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1401 West 5th St. Sheridan, WY — 307.672.1000
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…And The Beat Goes On | Hospital
Foundation Exceeds Matching Gift Challenge from the William F. and Lorene W.
Welch Foundation to Support Project Heartbeat – Cardiac Care Equipment
It is with great pleasure that The Sheridan
Memorial Hospital Foundation announces that our community has matched, and
exceeded, the initial campaign goal of $300,000 to support Project Heartbeat. In
early September, The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation announced the
kick-off to Project Heartbeat. This equipment campaign transpired due to the
generous $150,000 challenge gift from the William F. and Lorene W. Welch
Foundation to enhance care and technological innovation for the Interventional
Cardiology team at your community hospital.
The aforementioned state-of-the-art technology upgrade will be used by the cardiologists at Sheridan Memorial Hospital for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment for patients. The IntraSight 5 allows the cardiologists to see pictures of the heart that are not well seen by other methods. The Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump helps the heart pump more blood and supports a regular rhythm. It is vital for patients during surgery and if transportation to a higher level of care is needed, it converts to a mobile unit which fits in the helicopter. With the recent campaign completed, these state-of-the-art cardiac upgrades are in the beginning phases of purchase and will be in place at our rural hospital in the coming months.
According to Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, “The generosity and support of our community never ceases to amaze me. I am grateful to all 580 contributors and their ability to rise to the challenge in less than five months. Their overwhelming support for the best cardiovascular care, right here at home, will save the lives of many neighbors, friends, and family members. Within The Foundation, we appreciate any chance to facilitate these opportunities and bring together leaders like The Welch Foundation and our incredible donors who believe in ensuring medical excellence and patient centered care are available to everyone.”
“The Welch Foundation has supported community health care for many years—since the first gift for the Patient Wing expansion in 1996,” said Welch Board Member Bill Ebzery. He added “We made this contribution with great certainty that our community would meet and exceed the challenge! Ensuring everyone in our community has access to high level health care right here close to home is a priority for the board when looking at funding opportunities and we were confident that the community would also see the need to ensure excellent health care. We are proud to be a contributing philanthropic partner with the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation and want to thank all the partners who joined alongside us in Project Heartbeat.”
For more information on Project Heart Beat and the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation, contact Director of Donor Relations, Ada Kirven at 307-673-2417.
From Left to Right Hospital Staff & Quilters: Love in Stitches Quilter Cynthia Whiteman, Pediatrics Manager Tandie Garland and Kenya Stewart RN, and Quilter Penny Covalt pictured in the hospital’s lobby with a new quilt delivery.
On December 20, Sheridan Memorial Hospital staff met in the lobby to receive a donation of handmade quilts from a local non-profit, Love in Stitches. The handmade blankets were specially made for seriously ill children who have to visit the hospital for a variety of reasons. The Pediatric and Emergency Departments distribute the blankets to their young patients.
Love in Stitches has delivered these soft and cuddly handmade quilts to many throughout our community since 2014. The collaboration with Sheridan Memorial Hospital has been very successful and appreciated over the years. The quilters love this project and according to Penny Covalt and Cynthia Whiteman, who made the delivery, “We especially love delivering quilts at Christmas time. It’s very important for us to give back and support children who are going through a difficult time. Hopefully, this brings some comfort and joy to those needing care.”
Love in Stitches plans to continue the project. Penny said, “As long as there are kids in need and we can sew, we’ll make our deliveries, with this batch we have given over 115 quilts to Sheridan Memorial Hospital—it’s a great partnership!”
Visit sheridanhospital.org or call The Foundation for information about how you can make a difference for a family in need, 307.673.2417.
From Left to Right: Welch Cancer Center (WCC) Nurse Practitioner Nina Beach, Dana’s Hope Committee Members Renea Parker, Amy LeDoux, Stacey Rozman, Dana Arney Dent, Hospital Foundation Ada Kirven, Dana’s Hope Committee Members Anita Schamber, Joanne Garnett, and Connie Goodwin, and WCC Manager Tommi Ritterbusch, and WCC Oncologist Dr. Megan Ratterman
January 3, 2020
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation received an extraordinary gift to help provide cancer screening and early detection for community members in need. The $6,500 was from Dana’s Hope, a local non-profit. Dana Arney Dent, the organization’s founder, delivered this contribution along with an awesome group of friends and family on December 23, 2019.
