Category: Mercy Health News Releases

Pictured from Left to Right:
Kyle Gregerson, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist
Grant Goven, PT, ATC, Physical Therapist
Steve Spickenreuther, Director Foundation/Mission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2021
Contact:  Lisa Urbatsch, Executive Assistant
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail:  lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

Valley City, ND  CHI Mercy Health Foundation is pleased to announce the purchase of a Technogym for CHI Mercy Health Physical Therapy Department.

Donna Smith, Rehab Manager, states this piece of equipment is very versatile with a wide range of weights along with a pulley system.   The Technogym will enable the Physical Therapists at CHI Mercy Health to expand their treatment options, to address strengthening of both upper and lower extremities, balance training, rehab with patient’s who have had a surgery and with patient’s who have had a stroke.   Please feel free to call the Physical Therapy Department at 701-845-6575 with any questions regarding services available.  The Physical Therapy Department would like to express their sincere thank you to the Foundation Board for purchasing this equipment.

CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of CHI Mercy Health. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support for Mercy Hospital with supplemental funding for capital and program needs essential to the hospital’s growth and development. Through this service, the residents of Valley City and the surrounding communities have access to local, modern, quality healthcare that allows our family, friends and neighbors to stay close to home for their health care needs.

Cardiac rehab team

Cardiac rehab is available at CHI Mercy Health. Our cardiac rehab program recently purchased a new heart monitoring system which has been a great asset to the department.  It is a state of the art heart monitoring system and we typically monitor your heart throughout an exercise session.

So what is cardiac rehab? According to the American Heart Association, it is a medically supervised program designed to improve your cardiovascular health if you have experienced heart attack, heart failure, or heart surgery. It is proven to improve your heart health. It can reduce mortality after a heart event by over 50%. Cardiac rehab helps by reducing the risk of a future cardiac event by improving heart disease. It involves essentially 3 parts: Exercise counseling and training, education for heart-healthy living and counseling to reduce stress. Cardiac rehab can help you lower your risk of a future cardiac event, eat better, lose weight, return to work, and engage more in daily activities. We also have a wide variety of exercise equipment, including exercise bikes, treadmills, and more.

So who is eligible for cardiac rehab? If you have had a heart attack or heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain) or heart failure, or have had a heart procedure or surgery, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, including angioplasty and stent placement), valve replacement, a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), you would be eligible.

We offer 2 levels of care – phase 2 and phase 3. Phase 2 is ordered by your provider or cardiologist. The exercise program is tailored to your needs and usually lasts around an hour.  You are monitored throughout your session closely and it is usually following a hospital stay or cardiac event. This is covered by insurance. Phase 3 is a supervised maintenance program to continue your therapy following your initial phase. You do not need a provider’s order to join our phase 3 program. We monitor your heart once a month and vital signs every visit. A nurse is always there to monitor your session.

To learn more and to learn more about phase 3, please call Jodi Archer, RN, CHI Mercy Health at 701-845-6561. Our hours are 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday. You can also ask your provider if you qualify for cardiac rehab.

Negotiations move forward regarding opportunity for CHI facilities in North Dakota and Minnesota to join Essentia Health

Essentia Health and CommonSpirit Health have signed a Letter of Intent for CommonSpirit-owned facilities operating under the CHI brand in North Dakota and Minnesota to join Essentia Health.  This includes CHI St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, a full-service tertiary hospital and 13 critical access hospitals, along with associated clinics and living communities currently operated by CommonSpirit and CHI Health at Home home health and hospice agencies.

Leaders from Essentia and CommonSpirit look forward to continuing their strategic discussions, building on their mutually held commitment to the health and vitality of this region.

“This is an exciting opportunity to extend our passion for excellence in rural health care to additional communities,” says Essentia CEO David C. Herman, MD. “We’re grateful that our shared Benedictine heritage and values form a strong foundation for our ongoing discussions. It would be an honor to carry on the rich tradition of high-quality Catholic health care evident today in these CHI facilities.”

“CommonSpirit wants patients in this region to have access to a strong network of rural and tertiary hospitals, primary and specialty care, and telehealth services,” said Cliff Robertson, MD, senior vice president for CommonSpirit’s Midwest division. “Essentia Health is well-positioned to integrate these facilities into a continuum of care, while carrying on the Catholic heritage and mission of these facilities. We look forward to continuing our conversations.”

Both organizations recognize the important role that health care plays in keeping rural communities vibrant. This shared understanding will help ensure the long-term success of these facilities should an agreement move forward. Essentia has a proven track record of providing access to comprehensive, integrated care in rural communities across North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. CommonSpirit, which was formed when Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) combined with Dignity Health in 2019, also operates facilities in Iowa, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

Signing a Letter of Intent is the first step in the process of reaching a formal agreement to transfer ownership of these facilities. It is the hope of both organizations that the due diligence process moves forward smoothly, and the CHI facilities could join Essentia by summer 2021.

The following facilities will be included in the discussions with Essentia Health

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About Essentia Health

Essentia Health is an integrated health system serving patients in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. Headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, Essentia Health combines the strengths and talents of 13,800 employees, including more than 2,100 physicians and advanced practitioners, who serve our patients and communities through the mission of being called to make a healthy difference in people’s lives.

Essentia Health, which includes many Catholic facilities, is guided by the values of Quality, Hospitality, Respect, Joy, Justice, Stewardship and Teamwork. The organization lives out its mission by having a patient-centered focus at 14 hospitals, 71 clinics, six long-term care facilities, three assisted living facilities, three independent living facilities, five ambulance services and one research institute. Essentia Health is accredited as an Accountable Care Organization by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

About CommonSpirit Health

CommonSpirit Health is a nonprofit, Catholic health system dedicated to advancing health for all people. It was created in February 2019 by Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health. With its national office in Chicago and a team of approximately 150,000 employees and 25,000 physicians and advanced practice clinicians, CommonSpirit operates 139 hospitals and more than 1000 care sites across 21 states. In FY 2020, CommonSpirit had combined revenues of nearly $29.6 billion and provided $4.6 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unreimbursed government programs. Learn more at www.commonspirit.org.

Valley City, ND  It is remarkable and gratifying to have employees who have served CHI Mercy Health for so many years, like the employees recognized on December 17th,  2020.

