaining strength to get them back home with their families. Having this new dedicated unit means patients have accessibility to these recuperative services in a beautiful setting with professionals who are dedicated to ensuring they have great experiences close to home.”

With a physician’s referral, our TCU is designed to help our patients meet their healthcare goals by providing rehabilitation and skilled nursing care. It provides coordination and continuity between various providers, services and settings. Our outstanding team of professionals serving these patients include physical, occupational, speech, pulmonary and respiratory therapists; nurses; case management and social workers; dietitians; pharmacists; and physicians.

This interdisciplinary team is one of the services most beneficial to any person’s successful transition from a hospital stay to home. The team meets regularly with each patient and/or their families and caregivers throughout their stay to ensure the TCU care provided is on track with individualized and established goals. After a serious illness or injury, it can be challenging to transition back to normal life, especially if the “new normal” is different. That’s where TCU care also steps in. It allows patients to take their time adjusting to a new quality of life, emotionally and physically. Days of care in the TCU range anywhere from 3 to 100 days, depending on individual patient circumstances and healthcare guidelines.

Our hospital’s case managers assist patients and their families when needed to determine the most appropriate setting for the next step or level of care. Individual needs are reviewed, discussed and assessed by the team in conjunction with each patient. This process may often include a visit to the patient’s home to ensure it is safe and set up correctly for success. Or it may be an opportunity to connect and introduce patients to other support services available in our area.

NEW Transitional Care Unit

The expansion of our hospital’s TCU combines this unique care and the patient experience, ensuring a quality stay for patients in a separate environment. Patient goals vary but may include learning new skills, participating in activities, and socialization. This daily routine is also a significant component in preparing for the transition back home. Some of the activities include: cooking and baking in the TCU kitchen, completing laundry tasks, improving mobility through exercise either in the therapy gym or outside on the beautiful SMH campus, practicing entering and exiting a vehicle, and a beautiful group dining and activity area.

Every member of our SMH team desires to provide excellent care close to home for our Sheridan community. The TCU Expansion greatly enhances our ability to meet the needs of the patients we serve every day to ensure quality, safe care and help patients return to daily environments with the highest level of strength and functionality possible.

Learn more about Transitional Care

By Brady Shoemaker, Information Services Manager at Sheridan Memorial Hospital

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) is pleased to offer convenient, secure, online access to your personal health information through our patient portal: MySheridanHealth. Once enrolled, patients can easily access their medical information 24 hours a day via an app on their cell phone or via computer at sheridanhospital.org.

MySheridanHealth is available to all patients at no cost. Originally implemented at the hospital in 2014,over the last year our team has been working to optimize the portal to make even more information available to our patients.

Patients of SMH, and its affiliated clinics, including Big Horn Surgical; Ear, Nose & Throat; Heart Center; Internal Medicine, Rheumatology; and the Women’s Clinic, can view appointments, request medication refills, communicate with healthcare providers and much more from MySheridanHealth.

Many options are available to our patients to access their medical records, including viewing lab results, medication lists, allergies and immunization records. In today’s world, MySheridanHealth can even be considered a mobile COVID-19 Vaccination card. When you have a COVID-19 or influenza test through the hospital – those lab results are posted in the patient portal as soon as testing is completed.

Patients can review summaries of recent office or hospital visits, surgeries or procedures. For example, patients can easily view the dates, history and results of tests and procedures, including colonoscopy, mammography, x-rays, provider visits, and more.

Other conveniences of MySheridanHealth include communication with staff via secure messaging, requesting an appointment, conducting a scheduled video visit or appointment with a provider, accessing forms needed for an upcoming appointment, tracking health conditions and wellness goals, and much more.

Granting access to others

Under certain conditions, you may grant access to your MySheridanHealth account, as in the case of a caregiver needing access in order to manage a patient’s care. This would also apply to parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 18 or those who care for individuals with mental or physical impairments. Or if an individual gives their permission for another person to have access to their medical records.

Enrollment

Signing up for the patient portal is easy. We are offering online enrollment to the patient portal by visiting MySheridanHealth.org on the internet – Required information includes:

Full Name
Date of Birth
Medical Record Number (This can be found on a copy of a recent hospital bill, or by contacting SMH Health Information department at 307-672-1070)
Your Email Address

An invitation email will be sent to the patient after online enrollment has been completed.

Those who want to access MySheridanHealth on their mobile phone can download the Heathelife app to obtain quick access.

Privacy

SMH takes great care to protect your health information. MySheridanHealth is completely confidential and meets all federal HIPAA guidelines designed to protect your personal health information.

For more information, go to MySheridanHealth or call the hospital at 307.672.1000.

Better Hearing & Speech Month is an annual occasion designed to raise awareness of hearing loss and speech problems. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) created Better Hearing & Speech Month in 1927, and President Reagan issued a formal proclamation designating May as the official month in 1986. The goal of Better Hearing & Speech Month is to encourage people to take action if they believe there might be a problem with their hearing or speech.

