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“Your Donation Doubled in June to Finish Transitional Care Expansion Campaign”
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation is matching all gifts in June to finish the Transitional Care Expansion Campaign. All gifts and pledge
COVID-19 Vaccination Facts For Parents
Wyomingites ages 12 and up can now receive the COVID-19 vaccine, following a thorough review and decision by the FDA and CDC. More families have the ability to protect their children and return to the activities and people they love.
New Addiction Medicine and Recovery Clinic Opens at SMH
Dr. Jason Ackerman has been practicing medicine in Sheridan for the past 8 years and has been a mainstay in the Sheridan Memorial Hospital
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Continues Tradition of Support for Excellent Patient Care
Thanks to generous gifts from planned giving and The Link annual event participants and sponsors, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital
Stroke Awareness – What can you do? Know the risk factors.
In our country, someone experiences a stroke every 40 seconds. This debilitating and deadly injury to the brain causes a U.S. death every 3.5
Transitional Care Expansion - Approaching the Fundraising Finish Line
Due to the generous contributions over the past seven months, The Foundation is nearing the finish line of the Transitional Care Expansion Campaign.
Heart Warming Messages About Our Nurses
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)
TLC in the TCU
When Mary Skretteberg severely broke her ankle in September 2019, the prescription of a prolonged hospital stay felt like insult added to
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
Hospital Foundation Announces Newly Appointed Board Member – Wendy Smith
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Staff and Board of Directors are pleased to announce
New Welch Cancer Center Physician, Marty Lucas, MD
Upon your initial introduction to Dr. Marty Lucas, you may notice that she carries a unique
Sheridan Memorial Hospital Volunteers: Our Culture, Our Patient Experience, Our Family
98-years-young, Dr. Sy Thickman’s Complete Recovery from a Winter Fall
In early January 2020, Dr. Sy Thickman stepped outside for his usual dog walk. Awaiting him was a thin layer of snow covering thick black ice; he
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
Your Donation Will Be Doubled in March for Expansion of Transitional Care
Thanks to an extremely generous community gift supporting Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Transitional Care Expansion Project, a 100% match
Larry's Story
By Larry Certain   February 20, 2021, posted here with his permission. I feel fortunate to live in Sheridan County, and I am sure I'm not alone. Many of the nicest people live in our county, and a
Sierra Gross Stallman, MD
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

For Immediate Release – June 9, 2021

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation is matching all gifts in June to finish the Transitional Care Expansion Campaign.  The 100% match will be made for all gifts and pledge payments received throughout the month of June. Make any size donation to the Project this month, and it will be doubled.  

The community support for the project has been amazing over the last eight months.  Local community donors and foundations have given just over $4 million of the $4.4 million goal.  Fortunately, through the support of The Foundation and generous contributions from our community, Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH) will expand Transitional Care to fully meet the need for care close to home. The expansion, which includes repurposing space on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the original 1954 hospital, will increase the hospital’s Transitional Care rooms from 8 semi-private rooms to 20 comfortable, private rooms. Thanks to contributions and pledges over the past eight months, The Foundation is nearing its fundraising finish line with a completion goal of June 2021. SMH plans to begin the next phase of construction in July 2021 and open its new Transitional Care Expansion in the summer of 2022.

Foundation Board President and Campaign Co-Chair Richard Garber shared the good news, “Once again, we are excited to announce another matching gift, and it could not have come at a more important moment, as we finish the Transitional Care Expansion for our community. We want to ensure people understand the positive effect this additional space and the private rooms will have for our patients.”

Garber added, “It not only fills the growing need to care for individuals after a hospital stay, but will also help ensure their safe and successful return home. Another positive is that this project repurposes the original 1954 building back to patient care. This is an excellent use of space and, once completed, our professional team of providers and rehabilitation staff will be able to offer care to more individuals. It all comes down to keeping people in Sheridan, close to home and their loved ones.”