Dana’s Hope began in 2011 after Dana faced her journey with Colon Cancer at a young age. Once she successfully completed her treatment, she was determined to share her message with the Sheridan community through an event called the Bottom’s Up Bash. According to Dana, “Colon cancer is a preventable disease, and curable if caught early. In the past, colon cancer has been one of those health issues you never want to talk about. For me, it became my mission to make sure people were talking about it and doing something too. There are screening guidelines in place. People also have a responsibility to talk with their doctors if they notice changes or have a specific concern.”
According to the Colon Cancer Prevention Project, everyone is at risk for colon cancer. Colon cancer occurs most often in men and women age 50 and older, though 10% of cases (and growing) are in people under 50. Timely screenings save lives. Colon cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon or rectum. Screening finds polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also find colon cancer early when it is most treatable.
Hospital Foundation Director of Donor Relations, Ada Kirven, spoke about the hospital efforts to help those in need of screening, “For two years our Link-Partners in Pink event has raised funds specifically to help those with special financial needs access all kinds of cancer screening. Screenings include breast, colon, lung, prostate, and others. We encourage our patients to call one of the Hospital’s Financial Advocates to see how to qualify and access these funds. These efforts are a pivotal step in taking healthcare into your own hands. No one should feel they can’t afford to have a screening, and our community, business sponsors, and racers have made funding for screening a top priority.”
Visit sheridanhospital.org or call The Foundation for information about how you can make a difference and support healthcare for our community, 307.673.2417.
December 18, 2019
Our Gratitude tells the story of how your gifts are responsible for ensuring excellent patient care for our community. Our Board President’s account of the kindness and care her family received is just one of the many examples in the Gratitude Report. Click here to read more about and experience The Foundation’s 2019 Gratitude Report.
Each day, we at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation find ourselves in a unique position to support experiences, opportunities, and innovation at your community hospital. The last year is full of stories that we are proud to tell and excited to share in this year’s Annual Report. You will see pictures and read stories about your gifts that support excellent patient care. You will find Kristi Von Krosigk, our Board President’s account of the kindness and care her family received. This year’s Annual Report shares with you the story of The Foundation at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, and all the people we are grateful to call our members.
We appreciate the donations you made to last year’s projects and membership gifts to meet the hospital’s greatest needs. It is because of your ongoing campaign support; our team now provides 3D mammography and other cancer screenings to support the early detection of cancer for our community. You have changed the course of care for Radiology Patients by keeping MRI procedures and care, right here at home in our new MRI Suite. Thank you for the touching gifts you made to honor and those you wish to remember for the years to come. It is because of the vision, mission, and passion behind this organization that we find ourselves overwhelmed with gratitude as we near the finish line of 2019.
Foundation Members, Sponsors, Board Members, Volunteers, Employee Partners, Donors, and Sheridan Memorial Hospital Staff instrumental in carrying out the many positive enhancements to patient-centered care and utilizing life-saving equipment here at your community hospital. As we prepare to embark in 2020, we wish health for all of our friends near and far. We also find ourselves grateful for the remarkable generosity and culture of kindness we are surrounded by here at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
We invite you to share in our 2019 Gratitude Report by experiencing it here. From The Foundation at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, we wish everyone a happy, healthy new year – with much to be grateful for.
December 2019
On Thursday, December 12, Sheridan Memorial Hospital employees gathered for a special breakfast and celebrated their contributions to the hospital’s Foundation. Currently over 516 staff members participate in this unique philanthropic program and donate 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. Over the past 16 years, Partners have contributed $455,000 toward patient care improvement projects at our 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 hospital project with the monies accumulated over the past year.
This year, the hospital’s Employee Partners voted, and will put their $43,000 toward multiple hospital projects in the coming year. Part of this year’s funds will go towards fully funding the Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Equipment, MSK-US, to welcome back Dr. Widener and support the hospital’s Rheumatology Practice, opening in 2020. Contributions will also go to fund equipment for our Respiratory Therapy team, allowing for enhanced patient care throughout our hospital.
Along with these two projects, we are ecstatic that our partners will ensure that Project Heartbeat will be fully funded by the end of this year. This campaign kicked off in the fall to raise funds for Cardiology and Cath Lab, set forth as a matching opportunity through the William F. and Lorene W. Welch Foundation.
According to the hospital’s Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair, “Our employee support is impressive on so many levels. They provide excellent care for our patients and their families every day, and on top of their work they continue to make donations which support the mission and vision of healthcare for our community. It’s an honor to work with the entire team.”