Hearing loss is common. An estimated 48 million Americans suffer from it and this is a number that continues to grow as the condition increasingly affects a younger demographic. One out of three adults 65 and older experiences some degree of hearing loss; by 75, that number jumps to one out of two. Other factors that contribute to hearing loss include ear infections, impacted earwax and ototoxic medications.

Hearing evaluations are the best way to detect hearing loss early. It is important to identify problems before they worsen and recommend treatment to those who might otherwise suffer debilitating social and emotional effects of hearing loss, including depression, isolation, memory loss and cognitive decline.

Hearing loss is not just a condition that affects older people. Hearing is the cornerstone of a child’s language and social skills; any degree of hearing loss can result in developmental delays. Early detection can ensure a child develops at a normal rate alongside their peers.

At Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic, our Audiology team provides comprehensive hearing evaluations for patients of all ages and they can also monitor patients’ hearing and investigate the need for hearing devices. The team includes audiologists: Pattie Visscher, Au.D., CCC-A, our newest addition, Shayln Ballew, Au.D., CCC-A and our audiology office coordinator, Sonia Coleman, who all work closely with Dr. Cheryl Varner, the otolaryngologist at the ENT clinic. Please join us in raising awareness and promoting healthy hearing!

To find out more about our Ear, Nose and Throat practice and Audiology services, click here. https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/clinics/ear-nose-throat/

By Toni Schoonover, BSN, RN – Trauma Coordinator at Sheridan Memorial Hospital

On May 12, 2022 Governor Gordon signed a proclamation recognizing May as Trauma Awareness Month in Wyoming. Every year in May, the American Trauma Society (ATS) and Society of Trauma Nurses (STN) join with other trauma organizations to celebrate National Trauma Awareness month by sharing injury prevention and education to highlight and prevent major causes of injury and death from trauma. This all started in 1988 when Ronald Reagan acknowledged the need for better trauma awareness and designated this month to focus time and resources into increasing education and prevention activities.

This year Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) is doing its part to help raise awareness and provide education to our community. During May, you will see Emergency Department Staff wearing Trauma Awareness shirts with the quote “Prevention is Cure.” Trauma Awareness is all about prevention: 94% of trauma patients seen at SMH in 2021 were due to blunt injuries such as falls and motor vehicle crashes. Many of these injuries could have been prevented with simple interventions such as wearing a seatbelt, not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fall prevention including home safety and eliminating fall hazards in your home, and maintaining good physical health.

This year’s theme for Trauma Awareness Month is “Safe Surroundings: Preventing Violence and Promoting Peace Community by Community.” Topics for prevention are: intimate partner violence, firearm injury prevention, mental health awareness and community violence intervention. To find free webinars related to these topics, go to sheridanhospital.org and click on the Emergency Department page.

SMH has been an Area Trauma Hospital (ATH) since 2001. An ATH, by definition, is an acute care facility with the commitment, medical staff, personnel, and specialty training necessary to provide primary care to the trauma patient. An ATH provides initial resuscitation, immediate operative intervention and ensures stabilization prior to transferring a patient to a higher level of care if indicated. In order for SMH to maintain this designation, we go through an extensive Wyoming Trauma Facility Site Review every 3 years. Our review, which takes place this week, ensures our hospital is providing the best possible care to our trauma patients. We are continually reassessing the care we are providing and implementing performance improvement processes as needed. Maintaining trauma designation holds several benefits for our hospital, patients and community. Research has shown it leads to better patient outcomes with decreased incidence of death. Maintaining the designation holds us to a higher standard of care, helps keep care local, and ultimately it can save lives.

To learn more about our Emergency Department and access the Trauma Awareness Month webinars click HERE or visit: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/emergency/

For most people, Sheridan, WY is a place to come when you want to get away from the crowds yet still crave the comforts of a small town. For Sig Palm, the deciding factor to come to Sheridan was having local access to exceptional healthcare.

Sig’s first introduction to Sheridan came in 1967, while on a trip to meet with the forest supervisor and his primary staff. Sig was a newlywed, freshly off active duty in the Army, and brand new to the Forest Service. That day kicked off a pivotal Forest Service career spanning fifty-eight years and numerous states. While the bulk of his working years took him far away from Sheridan, he never forgot how at home he felt there. Unforeseen to him at the time, Sheridan would become the place he relied on to manage numerous health concerns ranging from minor to extensive.

Sig is no stranger to heart problems – both his maternal grandfather and his mother died of congestive heart failure. Around the age of 11, Sig realized he had inherited the same heart trouble. “I knew about it because I didn’t have the stamina that other kids did, like in PE.” So, it was of little shock to Sig when in 2012, on a Boy Scout trip to Yellowstone with his grandson, he went into congestive heart failure.

At that time, Sig and his wife Judi were living in Colorado Springs but contemplating a return move to Sheridan. “Sheridan is where we felt most at home. Our kids were born around here, and we kept in touch with our friends.” But for Sig and Judi, they couldn’t base their decision to move back solely on feelings – the scare on that Yellowstone Boy Scout trip made proximity to specialized healthcare the number one determinant in where they would live. Armed with a list of Sheridan doctors suggested by his physician in Colorado Springs, Sig set to work researching. “The most important thing to me at the time was the heart center and what it offered. I told them what I had going on, and Dr. Brennan came highly recommended.” What he found in researching Sheridan Memorial Hospital Heart Center sealed the deal – after decades away, they were coming home to Sheridan.

