SMH Friendly Faces

Friend of Nursing 2024 Amber Clearwater and Nurse of the Year 2024 Amanda Stach

SMH staff honored with Nurse of the Year, Friend of Nursing awards

National Nurses Week is May 6-12, with the American Nurses Association recognizing and

Kelly Lieb, DMSc, PA-C, and Teara Leibee, BSN, RN, talk about patient experience and patient responsibilities

Listen to what Kelly Lieb, DMSc, PA-C, and Teara

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

New TCU nurse practitioner calls health care a vocation, aims to serve

Like many people who go into health care, Ashley Bostyan knew she wanted a career in which she

Experience made possible by volunteers

Your husband’s surgery is scheduled for 7 a.m., check-in at 5:45 a.m. Pre-op is complete and your

Helmsley Charitable Trust grants $675,676 for ultrasound equipment

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $675,676 to The Sheridan Memorial

Welcome, to The Foundation Board of Directors, Yvonne Gatley!

Yvonne Gatley announced as new board director for The Foundation

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Staff and Board of Directors are pleased to welcome

Hospital Employees Give Back to the Community

Each year, Sheridan Memorial Hospital employees find ways to give back to the community. Beyond

Meet Dr. Erin Henderson And Listen To What She Shares About Preventive Healthcare

Meet Dr. Erin Henderson and listen to what she

Who is The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary?

We're often asked who is The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The SMH Auxiliary was founded in

Give The Gift Of Peace Of Mind

If you could provide comfort to your loved ones in a time of pain or sadness, would you? Making decisions about your own health care and medical

You Should Visit Your Doctor When You’re Healthy. Here’s Why.

When is the last time you went to your doctor or primary care provider? Were you sick? Chances are

SMH Foundation Celebrates Two Decades in Employee Partner Contributions

On Wednesday, December 14, 2023, Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted their annual

Dr. Joshua Scott Talks About SMH Hitting A Milestone Of 100 Robotic Surgeries And More

Conveniences of Urgent Care: Listen to Dr. David Nickerson talk about how Sheridan Memorial

TCU Celebrates One-Year Anniversary— Brester Credits Facility With Her Outlook on Life

Bonnie Brester had a rough year. Her husband

Jason Ackerman, MD — Talks About Alcohol Use Disorder, Available Treatments, and MORE!

Listen to what Dr. Jason Ackerman shares about

Primary Care Welcomes Dr. Erin Henderson

Dr. Erin Henderson Joins Primary Care Team At Sheridan Memorial Hospital

While she hails from just outside Minneapolis originally, Dr. Erin Henderson said she thrives in

Common Winter Injuries… And How To Avoid Them

While early this month, we all enjoyed the cooler temperatures of fall without all of the snow and

Keep A List: Why Your Medications Matter

As a patient there is one question you should be asked every time you see a provider: “What

The 2023 Link Partners in Pink: Supporting Comfort and Care for Cancer Patients in Your Community

Saturday, October 21st, the Sheridan Memorial

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By Cathy Bealer, RN, MHA, FACMPE – Chief Nursing Officer at Sheridan Memorial Hospital

During Nurses Week this year, Sheridan Memorial Hospital held a celebration to recognize the outstanding work of its staff.

National Nurses Week is May 6-12, with the American Nurses Association recognizing and honoring nurses across the United States in the month of May. As part of the celebratory week, Sheridan Memorial Hospital held an awards ceremony May 8 to recognize the 2024 Nurse of the Year and 2024 Friend of Nursing.

The Nurses Week theme this year of “Nurses make the Difference” is very fitting for our nursing staff. Nurses continue to face challenging times with nationwide staffing shortages, growing technology changes, staying current with advances in medicine and the rising demand for care.

Recruitment and retention of the best and brightest nurses will continue to be a top priority for hospitals. I want to congratulate our exceptional nursing teams for their resilience to meet these challenges.

As we reflect upon the past year, we are proud of our nurses’ commitment, expertise and strength in caring for our patients, their families and our community. I extend my genuine gratitude to each of them for the dedication and fortitude they have shown and am proud of the excellent care they have provided to our patients and their families. Our nursing teams have also created the supporting environment for each other, which fosters a collaborative culture exemplifying the true spirit they bring to their profession.

We honor their contributions, and thank them for the difference they make in our patients lives. Organizational excellence begins with people, and our nursing professionals are an integral part of offering patient-focused care. Thank you to all nurses for their devotion and professionalism as we work together to meet the healthcare needs of our community.

Eleven nurses were nominated by their peers for the 2024 Nurse of the Year award. Nominees included Emma Groteluschen, Kayla Johnson, Edy Homan, Amanda Stach, Lindsey Poniatowski, Tori Milne, Jennifer Keegan, Reagan Stevens, Gail Carlson, Nicole Haley and Shawn Delaney.

Amanda Stach was recognized as the Nurse of the Year. She currently works as a nurse on the hospital’s medical/surgical unit.

“When I think of what a true SMH RN looks like, I think of leading with humility, kindness first, being engaged with process improvement, wanting to learn and grow in the facility… these are all things that Amanda demonstrates daily,” according to Stach’s nomination. “It’s an honor to get to work beside her and watch her grow here at SMH.”