The following individuals were recognized for their years of service:  

• 20 Years of Service:  Mary Kay Johnson
• 15 Years of Service:  Videlle Hamilton, Susan Skarloken
• 10 Years of Service:  Carla Bata, Ellen Coghlan, Sally Didier, Kyle Gregerson, Randall Kremer
• 5   Years of Service:  Izabela Bodziachowska, Katie Hedstrom, Paul Kamrowski, Susan Nelson

Picture Caption (L to R): Paul Kamrowski, Carla Bata, Ellen Coghlan, Kyle Gregerson, Videlle Hamilton, Susan Skarloken, Mary Kay Johnson

Valley City, ND  We understand how much it means to patients to have their loved ones with them during their hospitalization and outpatient visits. We at CHI Mercy Health want to keep the community informed of what our current visitation policies are.

All patients, visitors and support persons presenting to CHI Mercy Health will enter at Main Entrance Door #1 and will be screened at the front desk prior to entering facility.  Patients, visitors and support persons will be required to wear a mask or face covering  while in to the hospital. All visitors will check in and check out at the front desk and must go directly to hospital department and be in a patient’s room.  Visitors may stay as long as they like but if they choose to leave the building they will not be allowed back in. This is designed to keep the numbers of people actually entering the hospital to a minimum.

Social distancing,  masking, and  hand sanitizing requirements will be maintained in all hospital departments.  Any visitor who cannot adhere to the guidelines will be asked to leave the facility and if accompanying a patient, be asked to wait in his/her vehicle.  CHI Mercy Health respects the rights of all community members; because of the services we provide, our first duty is to the safety and care of patients and staff.  We will actively defend this duty and are confident that everyone visiting our facility will understand and do the same.  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

CHI Mercy Health’s visitation restrictions effective October 21, 2020 are as follows:

• Visitors are asked to stay home if they are experiencing any symptoms of illness.
• All visitors are required to wear a face covering and will be screened at the front desk prior to entry.
• No visitors under the age of 18 (exceptions may be made at the discretion of the care team).
• All visitors will use the Main Entrance (Door #1) and will check in and check out at the front desk.
• PCU patients may have one visitor per day. This includes Acute, Observation, and Swingbed patients.
• Patient and visitor must remain masked during visitation and remain in patient’s room.
• An additional visitor will be allowed at the time of discharge.
• Emergency Department, Surgery, Pain, and Ambulatory Care patients may be accompanied by one healthy adult (must remain in patient’s room).
• Compassionate care visitation – limited to two visitors at a time in the facility.
• Pediatric patients or adult patients requiring a care giver may have one support person with them at all times.

Please log onto CHI Mercy Health Website for COVID-19 updates

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health is giving back to the community by donating KN95 masks to City County Health to support the ongoing efforts of public health to protect our communities.

Originally provided by parent company CommonSpirit Health, CHI Mercy Health donated 2500 masks City County Health District.   The masks were presented to Theresa Will, Director of City County Health.  (Pictures Left to Right are Theresa Will, City County Health,  Kayla Brademeyer, CHI Mercy Health, Susan Kringlie, CHI Mercy Health).

“We are proud to be a part of this community and are happy to be able to give back” said Susan Kringlie, Infection Preventionist at CHI Mercy Health.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020
Contact:  Lisa Urbatsch, Executive Assistant
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail:  lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

CHI Mercy Health Foundation Announces Nursing Advancement 2020 Scholarship Recipient

The CHI Mercy Health Foundation would like to announce its Nursing Advancement/General Medical scholarship recipients for 2020-2021 school year.

The recipient is Shawen Nicole Dumlao of Valley City.  She was awarded a $500 scholarship to use towards the Nursing Program she is enrolled in at the University of North Dakota.

The CHI Mercy Health Foundation Nursing Advancement Scholarship was started in 2005.  The goal was for the nursing staff at Mercy Hospital to provide $500.00 a year in scholarships to be awarded annually.  The scholarship is available to any local student pursuing education for nursing advancement or any general medical field.

We will open the 2021-2022 school year scholarship application in January of 2021 and make awards in May 2022.  If you would like more information about this scholarship opportunity please log onto CHI Mercy Health’s website  mercyhospitalvalleycity.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020
Contact:  Lisa Urbatsch, Executive Assistant
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail:  lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

CHI Mercy Health Foundation Announces 2020 LaVonne Reidman Scholarship Recipients

The CHI Mercy Health Foundation would like to announce the LaVonne Reidman Scholarship recipients for the 2020-2021 school year.

Alyssa Williams, Valley City, ND, has been chosen to receive the LaVonne Reidman Nursing Scholarship.  This year the award was $500.00.  Alyssa is enrolled in the Nursing Program at the Dakota College at Bottineau..

The family of LaVonne Reidman established these scholarships in 2005, in memory of LaVonne and her dedication to the nursing profession.  Lavonne was a wonderful, caring nurse for many years at Mercy Hospital in Valley City.  CHI Mercy Health Foundation is managing this scholarship for the Reidman Family.

We will open the 2021-2022 school year scholarship application in January of 2021 and make awards in May 2022.  If you would like more information about this scholarship opportunity please log onto CHI Mercy Health’s website  mercyhospitalvalleycity.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020
Contact:  Lisa Urbatsch, Executive Assistant
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail:  lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

CHI MERCY AUXILIARY ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary is excited to announce its recipients for 2020-2021 school year.

Recipient Alyssa Williams of Valley City was awarded a $350 scholarship to use toward Healthcare Education.  Alyssa is enrolled at Dakota College at Bottineau in Valley City, ND.

Recipient Mya Anderson of Valley City awarded a $100 scholarship to use toward Healthcare Education.  Mya is enrolled at  Valley City State University in Valley City, ND.

Recipient Shawen Nicole Dumlao of Valley City awarded a $100 scholarship to use toward Healthcare Education.  Shawen is enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND.

Each year, scholarships are given out to recipients that are enrolled in a Medical Health Care related career.  The scholarship is provided by funds raised by CHI Mercy Health’s Auxiliary.

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI-MHA) is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting the hospital and the community it serves.   If you would like to become a CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary member, please contact Lisa Urbatsch at 701-845-6486 or email lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net.

The March 18th Hearing Loss Resource Group Resource has been cancelled.