Since their move back to Sheridan, Sig has run the gamut with hospital specialties. From Cardiology, Orthopedics, and Wyoming Rehab to Internal Medicine and The Welch Cancer Center – he has been a patient of each. Sig recalls a conversation he had with Dr. Megan Ratterman, Oncologist at the Welch Cancer Center, when he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. She said, “I won’t feel offended if you want a second opinion.” Sig thought about it and decided, “Nah. You know, I want to stick with the Sheridan team. I trust their counsel.”

Sig understands he has options for care. He has chosen to stay here at SMH. For Sig, the ability to receive the care he needs locally made all the difference. “Everyone I have ever came in contact with at the hospital has been just beyond wonderful.”

For more information about the many exceptional services offered at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, visit our website at www.SheridanHospital.org.

What can you do? Know the risk factors. Free Drive-up Stroke Awareness Event on May 24^th

Every 40 seconds in the United States, someone experiences a stroke. Stroke is a debilitating and deadly injury to the brain that causes a death every 3.5 minutes in this country. Often the death follows a lengthy illness that limits a person’s participation in the daily activities of life.

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize the risk factors of experiencing a stroke. Managing health conditions such as atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and eliminating lifestyle risk factors such as smoking can significantly decrease your risk of experiencing a stroke. Other lifestyle changes one can make to decrease the risk of stroke include maintaining a healthy weight by eating a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise regimens, minimizing alcohol consumption, reducing personal stress levels, and maintaining regular appointments with one’s healthcare provider.

If you do experience signs and symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body, or sudden confusion, difficulty speaking, or loss of coordination, call 911 immediately or immediately get to the Emergency Department. If someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, a quick and easy way to determine if this person may be experiencing a stroke is the F.A.S.T. mnemonic.

F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?

T – Time: If you see any of these signs, call 911 right away.

Stroke Awareness Drive-Up

You can find out more at the hospital’s Stroke Awareness Education Drive-Up on Tuesday, May 24^th, from 9 to 11 am. Just come to the parking lot on the north side of the hospital, near the cafeteria entrance. Look for the tent and be sure to wear a face covering. Healthcare professionals will be there with more information on F.A.S.T. and lifestyle changes you can make to help prevent a stroke. They will also provide education on healthy habits to protect your heart and understand heart failure symptoms.

If you have any questions regarding your potential stroke risk factors, you are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment with your primary care provider to address these concerns. If you don’t have one, check out Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine practice or call: 307.675.2650

The Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Association is once again hosting its Cancer Benefit Trap Shoot with funds raised going to help patients at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center.

After a 2-year break, this year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 18 at the Sportsmen’s Club, located east of Sheridan at 89 Keystone Road.

The event will feature 50 non-registered targets: 25 Singles & 25 Handicap based on the team’s score. Cost is $40 per person or $200 for a 5-person team and includes lunch and an event T-shirt. Shooters can register by going to “Events” at sheridanhospital.org or by contacting Tracy Landeis at 307-763-0207.

According to Landeis, one of the event organizers, “Cancer is an important cause that touches us all. We are happy to host this shoot and our volunteers make it all happen. It’s a fun day for a great cause. All who attend are welcome to join in the fun and enter raffles to win additional prizes.”

Committee members Sally Labore, Tracy Landeis, Trudy Brice, Lyle Brice, Jerry Reed, Ada Kirven and Cecile Pattison plan and coordinate the event. Over the years, the Sportsmen’s Club has raised over $16,000 for the Cancer Center.

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation partners with the group to put on the event and according to Ada Kirven, Director of Donor Relations, “This is a great event with shooters coming from all over the region. Our patients and their families are so grateful to this committee and all of the incredible volunteers involved.”

To find out more about the event click here or call Tracy Landeis at 307-763-0207.

By Cathy Bealer, RN, MHA, FACMPE – Chief Nursing Officer at Sheridan Memorial Hospital
National Nurses Week is May 6-12, with the American Nurses Association recognizing and honoring nurses across the United States. Nurses have faced challenging times, especially over the past two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organization was not immune to these unprecedented challenges. I want first to emphasize how proud I am of our nursing teams and the way they responded to these challenges. We exceeded our community’s expectations by providing outstanding care to patients and their families throughout the pandemic. And through it all, our nursing teams stepped up to care for each other.

As we reflect upon the past year, we are proud of our nurses’ commitment, compassion and resilience in caring for our patients, their families, and our community. I extend my genuine gratitude to each of them for the kindness and strength they have shown and the excellent care they have provided to our patients. Their work through the challenges, triumphs and losses over this past year has been remarkable, and they have worked tirelessly to ensure our patients and community have been cared for.

