Freeman Regional Health Services
Freeman Medical Center
Oakview Terrace
Rural Medical Clinics




Cheryl Langle Named Employee Of The Month
Freeman Regional Health Services long time employee Cheryl Langle has been named February's Employee Of The Month. 

Since Cheryl began working at FRHS in 1981, she has held various positions.  She started as a nursing home Certified Nursing Assistant, then became Activities Coordinator, and later went back to school and became a Certified Surgical Technician.  Her current job as Purchasing Director requires her to order supplies for both the hospital and the nursing home, making sure items are well stocked and available when needed.

"I always look forward to coming to work," Cheryl says.  "I have the best job in the facility!"  Cheryl also fills in as a C.N.A. when needed.

Cheryl lives in rural Freeman with her husband Kelly.  They have three grown children: Kyle, Travis and Trisha.  Her hobbies include decorating, facebook and word search games.

CONGRATULATIONS CHERYL!!
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group at FRHS

The Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group is held the second Tuesday of each month from 4:30-5:30pm at the Freeman Regional Health Services Conference Room. These monthly meetings are designed to provide emotional, educational, and social support for those with a loved one who has Alzheimer’s Disease or other types of dementia. The meetings will consist of discussion and open sharing as well as education. All those who have a loved one impacted by dementia are encouraged to attend. The group is sponsored by the SD Alzheimer’s Association and facilitated by Amanda Mettler.  Please call Amanda at 605.925.2108, or the SD Alzheimer’s Association at 605.339.4543, for more information.

 Alzheimers Support Group meetings have been canceled from January through April of 2012.  Meetings will resume on May 8, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.
 
 
There will be no PARTNERS Newsletter for January, February or March.  We hope to resume publishing the newsletter in April.   

Freeman Clinic Enters New Era    Courtesy of the Freeman Courier

Freeman Regional, Avera Medical assume ownership of Rural Medical Clinics; expanded support will help alleviate financial pressures and offer long-term stability

People using the services of Rural Medical Clinics in Freeman, Marion, Menno and Bridgewater won't see anything different from what they are used to.

But May 1 marked a major transition for the health care facility.  The medical practice, established in 1956 and owned and operated by local physicians for the past half century, is now owned and operated through a joint operating agreement between Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) and Avera Medical Group.  While the ownership and management of the practice has changed, the medical staff, three physicians and three midlevel practitioners, the hours of operation, services in the four communities and the name, Rural Medical Clinics, remain unchanged.

Dr. Dennis Ries of Rural Medical Clinics and Dan Gran, CEO of FRHS, announced the May 1 change of ownership last month.  In that announcement Ries said "The joint venture between FRHS and Avera Medical Group is the best plan to insure long-term clinic operations...."

Last week Ries reiterated his belief that the change is in the best interest of continued health care in the community.  The transition, Ries said, reflects the financial pressures and increasing complexity of health care regulations and of managing the practice.   The joint agreement....provides both the local control and the broader resources that Ries believes will provide stability that will continue primary care services to residents of the larger Freeman Community well into the future.

About Avera   

Avera, the health ministry of the Benedictine and Presentation Sisters, is a network of 235 care locations in 87 communities in 5 states: Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.  It includes hospitals, clinics, long term care facilities, retirement communities, home medical equipment outlets and research centers.

The Avera Medical Group is part of that network.  David Flicek is chief administrative officer of the Avera Medical Group and said Avera is looking forward to being a part of the Rural Medical Clinics.  Flicek noted the good working relationship already in place with Dr. Ries and FRHS.  "it's a win-win relationship."

Flicek schoed the importance of the role Avera will be playing in physician recruitment which he acknowledged is a growing challenge in rural communities.

In a press release issued by Avera on Monday May 2, Flicek said Rural Medical Clinics is a strong practice with experienced physicians and staff who serve the communities of Freeman, Marion, menno and Bridgewater very well.  We are happy to welcome them to the Avera Family.  Freeman Regional Health Services has a tremendous reach to this part of South Dakota," Flicek continued, "and Avera is proud to partner with them in this venture."

Staff Remains Intact

The transition will be an evolving process.  Gran notes a management council of two representatives each from Avera and FRHS will meet regularly to oversee the clinic operation.  As a practical matter, Gran will assume responsibility for the day-to-day business aspects of the clinic.  Kathy Waltner will serve as clinic manager.

Drs. Ken Kirton, Ries and Eloise Schrag and mid-level practitioners Teri Behl, Mary Manson and Doug Schafer are now employed by Avera.  The rest of the clinic staff are now FRHS employees.

The loss of autonomy inherent in the change of ownership needs to be seen in the context of the national health care scene, Ries said.  "We like to do things our own way, but our hands are tied in so many cases."

Still, while Ries sees the transition that's played out in the last half year as in the best interest of continued health care for this rural community, there's a part of him that cringes at the notion that it was a business decision that prompted it.

"I hate to refer to medicine as a business," he said.  "I always wanted to believe that it's a service.  I guess that's my naivete."

Like Ries and Gran, Flicek said he believes people will see very little change in the transition of ownership and is looking forward to being part of efforts to continue the strong tradition of health care here.

"We have the experience of bringing people together," he said.  "We are looking forward to help recruit, assist, grow and maintain health care in the Freeman Community."

Read the article in its entirety in the May 4 issue of the Freeman Courier.

   
 
 
  Eemergency Available At Freeman Medical Center
 
   In this photo, RN Sheila Rigo of Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls, mans the eEmergency desk.  She contacts the necessary emergency personnel for any given situation.

 

 Emergency is an innovative program that links health are facilities via two-way video equipment to emergency trained physicians and nurses who assist in the care of a patient from an off-site location.

"The first few minutes of an emergency room visit can be critical," said FRHS Director of Nursing Donna Brosz.  "This program allows us to have immediate access to an emergency room physician and nurse until the Freeman Physician arrives."

The eEmergency team will continue to consult with the Freeman physicians, who will then resume primary care of the patient, unless they feel it is necessary to continue consulting with the eEmergency team.

Regardless of the circumstances, the eEmergency team communicates frequently with the local physician, who makes all of the final decisions regarding the medical care for the patient.

Measures have been taken to ensure patient privacy and security.

"This service we offer is another way to enhance the quality of care provided at Freeman Regional Health Services," said Brosz.

This new technology was possible thanks to the Leona Helmsley Foundation.