The Winter 2020 edition of Mercy Insights is available. Click here to view!

Click Here to View Past Editions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact Lisa at 701-845-6486

Valley City, ND. The CHI Mercy Health Foundation is excited to announce it is accepting applications for scholarships in the medical field!  Each year, two scholarships are given out to recipients that are enrolled in either a Nursing and Medical related career.  The scholarships are made possible through the fundraising efforts of CHI Mercy Health staff, team members with a deep commitment toward investing in the future of healthcare and area youth.

Eligibility criteria and instructions for the Nursing Advancement and the General Medical Education scholarships are available on the CHI Mercy Health website. http://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/scholarships/ or contact the CHI Mercy Health Foundation office at 701-845-6557.

The deadline for application submission is April 10th, 2020.

The CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a 501c-3 charitable organization, our purpose is to support the programs and services of the hospital through enhancing the quality of care given to those in need.  If you would like to learn more about the Foundation and opportunities to support it’s mission, please contact Lisa at 701-845-6486.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 13,2020
Contact: Lisa Urbatsch, Executive Assistant
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail: lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

CHI MERCY HEALTH AUXILIARY ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS

Valley City, ND. The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary is excited to announce it is accepting applications for scholarship!  Each year, one scholarship is given out to recipients that are enrolled in a Medical or Health Care related career.  The scholarship is provided by funds raised by CHI Mercy Health’s Auxiliary.

To be eligible for Auxiliary scholarships the below criteria is required:

• These scholarships are intended for students seeking to complete an accredited program in a healthcare related field, including technician programs, certificates, 2- & 4-year degrees.
• First consideration will be given to current CHI Mercy Health employees, Auxiliary members and their immediate family members living in Barnes County, ND.
• If there are no applicants that are CHI Mercy Health employees, auxiliary members or immediate family members of an employee or auxiliary member the next eligible applicants will be students in the community that are actively seeking a degree or certification in the healthcare field.

Please contact Lisa Urbatsch in the CHI Mercy Health Administration office (direct #845-6486 or lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net) to get an application or go online to:  http://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/scholarships/ .

Deadline for submission is May 22, 2020 at 4 PM to the CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI MHA), Attn: Auxiliary Scholarship Committee.

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI-MHA) is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting the hospital and the community it serves.   If you would like to become a CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary member, please contact Lisa Urbatsch at 701-845-6486 or email lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valley City, ND  It is remarkable and gratifying to have employees who have served CHI Mercy Health for so many years, like the employees recognized on December 5th,  2019 at the Hospital Christmas Potluck.

The following individuals were recognized for their years of service:

45 Years of Service:    Kristi Schneider
25 Years of Service:    Julie Halgrimson, Alana McClellan
20 Years of Service:   Karen Burchill, Lori Hart, Kari Idso
10 Years of Service:   Amanda Chase, Maria Flores
5   Years of Service:    Jessica Coffel, Callie Cruff, Renee Wert

Picture Caption (R to L):  Julie Halgrimson, Maria Flores, Alana McClellan, Kristi Schneider, Amanda Chase

Lori Hart

The Fall 2019 edition of Mercy Insights is available. Click here to view!

Click Here to View Past Editions

The Summer 2019 edition of Mercy Insights is available. Click here to view!

Brennen Smith, DO

Valley City, ND Keith Heuser, President, CHI Mercy Health is pleased to announce the addition of orthopedics to CHI Mercy Health in Valley City.

Dr. Brennen Smith will be providing orthopedic clinic services to patients locally at CHI Mercy Health in Valley City. Dr. Smith will be in Valley City the Third Thursday of the month starting August 15th , 2019.

Depending on procedure that is needed, it may be done at CHI Lisbon Health in Lisbon, ND or CHI St. Frances in Breckenridge, MN.

Services will include:

• Total knee replacement
• Total hip replacement
• Cervical fusions
• Cervical disc replacements
• Lumbar fusions
• Lumbar discectomy
• Carpal tunnel and trigger finger synovectomy
• Total shoulder replacement
• Adult fracture surgery of the upper and lower extremities
• Knee arthroscopy
• Shoulder arthroscopy

Please call 218-643-0415 today to schedule an appointment for your orthopedic needs.

Steve Urness NewsDakota.com

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – There are currently 36 works of art by Valley City Public School elementary students on display at the Mercy Gallery located on the first floor of CHI Mercy Health; the works of art will be up for the summer months.

These two works were award winning pieces in the 2018 North Dakota Governor’s Show at the Taube Museum in Minot, ND. The first is a printmaking and crayon piece titled, “The Three Little Pigs” by then third grader, Chesney Thomsen. The piece was created using Styrofoam plates, cardboard, yarn, paint and crayon and was created for the Kindergarten music production of the “Three Piggy Opera”. “The award Chesney won was the People’s Choice Award, meaning there were several chosen as winners but were then placed into a voting competition to see who the real winner was…and it was Chesney’s” states Cheri Anderson, the VCPS elementary art teacher.

The second piece of artwork is a multi-layered colored pencil drawing of the rooster, Heihei, from the Disney movie, Moana, created by then third grader Collin Compson. Collin titled his work, “On Deck” as Heihei is standing on the deck of the ship. This piece took many weeks of drawing and then layering various colors of colored pencil to achieve the beautiful look that this work has. “Keep in mind third graders are only 8-9 years old; it truly is amazing” continues Anderson.

Both Chesney and Collins works were entered when they were in the fourth grade as the Governor’s show had already taken place prior to them creating them in third grade.

Other works of art on display is a Polar Bear done in printmaking style using a marshmallow; there are watercolor works using salt and painted cut paper, large multi-layered sunflower works using crayon resist, a wide variety of Holiday art as well as Valentine art, and a section dedicated to Veteran’s Day.

Students have work in various styles of artists that they learned about as well. You will also have the opportunity to view a copy of the Eagle’s Poster Contest National Second Place Winner’s work, Jace Larson and a copy of Zack Anderson’s Junior Duck Stamp Contest Honorable Mention Winner.

The show is the largest the elementary has had on display at CHI Mercy Hospital.