Ten individuals earned nominations from their peers for the Friend of Nursing Award. They included Meeghan Walton, Nina Custis, Jessica Austin, Dr. Mary Bowers, Mike Garneau, Anita Smith, Ethan Sexton, Dr. Elisabeth Scalva, Collette Miller and Amber Clearwater.

Amber Clearwater was recognized as this year’s Friend of Nursing. She works in the Emergency Department as a certified nursing assistant.

“Amber demonstrates on a daily basis kindness, caring and provides excellent patient-centered care to each and every person who enters Sheridan Memorial Hospital,” her nomination stated. “Amber has the unique ability to form relationships with any member of the Sheridan Memorial Hospital team, not just her immediate department team. Throughout the facility, Amber will be seen sharing conversations, laughs, hugs and caring with members of the registration team, EVS, lab, radiology, and outside team members from WREMS, law enforcement and fire. …She can be found working on collecting data for improvement projects for both the Emergency Department and the ICU and assisting with many other extra duties. ”

In recognition of their exceptional dedication, Teresa Beckum and Eileen McCafferty were honored with Certificates of Appreciation for their 34 and 31 years of service, respectively. Their unwavering commitment and care have made a profound impact on our community, and we are truly grateful for their outstanding service.

Listen to what Kelly Lieb, DMSc, PA-C, Director of Patient Experience, and Teara Leibee, BSN, RN, and Emergency Department/ICU Supervisor, share about themselves, the patient experience, and patient responsibilities.

Click HERE to read Kelly’s article, “What is patient experience?”

By Cathy Bealer, RN, MHA, FACMPE – Chief Nursing Officer at Sheridan Memorial Hospital

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

The theme this year of “Nurses make the Difference” is very fitting for our nursing staff. Nurses continue to face challenging times with nationwide staffing shortages, growing technology changes, staying current with advances in medicine and the rising demand for care.

NURSES MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! Happy Nurses Week!

Like many people who go into health care, Ashley Bostyan knew she wanted a career in which she could help people. While her career path has evolved, her goal hasn’t changed. She started off as a social worker, then went back to school to become a nurse. Now, she has joined the team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, working as a nurse practitioner in the Transitional Care Unit.

“I’ve always really enjoyed helping people and interacting with people,” Bostyan said.

She added that the most formative years of her health care career came when she worked in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic. There, she had the opportunity to see the impact all health care workers have on patients, but also the influence patients have on health care staff.

“It helped me see that the severity of illness and what they are experiencing holds no boundaries,” Bostyan said. “It didn’t matter who they were, where they were from – their race, age or religion. That experience brings out the humanity in all of us and reiterates how precious health and life are.”

Bostyan, who grew up on a ranch in southwestern North Dakota, said she looks forward to serving a smaller community. She noted organizations the size of SMH tend to have higher accountability and responsibility, as the community holds health care employees to a higher standard.

Working in more rural areas is also very rewarding for Bostyan.

“It’s not just a job, but a vocation,” she said. “It’s important to seek out those places where every resource and every opportunity isn’t just around the corner and give back, especially in rural areas.”

Bostyan and her family spent time in the Sheridan County when she was growing up, so she’s familiar with the area. The people in the community and at the hospital represent some of the values she holds dear – putting patient care first, taking care of health care employees and championing community.

And while her path has included many experiences, Bostyan looks forward to working on the Transitional Care Unit at SMH. She noted patients often return home quickly following significant surgeries or illnesses, and she looks forward to helping prepare them for that transition.

“Transitional care is so important because it focuses on promoting different therapies and opportunities for rehabilitation that prepare individuals for their next steps,” Bostyan said. “It helps them to thrive when they return home or to another facility and helps to avoid future hospital stays. There is so much opportunity to do a lot of good.”

In her free time, Bostyan enjoys staying active outdoors, music, reading, and being an auntie to her nieces and nephews. She also volunteers at the nonprofit CHAPS Equine Assisted Therapy.

To learn more about Transitional Care at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, click HERE or visit: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/transitional-care/

Your husband’s surgery is scheduled for 7 a.m., check-in at 5:45 a.m. Pre-op is complete and your loved one has been wheeled back for a procedure. Coffee in hand, now you wait. At 30 minutes you anxiously ask for directions to the café for coffee number two because you can’t sit still. At 60 minutes you get an update that all is going well. Two hours in, the doctor lets you know that everything went as expected and your husband is in recovery; someone will let you know when you can go back and see him. Time to enjoy a treat from the café, a bit more at ease, while you can now calmly converse with someone in the waiting room about the weather and the house they’re flipping on HGTV.

Your MRI appointment is at 1 p.m. and you’re done with physical therapy for that shoulder that’s still bothering you. After check-in, you realize you’re 37 minutes early and have time to spare. You spot a fun new jacket in the gift shop you go in to take a look. Now that you have in hand a few cards for upcoming graduations, a snack for after your appointment, a scarf to gift grandma for Mother’s Day, and the new fun jacket that caught your eye in the first place – you’re ready to checkout. You pay the kind woman who helped you pick out the scarf for grandma and stacked your purchases on the counter. Only 10 more minutes until your appointment, you make note of how grateful you are for the gift shop’s distractions.

The holidays are filled with joy, family, gratitude, stress, anxiety, glitter, more family, more gratitude, more stress. Walking into the hospital for your annual check-up is the last thing you were hoping to do before you and the rest of Sheridan go to Wal-Mart and shop for all the gifts and all the meals. But enter the facility, you’re greeted by friendly faces, warm hellos and festive décor that makes it feel like home, not a cold clinical space. It’s festive and cozy and you feel like you’re walking right into your parent’s house, after being away for a while, and every decoration triggers a cherished memory.