The Transitional Care Expansion provides an additional 15,600 square feet of patient-care area on the second and third floors of the hospital. The plan includes 20 private patient suites, a private group dining area, family meeting and consultation room, and rehab space overlooking the Bighorn Mountains. Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, oversees The Foundation’s efforts, “Everyone on the hospital team involved in the planning is excited and confident the new area will enhance our patients’ care experiences, overall results, and the goal of helping individuals successfully transition back home. This is a community effort and something that will enhance care for many years to come.”

To get the most up-to-date Foundation information and learn more about the Transitional Care Expansion Project, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

Dr. Jason Ackerman has been practicing medicine in Sheridan for the past 8 years and has been a mainstay in the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Internal Medicine Clinic. He is excited about opening an Addiction Medicine Clinic here in Sheridan. We sat down with him recently to get his thoughts on this new adventure in his career, why he is taking this leap into addiction medicine and what it means for the Sheridan community.

Q: Dr. Ackerman, tell us why you felt it was important to get this certification and open this clinic in Sheridan.

A: I started treating opiate addiction while I was in residency and continued that when we moved to Sheridan after residency. It was initially a very small part of my practice, but it began to grow more rapidly the last few years.  I came to realize how underserved and undertreated patients with addiction are in our community. When I had a chance to get boarded in Addiction Medicine it seemed like a good opportunity to broaden my knowledge base and start helping more patients with a variety of addiction problems.

While it’s been needed in Sheridan and our surrounding communities for a while, it’s also been one of the most rewarding aspects of my practice. Not only is it a chance to improve patients’ health, in many cases it is truly giving people a second chance at life. I have had homeless patients find housing and start working. I have had patients go back and get college degrees and others start new careers. Parents who have lost their children due to addiction have been able to get their kids back home. They see successes that they never thought were possible and it’s amazing to be a part of that.

Q: What does it mean to see a doctor/physician who specializes in addiction? Aren’t most internists focused on physical health?

A: That certainly is our primary training and focus. But internal medicine spans a broad range of specialties. One of the great things about practicing here is that we can find our niche and develop skills in our area of interest. There is a big component of mental health in addiction, but as research progresses in the field we are learning more and more that this is a true disease process and not simply a series of bad choices. The good news is that means there are medications and therapies that we can use to help people recover and succeed.

Q: Is this a pain management clinic? What services are offered through the new clinic?

A: This is not a pain management clinic, although we have certainly helped people taper off of pain medications. Our focus is treating the disease of addiction, whether it is opioid pain medications, heroin, alcohol, stimulants, gambling – it really runs the gamut of substances and behavioral addiction.

Q: Can you talk about medication assisted therapy and what exactly is suboxone?

A: Just as some people are able to treat their diabetes with diet and exercise while others need insulin and other medications, there are a number of ways to approach the disease of addiction. Some people do well with counseling or groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. But when we start looking at the process of disease, there are some medications that can significantly improve people’s chances of recovery. Medication assisted therapy is using evidence-based, targeted medications to help people achieve that recovery.  Suboxone is probably one of the best known and most effective medications. The primary component of it is buprenorphine, which is a partial opioid agonist. That’s essentially a fancy way of saying a medication that hits all the same receptors as opiates like pain medications or heroin, but turns on those receptors just enough that people do not have cravings or withdrawal symptoms. That allows people to not only remain clean and sober, but also increases their ability to incorporate all the important tools from other aspects of treatment – groups, counselors, etc. – and substantially increases the chances of long term sobriety.

Q: Are there specific areas of addiction on which you concentrate?

A: Not really. Part of that is that addiction is a broad field that seems to be evolving fairly rapidly at this point. The other part is that addictions don’t always come packaged quite as neatly as we used to think. Many people are able to get off of pain pills, only to develop an alcohol problem or a meth problem. There seems to be a genetic component and it can definitely run in families. Some people just seem to be wired to have problems and addictive tendencies with whatever substance crosses their path. I will say treating opiate addiction is very satisfying. We all see the headlines about skyrocketing fatalities from opiate overdoses. In clinic we see patients that have been using for years and cannot function without massive, potentially lethal doses of opioids in their system. They are literally a bad night or a tainted batch of pills away from dying. But when we can find the right doses and combinations of medications they are able to get clean relatively quickly. The patients frequently tell us that they feel “normal” for the first time in years.