Reflecting on the past is helpful to realize just what our nursing team has achieved and what lies before us. We honor their contributions, and we thank them for the healing they bring. Organizational excellence begins with people, and our nursing professionals are an integral part of supporting our community.
Looking toward the future, our nurses are an inspiration, and their efforts make a difference in patients’ lives. Thank you to all nurses for their efforts and sacrifices as we work together to meet the needs of our community.
Happy Nurses week!!

By Cindy Baker, Hospice Social Worker & Volunteer Coordinator

Hospice volunteering takes a special kind of person who is flexible, doesn’t take things personally, has good self-awareness, good boundaries, and is able to stand present in hard situations. These traits came to the forefront as we moved through the last two years of the pandemic. Our hospice at least doubled the number of patients we usually have had, and many of these families wanted to use volunteers.

Volunteers who were vulnerable themselves and/or had vulnerable loved ones at home at first stepped back for a time. A minor force of five volunteers stepped up to help out families, often taking on multiple families, which is not the norm when volunteering for hospice. Managing screening, masks, infection control and the unknown took an amazing amount of maneuvering. Little by little, as the pandemic settled in, more volunteers came forward as they felt comfortable about keeping themselves and their hospice families as safe as possible while providing respite.

I saw a level of resiliency and determination in our volunteers that I hadn’t really appreciated before. They didn’t blink an eye about having to learn how to use PPE, “just show me how it’s done” and they understood our staff and the whole health care system was on a major learning curve. And still is. I know of some hospices where the volunteers were not able to provide much respite during the height of the pandemic, and I feel like our hospice never broke its stride with our incredible volunteers and staff.

Our dedicated hospice volunteers provide respite for families so loved ones can run errands, have lunch with a friend, take a nap, or even take a walk several times a week. Many of our hospice families are fiercely independent. It’s not easy to accept help from others, especially if one has always been the caregiver. Laboring out of life can be as challenging as laboring into life. It can be messy, hard and an incredibly sacred time.

I’m in my 26^th year as a hospice volunteer coordinator, and I still feel the reward of training volunteers, hopefully giving them the tools they need, introducing them to our families, and then stepping into the background to let them build relationships. Our hospice volunteers give me hope for a better world. One where people give when it’s hard. Stand steady when it’s hard and love anyway.

Follow the link to find out more about our Hospice program: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/hospice/

By Erik Smith, MD – physician at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department
Newsworthy stories about pharmaceutical misuse and abuse can add an extra layer of complexity to our daily doctor-patient interactions in the emergency department.

Take these real exchanges for example:

Doctor to patient: Your heart is stuck in a very fast, abnormal rhythm. The treatment is to shock it back into a normal rhythm. Since this is uncomfortable, we will briefly sedate you with a medication called propofol.

Patient: Wait. Propofol? Isn’t that the “Michael Jackson drug?”

Doctor to patient: There is a very good chance you broke several bones around your ankle. Let’s get some xrays and start an IV so we can give you some pain medication.

Doctor to nurse: Would you please start an IV and give 50 micrograms of fentanyl.

Patient: Fentanyl? Oh no… not that dangerous drug. Absolutely not!

Doctor: It sounds like you keep up on the news…

Medications such as ketamine, propofol, and certainly fentanyl have been to blame for many tragic deaths over recent years, giving them infamous notoriety. The CDC, for example, reports as much as ⅔ of the 100,000 overdose deaths over a 12 month period ending a year ago are believed to be due to fentanyl. This has caused some in the general public to perceive these pharmaceuticals as very dangerous drugs of abuse without legitimate utility, similar to schedule I drugs like methamphetamine or heroin. Unlike methamphetamine and heroin, however, these agents are very commonly used class II and III medicines. They are used on a daily basis in every emergency department and operating room in the country. Chances are if you broke a bone, ruptured a vessel in your brain, or suffered a bad burn, you would be given fentanyl in the emergency department. If you needed further sedation, you would be given ketamine or propofol.

Is Fentanyl dangerous?

Fentanyl can be compared to fire. When in a fireplace, fire can bring warmth, comfort, and security. It can even save your life. When blazing through a structure or neighborhood, however, fire can have catastrophic effects on property and life.

Recreational, or otherwise abused, fentanyl is certainly dangerous. It is classified as an opioid, similar to morphine or oxycodone. It is more potent than other opioids. Therapeutic doses are in micrograms and the lethal dose is considered to be around 2 milligrams. The adverse effects that contribute to death are shallow breathing (respiratory depression) and low blood pressure (cardiovascular collapse). Abuse potential is relatively high as there is a dependence formed with prolonged use. Withdrawal can be very uncomfortable. One trend that has contributed to the increase in unintentional deaths is the addition of unknown quantities of fentanyl to other substances. Drugs or counterfeit pills obtained on the street could have lethal doses of fentanyl added.

Fentanyl, when administered appropriately in the emergency department, on the other hand, is actually safe and preferred over similar pain medications. It is fast acting and has less side effects than other opioids. It is even frequently given by nasal spray to children who need quick pain management, typically following trauma. It was developed over 60 years ago and has been used extensively in healthcare facilities for decades. Fentanyl is a preferred pain medication for paramedics as well.