The K-6 Art Instructor for VCPS is Cheri Anderson of Valley City. Anderson is a former Hi-Liner herself. She taught Art and Technology for 36 years at Maple Valley and this is her third-year teaching in Valley City. She, along with her husband, Rick, VCPS Maintenance Director, have two adult daughters, Lyndi (Shane) Brorson, Gardner, ND; Loni (Luke) Trapp, Valley City and two grandchildren that she has the privilege of teaching; Emma (6) and Simon (8) both attend Jefferson Elementary.

Art Students in Mercy Gallery

By: Sharon Buhr (CHi Mercy Health Art Gallery)

A reception to celebrate the opening of the VCSU Student Art Exhibit at CHI Mercy Health (Mercy Hospital) in the Mercy Art Gallery will be held Thursday, March 7th from 3:30 -4:30 pm. The above pastel entitled ‘Needles”, a work by Zoey Koch is one of the many pieces that will be displayed. The public is invited to attend. Enter by the public entrance to CHI Mercy Health at the main entrance (east side) of the hospital.

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The VCSU Art Department and CHI Mercy Health (Mercy Hospital) in Valley City are excited to announce their collaboration on a student art exhibition displaying the works of VCSU Art Students at the Mercy Hospital Gallery. A reception to celebrate the opening will be held on Thursday, March 7th from 3:30-4:30 pm in the gallery. The public is invited to attend.

The show will be open to the public through the months of March and April. The gallery is located on the first floor of CHI Mercy Health (Mercy Hospital), 570 Chautauqua Boulevard in Valley City.

This exhibition will feature the 2-D works of art by the students of Assistant Professor Brock Drenth who is the VCSU Art Department Chair and Assistant Professor Angela Mircsov.

The exhibit features works of art by both art majors and minors, and include
photographs, paintings, and drawings.

The exhibiting artists are: Brenna Winter from Valley City, Isaac Ingstad from Valley City; Alexa McCulloch from Valley City; Zoey Koch from Valley City; Zander Dale from Navajo, New Mexico; Jennifer Schrader from Langden; Shania Schooler from Jamestown; Kallie Fretheim from Valley City; and Laken Chase from Milnor.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the opening reception or to come to CHI Mercy Health anytime between 7 am and 10 pm during March and April to see the VCSU Art Department Student Show at the Mercy Gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2019
Contact: Stephanie Mayfield, CHI Mercy Health Foundation Director
Phone: 701-845-6557
E-Mail:  stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net

Valley City, ND  CHI Mercy Health Foundation received a $1000 donation for Giving Hearts Day from First Community Credit Union of Valley City.  The Foundation is thankful to have received this major gift, which brought our Giving Hearts Day 2019 total to $11,000 raised!

This year, our goal was to raise enough funds to purchase 2 Vital Sign Monitors and 1 infusion recliner for our Outpatient IV Therapy Department.  We are close to having raised enough to purchase the 2 vital sign monitors.

Our Ambulatory Care or Outpatient IV Therapy Department is an important service of the hospital and had 600 visits in 2018.  This service allows the residents of Barnes County to stay “local” for their infusions and to save anywhere between one to twelve hours of travel time for their treatments.  Time matters…CHI Mercy Health…proudly serving the community for over 90 years!

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the CHI Mercy Health Foundation office (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net.)

CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of CHI Mercy Health. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support for Mercy Hospital with supplemental funding for capital and program needs essential to the hospital’s growth and development. Through this service, the residents of Valley City and the surrounding communities have access to local, modern, quality healthcare that allows our family, friends and neighbors to stay close to home for their health needs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2019
Contact: Stephanie Mayfield, CHI Mercy Health Foundation Director
Phone: 701-845-6557
E-Mail:  stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health Foundation is excited to announce it is accepting applications for four scholarships it is offering! Each year, two Nursing scholarships are given out to recipients that are enrolled in an accredited nursing program. One of the scholarships is provided by funds contributed by CHI Mercy Health’s Nursing Department which is matched by the CHI Mercy Health Foundation.

The second Nursing scholarship comes from a fund set up to honor LaVonne Reidman. The family of LaVonne Reidman established this scholarship in 2005 in memory of Lavonne and her dedication to the nursing profession.  LaVonne was a wonderful, caring nurse for many years at Mercy Hospital in Valley City.  CHI Mercy Health Foundation is managing this scholarship for the Reidman Family.

Finally, there will be two more scholarships offered that are open to anyone pursuing a General Medical career, including technician programs. One of these scholarships is provided by nursing staff fundraisers and the other through the LaVonne Reidman family.  So please share this with your co-workers, friends, family and anyone you can think of that may be able to benefit from these funds.  Please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the CHI Mercy Health Foundation office (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net) to get an application or go online to:  www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org under the Scholarships tab. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2019.

CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of CHI Mercy Health. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support for Mercy Hospital with supplemental funding for capital and program needs essential to the hospital’s growth and development. Through this service, the residents of Valley City and the surrounding communities have access to local, modern, quality healthcare that allows our family, friends and neighbors to stay close to home for their health care needs.

France Yokom is pictured here with CHI Mercy Health President Keith Heuser. Yokom has been named CHI Mercy Health’s 2018 Auxilian-of-the-Year.

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Frances Yokom has been named CHI Mercy Health’s 2018 Auxilian-of-the-Year.

Yokom has been a very active Auxiliary member since she joined in 2004. She is currently the President of the Auxiliary (2016 to current) and volunteers in the Mercy’s Corner Gift Shop at the hospital and is always willing to help with hospital events and Auxiliary fundraisers.

“Congratulations, Frances, you are very deserving of this honor” a release from the auxiliary says.

Yokom’s name has now been added to the Auxilian-of-the-Year plaque which can be found in the Mercy’s Corner Gift Shop.

Valley City, ND

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary is excited to announce it is accepting applications for scholarship! Each year, one scholarship is given out to recipients that are enrolled in a Medical or Health Care related career.  The scholarship is provided by funds raised by CHI Mercy Health’s Auxiliary.

To be eligible for Auxiliary scholarships the below criteria is required:

• These scholarships are intended for students seeking to complete an accredited program in a healthcare related field, including technician programs, certificates, 2-& 4-year degrees.
• First consideration will be given to current CHI Mercy Health employees, Auxiliary members and their immediate family members living in Barnes County, ND.
• If there are no applicants that are CHI Mercy Health employees, auxiliary members or immediate family members of an employee or auxiliary member the next eligible applicants will be students in the community that are actively seeking a degree or certification in the healthcare field.