Q: Do prospective patients need a referral to this new clinic? How does the process work?

A: We are always happy to take referrals, but you certainly don’t need one to get an appointment. People can just call us at 307.675.2674.

Q: If I have concerns about a family member or friend who may be addicted, how can I best help them?

A: That’s an incredibly difficult position to be in. Ultimately, patients with addiction need to be ready to get better. Sometimes that readiness comes with the urging of friends and family, sometimes it happens spontaneously, and sometimes a person has to hit bottom before they see that change needs to happen. I think being supportive and encouraging them to get help is really important. And if they’re just not ready at this moment, don’t give up – they will need your support when they are.

Q: Tell us a little about the partnership with Northern Wyoming Mental Health (NWMH).

A: A few years ago we realized how much better our treatment for opiate addiction would be if we teamed up. At the time I was treating opiate addiction with suboxone, but had no real links with counselors. Meanwhile they were treating a number of patients with opiate addictions but nobody to prescribe suboxone or other medications. Since then the partnership has really expanded and blossomed and covers all aspects of addiction. We have been fortunate enough to secure grant funding that can help some patients with the cost of medications and visits. We are able to have an amazing peer specialist (an addiction counselor who has recovered from addiction partially with the help of our program) and a wonderful case manager in our clinic on our main addiction treatment days. The partnership also opens up all the resources of NWMH to patients going through our program, including various group therapies, relapse prevention groups, individual counselors, and vocational rehab. I think a lot of our success stems from being able to align ourselves with their team.

Dr. Ackerman and the team at the SMH Addiction Medicine and Recovery Clinic are ready to serve the Sheridan community. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call 307.675.2674. For additional information please click here.  

Thanks to generous gifts from planned giving and The Link annual event participants and sponsors, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Board approved funding for over $325,000 in vital equipment upgrades at the hospital. The funding supports the replacement of equipment, which ensures excellent patient-centered care throughout the hospital.

According to Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, “The Foundation is grateful for our community’s ongoing support. This tradition of healthcare philanthropy helps ensure our expert physicians and care teams have the equipment and technology necessary to provide the care our community has come to appreciate and value. ”

Specific funding announced today will purchase needed cardiology EKG (electrocardiogram) equipment to monitor various heart conditions in Internal Medicine, the Heart Center, Griffith Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and the Cardiac Cath Lab. This equipment supports patient safety as well as faster turnaround time for physician diagnosis. The funds will also support the upgrade and replacement of the video monitoring system in the Cath Lab. The improved technology and additional capacity will provide clear and precise views during procedures, support quality care and patient safety in the Cath Lab. This special cardiology equipment purchase is possible through a planned gift from The Lorraine S. Husman Trust.

The other vital piece of equipment approved for funding is known as a Gamma Finder. Used in the operating room by the hospital’s surgeons and clinical staff, it allows the team to identify potential cancer nodes and, if indicated, an actual biopsy completed during the procedure. The Foundation’s Annual Link – Partners in Pink event proceeds used to make this purchase support cancer care, prevention, screening, and early cancer detection for our patients.

“Philanthropy continues to fund important projects for Sheridan Memorial Hospital and ensures everyone in our community receives needed care. A big ‘Thank You’ goes out to all those people, past and present, who through their generosity helped make these projects all possible,” Sinclair added.

To learn more about The Foundation, please visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

By Lynn Grady, RN, BSN – Sheridan Memorial Hospital Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit Manager who also heads up the hospital’s Stroke Program

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. Despite the best efforts of the healthcare industry in providing education and resources, stroke remains the 5th leading cause of death in the US since 2015.

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.

As a stroke can happen in several different areas of the brain, a patient may experience varying degrees of speech and motor symptoms. This is why it is important to immediately seek medical attention if you are experiencing even one of the symptoms above. Acting F.A.S.T is key to minimizing long-term effects that may be experienced due to a stroke. A quick diagnosis is critical to ensure that a patient receives the treatment and medication they need in order to regain as much function as possible.