For more information about The Foundation, please contact Ada Kirven at 673-2417.
2019 Christmas Card Art Contest Winners: Izzy Dennee (left) and Faith Hetzer (right)
December 2019
Congratulations to 5th graders Faith Hetzer from Meadowlark Elementary and Izzy Dennee from Sagebrush Elementary. They’re the winners of the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Christmas Card contest and will have their spectacular artwork showcased on the 2019 hospital Christmas card.
Sheridan Memorial Hospital would like to thank all of the talented Sheridan County 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders who submitted their artwork this year. Students were asked to design artwork that captured the theme of The Birth of Jesus, or as many know it, The Nativity Story.
All of the entries are on display now through the holiday season in the hospital lobby for everyone to enjoy. Come see all of the incredible artistry and imagination for yourselves.
New Family Nurse Practitioner
December 2019
Jeff Shideman is a new Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine Practice, but he’s no stranger to Sheridan or Wyoming.
Originally from Minneapolis, Shideman moved out West for a position in Buffalo. Utilizing his first degree in wildlife biology, he took a job doing seasonal field work. While in Buffalo Shideman was introduced to his wife through a mutual friend and has been in Wyoming ever since.
“It’s my 14th year in Wyoming and my family and I have bounced around,” said Shideman, “We’ve lived in Sheridan, Pinedale, and we’ve been in Cody for the past 10 years.”
Healthcare has always been an interest to Shideman. He took first aid classes in high school and college, and had the opportunity to turn it into a career in Wyoming.
“While working in Pinedale I had the opportunity to volunteer with an ambulance service and fell in love with healthcare at that point,” Said Shideman. “I turned it into a fulltime job and went back to school to be a paramedic, then to nursing school, and it worked out to me being a nurse practitioner.”
Shideman recently graduated from the University of Wyoming with his Nurse Practitioner degree and before that he graduated with his second Bachelors degree in nursing. Before going back to school for nursing, he was a paramedic for 10 years in Cody. He then did primary care nursing at a clinic for 3 years in Cody. Shideman did his Nurse Practitioner internship at Sheridan Memorial Hospital this past Summer and was immediately drawn to the culture.
“I really liked everyone I worked with and the culture here. Everyone was very friendly and supportive of me when I was here as a student. The way the staff worked really well together isn’t something you see everywhere,” Said Shideman. “That was one of the big draws for me.”
A father to two boys, he loves spending time with them in the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, or camping. As both a family man and an outdoor lover, Shideman is excited to be in Sheridan.
“I’m excited to able to spend time with my family, and to live in an area where we can do everything we enjoy as a family,” Shideman said. “Sheridan offers a lot of what we like to do and it’s a good place for my boys to grow up and go to school.”
***
Jeff A. Shideman
Undergraduate, BS Wildlife Biology: University of Minnesota – Minneapolis, MN
St. Anthony’s Hospital Paramedic Academy, Cycle 85 – Denver, CO
Undergraduate, BS Nursing-BRAND: University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner – University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
by Kristopher Schamber, MD at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine Practice
November 2019
Transitions of care from one’s current living environment to another often is one of the biggest decisions a person or their care partner must make. Transitions can be thought of in two different categories: living arrangements and types of care.
Living Arrangments
Independent Living, also known as Senior Housing, is an apartment for Seniors, age 55 or older, paid for by the resident, and may be government subsidized. Examples include Heritage Towers, Covey Run, and Sheridan Square.
An Assisted Living is apartment style living with added services, including 24-Hour emergency call systems, medication management, wellness programs, life enrichment activities, three meals daily, and others. It is paid for by the individual. To qualify, one must be independent with eating, drinking, bathing, and toileting, and not have active medical conditions that require the help of medical personnel on a daily basis. Examples include Elmcroft of Sugarland Ridge and Willow Creek
A long-term care facility, also known as nursing home, is the type of care situation that almost all older folks fear. It is a place of living that provides the following: medical visits in the facility, coordination of medical care outside of the facility, medication management, all meals, therapy, and help with bathing, toileting, and feeding. It is generally paid for by the resident and may also be covered by long term care insurance. A person may qualify for long term care Medicaid coverage, but all assets must first be exhausted (house, savings, etc). Examples include Sheridan Manor and Westview.