Please contact Lisa Urbatsch in the CHI Mercy Health Administration office (direct #845-6486 or lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net) to get an application or go online to:  http://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/scholarships/ . The deadline to apply is May 24, 2019.

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI-MHA) is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting the hospital and the community it serves.   If you would like to become a CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary member, please contact Lisa Urbatsch at 701-845-6486 or email lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net.

By: Lisa Urbatsch (CHI Mercy Health)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Every year, CHI Mercy Health shows its appreciation to those employees who have reached certain employment milestones.

It is part of our culture to thank people for a job well done. It is remarkable and gratifying to have employees who have served CHI Mercy Health for so many years, like the employees below who were recognized for their service during the Hospital Christmas Potluck in December of 2018.

The following individuals were recognized for their years of service:

20 Years of Service: Zona Wager

15 Years of Service: Clark Kruta, Stephanie Kruta, Roger Lerud

10 Years of Service: Danielle Arneson, Cindy Moe

5 Years of Service: Angel Casamayor, Linda Hoff, Patty Sather, April Whisler

By: Allison Knudtson (Jamestown Regional Medical Center)

JRMC Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Timothy Volk

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (JRMC) – Miles of travel after a sprain or strain is like adding insult to an already painful injury.

The burden of travel can add expense, stress and anxiety to the life of a person who should focus on healing. That’s why JRMC Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Timothy Volk, will see patients in Valley City in addition to his clinic in Jamestown.

“As a rural hospital, we know outcomes improve when people have access state-of-the-art care close to home,” said Trisha Jungels, JRMC Chief Nursing Officer and Interim President & CEO. “Our vision is to be the best rural hospital in the country. Offering specialty services in this area is one way to do that.”

Bismarck native, Dr. Volk joined JRMC in 2016. Dr. Volk completed his training in osteopathic medicine and his orthopedic residency in Pennsylvania. The father of three enjoys hunting, fishing and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings when he is not at work.

“No matter where a person lives, they should have access to high-quality healthcare,” said Dr. Volk. “At JRMC, we strive to be THE difference in healthcare. This is one way we can do that.”

Dr. Volk will see patients on the second Monday of each month at CHI Mercy Health, 570 Chautauqua Blvd. in Valley City beginning Dec. 10. Schedule direct at (701) 952-4878.

Mercy Insights

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health is promoting Breast Cancer Awareness during the week of October 8th through the 14th.   Please join the Radiology Department for an Open House on Friday, October 12, 2018 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm.  There will be treats, door prizes and tours of the DMS Technologies Mammography Mobile Unit.   All mammography patients that day will receive a rose.    Below is a picture of the display of activities for the week including “Give Cancer the Boot Decorating Contest”.  Proceeds from activities are going to the North Dakota Women’s Way Program.    Breast Cancer Screening saves lives!  Please contact CHI Mercy Health Radiology at 701-845-6441 for any questions or an appointment.

WHEN:
October 4, 2018 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

WHERE:
CHI Mercy Health Cafeteria
Valley City. ND 58072 USA

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary will be hosting a Tea for Men & Women on October 4th from 2pm – 4pm.  The Auxiliary was formed in 1952, and invite you to celebrate 66 years! Stop by for coffee, punch and cake.  Tours of the Hospital will be provided at 2:30 by Keith Heuser, President and Francis Yokum, Auxiliary President.  Please join them as they introduce to you what the Auxiliary does  and how you can join them as they find ways to benefit the hospital, and the community it serves!

L to R Taylor Bearinger and Francis Yokom.

August 21, 2018
By: Steve Urness (NewsDakota.com)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary announced the recipient for 2018-2019 school year.

Taylor Bearinger of Valley City is presented the 2018 scholarship by Frances Yokom, President, CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary. Taylor was awarded a $250 scholarship to use toward Healthcare Education. Taylor is enrolled at Valley City State University.

Each year, one scholarship is given out to recipients that are enrolled in a Medical Health Care related career. The scholarship is provided by funds raised by CHI Mercy Health’s Auxiliary.

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health Foundation is excited to announce it will be holding an All Employee Rummage Sale to raise funds for the Pain Management Department.  The event will be held in the Health Education Center at the Hospital (570 Chautauqua Blvd.) beginning on Thursday, August 9, from 3pm-6pm and continue Friday and Saturday, August 10 and 11, from 8am-noon both days.  The entire rummage sale will be a “Free Will Offering” and only cash will be accepted.  All proceeds will be used to purchase a carbon fiber table top extension for pain management services.  A carbon fiber table allows for better visualization with fluoroscopy/x-ray while decreasing the amount of x-ray radiation exposure to the patient.  The carbon fiber table top will allow us to continue to provide high quality and safe patient care.  If you have any questions about this event please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the Mercy Healthcare Foundation office at (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net.)

CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of CHI Mercy Health. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support for Mercy Hospital with supplemental funding for capital and program needs essential to the hospital’s growth and development. Through this service, the residents of Valley City and the surrounding communities have access to local, modern, quality healthcare that allows our family, friends and neighbors to stay close to home for their health care needs.

Mercy Insights

Sister Dorothy with Prayer Shawl

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health is reaching out to the community to request Prayer Shawl donations that we can provide to our patients to support our ministry of healing.  Prayer Shawls have been used throughout history–our ancient Israeli ancestors used them to pray and to remind them of God’s constant love and presence in their lives.

The symbolism is that the shawl carries the prayer of the person making it and the original design was an over-the-shoulder, decorative cloth that could wrap around the person.  Today, shawls 2 ft. wide and 8-10 ft. long are the most comforting to our patients.  We also give the patient a card, when the shawls are presented, which speaks to the early Jewish tradition of the use of the prayer shawl and how the seamstress prays, with every stitch that is made, for the person who will receive the shawl.

The making of a prayer shawl is a spiritual practice which embodies our thoughts and prayers for the receiver. It is a gift freely given with no strings attached. Made in prayer, the shawls are passed on hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart.

“Shawls, made for centuries, are universal and embracing.

Symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.

They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace,

mother, hug, shelter and beautify.