The kind person who provided directions to the café, talked with you about the weather, gave updates on your husband’s surgery, and chatted with you on and off is a Sheridan Memorial Hospital volunteer. The lovely woman who helped you pick your grandma’s scarf, distracted you from your ailment and gave you a place to wander when you needed it is a Sheridan Memorial Hospital volunteer. The beautiful décor, the homey feeling that wrapped you up, the holiday spirit that welcomed you to your annual appointment, is cultivated by Sheridan Memorial Hospital volunteers.

At Sheridan Memorial Hospital, our volunteers are the heart of the organization. They are the teammates who show up without traditional pay, without your typical form of benefits and far earlier for a shift or meeting than most. Every act of service given to our hospital by a volunteer is another chance to further our mission of providing excellent patient-centered care to everyone in our community. You do not need to spend a great deal of time at our hospital to see the tremendous difference our volunteers make on the patient experience here.

I find joy in countless interactions with our team of dedicated volunteers. No matter how big or small, their actions make a difference when they share a part of themselves with all of us. They share so much of their time and talents, incredible stories of their past, hysterical moments from their days, and exude dedication and passion in a way that I will always strive for.

The role of volunteer and development coordinator has been a pivotal change in my life and career. It is not just what brought me back home, but also what keeps me here. I am passionate about the work I’m doing and look forward to standing alongside so many incredible humans who feel the same way about serving our community, every single day. Words can only cover so much for all that volunteers do for the patient experience at SMH and throughout our community. However, to all of our SMH volunteers, I want to make sure you know for every kind gesture you make when no one is watching, every selfless action you take that we will ever know about, every warm greeting you give to the patients, families, staff and guests you encounter, and for every ounce of gratitude you deserve, but someone forgot to pass along, thank you.

To learn more about Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s volunteer program, or to share with us an experience you’ve had with our volunteers, contact Jasmine Slater at jasmineslater@sheridanhospital.org or call 307.675.2620.

Pictured with the new ultrasound equipment in the SMH Women’s Clinic from left are Dr. Elisabeth Scalva, Ultrasound Technologist Sarah Schneider, Dr. Rebecca Franklund and Dr. Lindsay Capron. Not Pictured: Dr. Rebecca Krzyminski, Physician Assistant Tracy Jons, Family Nurse Practitioner Krista Frank and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Becky Olson.

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $675,676 to The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase new ultrasound equipment as part of a statewide ultrasound initiative across Wyoming. The initiative includes nearly $13.9 million to help Wyoming hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and boost sonography and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state.

“The addition of new and replacement ultrasound equipment supports SMH’s strategic goals and ensures patients and their families receive the excellent care they expect. Up-to-date technology and equipment ensure outcomes meet or exceed expectations by improving patient comfort and the flow of medical procedures,” shares Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair. Ultrasound is an important tool for rural providers in disease management. This new equipment allows for best practice and support of specialty service lines such as the Women’s Clinic, Emergency Department, ICU, Radiology, and ENT Clinic.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment. Highly trained physicians and providers along with clinical support can utilize their training for best or improved patient outcomes and excellent patient care. “The new ultrasound equipment is incredibly helpful in providing excellent patient care. Updated technology enables us to provide more accurate diagnoses, perform procedures with greater precision, and ultimately improve patient outcomes,” shares Dr. Rebecca Franklund of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Women’s Clinic. “This has not only enhanced our ability to provide high-quality medical care, but also increased patient satisfaction and overall experience. These additional ultrasound resources are truly a game-changer in delivering excellent patient-centered care.”

Walter Panzirer, a Trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to quality medical treatment for all Wyoming residents, whether they live in the heart of Cheyenne or Casper or in a smaller rural community.

“Our hospitals and health centers need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide top-notch healthcare close to home,” Panzirer said. “These grants help ensure that facilities across Wyoming have the latest and greatest ultrasound equipment and training.”

The grants were announced Thursday during a statewide news conference.

About two-thirds (97) of the 143 devices purchased through the $12.3 million in equipment grants are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bed or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 26 general ultrasound systems and 20 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.

The initiative also includes nearly $1.6 million for the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Initiative, which aims to enhance patient care across the state by both broadening the scope of training in specialty ultrasound and bolstering access to quality POCUS services.

About Sheridan Memorial Hospital:

For over 100 years, Sheridan Memorial Hospital has been serving our community with excellent patient-centered care. Licensed for 88 beds, Sheridan Memorial Hospital is a progressive, state-of-the-art facility in beautiful Sheridan, Wyoming. With sophisticated technology and services beyond what one might expect in a hospital this size, patients can take comfort in knowing they are receiving high-quality care. Our patient satisfaction surveys tell us that we are providing exemplary service to our patients and their families. We are proud of our over 800 experienced and caring employees, 66 physicians, and 36 advanced practice clinicians serving in 25 specialties, who are meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of Sheridan and the surrounding communities.

About the Helmsley Charitable Trust

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed about $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $650 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org.

To learn more about this project, please contact The Foundation at 307.673.2418.

The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation Staff and Board of Directors are pleased to welcome Yvonne Gatley as their newest Foundation Board Director.