Many safety precautions are in place when fentanyl is given by a professional. Nurses and paramedics verify the dosing and administer from small vials or prefilled syringes. For an errant high dosing to occur, multiple vials would be required, which would raise warning flags. Patients are typically monitored closely following administration. Equipment to assist with breathing and reversal medication (naloxone) are on hand if there are any signs of adverse effects.

My twofold recommendation:

Fentanyl associated deaths are beyond epidemic levels and continue to rise. If you, or someone near you, use recreational drugs or opioids beyond the recommendation of a physician, please consider quitting. The Addiction Medicine Clinic through Sheridan Memorial Hospital may be of help. Also, consider keeping naloxone (Narcan) on hand if you or someone near you is at high risk of opioid overdose.
If you have the misfortune of seeing us in the emergency department, there is a good chance that a newsworthy medication will be ordered. You are encouraged to discuss any medication choice, especially if a certain medication makes you uncomfortable. Please know, however, that the medications that we use are considered standard of care, typically proven safe over decades of testing and use.

Learn more about our Emergency Department and services by following the link: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/emergency/

National Volunteer week falls in April of each year and provides an opportunity for organizations to celebrate the impact of their selfless and inspirational Volunteers. At Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH), our volunteers are the heart of our organization. Every service given to our hospital is another chance to provide excellent patient-centered care to everyone in our community.

People choose to volunteer, all over the world, for numerous reasons. Many will tell you it’s great to get involved in your community and feel a part of something after retirement. It’s a beautiful opportunity to give back to the place you call home. Volunteering allows you the space to fuel your passions and share your favorite pastimes with others. You can learn new things, develop new skills, meet new people. It will get you out of the house, help you build a routine, and give you something else to look forward to throughout the day. It can help those of all ages learn the value of philanthropy in their community. Volunteering can be anything you want it to be when doing it in the right space for you.

At SMH, we are lucky enough to work alongside unique, talented, and genuine volunteers who serve as irreplaceable resources to our organization. We are gifted with a group of individuals dedicated to SMH and the health and wellness of our entire community. Our volunteers make an effort to create an environment of comfort and cultivate a Culture of Kindness in everything they do, and it wouldn’t be possible without them.

It is humbling to work alongside so many selfless individuals who choose to take the time to serve their community through numerous volunteer activities. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to get to know these individuals, sharing in their experiences, learning about their loved ones, and I’m honored to be part of their stories.

Our volunteers are part of our culture, our patient experience, our family. Their friendly greetings and genuine smiles, kind hearts, and overwhelming support for all those they encounter are what complete the heart of Sheridan Memorial Hospital. We appreciate the smiles in their eyes, their welcoming demeanor and feel their warm presence in the hallways of our hospital. The past few years have taught us how truly invaluable our volunteers are.

Thank you for every book you’ve donated to our newborn babies. We appreciate all of the shelves you’ve stocked with trendy and unique inventory in our Kozy Korner Gift Shop, so we are the best dressed, and our homes and offices stay well decorated. We are grateful for all the Blood Drives you continue to coordinate, ensuring our blood supplies are stocked and replenished when SMH patients and neighbors need them.

We are thankful for every tiny patient you comforted with your scrubby bears before and after surgery, every 5-year-old you have celebrated in the last 62 years (including over 130 children at this year’s drive-by event), and every time you guided us to our next appointment or relocated office on our hospital’s growing campus.

Our team can’t even begin to count how many people you’ve gifted a piece of home with the cards you’ve sold visitors for our patients, a kind note or the sweet tooth you cured with our favorite candy bar in the late afternoons.

Thank you for joining us for all the meetings and phone calls, being present, sharing your thoughts and ideas, and all the events you have attended because you, too, believe in medical excellence – right here at home.

It’s impossible to measure how many times you’ve warmed our hearts and hallways, the number of people who have been positively affected by your generosity, and it’s incomprehensible where Sheridan Memorial Hospital would be without you.

To learn more about Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s volunteer program go to www.sheridanhospital.org/community/volunteer-opportunities/ or contact Jasmine Slater at jasmineslater@sheridanhospital.org or call 307.675.2620

Robert Kessler has led a full life for sure. He has lived in Buffalo, WY, since 1964. He has been in the Navy, run his own business in Buffalo, and then went back to school for a teaching degree and taught school in Ranchester and Buffalo for 20 years. To say he is always on the move is an understatement.

But in 1972, Robert “broke his knee” and a little lump developed behind his knee that never went away. Then, recently while traveling in Australia, his knee became very painful. Once home, he went to the VA Hospital in Sheridan and in May of 2019 received a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma (cancer) in that lump.

After radiation and surgery, additional cancer was found in the lymph nodes of his thigh . That’s when the chemotherapy started.

“It was a pretty tough regimen and I know now why people hate chemo,” Robert stated. “You get to a point where you wonder if it’s worth it.”