Types Of Care
A skilled nursing facility, also known as a rehab facility, provides care focused on rehabilitation after an acute illness or surgery. It may be part of a facility that also provides long term care. Physical and occupational therapy, nursing services, medication management, and meals are provided for. To qualify, one must have a medical condition that requires a specific type of medical help being offered at the facility (ex. Physical Therapy), must be able and willing to participate in therapy, and for Medicare, must have a qualifying hospital stay within the last 30 days (3 nights or more as “inpatient” status). Care is paid for by the patient and insurance. Coverage with private insurance is variable depending on the plan. Medicare covers 100 days per qualifying period, where the first 20 days is paid 100% by Medicare, and days 21-100 paid by the patient at $164 per day co-pay with the remainder picked up by Medicare. A supplemental insurance plan may cover costs as well.
Home health care is short term skilled nursing care provided in the home. Services include therapy, nursing, aid services, medication management, and social work. To qualify, the person receiving care must be safe and independent at home, must have a medical condition that requires a specific type of medical service, must be able and willing to participate in therapy, and must not be able to leave the home without assistance.
Hospice is a specific type of palliative care. It is a philosophy of care for patients with a terminal illness who have a life expectancy of six months or less and who choose not to seek curative treatment for their illness. The goal of hospice care is to make the patient as comfortable as possible by relieving symptoms of the disease and to support the patient and family emotionally and spiritually during the final months of life. Hospice is provided primarily in the home and is covered entirely by Medicare and most private insurance plans.
Difficult Conversations
When having a difficult conversation with a loved one about transitioning to a different living or care situation, try to remember this is their life. Discuss health goals, life goals, hopes and fears, and what is important to them. Discuss possible benefits and be honest about your concerns. Try to genuinely understand.
Older adults value their independence above almost anything else. Most, if given the choice, wish to stay in their own home. This may not always be possible due to a number of different factors, however we as a community, as family members, as care providers, owe it to these folks to try and preserve their autonomy and allow them to live independently as long as possible.
Click here to learn more about Internal Medicine at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.
October 2019
We are excited to announce that Nina Beach and Dee Gilson were recognized at the Annual Wyoming Nurses Association Nursing Summit & Convention in Lander earlier this month.
Nina Beach, AOCNP, Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing – This award is conferred on an Advanced Practice Nurse who has developed an innovative and unique approach to the provision of nursing in their practice setting. The APRN can be nominated for providing a positive impact to patients or peers in the work setting, or for the provision of autonomous practices. This nurse will have served as a role model for other APRNs.
Nina says, “I am very humbled by being chosen as the recipient of the excellence award. The profession of being a Nurse Practitioner has been truly amazing and has been a career that has given me the flexibility to be a mother and a wife. During this chapter of my life, working in Oncology again, I truly feel blessed and privileged to walk with patients and their families during their cancer journey. I am so lucky to work with Dr. Ratterman, Tommi Ritterbusch, and all the Welch Cancer Center Staff and to have the support of the administration of Sheridan Memorial Hospital to help grow this Nurse Practitioner role to be able to serve more cancer patients in northeast Wyoming.”
Dee Gilson, CNOR, Excellence in the Workplace – This award is conferred on a Registered Nurse who has developed an innovative and unique approach to nursing theory and knowledge in any practice setting. The Award may be given to a Nurse Administrator, Educator or Nurse who provides direct nursing care. They will be recognized as a role model of consistent high-quality nursing practices. This nurse will have created an environment of professional autonomy and control over their nursing practice.
Dee says, “I feel so honored, and I also feel I cannot do enough to support my colleagues and organization. I am very grateful to be able to work at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and to serve our patients and staff. As a nurse leader, I cannot say enough about the high caliber of nurses and nursing leaders we have here in Sheridan and their commitment to high quality nursing care every day.”
In addition, Lacey Johnson, SMH Director of Nursing, was elected to serve on the Wyoming Nurses Association Board as Northeast Region President. She will sit on the WNA statewide board 2019-2021.
“It was definitely a surprise, but I’m really looking forward to it,” Johnson said. “My goal will be to get the nurses from our northeast region involved in the legislative process so we can effect change for the betterment of our patients and hospitals.”
Please help us congratulate Nina, Dee and Lacey.
September 19, 2019
Hospital Foundation Receives Challenge Gift from the William F. and Lorene W. Welch Foundation to Support Cardiac Care
Interventional cardiology technology is evolving rapidly with new advancements and innovation to improve care. A recent $150,000 gift from the William F. and Lorene W. Welch Foundation is the initial donation of a $300,000 equipment campaign to support the purchase of two lifesaving pieces of equipment for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, the IntraSight 5 and the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump.
