News

CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City is proud to announce that its dedicated Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) team has been awarded a second Platinum Honor Roll Award for their achievements in optimizing antibiotic use and enhancing patient safety. This remarkable recognition solidifies CHI Mercy Hospital as one of only three facilities in the entire state to reach this elite Platinum status.

This “double platinum” accomplishment underscores the AMS team’s unwavering commitment to responsible antibiotic prescribing. Their innovative and data-driven approach has not only met- but exceeded the highest standards for antimicrobial stewardship.

“We are incredibly proud of our Antimicrobial Stewardship team for achieving this outstanding Double Platinum Honor Roll Award,” said Amy Noeske, CHI Pharmacist. “Our work is crucial to safeguarding our patients and community from antibiotic resistance, and we are thrilled to be at the forefront of this critical effort.”

This year, the AMS team implemented several impactful initiatives that contributed to their extraordinary success:

• Improved Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Diagnoses: The team made improvements to how UTIs are diagnosed in the facility. Now, when a provider orders a urine test (UA), they need to provide a clear reason, and UAs are only cultured if certain objective criteria are met. This helps cut down on unnecessarily treating patients for UTIs, as demonstrated by data collected by our laboratory department.
• Standing Order Updates: We’ve updated our standing orders for treating Clostridioides difficile (often called “C. Diff”). These new guidelines reflect the most current and effective approaches for managing this challenging infection.
• Continued Education: The team ensured our staff received regular education on key antimicrobial topics relevant to our community’s health.
• Community-Wide Partnership: Demonstrating a commitment beyond the hospital walls, CHI Mercy has forged partnerships with a local clinic and long-term care facilities. These collaborations facilitate the vital sharing of antibiogram data, fostering a unified front against antibiotic resistance across the community.

The Double Platinum Honor Roll Award is a testament to the dedication of this team and the impact they’ve had on patient care. CHI Mercy Hospital’s continuous pursuit of excellence in antimicrobial stewardship exemplifies its commitment to providing the highest quality and safest medical services. The hospital extends its deepest gratitude to the AMS team for their relentless efforts and profound contributions to improving patient outcomes and public health.

CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City celebrates 2025 as a year marked by community involvement, significant awards, vital equipment upgrades, and a vibrant calendar of events. These achievements underscore the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare, fostering community well-being, and advancing medical innovation in the region.

“2025 has been a great year for our hospital” said Ryan Fowler, President of CHI Mercy Hospital “We are immensely proud of the collective efforts of our dedicated staff, community partners, and the generous support of our donors. Every accomplishment reflects our core mission to deliver the highest quality care for our community.”

A Year of Unprecedented Community Involvement and Support:

• VCPR Safety Series: Alana McClellan provided crucial CPR and AED training through the VCPR Safety Series partnership, equipping residents with life-saving skills. Alana regularly hosts these vital trainings, demonstrating the hospital’s ongoing commitment to community safety. Visit our Facebook page for information on upcoming classes.
• Debbie Gabel Infusion Center: In 2025, our hospital hosted a dedication to the future Debbie Gabel Infusion Center – a monumental step forward for cancer care in the community. The community showed resounding support for the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center at our annual Gala, raising an astounding $90,000. This significant fundraising effort highlights a shared commitment to enhancing future cancer care services.
• Empowering the Next Generation: Demonstrating a commitment to education, the hospital and auxiliary awarded $5,500 in scholarships to graduating students, fostering future leaders in healthcare and other fields.
• Supporting the Arts: Recognizing the profound impact of creativity, the hospital proudly awarded a $6,000 grant to the local Dare to Create Foundation for the Arts, which provides participants the opportunity to engage in dance and wellness programs, regardless of financial status or ability to pay.