At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, we are able to offer our community rapid brain imaging and access to a neurologist by using our Tele-Stroke services provided through Wyoming Medical Center. This provides our staff and patients direct access to stroke experts and optimal treatment options that would otherwise not be available in a community in the size of Sheridan. One of the potential treatment options is a medication called TPA, a powerful anticoagulant (blood thinner) that can be used to help dissolve the clot that is causing the stroke. We are able to provide this particular treatment in Sheridan so that our patients can stay home in their community alongside their families while receiving care. TPA, however, must be administered within 4 hours of the initial onset of symptoms — another reason why time is of the essence if you think you may be experiencing a stroke.

After the initial treatment of the stroke, our patients can then go on to receive physical and occupational therapy services offered by Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Wyoming Rehab to ensure that they can regain as much strength and function as possible prior to being discharged. If TPA is not an option for the particular type of stroke a patient is experiencing, a treatment plan can be quickly determined between our physicians at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the neurologists through Wyoming Medical Center.

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

Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation is working to connect the community with the Transitional Care expansion project. This expansion ensures our family, friends, and neighbors have a comfortable, private environment to heal and regain their strength and confidence to return home safely following a serious illness, injury, or surgery. The message has connected with so many people who understand the importance of having this care close to home.

The $8 million dollar project got a kick start toward the end of 2021 with a $2.1 million dollar grant from the State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) to complete demolition and infrastructure work. Since then, The Foundation has steadily worked on raising the $4.4 million dollars that will allow Sheridan Memorial Hospital to start the final phase of construction to repurpose the 2nd and 3rd floors of the hospital for the 20 private Transitional Care rooms.

Due to the generous contributions over the past seven months, The Foundation is nearing the finish line of the campaign. A matching challenge in March was exceeded and The Foundation board stepped in to ensure that every gift received was matched. This opportunity helped The Foundation raise nearly $700k in March.

To date, gifts and pledges from our community of over $3.8 million dollars have been made to the Transitional Care expansion. This means the goal of raising the $4.4 million dollars by June 30, 2021, is within reach. Approximately one year from now, Sheridan will have a new Transitional Care Unit.

Foundation Board President and Campaign Co-Chair Richard Garber expressed his gratitude to our community and welcomed everyone to come see the vision for Transitional Care saying, “We appreciate the generous response from our community. Sheridan is a place where people take care of each other and share in a vision to ensure our community is a great place to live well into the future. This project will do just that and encourage everyone to come see the original 1954 hospital space that will soon be transformed for Transitional Care.”

To get the most up to date Foundation information and get involved in the Transitional Care Expansion Project, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

 

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 Mary Skretteberg severely broke her ankle in September 2019, the prescription of a prolonged hospital stay felt like insult added to injury for the 79-year-old. But when she was discharged two months later, she said goodbye to the staff at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU) with tears in her eyes. 

Skretteberg was surprised by the level of community she found at the TCU, a recuperative place to heal following an injury, surgery, or serious illness. “It was kind of like a college dormitory,” she explained. “You’re sharing a space: You’re sharing the dining room, you’re sharing the therapy, and you’re sharing your pains and aches and worries.”

By the end of her stay, Skretteberg felt at home in the halls of the TCU. 

Today, Skretteberg is thrilled to be home with her husband. She continues to practice physical therapy and is “on the mend.” 

And she continues to think fondly of her TCU family. Skretteberg hopes the TCU is able to add more beds “because the community is growing, and once you’re 50, 55, 60 years old, you start to break an ankle here, fall there — you need some time to recover in a hospital that doesn’t feel like a hospital. 

“The TCU feels like TLC.”

To learn more about Transitional Care and the current Expansion Project, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation today!

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.

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Staff and Board of Directors are pleased to announce Wendy Smith as their newest Board Member.  Wendy is the Associate Vice President for Strategic Communication at Sheridan College.