Those who have received these shawls have been

uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to

fly above their troubles…”

Written in 1998 by: Janet Severi Bristow

Please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the CHI Mercy Health Foundation/Mission office (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net) with any questions you have regarding the prayer shawls.

By: Lisa Urbatsch (CHI Mercy Health)

Mark Oberlander and Keith Heuser

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Mark Oberlander will retire from the CHI Mercy Hospital Governing Board after 5 years of service as its chairman.

Keith Heuser, President of CHI Mercy Health in Valley City said it is remarkable and gratifying to have a community member like Mark who has served CHI Mercy Health for so many years.

Mark Oberlander

Oberlander was recognized on April 12th at the CHI Mercy Health Governing Board Meeting in Valley City. He served on the board from July 1, 2009, his term will end on June 30, 2018.

Oberlander said, “Serving on the Governing Board has given me greater appreciation of all the staff and providers at Mercy CHI Health.” He added, “Valley City and Barnes County is very fortunate to have these caring professionals taking over of our health care needs in this most challenging time for this industry.”

By: Amy Noeske (CHI Mercy Health)

Amanda Chase

FARGO, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 133rd annual ND Pharmacy Convention was held April 19-22nd in Fargo, where Valley City hospital pharmacy technician Amanda (Mandy) Chase was named the 2018 ND Distinguished Young Pharmacy Technician.

Each year one outstanding technician is given this award for North Dakota, as nominated by his or her peers and chosen by the NAPT (Northland Association of Pharmacy Technicians) Executive Board. The award recognizes one pharmacy technician who has been working for 10 or fewer years, for his/her contributions to the profession.

Mandy’s pharmacist peers were very complimentary of her daily work life, saying “her passion for her profession is evident daily in the interactions we have with her. To me there is not a technician in ND that is more deserving of this award” said Karen Finck of CHI’s Virtual Health tele-pharmacy group.

Her hospital work colleagues also described her as “a very active and positive leader in our facility” and note that she is a strong advocate for patient and employee safety by being one of the hospital’s leading Safety Coaches. In this role she models and promotes our Safety First behaviors and is never afraid to mentor those who need assistance.

Mandy has also done great work in sourcing medications through trying times of drug shortages. “I do not know of a nurse in this building who does not rely on Mandy’s skills, her integrity and her knowledge” says Keith Heuser, CHI Mercy Health’s President.

Mandy Chase has been an employee at CHI Mercy Health since 2009.

Mercy Insights

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health Foundation is excited to announce it is accepting applications for four scholarships it is offering! Each year, two Nursing scholarships are given out to recipients that are enrolled in an accredited nursing program. One of the scholarships is provided by funds contributed by CHI Mercy Health’s Nursing Department which is matched by the CHI Mercy Health Foundation.

The second Nursing scholarship comes from a fund set up to honor LaVonne Reidman. The family of LaVonne Reidman established this scholarship in 2005 in memory of Lavonne and her dedication to the nursing profession.  LaVonne was a wonderful, caring nurse for many years at Mercy Hospital in Valley City.  CHI Mercy Health Foundation is managing this scholarship for the Reidman Family.

Finally, there will be two more scholarships offered that are open to anyone pursuing a General Medical career, including technician programs. One of these scholarships is provided by nursing staff fundraisers and the other through the LaVonne Reidman family.  So please share this with your co-workers, friends, family and anyone you can think of that may be able to benefit from these funds.  Please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the CHI Mercy Health Foundation office (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net) to get an application or go online to:  www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org under the Scholarships tab. The deadline to apply is April 9, 2018.

CHI Mercy Health Foundation is a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of CHI Mercy Health. The Foundation is dedicated to providing support for Mercy Hospital with supplemental funding for capital and program needs essential to the hospital’s growth and development. Through this service, the residents of Valley City and the surrounding communities have access to local, modern, quality healthcare that allows our family, friends and neighbors to stay close to home for their health care needs.

Valley City, ND   CHI Mercy Health, in collaboration with the City-County Health District and the Valley City Cardiac Ready Community Coalition are excited to announce the First Annual Community Health and Wellness Fair, on Saturday, March 24, from 2:00pm-5:00pm at the Valley City Eagles Club.

This is a free event that is open to the public and will include:  education and meet-and-greets with local health and wellness providers, wellness incentives to register for (quantity 4 of the Fitbit Charge 2 and quantity 1 Bong’s Bootery Gift Certificate for $100), healthy snacks, blood pressure checks, learn basic CPR compression techniques, and the event will close with motivational speaker, Teresa Lewis, from 4-5pm.

“Get Inspired with Teresa Lewis”, motivational speaker, 7 Mindsets Coach, and Life 97.9 Morning Radio Co-Host, as she discusses the challenges we face while striving to create a healthy lifestyle.  Teresa will motivate you as you embark on a holistic approach to wellness that includes stress management techniques, the importance of setting goals, and, ultimately, holding yourself accountable on your journey.

This event was made possible through a Grant awarded to CHI Mercy Health by the ND Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program.  This FLEX Grant represents a Collaborative Population Health Improvement Activity between CHI Mercy Health and Valley City-County Health District. Funds are subcontracted through the Center for Rural Health which is designated as the North Dakota State Office of Rural Health, a federal-state partnership that helps rural communities build their healthcare services through collaborations and initiatives with a wide range of partners across the state.

Join us Saturday, March 24, from 2:00pm-5:00pm, for an afternoon filled with community fellowship as you meet our local Health and Wellness providers, enjoy an inspiring speaker, and receive a copy of the new “Valley City Health and Wellness Resource Guide”!

If you are a Health and Wellness provider in our community and did not receive the invitational letter–please contact me to register!  We have invited all of the healthcare and overall wellness providers that we know.  From Clinics, dentists, optometrists, massage therapists—we have extended an invitation for a free booth at the event.   Please contact Stephanie Mayfield in the CHI Mercy Health Foundation/Mission office (direct #845-6557 or stephaniemayfield@catholichealth.net) with any questions you have regarding the event.

Local photographer Alice Beauchman has an exhibit of her work now showing at the Mercy Art Gallery located at the gallery space in CHI Mercy Health leading to Sanford Health. It is open to the public from 7 am to 10 pm. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy her photography. Photo submitted to NewsDakota.com

By: Sharon Buhr (Young People’s Healthy Heart)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Local photographer Alice Beauchman has an exhibit of her work now showing at the Mercy Art Gallery located at the gallery space in CHI Mercy Health leading to Sanford Health. It is open to the public from 7 am to 10 pm.

