Early detection is vital when it comes to cancer.
By Paul McDonald
Early detection is vital when it comes to cancer. CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City has made huge strides in helping with this when they announced their new mammography program in Valley City. Construction has been completed and the first patient has been seen at the new mammography suite in the Radiology Department. The space offers its own private waiting room and changing area, a dedicated mammography technician, and easy access on one floor for all patients.
Aaron Wohlenhaus, who is the manager of the Radiology Department explains how this all came about. “About two years ago, the CHI Mercy Foundation said they wanted to invest in a new project for the hospital,” Wohlenhaus said. “The hospital pitched them a few ideas, and this was one they gravitated towards because of the outcome it can have for the women of our community.” Wohlenhaus continues, “We set off designing the space and coming up with as many different ideas and plans to really make this a good environment for our patients.” The prior offerings for mammograms in Valley City required patients to walk up steps into a portable trailer for their screenings. This wasn’t possible for some elderly or disabled patients. The hospital’s new mammography suite is handicapped accessible, which was perfect for their first patient who is in a wheelchair. She previously could not have her exams completed in Valley City when her only option was the mobile unit.
Since early detection is crucial, Wohlenhaus explains that this new mammography machine is important. “The conversation with the CHI Mercy Foundation, hospital leadership, and myself from the very beginning were if we are going to do this we want it to be done right. When we were looking at the different options for a mammography machine, this one stood out because it can find specific nodules or worrisome areas as small as one to two millimeters. The reason that is important is because, to find them under one centimeter the chances for survival for cancer is over 90 percent. With this in mind we feel we are giving the patients in our community the best chance at being treated quickly and giving them the best outcomes.”
There are a couple of key points that Wohlenhaus says are vitally important in this story. One, patients can self-refer. He explains that, “They don’t need to go to their doctor and say I would like to go to CHI Mercy to have a mammography exam. They can call us and schedule their exam themselves.” Wohlenhaus adds, “We work with all providers, so if they have a regular doctor at Sanford or Essentia we can send their images there.” Another thing that Wohlenhaus says is important for people to know is the funding. “This whole room and the machine was funded by our local CHI Mercy Foundation. Donations from the community through different events like the Foundation’s Annual Gala helped give themselves this option, so in a way, they invested in themselves.” The CHI Mercy Hospital wants to provide good quality options for our patients and our community. A public open house for the Mammography suite is planned for November 14th from 4:00pm – 6:00pm.
Casino Night Impact on CHI Mercy Hospital
Valley City, ND – The first annual Casino Night Gala, held on October 5th, turned out to be a resounding success, raising over $85,000 to purchase life-saving equipment for CHI Mercy Hospital. The Casino Night Gala featured all the hallmarks of a Las Vegas- style experience, with tables for blackjack, poker, roulette, and many more games for guests to enjoy. The atmosphere was complete with sparkling decor, an appetizer buffet, and professional dealers to create an unforgettable experience.
In addition to the games, the event included a silent auction, raffle boards, Casino prizes, and a Fund to Need where guests gave donations directly to the cause. Local businesses and community leaders played a key role in sponsoring the event and providing items for the silent auction. Attendees enjoyed mingling, placing bets, and bidding on items while knowing their contributions would make a meaningful impact on the community.
The $85,00 raised during the Casino Night Gala will go directly towards upgrading emergency room tools and life-saving devices that will improve patient care for the residents of Valley City and the surrounding areas.
Ryan Fowler, CEO of CHI Mercy Hospital, expressed his gratitude to the community for their generosity, stating, “The support we received will make a real difference in the lives of our patients. The new pieces of equipment will allow us to deliver higher-quality care, respond faster in emergencies, and hopefully provide better outcomes for the people we serve. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who helped make this event a success.”
This year’s event exceeded fundraising expectations, showing the community’s strong commitment to healthcare and the future of CHI Mercy Hospital. Many local businesses and hospital staff members contributed to the evening’s success by donating their time and resources, therefore this event was a true community effort. We hope the Casino Night Gala becomes a much-anticipated annual event in Valley City, with both longtime residents and newcomers eager to support their local hospital.
CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City Nationally Recognized for High-Quality Care
CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City Nationally Recognized for High-Quality Care CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City has received two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research- based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke or heart attack. Heart disease and stroke are the number one and number five causes of death in the United States, respectively. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.
Get with the Guidelines put the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Get with the Guidelines program, CHI Mercy Hospital qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.
“CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City is committed to improving care by following the latest treatment guidelines and processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” Ryan Fowler, CHI Hospital President. “The Get with the Guidelines program makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in Valley City experience longer, healthier lives.”