Board President Richard Garber shares, “We are thrilled to welcome Wendy Smith to our Foundation Board of Directors. I have known Wendy for at least ten years. I had the pleasure of serving with Wendy on the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where she demonstrated excellent communication and leadership skills. I look forward to seeing how her unique insight and energy will influence the work we do here at The Foundation.” Along with the officers and directors, Foundation staff share in the excitement to welcome Wendy as part of the board. “Wendy is a leader and connector in our community,” said Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair. “She cares deeply about Sheridan and the Foundation’s mission to cultivate community involvement and support the hospital’s vision: When people think of excellent healthcare, they think of Sheridan.”

Wendy is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys all of the wonderful wilderness Wyoming has to offer. From kayaking and hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter, Wendy takes every opportunity to embrace adventure with good friends and family. Beyond her recent induction into The Foundation, Smith currently serves as a board member for Leadership Wyoming and is a longtime member of the FAB Women’s Conference planning committee. She has also served on the Center for a Vital Community (CVC) Board, as well as on the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Board and Governmental Affairs Committee. Her extensive leadership training includes Leadership Sheridan County, Sheridan CiViC Project, Leadership Wyoming and Academic Management Institute. She has also earned her Gracious Space certification through the Center for Ethical Leadership.

With all the challenging work ahead of The Foundation, Wendy’s leadership, drive, and community spirit is a welcome addition to The Foundation Board. The Foundation looks forward to the experience, energy, and perspective Wendy will bring in the coming year and all we will accomplish for healthcare in our community – together.

To get the most up-to-date Foundation information and learn more about The Board of Directors, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation or call Director of Donor Relations – Ada Kirven at 673-2417.

Upon your initial introduction to Dr. Marty Lucas, you may notice that she carries a unique characteristic: a subtle southern inflection in the tone of her voice, so subtle, in fact, that you may not even notice it during your first interaction with her. However, while her accent may go unnoticed, her sincere passion for the service she provides and for the patients she treats is distinct and unmistakable, and we are grateful that Dr. Lucas has decided to bring her intense desire to help others to Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center.

But Dr. Lucas didn’t develop her southern accent from living in Billings for 20 years. She was born and raised in the bustling city of Chattanooga, TN where she spent all of her early life before traveling to Knoxville to further her education at the University of Tennessee.

Dr. Lucas initially went to UT in hopes of becoming a nurse, and although she succeeded in doing so, she soon felt a desire to dive deeper into the medical field. “My father was a physician, and I just felt like that was the logical step for me to take in my life,” she explained. And so she decided to return to UT where she would soon find her passion for hematology. She recalled, “I had a mentor in Med School, who was probably the smartest lady I ever knew, who could just look at a blood smear under a microscope and almost immediately have a diagnosis for her patient, and she was the one who really led me into hematology.”

Soon after completing all of her schooling, including her residency, at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Dr. Lucas began to practice as a hematologist. And although she has always enjoyed the science of hematology, she soon realized that there was nothing she loved more than the relationships she built and the lives she touched. 

She expressed, “The best part of being a hematologist is getting to know the people and their families. None of the diagnoses we deal with are very easy diagnoses. Having the honor of walking these people and their families through these tough times, having the honor to be a part of their family, and to be able to help them through the good and the bad has to be my favorite part of practicing hematology.”

Dr. Lucas has come a long way from her early days in Memphis, she now has over 35 years of experience as a hematologist, and has practiced in both Tennessee and Billings. She anticipates a more relaxed pace here in Sheridan. “I look forward to the slower pace that comes with working in a small town community because it means that I get to have more one-on-one time with each patient and I can add more of a personal touch to the service I provide. It’s the main reason I believed that Sheridan Memorial Hospital was the right place for me.” 

Dr. Lucas is a lover of the outdoors, with her hobbies including hiking, camping, horseback riding, dog walking, and doing “just about anything outdoors,” as she put it. And considering Sheridan is on the doorstep of the Big Horn Mountains, it wouldn’t be surprising if Dr. Lucas had more than one reason to choose Sheridan Memorial Hospital as the next stop in her life’s journey.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Marty Lucas to our team here at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and we look forward to seeing her passion for hematology and dedication to her patients at work here in our community.