Recognized for Excellence: A Year of Prestigious Awards:

In 2025, CHI Mercy Hospital saw numerous accolades, solidifying its reputation as a leader in healthcare:

• Antimicrobial Stewardship Platinum Honor Roll Award: This prestigious award acknowledges our commitment to responsible antibiotic use and patient safety.
• Top 100 Critical Access Hospital: A significant recognition of operational excellence, patient satisfaction, and financial strength.
• Mandy Chase Awarded Northland Association of Pharmacy Technician’s Excellence in an Expanded Role Award: A testament to the individual brilliance and dedication of our staff, Mandy Chase receiving well-deserved national recognition.
• Valley City Chamber’s “Business of the Year”: This honor from the Valley City Chamber highlights our vital role in economic development and community prosperity.
• Designated an Infant Friendly Workplace: This incredible achievement reflects our commitment to supporting breastfeeding mothers and providing comfortable accommodations for them.
• AHA Stroke (Gold) and STEMI Awards (Gold Plus): These awards from the American Heart Association demonstrate our exceptional quality of care in treating stroke and heart attack patients, consistently meeting rigorous standards for timely and effective treatment.

Investing in Advanced Care: State-of-the-Art Equipment Purchases:

To further enhance diagnostic capabilities and patient care, CHI Mercy Hospital made substantial investments in advanced medical equipment, including:

• EZIO Power Drill
• Smart Rollboards
• Education Defibrillator
• Ultrasound Equipment
• Intellicuff
• LUCAS Machine
• Glidescope Core System
• Telemetry System

These strategic acquisitions ensure that we remain at the forefront of medical technology, providing patients with the most effective and efficient treatments available.

Engaging the Community: A Calendar Full of Events:

Beyond direct healthcare, CHI Mercy Hospital actively participated in a variety of community events, fostering strong local ties, including:

• VCSU Career Expo and Wellness Fair
• Community Days float and booth
• VCPR Pulled Pork Cookoff booth
• Wiffleball World Series
• Safety in the Park booth
• Crazy Daze booth
• Out of the Darkness Walk
• Trunk or Treat

Celebrating Our Team: Internal Events Fostering a Positive Culture:

Recognizing the invaluable contributions of its employees, CHI Mercy Hospital prioritized internal events to promote a supportive and appreciative work environment, such as:

• Holiday Party
• Employee Appreciation Day
• Birthday Party Potlucks
• Auxiliary Bake Sales
• Hospital Week Celebration

“Looking ahead to 2026, we are energized by the momentum of 2025 and remain steadfast in our mission to serve the health needs of our community,” added Ryan Fowler. “We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to such a successful and impactful year”. CHI Mercy Hospital remains dedicated to its mission of providing integrated, compassionate care, looking forward to another year of health and partnership within the Valley City community.

CHI Mercy Hospital is thrilled to announce that their 2025 Casino Night Gala has officially raised an astounding $90,000 dedicated to the establishment of the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center. This significant achievement marks a crucial step in bringing vital chemotherapy infusion services directly to patients in the Valley City area.

The Debbie Gabel Infusion Center will fill a critical need in the community, allowing patients to receive essential chemotherapy treatments closer to home, reducing the burden of travel and providing much-needed comfort and convenience during a challenging time.

“We are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful for the success of our 2025 Casino Night Gala,” said Ryan Fowler, President of CHI Mercy Hospital. “Raising $90,000 for the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center is a testament to the incredible generosity and unwavering support of our local businesses and community members. This center will be a beacon of hope and healing, and we are so excited to offer these life-changing services right here in Valley City.”

The evening brought together philanthropic individuals, local businesses, and community leaders for a night of exciting casino games, entertainment, and a shared commitment to enhancing healthcare services in Valley City. The funds raised will directly contribute to a treatment space remodel, purchasing essential equipment, and providing required staff training.

“It is truly wonderful to have our community come together for such an incredibly important event,” added Kayla Beilke, CHI Mercy Foundation Coordinator. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to every sponsor, donor, volunteer and attendee who made this night possible.”

CHI Mercy Hospital is deeply committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to its patients. The Debbie Gabel Infusion Center represents a significant expansion of services and a testament to the hospital’s dedication to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the community. For ongoing updates on the progress of the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center and other initiatives at CHI Mercy Hospital, please follow us on Facebook.

CHI Mercy Health is issuing a strong reminder about the critical importance of seatbelt use, following a recent increase in trauma patients admitted to the emergency room who were not wearing seatbelts at the time of their accidents.