Yvonne Gatley is a retired teacher with a passion for education and service. After spending over 40 years in the classroom, Yvonne now dedicates her time to giving back to her community.
In addition to being a devoted educator, Yvonne is also a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international honor society for women educators. She volunteers her time at both a local and national level, promoting professional development and networking opportunities for women in education.

Yvonne’s commitment to education extends beyond her retirement. She is a valued member of the Sheridan College Foundation Board, where she works to secure funding for scholarships and programs to support students and faculty here in our community.

When she’s not busy with her volunteer work, Yvonne cherishes spending time with her beautiful family. She also spends much of her free time on the golf course, enjoying the mountains and traveling to places near and far. As an avid Wyoming Cowboys fan, you can also find her cheering on her favorite team during football season.

Yvonne’s dedication to education, service, and her community is truly inspiring. She continues to make a positive difference in the lives of others and is a valuable asset to any organization she is a part of.

With all the inspiring work ahead of The Foundation, Yvonne’s leadership, passion, and community spirit is a welcome addition to The Foundation Board. The Foundation looks forward to the experience, enthusiasm, and perspective Yvonne 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 our Foundation Team at 307.673.2418.

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

Beyond the hard work of caring for the community in health care, hospital staff also help others beyond their normal job duties.

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

SMH Foundation Employee Partner Program – 568 employee partners raised $47,800 in 2023. After an opportunity to select a project at the Annual Partner Celebration in December, Partners voted to support the hospital’s Growing for You campaign, which includes the addition of a Behavioral Health Unit. Over the past 20 years, SMH Employee Partners have contributed nearly $650,000 to a variety of significant patient care improvement projects at our community hospital.

Patient Access and Admissions Department – The group collected food for Our Daily Bread – a new, local ministry providing food and other items to families in need. Through the generosity of Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s food drive during the month of November, they provided hot meals and additional groceries to several families. The drive also brought in enough shelf-stable items for the group to continue to provide staples to families as needs arise. In addition to the food items, Our Daily Bread received funds to provide turkeys and fresh produce for Thanksgiving meals.

The Women’s Health Department conducted a large toy drive for Christmas, asking all staff to bring in gifts. The toys were donated to Toys for Tots.

Addiction and Internal Medicine Clinic spearheaded the “Santa Kids” project, for which SMH employees provided gifts for 137 children (up to age 17) of patients in the Addiction and Internal Medicine Clinic for Christmas. Each child sponsored was given a large gift bag of presents including a blanket, hat, gloves, gifts and a stocking. The outpouring of support for this project was amazing and the families were so appreciative.

All SMH Employees – During specified Fridays throughout the year designated as “Jeans Friday” at SMH, employees are encouraged to donate $5 for the privilege of wearing jeans on that day. Nearly $2,000 was raised from this effort, with funds distributed among the following causes:

The Link Partners in Pink – for comfort and care for Welch Cancer Center patients and families
The hospital’s Gap Program
Sheridan Media Christmas Wish Campaign
Our Daily Bread

Human Resources and Nurses — On several occasions throughout the year Human Resources and several SMH nurses have supported high school juniors and seniors from Sheridan, Big Horn and Tongue River by conducting mock employment interviews and HR-related roundtable discussions in preparation for careers of interest.

Urgent Care – The Urgent Care staff “adopts” the Wyoming Girls School students each year. For every holiday, the staff delivers a personalized basket to each girl. It is 100% funded by the Urgent Care staff. They take baskets on Christmas, Thanksgiving, 4^th of July, Easter and other holidays. “We get such positive feedback from the staff there and the girls. They send us “Thank You” cards each and every time we do this,” according to Angie Erickson, Urgent Care manager.

SMH Trauma Program – The SMH Trauma team participated in Third Thursday events throughout the summer of 2023. In July, the group focused on seatbelt safety, partnering with the Wyoming Seatbelt Coalition. For August’s event, the team focused on outdoor family safety. Their goal was to teach children how to stay safe on the mountains and wilderness or exploring in any outdoor setting. The injury prevention theme for September was “stop the bleed,” and taught individuals how to control life-threatening bleeding. In addition to Third Thursday, the Trauma Team delivered almost 400 copies of “Clifford Takes a Walk” to kindergarten classes in Sheridan County to teach about pedestrian safety.

Primary Scare – Our Primary Care clinic held Primary Scare at the Gould Street location just before Halloween and gave 700 trick-or-treaters all kinds of treats and hosted a haunted house.

Welch Cancer Center – The Cancer Resource Center gave out wigs and other items free of charge to local people battling cancer.

SMH Kozy Korner Gift Shop Volunteers — As part of their annual “Gifts of Kindness” project, our wonderful volunteers gave out 36 neck pillows to patients who were in the hospital on Christmas Eve along with a few special baby gifts to new parents and babies in Women’s Health.

Meet Dr. Erin Henderson and listen to what she shares about
preventive healthcare and why it is essential to excellent health.

To learn more about Dr. Erin Henderson and Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Primary Clinic, visit the respective links. To schedule an appointment with a Primary Care provider, call or text 307.675.2690.