Alice is an Administrative Assistant at Valley City State University Rhoades Science Center. For many years she taught photography classes at the university. her photography students number over 2,300 during those years.

Alice signed up for a photography class in college, and at that point discovered a passion that would last a lifetime. Most of her shooting is nature related, favorite subjects are landscapes, flowers, and birds. A highlight on the bird photography was a two-week trip to Ecuador and staying at five lodges catering to birders. She also likes shooting and creating (in Adobe Photoshop) slightly dark, eerie images.

Alice lives in Valley City, with her husband, Jan. She has three grown children, and five grandchildren; all who graciously agree to be subjects for her photos. This has at times involved costumes and posing as ghosts, pirates, vampires, dead bodies, space creatures, etc. So far no one runs and hides when she says, “I have a great idea for a photo”.

Valley City, ND – The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI-MHA) is excited to announce it is accepting applications for a $250.00 scholarship! Each year, one scholarship is given out to recipients that are enrolled in a Medical Health Care related career.  The scholarship is provided by funds raised by CHI Mercy Health’s Auxiliary.

To be eligible for Auxiliary scholarships the below criteria is required:

• Employees who have completed 2 years of full-time or part-time employment at MH and have been accepted or are furthering their education in healthcare
• Or volunteers who have completed 30 hours of volunteer time during the previous year and are seeking a degree in healthcare.
• Graduating high school seniors who attend school and/or reside in Barnes County, ND, and who are children or grandchildren of current CHI Mercy Health employees or volunteers.

Please contact Lisa Urbatsch in the CHI Mercy Health Administration office (direct #845-6486 or lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net) to get an application or go online to:  http://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/scholarships/ . The deadline to apply is May 25, 2018.

The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary (CHI-MHA) is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting the hospital and the community it serves.   If you would like to become a CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary member, please contact Lisa Urbatsch at 701-845-6486 or email lisaurbatsch@catholichealth.net

Rural Americans Count on Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Celebrate National CRNA Week – January 21-27, 2018

Winter 2018 Mercy Insights Newsletter.

L to R: Teresa Garrahy, Melanie Lindgren, Matthew Spraque, Grant Goven, Sheri Lutjens, Susan Kringlie, and Jodi Archer. Photo submitted to NewsDakota.com

By: Steve Urness (NewsDakota.com)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Several CHI Mercy Health employees were recognized for dedicated service in Valley City, ND.

CHI Mercy Health president Keith Heuser said, it is remarkable and gratifying to have employees who have served CHI Mercy Health for so many years.

The employees were recognized for their service during the Hospital Christmas Party on December 15th held at the Valley City Eagles Club.

The following individuals were recognized for their years of service:

30 Years of Service: Jodi Archer, Sheri Lutjens

25 Years of Service: Susan Kringlie

15 Years of Service: Teresa Garrahy, Grant Goven

5 Years of Service: Elizabeth Black, Samantha Carlson, Melanie Lindgren, Andrew Sather, Matthew Spraque, Ryan Strasburg

L to R: Valley City Police Lt. Dana Rustebakke and CHI Mercy Health President Keith Heuser.

By: Steve Urness (NewsDakota.com)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – CHI Mercy Health’s donation of $281.05 was presented to Valley City Police Lieutenant Dana Rustebakke at the annual employee Holiday Potluck in the month of December of 2017 .

“We are proud to be a part of this community and are happy to be able to give back” said Keith Heuser, President, CHI Mercy Health.

Dignity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives to Combine to Form New Catholic Health System Focused on Creating Healthier Communities

New Organization to Preserve and Expand Access to Quality Care Geographically Complementary Facilities Across 28 States

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – December 7, 2017 – Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) and Dignity Health have signed a definitive agreement to combine ministries and create a new, nonprofit Catholic health system. The combination brings together two leading health systems, allowing the organizations to expand their mission of service and create a healthier future for people and communities across 28 states.

The new health system will build a stronger operational and financial foundation to expand access to quality care, build upon complementary resources and capabilities, and reinvest in critical areas to accelerate improvements in care delivery.

“We are joining together to create a new Catholic health system, one that is positioned to accelerate the change from sick-care to well-care across the United States,” said Kevin E. Lofton, chief executive officer of CHI. “Our new organization will have the talent, depth, breadth, and passion to improve the health of every person and community we serve.”

“By combining our ministries and building upon our shared mission, we will expand our commitment to meeting the needs of all people with compassion, regardless of income, ethnicity, or language,” said Lloyd Dean, president and chief executive officer of Dignity Health. “We foresee an incredible opportunity to expand each organization’s best practices to respond to the evolving health care environment and deliver high-quality, cost-effective care.”

Key strategic and reinvestment priorities for the new system will include:

• The expansion of community-based care, offering access to services in a variety of outpatient and virtual care settings closer to home;
• Clinical programs focused on special populations and those suffering from chronic illnesses to keep people and communities healthier for longer; and
• Further advancement of digital technologies and innovations like stroke robots and Google Glass, which create a more personalized and efficient care experience.

The new health system will include more than 700 care sites and 139 hospitals, offering people and communities access to quality care delivered by approximately 159,000 employees and more than 25,000 physicians and other advanced practice clinicians. The organizations are geographically complementary with no overlap across hospital service areas.

The new organization will be led by an office of the CEO. Dean and Lofton will both serve as CEOs, each with specific and independent responsibilities and decision-making authority. Together, the CEOs will jointly oversee strategy and integration planning. Lofton will have authority for mission, advocacy, sponsorship and governance, system partnerships, and information technology. Dean will have authority for all of operations, including clinical, financial, and human resources. They will work side-by-side with the executive team to plan a successful integration.

The governing board for the new organization – the Board of Stewardship Trustees – will include six members from each legacy board and the two CEOs. The new organization plans to establish its corporate headquarters in Chicago and operate under a new name that will be chosen in the second half of 2018. Local facilities will continue operating under their current names.

