Huron Regional Medical Center

continued from page 1 When Being a Woman Is Too Painful From the CEO David Dick David Dick President and CEO Huron Regional Medical Center Rural communities have many vital institutions that originated from the love of the local community. Where would our communities be if it wasn't for those individuals who turned their love into action? Earlier this summer, we presented a plaque to Beadle County Commissioner Larry Mattke for serving three full terms on the hospital board. There have been a lot of changes and challenges in those nine years, and Larry's leadership as a board member and treasurer has been invaluable to HRMC and the community we serve. That prompted me to research the history of HRMC's incorporation, and I thought our readers might enjoy a look back to 1978 when HRMC was formed. I found a newspaper article that reveals one of the pivotal moments for our rural community. The St. John Franciscan Sisters had opened the hospital in November 1947 and graciously stewarded the care of local and regional patients for more than 30 years. Some concerns had developed, as often happens, and in an effort to return control of the hospital to the community, a group of citizens organized and purchased the hospital. They created a private, not- for-profit corporation called Huron Regional Medical Center, Inc. If it wasn't for their love of Huron, this community hospital might not have survived – unimaginable as that might seem. Right now, Huron is facing another pivotal moment with our transit system. I have recently been impressed with both the People's Transit Board and the People's Transit Steering Committee as they struggle to continue the transportation services we all have come to expect. Unfortunately, it is often only when services are threatened that it comes to our attention how important the People's Transit Board's leadership is to all of us. Upon their request, it is time for us all to become more involved and understand what we can do to keep those wheels rolling. In closing, I encourage you to take some time to focus on the value of the ongoing commitment by our local leaders as they meet and sometimes struggle to continue the services that define this rural community as a great place to live. And thank you, Larry, for your role in continuing the dream of those original board members back in 1978. The Importance of Local Leadership "Thanks to her experience and expertise, I feel like my old self again. My mom always thanks Dr. Castellanos for giving her baby girl back." Providing care for patients like Schock is at the heart of Dr. Castellanos's work in both gynecology and obstetrics. Together, she and the team at HRMC collaborate with women through every stage of life. "We partner with women to optimize their health," says Dr. Castellanos. "That often includes an annual well woman exam or addressing common – but not normal – occurrences of bladder leakage or pelvic pain." For help with chronic pain or painful periods, contact Dr. Castellanos, Huron's only obstetrician and gynecologist. For more information, visit HRMC's newly redesigned website at www.huronregional.org and select "Find a Doc." Leslie Schock and her family spend much more time laughing and having fun now that she is living pain-free after having suffered from endometriosis for many years. 2 welloneconnection w w w. h u r o n r e g i o n a l . o r g

• Cover