We’re often asked who is The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The SMH Auxiliary was founded in 1945 with a single purpose in mind – to make a positive difference in the lives of the patients and the hospital itself. This unique group of individuals comes together, day after day, to support our mission, the staff, patients, and the community that we live in. At the heart of the Auxiliary’s mission is their unwavering commitment to ensuring that every patient feels cared for during their stay at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

The Auxiliary’s efforts range from fundraising to volunteering their time, all directed toward supporting and enhancing the hospital’s services. They understand that a hospital visit could be a daunting experience, and thus, they embark on various initiatives to create an environment of warmth, kindness, and comfort.

These volunteers ensure that the traditions of our hospital live on through Trees of Love and 5-year-old Birthday parties. They presently gift patients of all ages with baby books, scrubby bears, or Gifts of Kindness during the holidays to provide comfort during their stay. They raise funds through all their projects and donate tens of thousands of dollars and volunteer hours to ensure a future for your community hospital. Since their founding almost eighty years ago, this group of volunteers and leaders have financially supported nearly every department and project at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

In supporting the auxiliary, we become catalysts for kindness and provide excellent patient-centered care, right here at home. Each contribution to their efforts grows their ability to enact meaningful care. Supporting the Auxiliary isn’t merely about writing a check or attending an annual event; it is about becoming an integral part of our efforts to instill comfort and healing in our patients and the entire community.

We invite you to join us in supporting The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Auxiliary by mailing the form found here and returning it to The Auxiliary at PO Box 108, or reaching out to get involved in a way that best fits you.

For more information contact us by calling Jasmine Slater – Development Coordinator at 307.675.2620 or emailing jasmineslater@sheridanhopsital.org. Together, we can create a ripple of compassion that will touch the lives of countless individuals.

By Dr. Allison Dawson, internal medicine physician at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Internal Medicine Practice.

If you could provide comfort to your loved ones in a time of pain or sadness, would you? Making decisions about your own health care and medical decisions now, you can prevent your children, spouses or friends from having to make big decisions that cause uncertainty and stress.

Allowing for peace of mind is a gift not given often in life and it is often not thought of by healthy individuals who feel “old age” is still years away. But the gift is one you can give by preventing thoughts such as, “What would they want?” or “We never talked about it.” But at any age of adulthood, you can prepare this gift by simply filling out paperwork and having a few conversations.

Every person has different values and wishes in regards to their medical treatment. No decision is right or wrong, as they are unique to each individual. There are many ways to document your preferences. The documents I believe are the most helpful are a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC), a Living Will and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST).

DPOA-HC

This form allows you to designate who should make medical decisions if you are not able to speak for yourself. This should be a person you are close to, and someone with whom you have discussed your wishes. If you do not designate a specific person, there is a pathway that will be legally followed. In Wyoming this pathway is as follows: a spouse (unless legally separated), an adult child, a parent, a grandparent, an older sibling then an adult grandchild. If this is not a reasonable decision maker pathway for you, a DPOA-HC is an important document.

For example, if your adult daughter is working as a climbing guide on Mt. Everest, she may not be a good option if you require medical decisions to be made in a timely manner. In this scenario, you may wish for your older sister, who happens to be a registered nurse and is knowledgeable about health care and your wishes, to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable.

Living will

This is one of the most commonly recognized forms of advanced directives. This is a document detailing specifics regarding medical treatments toward the end of life. One of the most common living wills you may have already heard of is known as “Five Wishes.” This format is written in plain language, and covers your personal, spiritual, medical and legal wishes.

POLST

This is a form that clarifies your wishes in regard to medical treatments, especially life-sustaining treatments, that are honored by health care professionals across settings, whether at home, in a hospital or an assisted living facility. This form includes preferences for attempts at resuscitation, medical interventions, artificial nutrition, medical conditions and patient goals. You may complete a POLST with a health care provider such as a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant. It is important to note, though, emergency medical services are legally required to attempt resuscitation unless they have access to your wishes. If it is your wish that EMS not attempt resuscitation, ID bracelets with your wishes can be worn to prevent medical treatment that is not aligned with your values.

While medical care toward the end of life can be stressful, there are things we can do now to make that process less painful for all involved.

I encourage you all to speak with your primary care provider about these documents and discuss them based on your individual health care needs.

Dr. Allison Dawson is a physician with the Internal Medicine team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She is trained in palliative care and hospice medicine. If you would like to make an appointment with Dr. Allison Dawson, call or text 307.675.2650.

By Dr. Erin Henderson, internal medicine physician at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Primary Care Clinic

When is the last time you went to your doctor or primary care provider? Were you sick? Chances are you were seeking treatment for some sort of illness or injury, as data shows that less than 6 percent of Americans receive the recommended preventative services.

What are those preventative services?

There are a wide range of services you should check in with your health care provider about each year. These can include physician counseling on concerns like weight management, alcohol and tobacco use, blood pressure and cholesterol or screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, pap smears, prostate screenings and immunizations.

Even if you’ve had a clean bill of health for years, it pays off to check in with your physician each year as it allows you to track your health over time.

Yearly visits mean you and your doctor can easily see changes in your health. Maybe your blood pressure is significantly higher one year. Or, perhaps you’ve lost a lot of weight without dieting. These can be signs of serious health issues. By conducting your annual wellness visit, your doctor can catch problems in their early stages, which is when they are usually easiest to treat.

Checking in with your provider once a year also allows you to share important health information. Whether this includes updates to any medications or supplements you’re taking or changes in your family medical history, all of the information can come in handy down the road for your health care team.