This state-of-the-art technology upgrade will be used by the cardiologists at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and improve patient care enabling them to make a more accurate diagnosis and provide the treatment. The IntraSight 5 allows the cardiologists to see pictures of the heart that are not well seen by other methods. And the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump helps the heart pump more blood and supports a regular rhythm. It is vital for patients during surgery and if transportation to a higher level of care is needed, it converts to a mobile unit which fits in the helicopter.
“The Welch Foundation has supported community health care for many years—since the first gift for the Patient Wing expansion in 1996,” said Welch Board Member Bill Ebzery. He added “Ensuring everyone in our community has access to high level health care right here close to home is a priority for the board when looking at funding opportunities—a price cannot be placed on emergency care. We are proud to be a contributing philanthropic partner with the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation.”
According to Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, “The Foundation is grateful to the Welch Foundation for its leadership in supporting excellent patient-centered care in Sheridan. This generous gift toward our cardiology program is exciting. Having matching funds ensures a donor’s dollar goes twice as far to support care for everyone in our community. You want the best when it comes to your cardiovascular care, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Our job at The Foundation helps ensure vital equipment is available to our team, lowering the patient risk and improving safety.”
To support this project and make your dollars double, please visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation or Click Here
September 19, 2019
Hospital Foundation Receives Challenge Gift from the William F. and Lorene W. Welch Foundation to Support Cardiac Care
Interventional cardiology technology is evolving rapidly with new advancements and innovation to improve care. A recent $150,000 gift from the William F. and Lorene W. Welch Foundation is the initial donation of a $300,000 equipment campaign to support the purchase of two lifesaving pieces of equipment for the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, the IntraSight 5 and the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump.
This state-of-the-art technology upgrade will be used by the cardiologists at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and improve patient care enabling them to make a more accurate diagnosis and provide the treatment. The IntraSight 5 allows the cardiologists to see pictures of the heart that are not well seen by other methods. And the Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump helps the heart pump more blood and supports a regular rhythm. It is vital for patients during surgery and if transportation to a higher level of care is needed, it converts to a mobile unit which fits in the helicopter.
“The Welch Foundation has supported community health care for many years—since the first gift for the Patient Wing expansion in 1996,” said Welch Board Member Bill Ebzery. He added “Ensuring everyone in our community has access to high level health care right here close to home is a priority for the board when looking at funding opportunities—a price cannot be placed on emergency care. We are proud to be a contributing philanthropic partner with the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation.”
According to Cody Sinclair, Chief Development Officer, “The Foundation is grateful to the Welch Foundation for its leadership in supporting excellent patient-centered care in Sheridan. This generous gift toward our cardiology program is exciting. Having matching funds ensures a donor’s dollar goes twice as far to support care for everyone in our community. You want the best when it comes to your cardiovascular care, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. Our job at The Foundation helps ensure vital equipment is available to our team, lowering the patient risk and improving safety.”
To support this project and make your dollars double, please visit sheridanhospital.org/foundation or Click Here
September 2019
The FY2019 Community Benefit Report is now available. As the healthcare needs of the Sheridan community continue to grow and diversify, through continuous improvement, we strive to continually meet these needs and provide excellent patient-centered care every day. Our vision: “When people think of excellent healthcare, they think of Sheridan,” clearly states the reputation we aspire to achieve.
As you look through this report covering the last fiscal year, you will see the commitment Sheridan Memorial Hospital has to our community.
by Nina Beach, Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center
September 2019
Cancer screening and preventive care is an important aspect for overall health. Screenings look for cancer before a person has symptoms. Many cancers, if caught early are much more treatable and potentially curable the sooner they are discovered. Wyoming has a particularly low rate of cancer screening. Sadly Wyoming is ranked 49th in breast cancer screening with mammography, 47th in colon cancer screening, 44th in cervical cancer screening and last in HPV vaccination coverage which isn’t screening per se but another form of cancer prevention.
Many people have the philosophy that they don’t need to see their healthcare provider unless they do not feel well. I have often asked patients if they get their oil changed in their vehicles. The majority of folks say “absolutely”. When I ask them why, they say they want to prolong the life of their vehicle or prevent their engine from having problems and to keep their vehicle in good working order. Caring for our own bodies really is the same, we often can prolong our life and keep our organs in good working order if we are more preventive and proactive in our care.
