Huron Regional Medical Center

2 wellone CONNECTION www.huronregional.org David Dick President and CEO Huron Regional Medical Center We Will Make It Through I READ AN article in the Plainsman earlier this summer describing our dry conditions with the headline, "Drought in High Plains the worst some farmers have ever seen." Travelling across the state, I've witnessed the signs, including some very distressed corn along the way. These drought conditions combined with recent years of lower prices makes me worry that many of our generational family farms could be devastated. The article ended with a quote from a farmer in southwestern South Dakota who was experiencing extreme drought: "We'll make it through … we're a resilient bunch." How resilient are we? I can't think of anything more important than resiliency during hard times. I marveled at my own grandparents who made it through the dirty 30s in western South Dakota, raising three kids and keeping their small farm. Their resilient attitude had a favorable impact upon my life. I especially enjoyed their sense of humor – they somehow always found something to laugh about without ever laughing off their personal accountability. As I write this column, I am concerned about Obama Care – repeal or replace. Who knows what will happen there? What I do know is that what matters the most is the resiliency of rural citizens and our community to continue to work together. Because, as we stick together, we can focus our creativity on new ideas which will increase our capacity – not diminish it. Capacity is very important to a rural health care system. And, in my opinion, it is what sets HRMC apart from other similar-sized rural facilities. We have been resilient in our capacity to intervene locally. What do I mean by intervene? Intervention, to me, means having the capacity to perform procedures and provide services which require a high knowledge base with skilled experience. One example of this is our ability to assist a patient with breathing utilizing a ventilator. To accomplish this, our medical staff must have the skill, ability and experience to intubate, we must employ certified and licensed respiratory therapists and maintain very expensive ventilators which are immediately available to intervene and support a patient who cannot breathe without help. Another example is our trauma designation, which ensures properly trained staff, equipment and procedures are in place to receive accident, cardiac arrest and emergency surgery patients. These are just a couple of many, many examples of roles your local hospital serves to build upon our community's ultimate goal of being a resilient rural center. I hope that none of us experience hard times. Yet, one of the major benefits of a local rural hospital remains its resiliency to respond in hard times. I remain ever grateful to the men and women who work so hard to gain in knowledge and skills so that, when asked, we can be of service. Like the farmer said, "We'll make it through … we're a resilient bunch." From the CEO David Dick Putting Your Health In Your Hands HURON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER'S new online health library is a treasure trove of health and wellness information that's as close as your computer, smart phone or tablet. It's easy to access, whether you have a specific question or want to keep yourself in the know about your health. With articles, illustrations, animations and video, there's something for everyone – plus connections to local care. The health library covers common conditions, injuries, surgical procedures and tests, giving you an in- depth look at health concerns that might be facing you or a loved one. It also offers self-care advice for many of those conditions. Start Exploring In addition to informative articles on a wide variety of subjects, the health library offers information on common medications and their side effects, a symptom navigator, and various wellness tools. Perhaps the most useful wellness feature is the "My Checkups" tool. You can enter your age and gender to learn what screening exams are recommended – both at your current age and in future years – and read detailed descriptions of what you can expect when you get screened. It's time to take ownership of your own health. HRMC and our new health library are here to help. ■ Visit www.huronregional.org to explore our health library. EVER WANTED MORE HEALTH INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS?

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