“We are seeing a concerning trend of preventable injuries due to the lack of seatbelt use,” says Alana McClellan, RN, CEN, Supervisor of the Emergency Room at CHI Mercy Health. “Seatbelts are proven to significantly reduce the risk of serious injury and death in vehicle crashes. Why take the chance? Just wear your seatbelt!”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seatbelts reduce serious injuries and deaths by about half. Not wearing a seatbelt dramatically increases the risk of being ejected from a vehicle, leading to severe injuries or fatalities. Furthermore, an unbuckled passenger can become a projectile, endangering other occupants in the vehicle.

Key Seatbelt Safety Tips:

Proper Positioning:

• Shoulder Belt: Should cross the center of the chest with minimal slack and should never be tucked under the arm.
• Lap Belt: Should be positioned low across the hips, never across the stomach.
• Sitting Position: Sit upright with your back against the seat and feet on the floor.

Legal Requirements: In North Dakota, all vehicle occupants are required to wear a seatbelt, regardless of seating position. Law enforcement can pull over vehicles solely for seatbelt violations, which carry a $20 fine.

Back Seat Safety: Buckling up in the back seat is crucial. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 60% of back seat passengers killed in crashes in 2023 were unbuckled.

Child Passenger Safety: Children under 8 years old must be secured in a car or booster seat. Children 8 years or older or at least 4’9″ may use a booster seat or adult seat belt.

Addressing Common Myths:

• Myth: Seatbelts are only necessary for long journeys or high speeds.
  • Fact: Accidents can happen at any time and at any speed.
• Myth: Airbags provide enough protection.
  • Fact: Airbags are designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts. Without a seatbelt, the risk of serious injury is greatly increased, especially if ejected from the vehicle.
• Myth: Seatbelts can cause injuries in certain types of accidents, or it’s better to be ejected from the vehicle.
  • Fact: Research overwhelmingly supports the effectiveness of seatbelts in preventing serious injuries and fatalities. While rare exceptions may occur, the benefits of wearing a seatbelt far outweigh the risks.

“Despite widespread awareness, less than 90% of North Dakotans consistently buckle up,” McClellan stated. “Furthermore, 47% of all fatalities related to motor vehicle crashes involved individuals who were not wearing a seatbelt. Don’t become a statistic. Make the simple choice to buckle up every time you get in a vehicle.”

CHI Mercy Hospital Valley City has been recognized by the American Heart Association with two Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for its commitment to providing exceptional care to patients suffering from heart disease and stroke. These awards demonstrate the hospital’s dedication to following the latest evidence-based guidelines, leading to improved patient outcomes, faster recovery times, and reduced hospital readmissions.

Heart disease and stroke remain leading causes of death in the United States, ranking as the No. 1 and No. 5 causes, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update. Research shows that adherence to established treatment guidelines significantly improves patient recovery. The Get With The Guidelines program empowers hospitals nationwide by translating the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association into practical tools and protocols, ensuring patient care aligns with the most current research.

“At CHI Mercy Hospital, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality care for our patients,” said Alana McClellan, Emergency Room Supervisor and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator at CHI Mercy Hospital. “The Get With The Guidelines program provides us with the framework and resources to streamline our processes and ensure timely, effective treatment for heart attacks and strokes. These awards reflect our team’s dedication to helping people in Valley City and Barnes County live longer, healthier lives.”

This year, CHI Mercy Hospital received the following prestigious awards:

• Coronary Heart Disease STEMI Referring – Gold Plus Award
• Rural Stroke – Gold Award

The Gold Plus designation signifies a high level of achievement and consistent performance in applying Get With The Guidelines protocols.

“We commend CHI Mercy Hospital for its commitment to improving the health of its community,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By implementing the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, CHI Mercy Hospital is playing a vital role in achieving our shared goal of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates. This is a significant win for patients, families, and the entire Valley City region.”

CHI Mercy Hospital in Valley City is pleased to announce a significant investment from CommonSpirit Health, which will greatly enhance the hospital’s cardiac care capabilities. With the generous support of CommonSpirit Health, we have acquired state-of-the-art telemetry software and monitoring units for $348,500. This upgrade will empower our nurses and clinical staff to provide even more precise and responsive care to patients in our community.

The new telemetry system provides continuous, real-time monitoring of patients’ heart rates and vital signs. This advanced technology enables earlier detection of potential issues, allowing for prompt intervention and improved patient outcomes.