For example, if you only see your primary care provider when you’re sick, they have only seen you when your body needs treatment. It’s harder for physicians to treat illnesses if they only know your system when it’s under stress, ill, in pain, etc.

Seeing your physician regularly also allows you to build a relationship with the provider. This can help establish trust over years of care.

Most health insurance plans are required by federal law to cover a set of preventative services — like shots and screening tests — at no cost to you. While you should always check with your insurance company ahead of time, it’s likely your annual wellness visit and preventative screenings would be covered by your insurance plan.

As the new year begins, consider scheduling a wellness visit with your primary care provider. It never hurts to start the new year with a fresh conversation about your health!

To make an appointment with Dr. Henderson, call 307.675.2690. To learn more about the Hospital’s Primary Care team: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/clinics/primary-care/.

On Wednesday, December 14, 2023, Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted their annual holiday breakfast to honor and celebrate Employee Partners for their contributions to the hospital’s Foundation. During the event, Partners vote to fund a strategic project in the hospital’s area of greatest need, with the monies accumulated over the past year. In 2023, 478 employee partners participated in this unique philanthropic program and donated $47,806 through biweekly payroll deductions.

This year at the Annual Partner Celebration, Employee Partners voted to support the hospital’s Behavioral Health Campaign. Healthcare for our community continues to grow and diversify. To meet these critical needs, Sheridan Memorial Hospital is developing a Crisis Stabilization Unit to create a separate physical environment to better address the behavioral and mental health needs of patients in crisis.

The idea for Employee Partner giving program began with a few faithful employees in 2004. It has steadily increased year over year, with new employees joining the generous and passionate hospital team. Over the past 20 years, Employee Partners have contributed over half a million dollars toward patient care improvement projects at your community hospital. Their efforts and generosity have opened doors and provided opportunities that will forever shape the trajectory of our organization.

“We are so grateful for our employees each and every day,” expresses Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair. “The Employee Partner Program is just another example of how our employees contribute to our culture of kindness and care deeply for our patients. The Foundation would not be as successful without our employees’ unwavering commitment to care for our community. We are fortunate to have such a supportive team at the hospital. They create an environment that is not only medically advanced but also filled with warmth and genuine compassion. Every day they are focused on improving the care and experience of every patient.”

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

Listen as Dr. Joshua Scott Highlights SMH’s 100^th Robotic Surgery Milestone.

To learn more about Dr. Joshua Scott, the hospital’s Big Horn Surgical practice, and the Robotic-Assisted Surgery Program at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, visit the respective link or visit SheridanRoboticSurgery.com and Robotic-Assisted Surgery FAQs.

Bonnie Brester had a rough year. Her husband, Mark, died in July 2022, and about six months later, Brester received a breast cancer diagnosis that would change not only her outlook on life but where she would call home.

Brester began treatment for the cancer in January, but about three days after one of her chemotherapy treatments her condition quickly declined.

“I had developed neuropathy and I was going to have to learn to walk all over again,” Brester said. “I needed emotional support. I needed physical therapy. I needed a place that could care for me throughout the day.”

While she had lived in Billings, Montana, with her husband prior to his passing, Brester knew her new situation wouldn’t allow for that independence. She moved to Sheridan and began receiving care in Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Transitional Care Unit, which provides a recuperative and supportive place to heal following injury, surgery or serious illness. For Brester, Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s TCU meant she could be closer to family because her son, Dusty, and his wife, Jamie, live in Sheridan.

“I can’t say enough about all the great people at Sheridan’s TCU unit,” Jamie Brester said. “My mother has been in TCU twice for short amounts of time and just recently, my mother-in-law spent approximately 90 days there.”

“…Having her in Montana and us down here was not an option,” Jamie Brester said of her mother-in-law. “Bonnie was released to the TCU in July after Billings providers had told us to start looking at hospice options.

“When she got to Sheridan, chemotherapy had taken so much out of her she could not walk or eat and was not comprehensive most of the time. We thought we were going to lose her,” Jamie Brester added. “Once she got to Sheridan, everything changed. Bonnie started to feed herself, started physical therapy and really started to live again.”

The new TCU space at Sheridan Memorial Hospital opened in the fall of 2022, after several years of planning and construction. The new space, located on the second and third floors of the original 1954 hospital, includes 20 private suites for those needing time, space and help in healing.

“The first year has been full of celebrations, lessons, growth and achievements,” said Ashlee Winne, TCU manager. “I really enjoy seeing the progress the patients make. They come in sometimes at the hardest times of their lives and by the time they leave are often in better condition and spirits than before whatever illness or injury brought them to TCU. It really is a blessing to watch each patient’s individual journey.”

Now open for more than one year, TCU has served more than 188 individuals.

Bonnie Brester spent 100 days in TCU, relearning the skills she would need to live at home. She relearned how to walk. She practiced balance that would allow her to reach for a glass out of the cupboard and conduct daily personal hygiene. She worked hard to build the strength needed to get in and out of vehicles and step over and onto curbs.

“Everybody was so enthusiastic and so patient with me,” Brester said. “One of the first times I was able to walk with my walker, there were several nurses there cheering me on. It was a whole cheering section just for me.”

Patients on the TCU have an entire team of healthcare professionals available to help in the healing process. The team includes nurses, nurses’ aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nurse practitioners, doctors, case managers and more.

Thanks to that team, Bonnie Brester said she feels ready to live with Dusty, Jamie and their family in Sheridan.