There are many screening tests available. Research is continually being done to determine if screening actually prolongs life. We know that finding some cancers before they spread or metastasize increases the chance of successful treatment and potential cure. The recommendations for each particular test are weighed out regarding risk and benefit, and some tests are not without risks. Screening tests are not routinely recommended unless the benefit outweighs the risk. Additionally, people are living longer with cancer today than they used to – both because of screening techniques and the fact that treatments continue to improve.
We have seen patients who have metastatic cancer (stage IV) at the time of their diagnosis. They say they could not afford to be tested or see a physician. Paying for screenings should not be a deterrent. There are a number of funding options for those who qualify. The Wyoming Cancer Program reimburses participating providers for some screenings for the uninsured. Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s financial advocates work with people who need assistance paying for cancer screenings and/or have questions about services. Some of the assistance comes from funds raised each October at the hospital Foundation’s: The Link ~ Partners in Pink run/walk.
To set up an appointment for assistance through an SMH Patient Financial Advocate call 307-675-4620.
September 19, 2019
The Women’s Health Department Team at SMH appreciates the new bilimeter The Foundation funded with community gifts. The Bilimeter is a special tool that is used to measure concentration of bilirubin in newborns with wavelengths instead of a blood draw. Too much bilirubin is a common condition in newborns and early screening will allow babies to receive appropriate treatment.
To learn more about the other projects our Foundation is currently working on Click Here.
New Board President: Kristi Von Krosigk
August 15, 2019
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce its new officers and returning board members for the coming year, which began on July 1.
According to Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair, “Kristi Von Krosigk was installed as President at the Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, July 23. She joins nine other dedicated individuals who govern the Foundation’s work: Rob Johnson, Vice-President; Matt Ebzery, Treasurer; Rita Rohrbaugh, Secretary; and Richard Garber, Vicki Jorgenson, Dr. Sarah Smith Maguire, Stella Montano, Andrea Mellinger, and Kirby Taylor. These individual members believe in the mission and vision to support excellent healthcare, and have a strong philanthropic commitment to ensure our good work continues.”
Kristi has lived in Sheridan for the past 15 years after moving here from Laramie when she and her husband Greg decided this is where they wanted to raise their family. With her educational background and vast experience, Kristi currently works for the University of Wyoming, mentoring student teachers. She is also the owner of the Union at the Montgomery which has provided a place where people can come together and share their creative talents. Von Krosigk states, “My goal is to have a positive impact on those around me and contribute to our community. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation. I also look forward to being a part of the important work of the board, which is to ensure excellent care continues for everyone in Sheridan.”
Sinclair added, “We have such an engaged and dedicated board. It will be a pleasure to work with this team as we focus on our goals and objectives over the next year.”
Representatives from the Cardiac Cath Lab — recipients of Heart Failure training
August 19, 2019
The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation has funded nursing scholarships and clinical education for staff members since the successful Educational Endowment was initiated in 2003. This year, 16 nurses and clinical staff members at Sheridan Memorial Hospital will receive funding for educational scholarships, conferences, and specialty program development. The program’s goal is to strengthen excellent patient-centered clinical skills at our community hospital.
In addition to the 16 individual scholarships, two group scholarships were funded. The first is a hospital-wide interactive educational module. It will provide training on Heart Failure as well as ECG recognition. These modules will be coordinated by the nursing managers and the hospital Education department and will go out to all clinical staff who see cardiac patients.
The second scholarship funded is for a lactation course. It will be coordinated through the hospital’s Women’s Health Department for hospital staff and others throughout the community who work with new moms and babies.
Shelley Meier, was selected to receive the Wayland H. Cato, Jr. and Marion R. Cato Endowed Scholarship. Shelley began her healthcare career in 2016 at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. When presented with the surprise scholarship award, Shelley was deeply moved, “Since receiving my RN degree at Sheridan College, my work with patients at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Wound Care Clinic has been so rewarding. It really is an honor to be a nurse and to help our community members navigate their care. I follow their care closely and am able to provide education and see their improvements. It is so rewarding. In the future, after I complete my Bachelor in Nursing through the University of Wyoming, I plan to pursue a certification as a Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse. I also have a desire to go on and become a Nurse Practitioner. I love what I do and giving back to the community is very important to me, a career as a nurse and healthcare professional is a perfect fit for me. I am so excited to be selected as the recipient of the Hospital Foundation’s Cato Scholarship. This will help in more ways than you will ever know. Thank you again for your confidence and this award.”