To learn more about the Cancer Care team, based out of the Welch Cancer Center, go to www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/cancer-care/

National Volunteer week falls in April of each year and provides an opportunity for organizations around the country 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.

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 this organization 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 that they do, and it wouldn’t be possible without them.

Our volunteers are part of our culture, our patient experience, our family. Their friendly greetings and genuine smiles, kind hearts, and overwhelming support to all those they encounter are what complete the heart of Sheridan Memorial Hospital. This last year has taught us how truly invaluable our volunteers are. It was challenging to ask them to stay home and while we selfishly wish they were by our side to support our patients and staff, the overall health and safety of our volunteer family had to come first. 

Looking back, it is humbling to think that even when not in our presence, though, in true fashion of our SMH volunteers, they met the pandemic like much of our community with heart and continued to help us support our patients and neighbors. They sewed masks, brought in PPE and other provisions, donated to COVID care funds, dropped off treats for our staff, but most importantly, they stayed home and helped us stop the spread. Our hospital volunteers wanted to be out there doing all they could, but what they did was much more significant and likely more challenging for such an active and social group. Our SMH volunteers stayed home, they masked up, and they distanced themselves to yet again support our staff in some of the most selfless of ways.

A year later, we look forward to what lies ahead. We look forward to gradually opening back up our Volunteer Program areas and welcoming back nearly 100 volunteers who serve our community at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. SMH can’t wait to see the smiles in their eyes, hear their laughs, and feel their warm presence in the hallways of our hospital. The staff is waiting patiently for your triumphant return, but know that all you did while away means just as much to all of us. 

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 well dressed or decorated. We are grateful for all the Blood Drives you continue to coordinate, so we ensure our blood supplies are stocked and replenished when Sheridan Memorial Hospital patients and neighbors need it.

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 61 years (including over 150 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 thousands of newspapers you’ve delivered, the cards you’ve sold visitors to leave 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 the virtual zoom meetings and phone calls, being present, for sharing your thoughts and ideas, and for 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

In early January 2020, Dr. Sy Thickman stepped outside for his usual dog walk. Awaiting him was a thin layer of snow covering thick black ice; he slipped and fell as soon as he reached the street. 

“I live with a very dear friend and yelled out to her,” Dr. Thickman remembered. “I was lying in the snow — I couldn’t move at all.” 

His friend called for an ambulance, and within 15 minutes, Dr. Thickman arrived at Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH). X-rays revealed a fractured hip, and an orthopedic surgeon recommended an operation as soon as possible. The very next day, Thickman underwent a successful surgery and was transferred to the Transitional Care Unit (TCU).

The TCU is a recuperative and supportive place to heal following an injury, surgery, or serious illness. An expert team of nurses, doctors, and physical therapists manages patients’ transitions from daily intensive care to returning home. 

“Some people may think that if they lie in bed all day and seem to be doing better medically, they’re ready to go home,” said Tiffany Sutton, a longtime physical therapist and the TCU Rehab Coordinator. “But you need (physical therapy) so you can go safely home — and stay home.”

Sutton and her team frequently have to put on a cheerful show to entice patients to participate in the all-important but often uncomfortable physical therapy. A physician since 1946, Dr. Thickman didn’t need to “drink the Kool Aid,” Sutton said. 

And yet, this was his first hospitalization in his then 96 years. Dr. Thickman was admittedly worried, especially when he wasn’t able to move his injured leg at all for many days.

 “You begin to think occasionally of potential consequences that would not be uncommon at this age,” he said. “There was a period of hospitalization early on in which I wondered if I was going to be able to return to a normal way of life.”

Enter: the TCU team. The nurses kept Dr. Thickman company, encouraged him to enjoy his meals in the community dining space with his fellow patients, and made him as comfortable as possible. The physical therapists worked on his mobility with their creative methods meant to mimic activities of daily living. The doctors monitored his progress. Everyone lifted his mood.