“The people here at TCU have really given me a lot of support and a lot of good therapy,” Brester said. “The biggest thing I had to learn was to believe in myself, that I could do this. It was hard for me, but everyone was so encouraging. They wouldn’t let me go home if they weren’t sure I was ready.”

Jamie Brester said their family owes Bonnie Brester’s progress to the staff at SMH.

“Bonnie has been back home for a few weeks now, but misses her connections from the hospital,” she said. “She made friends with just about everyone there. I really believe the environment allowed her to thrive and she became determined to win at this game called life.”

To learn more about the hospital’s Transitional Care Unit: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/transitional-care/

Listen to Dr. Jason Ackerman as he discusses Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Addiction and Internal Medicine Clinic. Gain insights into alcohol use disorder, its prevalence, factors influencing alcohol addiction, available treatments, the feasibility of discontinuing alcohol consumption, and the potential for immediate improvement upon cessation. Explore these topics and more with Dr. Ackerman by clicking below.

Learn more at Sheridan Memorial Hospital Addiction and Internal Medicine Clinic or
call today for an appointment at 307.675.2674.

While she hails from just outside Minneapolis originally, Dr. Erin Henderson said she thrives in small communities where she can get to know people and find connection.

She’ll begin that work as a new internal medicine physician at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Primary Care Practice this month.

Henderson and her family moved to Sheridan late in the summer of 2023, just in time for her 7-year-old son to start second grade in Sheridan County School District 2.

Henderson found herself in the West after securing a summer position in a lab at National Jewish Health in Denver. She enjoyed the Rocky Mountains so much, she transferred to finish her undergraduate degree and attend medical school in Denver.

From there, she completed her residency at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital and is a fellow with the American College of Physicians.

When the opportunity opened up in Cortez, Henderson said she took it as it allowed her to see patients in a hospital setting, in nursing homes and in private practice. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the landscape for health care, prompting Henderson and her husband to make a change. Her husband had spent some of his childhood in Sheridan and when the family visited the area they knew it would be the right fit.

Henderson’s husband left his job in IT for family reasons and now works as a paraprofessional for SCSD2. Henderson said her family enjoys hiking, camping, skiing and spending time together. Cooking and playing piano are also favorite activities of the family.

As Henderson settles into her new role at Primary Care, she said she looks forward to seeing a broad array of patients. Having an internal medicine focus means Henderson will focus on caring for adults, particularly those who have more complex medical issues.

While she initially planned to specialize in hematology and oncology, she noted that most patients she would have seen in those specialty areas already have a diagnosis. She enjoys working with patients to determine the root cause of health issues and create a treatment plan. The problem-solving and investigation are aspects of medicine she particularly enjoys.

“I like figuring it out,” Henderson said. “I like helping patients figure it out. It’s been really fulfilling and I love to take care of patients while getting to know them and their families.”

In her time working in the small Cortez community, Henderson said she also developed strengths in rheumatology, osteoporosis and endocrinology care.

In addition to working with patients, Henderson said she looks forward to working with the cohesive medical team at Sheridan Memorial Hospital, which always aims to deliver excellent, patient-centered care.

To make an appointment with Dr. Henderson, call 307.675.2690. To learn more about the Hospital’s Primary Care team: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/clinics/primary-care/.

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

While early this month, we all enjoyed the cooler temperatures of fall without all of the snow and ice, as Wyomingites we know the elements will be upon us soon.

With wintry weather comes an increased opportunity for injury. While some slips and falls may seem inevitable, there are ways to decrease your chances of falling and limit injury if you do catch that perfect patch of ice and lose your balance.

Wear proper footwear. While this bit of advice can help avoid injury throughout the year, in the winter months it becomes even more critical. Choose shoes with chunky treads or utilize removable traction footwear like Yaktrax or ice cleats.

Take small steps. Think like a penguin. You may feel silly, but when walking on packed ice or snow, small, shuffling steps can increase your balance and therefore decrease the risk of falling.

Keep your hands free. While we all want to make as few trips as possible to carry those groceries indoors, having your hands full of bulky or heavy items can both decrease your ability to balance and keep you from breaking your fall if you do slip. If you do fall and try to catch yourself, be sure to keep your knees and elbows bent to avoid any additional injuries from bracing your fall.

Be aware of your physical limitations. While those 6 inches of snow look pretty and fluffy from the comfort of your living room, it can wreak havoc on backs, shoulders and other muscles when on the end of a shovel. Take breaks and try to push the snow as much as you can rather than lift it.

Wear the proper gear. Whether protecting fingers from frigid temperatures with gloves or wearing a helmet to guard your face and head from a fall while skiing, make sure you have the proper gear no matter what the outdoor activity.

Be aware of problem areas. Large parking lots with high traffic, areas near gutters, and inclined pavement or sidewalks are often surprisingly icy and are some of the most common locations of falls requiring medical attention.

Not all winter injuries are avoidable. After all, we never know what Mother Nature will throw at us. If you do sustain a winter-related injury, the degree of injury may determine where you seek medical treatment.

For example, if you suspect a broken bone or are in serious pain 24-48 hours after a fall, seek medical attention at an urgent care facility. Other common, minor injuries urgent care providers can diagnose and treat include sprains, scrapes and cuts that need stitches. If you’ve bumped your head, urgent care facilities can also evaluate for concussions.