According to Sheridan Memorial Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Barb Hespen, “Shelley is a joy to work with at the Wound Care Clinic. Her continued progress toward her goals has been rewarding to watch, and our patients benefit from her dedication. Shelley is focused on the mission of excellent patient-centered care, and has a very kind and compassionate outlook. She is always willing to share her knowledge and information and contributes wherever she can as a skilled hospital team member.” Director of Professional Services Cathy Bealer added, “Shelley’s dedication to her patients and area of expertise is amazing. She is absolutely committed to quality with every single patient. Her high regard for positive outcomes is evident in all her work.”
Past Cato Scholarship recipients include hospital Registered Nurses Melissa Ingalls, and Molly Greenelsh, and Internal Medicine Nurse Practitioner Kim Gilbert.
Christopher Prior, DO
August 19, 2019
When you first talk with Christopher Prior, the new Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine with Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine Practice, it is easy to tell he is a humble and kind man. However, when you look at his background, you see he has plenty of reason to boast. But he doesn’t do that. Instead, he talks about helping others and how his parents played an integral role in the compassion he conveys to his patients every day.
“I am the youngest of five and my parents taught us to have compassion for others and try to see where others are coming from,” Prior says. “To put myself in their shoes and understand their situation.”
Originally from New York, Prior says, “It sounds cliché, but, I have always wanted to help people. I wanted to be able take care of people when medical situations would arise.”
Prior is not new to the Sheridan community working the previous six and a half years at the Sheridan VA Medical Center as a staff physician.
“Being a Veteran myself, I am very honored to have served the men and women of our armed forces while at the Sheridan VA,” Prior stated.
Prior says his desire to join the SMH medical staff was an opportunity to treat the whole person.
“I am looking forward to this new opportunity. We have so many resources to support the patients here. It will allow me, as a physician, to do my job even better,” he says. “We have collaborative medical teams with administration support, medication assistance programs, and patient financial advocates on staff; it is great to see all this patient support.”
Prior will have a primary care focus in his new role with the SMH, but he has special interest in sports medicine and a strong background in trauma/acute care. His residency was in family practice and he ran a system of urgent care clinics in Colorado. He was also one of two physicians chosen for a fellowship in Primary Care Sports Medicine at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Maryland.
Prior obviously has quite the distinguished career leading up to this point. The list of honors and awards is lengthy, including Physician of the Year a few different times, a National Defense Ribbon (twice), a Humanitarian Service Ribbon, an Overseas Service Ribbon (three times) and a Bronze Star in 2005; just to name a few.
Even with all the accolades, you wouldn’t know it by just talking to him. He stays focused on others. This is evident by the time he gives back. Prior is a member of the Sheridan College School of Nursing Advisory Board, Sheridan County Soccer Association Board and the State of Wyoming Youth Soccer Board. He also coaches soccer in his “spare time.”
“My family is the most important part of my life,” he says with pride. “My wife is a nurse and we love raising our three kids here. The outdoors, friendly people and small town feel make this a safe and healthy place to raise our family and we love that.”
Cancer Shoot Event Coordinators Sherrie Johnson, Sally Labore & Tracy Landeis
August 8, 2019
The organizers of an Annual Cancer Benefit Trap Shoot recently delivered a check for $4,200 to the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation as a result of funds raised at the 2019 Bob Prill Memorial Trap Shoot competition held at the Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Club in June.
Committee members Tracy Landeis, Sally Labore, Trudy Brice, Sherrie Johnson, and Kathy Lundberg planned and coordinated the fundraiser with all proceeds going to help patients at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center.
Landeis, one of the event organizers said, “This event has been successful in our community since 2015. The current volunteer group that heads it up and makes it happen is very committed. This year, we really wanted to recognize someone who played a significant leadership role with the Sportsmen’s Club and so we selected Bob Prill. Bob passed away April 2018, and he had spent years and countless hours to ensure the Club was run properly and supported by our community. The tournament has become a way to give back to cancer care because cancer really has touched us all.” Landeis added, “Everyone is dedicated to the cause and focused on the goal to ease the burden of cancer for our friends and family who receive care at the Welch Cancer Center. We are happy to host this shootout and our volunteers make it all happen. We would never had been able to pull it off without the team!”
“Working closely with these volunteers is an honor. They really go all out to make it a safe and fun day for everyone. With five successful Shootouts, we congratulate everyone who has participated and had a hand in the planning. The Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Club is definitely a dedicated crew and now has raised and donated $16,270 to help ease the burden for our patients going through cancer treatment,” according Ada Kirven, Director of Donor Relations at the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation.