“I really had such comfort with the staff,” Thickman said. “They came every day, and it was fun to expect them. Never did I have any concern that wasn’t fulfilled. I felt in good hands, and I was able to — if you don’t mind the expression — ‘have fun with it.’”

The feeling was mutual.

“He was very fun — a joy to have,” Sutton said. “He shared his wisdom with us, which was incredibly wonderful of him. He would joke around with us and talk to us about how medicine has progressed. Thirty years ago, this (level of physical therapy) would never have happened.”

After two weeks of progressive improvement, Dr. Thickman could move with a walker with comfort, dress, and care for himself on his own. He was ready to be discharged. The transition home came with more prescribed physical therapy that tapered off over another two months. 

Today, at age 98, Dr. Thickman is able to walk without the assistance of a cane or walker. He attributes his complete recovery to the “excellent care” at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

To learn more about Transitional Care and the current Expansion Project, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation 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. 5th 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 5th 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.

Thanks to an extremely generous community gift supporting Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Transitional Care Expansion Project, a 100% match will be made for all gifts received during the month of March. Make any size donation to the Project in March, and it will be doubled.

Foundation Board President and Campaign Co-Chair Richard Garber shared the good news, “This matching gift could not have come at a more important moment, as we launch the Transitional Care Expansion to our community. We want to ensure people understand the positive effect this additional space and the private rooms will have on our patients.”

Garber added, “It not only fills the growing need to care for individuals after a hospital stay, but will also help ensure their safe and successful return home. Another positive is that this project repurposes the original 1954 building back to patient care. This is an excellent use of space and, once completed, our professional team of providers and rehabilitation staff will be able to offer care to more individuals. It all comes down to keeping people in Sheridan, close to home and their loved ones.”

The Transitional Care Expansion provides an additional 15,600 square feet of patient-care area on the second and third floors of the hospital. The plan includes 20 private patient suites, a private group dining area, family meeting and consultation room, and rehab space overlooking the Bighorn Mountains. Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, oversees The Foundation’s efforts, “Everyone on the hospital team involved in the planning is excited and confident the new area will enhance our patients’ care experiences, overall results, and the goal of helping patients successfully transition back home. The Foundation has made progress toward our goal of $4.4 million, and we hope this wonderful matching gift will inspire everyone to join the effort. This is a community effort and something that will enhance care in Sheridan for many years to come.”

To get the most up to date Foundation information and learn more about the Transitional Care Expansion Project, visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation.

By Larry Certain   February 20, 2021, posted here with his permission.

I feel fortunate to live in Sheridan County, and I am sure I’m not alone. Many of the nicest people live in our county, and a large number of them are employed by Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

We can, I feel, be thankful for the fine hospital and exceptional personnel staff working there. Having never required them in an emergency; I can now tell you they are the best. Having just experienced my first and only (I hope), heart attack, I observed real professionalism at work.

From the minute my wife and I walked up to the emergency window, things happened like clockwork. That was at about 6 a.m., a week ago last Saturday and by Monday morning, I was wheeled out with stents in the ol’ ticker, and a new lease on life.

I can never express the feelings I have for the doctors, nurses and staff members of our fine hospital. But it would start with exceptional. Doctors Selde, Schamber were first on the scene. Then doctors Brennan and Garcia followed. And Dr. Garcia and his fine staff were unbelievable. They were so fast, efficient and so empathic. It was unbelievable. Their knowledge and professionalism, in my opinion, is beyond reproach. Thank you, from the bottom of my indentured heart.

And the nursing staff of the ICU was the best ever, also., and put up with a curmudgeon with no desire to be there, who was always tangled up in tubes. My heartfelt “thank you.” I love you too. And the other members of the support staff in the kitchen, blood draw and house keeping — thanks for making my stay more tolerable.

So any of you, readers, watch for the signs that you should stop shoveling snow and get to the hospital as quick as possible, so you won’t get a side trip like I did. Shortness of breath, like an elephant sitting on your chest, feeling like someone slugged you in the stomach and throwing up. You might not be as lucky as I was.

Larry Certain

Sheridan

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

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 functions: Vaccines.

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.