The organization will continue its commitment to supporting communities through charity care, grants, and loans to ensure a positive impact on creating healthier communities. In fiscal year 2017, the systems collectively provided approximately $4.7 billion in charity care, community benefit, and unpaid cost of government programs. Continuing the traditions of both organizations, the new system will support high-priority strategic programs as well as expand existing efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation’s most vulnerable populations. The new system will be guided by our shared mission that emphasizes social justice for all people and will work to ensure that those values are part of the local and national health care environment.

This combination brings together two organizations with complementary missions, capabilities, and talent to advance clinical achievements. Dignity Health has a proven operating model that successfully scaled enterprise-wide initiatives to ensure consistent practices across the system, and is well known for its work with innovative, diversified care-delivery partnerships. CHI brings a diverse geographic footprint with proven clinical service lines and home-health capabilities as well as successful partnerships in research and education.

The new organization seeks to become a national platform for innovation and research. This platform would capitalize on existing intellectual property and research capabilities, positioning the new organization as an attractive partner for other entrepreneurial organizations. Dignity Health and CHI have an established track record of successful partnerships and affiliations on initiatives spanning telehealth, micro-hospitals, and precision medicine.

In September 2016, the two systems formed Precision Medicine Alliance LLC (PMA), which will create the largest community-based precision medicine program in the country. A precision oncology program is being implemented in three service areas, and four-to-six more service area launches are planned across the country in the next 12 months. The program’s objective is to be available at nearly 150 CHI and Dignity Health and care centers across the U.S., serving approximately 12 million patients annually.

Dignity Health’s Board of Directors and Sponsorship Council and CHI’s Board of Stewardship Trustees have approved the combination. The deal is anticipated to close in the second half of 2018 and is subject to federal, state, and church approvals.

Further information is available at: www.AdvancingHealthCareTogether.org.

About Catholic Health Initiatives Catholic Health Initiatives, a nonprofit, faith-based health system formed in 1996 through the consolidation of four Catholic health systems, expresses its mission each day by creating and nurturing healthy communities in the hundreds of sites across the nation where it provides care. One of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems, Englewood, Colorado-based CHI operates in 17 states and comprises 100 hospitals, including three academic health centers and major teaching hospitals as well as 30 critical-access facilities; community health-services organizations; accredited nursing colleges; home health agencies; living communities; and other facilities and services. With $15.5 billion in revenue and approximately $21.9 billion in assets in FY17, CHI provided more than $2.1 billion in charity care, community benefit, and the unpaid cost of government programs. For more information, please visit our website at CatholicHealthInitiatives.org. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About Dignity Health Dignity Health, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, is a 22-state network of more than 9,000 physicians and other advanced practice clinicians and 63,000 employees. The organization was formed in 1986 when two congregations of the Sisters of Mercy joined their 10 hospitals together to form Catholic Healthcare West, which now includes over 400 care centers including hospitals, urgent and occupational care, imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics under the name Dignity Health. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to those who are poor and undeserved. In FY17, Dignity Health had $12.9 billion in revenue and $17.4 billion in assets, and provided approximately $2.6 billion in charity care, community benefit, and the unpaid cost of government programs. For more information, please visit our website at DignityHealth.org. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Pictured: Kendra Krueger (AHA), Shila Thorson (NDDOH), Dr. Jeff Sather (NDDoH), Mylynn Tufte (NDDoH), Karalee Harper (AHA), Alana McClennan (CHI), and Dan Schaeffer (Metro Ambulance).

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) received a $97,964 from the American Heart Association (AHA) at a news conference on Thursday, Nov. 2. The funds were made possible by donors who contributed to the Impact Foundation during Giving Hearts Day.

The funds will go to support Cardiac Ready Communities across the state by ensuring rural areas are equipped to handle cardiac emergencies.

Continue Reading

By: Warren Abrahamson (NewsDakota.com)

BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) will be awarded a $97,964 check from the American Heart Association (AHA) at a news conference on Thursday, November 2nd, at 10:00 a.m. in the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) building.

Representatives from the AHA and the North Dakota Cardiac Task Forces will emphasize the impact of the timely intervention for heart and stroke events.

The following speakers will participate in the news conference:

Karalee Harper, State Advocacy Committee Chair, AHA
Dr. Jeff Sather, State EMS Medical Director
Dan Schaeffer, Metro Ambulance
Mylynn Tufte, State Health Officer
Alana McClennan, CHI Mercy Health – Valley City

Members of the media may attend the news conference at the Emergency Preparedness and Response building, located at located at 1720 Burlington Drive in Bismarck or connect to the press conference by dialing 855.235.2064.

For more information about the event, contact Jennifer Skjod with the North Dakota Department of Health, at 701.328.1665.

Jamestown is working on becoming a cardiac ready community as well. Click here to read more.

Sarah Lerud stands next to her painting of her great-great-great-great grandmother’s farmhouse in Norway. The exhibit of her pastels and oils are on exhibit at the Mercy Gallery located between CHI Mercy Health and Sanford Health in Valley City. Photo and story submitted to NewsDakota.com

By: Steve Urness (NewsDakota.com)

VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Area artist, Sarah Lerud’s paintings are on display at the Mercy Art Gallery located at the gallery space in CHI Mercy Health leading to Sanford Health.

Spokeswoman Sharon Buhr said Valley City, Washington, D.C., and Norway are the three main themes expressed through her work. Lerud is fascinated with the memories of places and wants her paintings to express the feelings of these sites. She uses pastels and oils to transform her thoughts and memories into color while representing architectural buildings, monuments and statues.

Included in her Valley City work are the Hi-Line Bridge, the front yard where she grew up, her grandmother’s home near Marion and artwork by her son, Jack.

Buhr said the Washington, D.C. pieces reflect on her time living in Washington, DC and visiting the monuments with her family. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is the monument held dearest to her heart because of the influence her Vietnam Veteran dad has had on her. Her dad lost his sight along with two friends standing on either side of him in combat. The etchings of the names from the Wall in her paintings are those friends’ names.

The Norway artwork echoes her time spent in or near Oslo, Norway with her brother.  The Oslo pieces include the Norwegian Parliament building, The Norwegian National Theater, the Theatercafeen and sculptures from the famous Vigeland Park.  The barn, the front door, and the church are from her great-great-great-great grandmother’s farm and home town.

Lerud is the librarian at the Valley City Junior-Senior High School. The artwork will be on display now through the end of December of 2017.