After receiving the first round of chemo in Salt Lake City, Robert was able to transition his care to the Welch Cancer Center (Welch) in Sheridan for the next round.

“It’s 30 minutes away instead of eight hours,” Robert said, “and it meant a lot.”

Robert started the second regimen at the Welch in 2020 after a PET scan revealed the first round had not done its job. Having his treatment close to home made it much more palatable.

“This time, I was able to be home and that was very helpful and comforting,” he said.

However, after the second round of chemo, he was told by his doctors in Salt Lake that the cancer was still progressing and the prognosis was dim.

“I asked them how long I had, and they told me 12 months. So I started to get my affairs in order, as they say, to make sure my family was taken care of. I even bought a stone and put my name on it. I cried all the way home from Salt Lake,” Robert said.

Lucky for Robert, shortly after that hard-to-swallow conversation, a new drug hit the market. Robert and his cancer care teams agreed it would be good to try.

“And after visiting with Dr. Ratterman, it was determined I could get the treatment at the Welch,” he added. “The coordination between the team in Salt Lake and the Welch was amazing. Very professional.”

The new treatment began in October of 2020 and the following April, another PET scan revealed a significant improvement, so additional treatment was in order. Another scan after that showed even more improvement.

“We pretty much have it on the run, but cancer is diabolically sneaky,” Robert said. “This coming February, I will have my 17^th treatment of the new drug regimen. We will keep going as long as it keeps working and my immune system continues to tolerate it.”

There are a few lingering effects from all the cancer care, but he says things are good now, “I feel good and it isn’t slowing me down. I do everything I used to do, only a little slower. I have no after-effects from the treatments. After my last infusion, we got in the car and drove to Arizona.”

Robert has high praise for the teams that continue to keep him going. He says the coordination of care between all the teams was professional and the level of respect was very evident. He adds that he felt the knowledge base of the Welch team was great and he never had to wait for an answer.

“The level of care at the Welch was fantastic and I would encourage anyone needing cancer care to visit with the team at the Welch,” he said emphatically.

With a little chuckle, he adds, “They have done a great job of keeping me alive two years after my expiration date. But in all seriousness, I have nothing but glowing respect and admiration for Dr. Ratterman and Nurse Practitioner Nina Beach and the whole team of nurses at the Welch. I always feel like they are treating one of their own family when I see them. They are very caring people and they never treated me as if I was going to die.”

Anyone wanting to learn more about services provided at The Welch Cancer Center please visit https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/welch-cancer-center/ or call 307.674.6022.

By Sara C. Smith Maguire, MD, FACS, of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Big Horn Surgical Practice

It may not be the most glamorous subject, but talking about colorectal cancer saves lives. 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. Most colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people who do not have a family history of colon cancer. 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 can’t be changed. Colorectal cancer is more common as we age. It is also more common in people with a personal history of adenomatous colorectal polyps or a previous colon cancer. Being diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis, increases your risk.

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 identify 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 colonoscopy which allows us to both find polyps and remove them at the same time. 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 45 and 75, though there are reasons to start earlier or stop later for some people.

If you are 45 or older, it’s time to talk to your doctor about Colorectal Cancer Screening. It can save your life. If you have questions, the staff at Big Horn Surgical would be happy to assist you – call 307.673.3181.

Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the country for 2022 according to the Chartis Group. This is the seventh year in a row SMH has earned this honor. Over 800 hospitals were included in the study with the Top 100 list developed using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®. The index assesses performance utilizing 37 independent indicators across eight pillars of performance including Inpatient Market Share, Outpatient Market Share, Quality, Outcomes, Patient Perspective, Cost, Charges and Finance.

Mike McCafferty, SMH Chief Executive Officer said “this honor is directly attributable to the expertise and commitment of our medical staff, our clinical care teams, and all of our supporting staff in all aspects of our health system. The culture that they create through our shared principles of respect for every individual, our focus on continuous process improvement and alignment across all areas of service, shapes the environment to provide value for our patients. Their commitment to these principles helps us to continually strive for operational excellence.”

According to a release from the Chartis Group, hospitals making the list serve as a benchmark for other rural facilities across the country. Michael Topchick, National Leader of The Chartis Center for Rural Health, had this to say about the hospitals making the list, “Despite unprecedented adversity, rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities. Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly in light of the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”

The Chartis Rural Hospital Performance Index® is a trusted source for measuring and monitoring performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance for rural hospitals and healthcare systems across the country.

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*Notes – All data used in this study is publicly available through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

By Lisa Mohatt, MS PT, CWS, CLT, Physical Therapist with Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Wyoming Rehab

The term “Pelvic Floor Health” encompasses several important functions. It relates to urinary and bowel dysfunctions, including incontinence, pain anywhere in the pelvic area, pain or problems during and after pregnancy, and problems related to prostate cancer and surgery in men.