For more severe injuries – for example if you are experiencing chest pain, trouble breathing, trouble speaking or understanding speech, severe bleeding or loss of consciousness – head straight to the emergency department for treatment.

While winter in the Mountain West offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation, basic precautions can help you avoid some of the most common seasonal injuries.

To learn more about the hospital’s Urgent Care Clinic and Dr. Nickerson see: Urgent Care – Sheridan Memorial Hospital (sheridanhospital.org)

By Emily Denney, DO – SMH Primary Care

As a patient there is one question you should be asked every time you see a provider: “What medications are you taking?” Often what providers are really trying to learn is what prescriptions and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, vitamins, tinctures and herbals you are taking. This question and its answers are really a big deal.

Medication dosing errors, confusion due to medications with similar names as well as supplement use can be some of the leading causes of adverse events for patients. In this growing age of multispecialty care, patients visiting multiple facilities, increasing numbers of medications and OTC supplements, the question of “What are you taking?” becomes more and more important. Every year hundreds of thousands of adverse events occur because of medication errors. More specifically, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, it is estimated that more than 20,000 emergency department visits per year are attributed to adverse events related to dietary supplements. These visits result in more than 2,000 hospitalizations annually.

Some medications have similar names, but have different uses, and there are supplements for every medical condition. It is easy to get confused with medications because of similar names such as hydroxyzine, hydralazine, and hydrochlorothiazide (three medications with very different purposes). I have had patients who thought they were taking their blood pressure medication only to realize that they had been taking another medication entirely.

Supplements, in moderation, can be a healthy tool to augment prescribed medications and support long-term health. Particularly in situations where our diet can’t meet our nutritional needs. Supplements, while considered safe on their own, can have dangerous interactions and/or side effects with some medications. St. John’s Wort, for example, is a supplement used for mood disorders, but it can cause dangerous interactions with multiple cardiac medications and antidepressants. Even vitamin D, a supplement that is frequently encouraged by most providers (including me), can interact with blood pressure medications. And if you take thyroid medication, taking calcium, magnesium or iron within four hours can weaken it. Turmeric can increase the risk of bleeding with blood thinners. Milk thistle, if taken with insulin, can dangerously lower your blood sugar.

As far as vitamins — I always think of my grandmother. She would read magazines and order supplements that were advertised to cure whatever health issue she was concerned about that day. Along with many others, she once ordered a vitamin oxygen supplement. I am still not sure what this really was or where she found it. It is also important to know where you are getting your supplements from as they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so quality standards can vary. If you aren’t sure about a supplement, ask your pharmacist or contact your doctor.

So, what can you do to help prevent adverse effects of medications and supplements interacting?

As a patient, bring in an updated list of the medications and supplements you take, or just bring all your medications to your appointments. Knowing exactly what you take can help reduce these adverse events and help your doctor provide the best care possible.

Dr. Emily Denney is a physician with Sheridan Memorial Hospital Primary Care. Prior to working in Sheridan, Denney worked in primary care for more than five years in rural Montana.

To learn more about the hospital’s Primary Care Clinic and Dr. Denney see: https://www.sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/clinics/primary-care/

Saturday, October 21st, the Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation hosted The Link – Partners in Pink, its 15th annual run/walk to raise awareness and funding for cancer care and healing in our community. During the beautiful fall day, more than 500 participants, volunteers, and cancer survivors were in attendance at Whitney Commons Park wearing their pink and infectious smiles to support this event and the fight against all cancers.

The event proceeds of over $55,000 will support the Comfort Care Program at Sheridan Memorial Hospital’s Welch Cancer Center (WCC). The program at the WCC is overseen by the Director of Continuous Improvement – Tommi Ritterbusch. With the help of Tommi and her team, funds are made available to cancer patients facing all cancer types and help provide them with the most comfortable experience during their cancer journey. “No cancer journey is the same, but these funds and the incredible teams within our organization and WCC are here to ensure that each patient is supported throughout their diagnosis,” shares Chief Development Officer Cody Sinclair.

Every year there are amazing partners for the Link Partners in Pink. Shelley Kinnison and her Born in a Barn (BIAB) team donated $13,000 to The Foundation’s efforts through the mimosas sold at their annual BIAB weekend this year. Thanks to the sharing of their “why” and passion for this project, BIAB has contributed $35,000 to comfort care and the efforts of the WCC and their comfort care funds.

Another great example is The Sheridan Hawks Jr. Hockey Club, which hosts a “Hawks Hockey Fights Cancer” weekend, which includes puck drops from survivors and their annual Jersey Auction with special cancer awareness jerseys. We appreciate their efforts not only during this weekend but also when the entire team walks a Virtual Race together during their away weekend, donning their Pink Shirts & raising awareness for the cause, and becoming invested in the community they temporarily call home.

The Link-Partners in Pink volunteers & Foundation Staff thank all those who participated, sponsored, made a donation, and volunteered their time. Major sponsors of this year’s event include Ebzery Family Foundation, First Federal Bank & Trust, First Interstate Bank, Century 21, BHJ Realty, Intermountain Health – St. Vincent’s, Kennon Products, Only Co., Powder River Heating & AC, and Range. Thanks to our caring supporters, participants, and sponsors, cancer education and prevention resources are now more accessible to our community.

For more information about the WCC’s Patient Comfort Care, please contact The Foundation at 307.673.2418 or the Welch Cancer Center directly at 307.674.6022.