To learn more about cancer care at Sheridan Memorial Hospital…
August 2019
Medical bills don’t have to be scary. At Sheridan Memorial Hospital (SMH), our Patient Financial Advocates are available to help patients plan for current or upcoming medical expenses and gain access to financial assistance for various expenditures from medical procedures to medications.
According to Cheryl Relaford, Patient Accounts Manager, “It’s a fact that patients heal better if they aren’t stressed about their medical bills. There are several solutions available and our Patient Financial Advocates facilitate these solutions.”
“We have six individuals at the hospital to help patients navigate the financial side of their healthcare,” Relaford related, “We work really hard to connect patients with state, federal and private resources to help them mitigate their healthcare expenses.”
The financial advocates are located throughout the hospital – Welch Cancer Center, Women’s Clinic, the Outpatient Center and the lower level of the main hospital – to address needs in specific areas.
One of the specific needs that comes up often is covering prescription costs. The Medication Assistance Program (MAP) is an opportunity for uninsured or underinsured patients to receive help through free or reduced price drugs, including low co-payments.
“Through our Medication Assistance Program, we help patients apply for assistance through programs available by pharmaceutical companies,” Relaford explained. “The pharmaceutical companies then determine, through their processes, who qualifies based on the information submitted.”
Because we are working with outside entities on this application process, it can take some time for completion. Patients should allow up to 6 weeks for medications to be delivered.
“Through MAP we serve approximately 40 patients per month,” Relaford stated, “so the need is definitely evident in our community.”
While this is a free program, SMH does ask for a $5 donation to the program to help cover minor administrative expenses.
According to Relaford, “There are several opportunities for patients to access resources to help with medical bills and our financial advocates are just a phone call away.”
To set up an appointment for assistance through an SMH Patient Financial Advocate call 307-675-4620.
Pictured above, Ron Mischke (Left), Joe Wright (Right)
July 17, 2019
As one chapter may be coming to a close, Sheridan Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees will prepare to open another. SMH prepares to bid farewell to long-standing board member, Ron Mischke and welcome our newest addition to the board, Joe Wright.
With an overwhelming amount of gratitude and admiration does Sheridan Memorial Hospital bid farewell to long-standing board member, Ron Mischke (pictured to the left, above). With over a decade of service to our organization, Ron has officially hung up his Board of Trustee hat.
Having served in numerous committee and leadership roles amongst our board, Ron will leave a legacy and standard of excellence for all other board members who come after him. “Ron committed a lot of time and energy to his role. He is very loyal to this hospital, and we can’t thank or say enough about him as a person, as a mentor, and all the great things that he has done for this healthcare system. Not just in Sheridan but in the entire region,” says SMH CEO Mike McCafferty. “One of the things people might not know about Ron is that he took on leadership roles not only on our board but with the Wyoming Hospital Association. He was instrumental in getting the hospital together to train hospital board members and bettering board governance across the state. These actions go to show his commitment to our profession and his leadership to make us stronger in all that we do.”
As a volunteer, Ron has spent countless hours dedicated to this organization and healthcare in our community. We thank him for his dedication and the example he has set for those around him throughout the region. The selfless hours spent were not his alone. We appreciate his wife, Renetta, for sharing her husband with us and standing by his side in support of Sheridan Memorial Hospital. They have passed along their kindness to their children, and we are lucky to have their entire family as a part of our Culture of Kindness.
Many know Ron is a role model and mentor to countless managers, leaders, and board members now serving our organization. He has left a legacy behind that will be hard very hard to follow, but it is with great excitement that the Board of Trustees welcomes Joe Wright (pictured to the right, above) as the man to fill his position as a board member. “We’re excited to welcome Joe to the Board of Trustees,” says McCafferty. “His many great attributes as a business leader in our community and Foundation Board member at the hospital are tremendous. He is thoughtful and has proven to make great decisions thus far.”
So we look forward to this new season at Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the future of our leadership. We know this will not be the last sightings of Ron, and it is just the beginning of what Joe will bring to Sheridan Memorial Hospital. The board members who serve our organization are individuals who genuinely believe in the work we do, the people we invest in, the innovation, and advancements possible at your community hospital. Thank you for the numerous hours, meetings, and time spent digging into the details with our leadership and helping to provide Medical Excellence – right here at home.
To learn more about our Board of Trustees & Leadership team, please Click Here.