Urinary incontinence affects over 200 million people worldwide and is considered a public health problem. “Stress Urinary Incontinence” can result from weak muscles in the bottom of the pelvis – the pelvic floor muscles – that are not strong enough to withstand sudden increases in abdominal pressure, such as with coughing, sneezing, jumping, and other exertions. “Urge Urinary Incontinence” occurs before a person is able to reach the bathroom, usually before a strong urge is felt. Eating and drinking a lot of bladder irritants and not enough water, as well as overtight pelvic floor muscles, can cause this incontinence. Some people may have one or both of these types of incontinence, referred to as “Mixed Urinary Incontinence.” Physical therapists trained in pelvic health can determine the underlying factors of each type of incontinence by assessing lifestyle, medical history, and musculoskeletal factors and tailor a program accordingly. Most patients find this rehab extremely effective, empowering them to have control over a problem previously thought of as “normal” after a certain age, surgery, or childbearing.

Pelvic pain affects up to 25% of women in their lifetime. This type of pain affects primarily younger women and then women around menopause and can be from many different causes. Physical therapists trained in treating pelvic pain will look at past medical history, lifestyle, posture/ergonomics, and any contributing musculoskeletal factors. Many women avoid seeking help with pelvic pain since it can be debilitating, frustrating, life-changing, and emotional. Physical therapy can help with a private, individualized program that aims to help women gain control over this pain and be able to self-manage or eliminate it.

Bowel dysfunctions, specifically fecal incontinence, can affect up to 15% of people and up to a whopping 46% in nursing homes. Most people do not discuss this with their physicians unless directly asked due to embarrassment. Pelvic health physical therapists trained in bowel dysfunctions can help minimize this embarrassing issue with sensory training, pelvic floor muscle training/strengthening, behavioral modifications, dietary education, and other strategies aimed to increase awareness and control.

Lastly, benign prostate hypertrophy, prostatitis, and prostate cancer can all lead to urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunctions. This can affect up to 44% of men in the U.S. Physical therapy can help with pelvic floor muscle training, modalities to encourage muscle contractions, lifestyle/behavioral changes, education and use of external devices, as well as education before any surgical interventions.

Pelvic health physical therapy plays a role in a multidisciplinary team approach to treating pelvic problems in both women and men. It’s important to realize that treatment for pelvic problems is available and can be very effective and empowering.

Ask your medical provider for a referral to Wyoming Rehab to start managing this today! Or give us a call at 307.674.1632 to find out more.

Each year, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) employees find ways to give back to the community.

“Our community is so supportive of our hospital. Our staff recognizes this and although 2021 was another year filled with uncertainty, long hours, PPE, and lack of social connection due to COVID-19, our people still found ways to contribute. I am so proud of our staff,” according to Cody Sinclair, SMH Chief Development Officer

Here are some of the various efforts that hospital staff and departments participated in or initiated this past year.

SMH Foundation Employee Partner Program – over 475 employee partners raised nearly $50,000 in 2021 to toward multiple equipment upgrades, directly enhancing the comfort and care for patients in numerous departments at SMH. Over the past 19 years, SMH employee partners have contributed over $550,000 to projects at our community hospital.

Patient Access and Admissions Department – collected food for the Salvation Army shelves over the holidays.

Patient Accounts Department – conducted a food and toy drive for Christmas. Food was donated to the People Assistance Food Bank and toys were donated to Toys for Tots.

Internal Medicine Practice – Employees provided gifts for 55 children of patients in the Addiction Medicine Clinic for Christmas.

All SMH Employees – Specific Fridays throughout the year are designated as “Jeans Friday” at SMH. Employees are encouraged to donate $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans on that day and $2,500 was raised from this effort. The funds were distributed among the following causes:

The Link Partners in Pink – for comfort and care for Welch Cancer Center patients and families
Sheridan Media Christmas Wish Campaign
Salvation Army

Did you know that breast cancer is one of the few cancers where early detection can literally be the difference between life and death? Yet, Wyoming ranks among the worst in the nation for breast cancer early detection screenings. Add to that, every single day a Wyoming resident is diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the Department of Health. Enter the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative (WBCI).

Started in 2016, WBCI is one of the only non-profits in Wyoming solely dedicated to increasing early detection, decreasing late-stage diagnosis, and supporting breast cancer survivors. Through year-round fundraising efforts, WBCI raises, then disperses funds to local Wyoming programs through grants. WBCI Community Grants are awarded to programs that provide services in one of four funding priority areas: education and awareness, screening and early detection testing, patient navigation and providing support to breast cancer patients and survivors.

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation is proud to announce it has been chosen as a recipient of a 2022 WBCI Community Grant to provide vital services to the Sheridan community through Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center (WCC). The grant was written and approved to provide patient navigation services throughout diagnosis, treatment and survivorship, personalized essential care for breast cancer patients, and dedicated funds for the WCC’s Breast Boutique. The boutique is an experience complete with compassionate highly trained staff who provide post breast cancer care options including post-op camisoles, breast prosthesis, and bra fittings in a comfortable, private setting. All of the services in the boutique are free of charge.