“We are incredibly grateful to CommonSpirit Health for their commitment to our mission and to the health of the Valley City community,” said Ryan Fowler, Hospital President. “This generous investment will allow us to provide an even higher level of cardiac care to our patients, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment close to home.”

The upgraded telemetry system is a crucial component of CHI Mercy Hospital’s designation as the first Acute Cardiac Ready facility in the state of North Dakota. This designation recognizes the hospital’s ability to provide rapid and effective treatment for patients experiencing cardiac events.

“Our nurses and clinical staff are dedicated to providing compassionate and expert care,” said Colleen Jones, VP of Patient Care. “This new technology will be an invaluable tool, allowing us to monitor our patients more effectively and respond quickly to any changes in their condition. We thank CommonSpirit Health for their support in helping us achieve our goals.”

This investment reflects CommonSpirit Health’s ongoing dedication to innovation and excellence in healthcare, ensuring that communities like Valley City have access to the advanced medical technology they deserve.

Dear Valued Donors, CHI Employees, and Foundation Board Members,

We’re excited to share an update on the continued impact of your incredible generosity!

Casino Night Gala- Supporting the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center: This year’s Casino Night Gala will directly benefit the Debbie Gabel Infusion Center! Funds raised will be used to construct updates to our current infusion center, invest in staff education, and purchase state-of-the-art equipment to provide the best possible treatment for our patients.

We invite you to join us for an evening of fun and philanthropy on September 6th from 5:00-9:00pm at the Eagles Club! If you are interested in sponsoring the event or purchasing your tickets in advance, please visit: https://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/gala/

Investing in Future Healthcare: Scholarship Recipients Announced!: Thanks to your generous support this winter, we were able to award $3,000 in scholarships to three outstanding students from North Dakota who are pursuing careers in healthcare. We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the CHI Mercy Hospital Foundation scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year:

• Ada Gilbertson: Ada will be studying Neuroscience at Baylor University, with the goal of becoming a pediatric neurologist.
• Megan Larson: Megan is continuing her nursing education at the University of Jamestown, aspiring to work in rural healthcare.
• Mara Bjornson: Mara is pursuing her passion to be a pediatric oncology nurse at the University of Jamestown.

We are incredibly proud to support these bright and dedicated individuals as they embark on their healthcare journeys.

Employee Giving Campaign- Coming This Summer!: This summer, we will be launching an Employee Giving Campaign! This program will allow CHI employees to donate specific amounts or percentages of their paychecks to directly support Foundation funds. More information about this exciting opportunity will be shared soon.

Your unwavering support of the CHI Mercy Foundation is making a profound difference in the lives of our patients and the Valley City community. Thank you for being a vital part of our mission.

Sincerely,
Kayla Beilke
Foundation Coordinator

CHI Mercy Hospital is proud to announce the recipients of the Foundation’s scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. The selection process was highly competitive due to the exceptional qualifications of all applicants.

The CHI Foundation awarded scholarships to three outstanding North Dakota students:

These scholarships, valued at $1,000 each, are funded through initiatives hosted by hospital staff and a generous donation in memory of LaVonne Reidman, a dedicated nurse who graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and served at the hospital for 21 years.

We extend our best wishes to all applicants and congratulate the scholarship recipients on their achievements. We are confident in their success in their educational pursuits and future careers in healthcare!

CHI Mercy Hospital is proud to announce the recipients of the Auxiliary’s scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year. The selection process was challenging due to the high quality of all applicants.

The CHI Auxiliary awarded five outstanding students $500 each to support their academic pursuits in healthcare-related fields. These scholarships are made possible through the Auxiliary’s dedicated fundraising efforts, including bake sales and gift shop sales.

Meet the 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients:

The CHI Auxiliary relies on community support to fund these vital scholarships. Please join us for our Calendar of Cakes event on May 15th, starting at 1:00 PM! Every purchase directly contributes to providing educational opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals.

We extend our best wishes to all applicants and congratulate the scholarship recipients on their achievements. We are confident in their success in their educational pursuits and future careers in healthcare!

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 Kayla Beilke at 701-845-6557 or email kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org