According to Foundation Director of Donor Relations, Ada Kirven, “We are extremely grateful to receive this successful grant notification. The additional funding plays a major role in allowing the WCC to grow and expand the reach for early breast cancer detection and treatment for better patient outcomes. We want to encourage screening and then work to change the Wyoming breast cancer statistics. Our patients and their families are appreciative to have personalized, exceptional breast cancer care close to home and in a comfortable, safe environment with providers they trust at the WCC.”

Cara Nett, Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative’s Board President, states, “Since WBCI started, we have granted nearly seven hundred thousand dollars to local Wyoming projects. It’s truly incredible when you stop to think about it. Our funds don’t come from big foundations or businesses, they really come from local Wyoming residents and businesses, many of who have felt the devastation of breast cancer personally. Nothing makes us more proud than knowing we are being good stewards of our donors’ hard earned money. The Welch Cancer Center Navigation Program and Breast Boutique serve as only one example of eighteen other projects in Wyoming we are able to fund. Every funded project brings us closer to our mission of increasing early detection, decreasing late-stage diagnosis and supporting those in the fight of their lives.”

Anyone wanting to learn more about services provided at The Welch Cancer Center and The Breast Boutique should visit https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/welch-cancer-center/ or call 307.674.6022. To learn more about the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative and how you can help support breast cancer projects in Wyoming, please visit www.wyomingbreastcancer.org or like WBCI on social media.

Rose Leonard, Sheridan Memorial Hospital night shift Respiratory Therapist recently received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) Bronze Medal. She received a letter signed by President Biden along with her bronze medal and certificate. This past year Rose gave 101.34 hours of service as a volunteer for CHAPS Equine Assisted Services, a local organization whose mission is to provide high-quality equine therapies for youth, adults and veterans with physical, mental, social and/or psychological disabilities. We are so proud of you, Rose! Please join us in thanking Rose for her dedication to volunteering and congratulating her for her earned Presidential Bronze Medal for Volunteering.

T.R. and Emily Shelby spent many wonderful years in Sheridan, where T.R. worked as an engineer for the railroad and Emily served the Sheridan Veteran’s Administration (VA) Hospital as a pharmacist. Back then, they gave to the community in various ways, including the design and construction of Westview Health Care Center and other significant business development in Sheridan. T.R. recently returned to live in our community and reached out to the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation about a special memorial gift for his wife, Emily, who passed away in November 2020. T.R. wanted to share this gift with the community by giving the proceeds of several personal auctions to the Welch Cancer Center and the hospital’s Transitional Care Unit, which is set to open in 2022.

Emily treasured her time with the people she loved, especially her wonderful family and friends. These shared times and the memories made will stay with her loved ones, and T.R.’s generosity will continue her legacy here in Sheridan County. In addition, T.R. also set up a special memorial with the proceeds from several local auctions to ensure Emily’s priceless treasures could stay here in Sheridan, and T.R. is grateful to those in Sheridan who bought many of the items. The last part of the auction was an amazing collection of ancient Chinese furniture and wooden sculptures. Thanks to the generosity of T.R. and his friends, several of these beautiful Chinese pieces were purchased and donated directly to The Foundation for display in the hospital.

The Shelbys continue their strong tradition of giving through T.R.’s recent matching gift. He is proud to support our local hospital, and he realizes the importance and value of having excellent healthcare close to home. The proceeds of the auctions, along with an additional gift from T.R., total $100,000. The Foundation is grateful for this generous gift and the heartfelt way that T.R. reached out to make a difference in something he believes is crucial – support for rural healthcare. As a matching gift, all donations to the Welch Cancer Center will be matched dollar for dollar until T.R.’s goal of $100,000 is reached. Questions may be directed to The Foundation by calling 307.673.2417. Thank you, T.R.!

To get the most up to date Foundation information and learn more about the matching gift opportunity from T.R. Shelby, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

On Wednesday, December 8, 2021, Sheridan Memorial Hospital employees celebrated their contributions to the hospital’s Foundation with their traditional partner breakfast and plenty of holiday cheer. In 2021 over 475 staff members participated in this unique philanthropic program and donated nearly $50,000 through biweekly payroll deductions.

In 2004 the idea for Partner giving program began with a few faithful employees. It has steadily increased year over year with new employees and our culture of kindness. Over the past 18 years, Partners have contributed over half a million dollars toward patient care improvement projects at your community hospital. Annually in December, The Foundation hosts a holiday breakfast to honor and celebrate the Employee Partners. During the event, Partners vote to fund a strategic project in the hospital’s area of greatest need, with the monies accumulated over the past year.

This year, the hospital’s Employee Partners voted, and will put their contribution toward multiple equipment upgrades, directly enhancing the comfort and care for patients in numerous departments at SMH. The equipment purchases include patient recliners, transport chairs, a patient portable lift system, and new Stryker Stretcher.

“We are so grateful for our employee’s each and every day,” expresses Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair. “This funding opportunity is just another example of how our employees care deeply for our patients, their comfort, and the overall community we live in. Their kindness and care is what makes this program and SMH so rewarding to be a part of.”

For more information about The Foundation, please contact our team at 307.673.2418 or visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

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