This year, CHI Mercy of Valley City received a Gold award for Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referrals and a Silver award for Rural Stroke Care!
“These awards show CHI Mercy’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern Medicine. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, CHI
Mercy Hospital can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
About Get with the Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get with the Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
CHI Mercy Hospital 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients
CHI Mercy Hospital of Valley City is excited to announce the recipients of the Foundation and Auxiliary scholarships for the 2024-2025 school year. Both scholarships received a large number of qualified candidates, making the process of narrowing down the winners a challenging one.
Isabella Sundby of Oakes, ND was awarded the Foundation’s General Medicine Scholarship. Isabella will be attending the University of North Dakota to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy. Megan Larson of Northwood, ND was awarded the Foundation’s Nursing Scholarship. Megan will be continuing her education at the University of Jamestown to complete her degree in Nursing. Madison Maley of Valley City, ND was awarded the Foundation’s LaVonne Reidman Nursing Scholarship. Madison will be continuing her education in the Valley City State University Dakota Nursing Program this fall.
CHI Foundation scholarships are funded from initiatives hosted by hospital staff and a generous donation given in memory of LaVonne Reidman, a nurse who graduated from the Mercy School of Nursing and worked at the hospital for 21 years. The CHI Mercy Foundation awarded these three students $500.00 each to assist with their educational expenses.
The CHI Auxiliary awarded two students $250.00 each to assist with their academic expenses while pursuing degrees in a healthcare related field. Nicholas Kruta of Valley City was presented his award by Marlys Kunze, President of the CHI Auxiliary, during Valley City High School’s scholarship night. Nick will be attending the University of Jamestown to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Allison Bryn of Dazey, North Dakota was also awarded a CHI Auxiliary Scholarship. Allison will be attending the University of Mary to complete her degree in Social Work.
Thank you to each of the students that applied for CHI Mercy Hospital’s scholarship opportunities. We wish everyone the utmost success in their education 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 701-845-6486 or email kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org
CHI Auxiliary and Foundation Offering $1,250 in Scholarships
The CHI Mercy Auxiliary and the CHI Mercy Foundation are excited to announce they’re still accepting applications for three scholarship opportunities! Each year, these entities generously give out scholarships to recipients that are enrolled in a Nursing program or in the General Medical field. These funds are provided and raised by Auxiliary members and CHI staff.
To be eligible the below criteria is required:
Must be a student seeking to complete their Nursing education or an accredited program in a healthcare related field. This could include technician programs, certificates, or 2-4 year degrees. For the Auxiliary scholarship, first consideration will be given to current Hospital or Auxiliary family members living in Barnes County, ND. If there are no applicants that fit this criteria the next eligible will be students in the community. The CHI Mercy Foundation scholarship has no first consideration criteria.
The application is available online at: https://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/scholarships/
If you need assistance with the application process please contact Kayla Beilke at 701-845-6486 or email kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org.
The deadline for all 3 applications is April 8, 2024 at 4:00 PM. Please send applications directly to Kayla Beilke via email or drop them off at the front desk of CHI Mercy Hospital with the applicant’s name attached.
The CHI Mercy Health Auxiliary is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting the hospital and the community it serves. The CHI Mercy Foundation is dedicated to assisting the hospital with funding capital projects and program needs. If you would like to become a CHI Mercy Auxiliary member or are interested in helping out Foundation efforts, please contact Kayla Beilke at 701-845-6486 or email kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org.
CHI Mercy’s Donations to the Community
CHI Mercy Hospital, alongside their parent company CommonSpirit Health, has created a grant program to fund projects that address significant needs in our community. We are proud to announce that in 2024 over $6,000 in grant funds will be going towards the Education Foundation for the Valley City Public School to help with their Access for All program.
The Access for All program was created in 2019 when the Education Foundation partnered with The Village Family Service Center to provide behavioral health counseling in each of their schools. A clinical counselor, Katie Roach, is available to students 4 days a week and provides services for anxiety, depression, anger management, adjustment issues/concerns, behavioral concerns due to trauma, and ADHD.
The mission of the Education Foundation is to partner with the community and alumni to meet physical, social, emotional, instructional and critical needs of the whole student. The Access for All program currently supports around 56 students from kindergarten through seniors, so this money will assist in covering these expenses for their families.
CHI Mercy Hospital strives to be active in health-related causes that affect Valley City and the Barnes County community. We hope to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. For future grant applications please reach out to our Director of Mission Josh Gow at 701-845-6557 for more information.
Giving Hearts Day 2024
CHI Mercy Hospital: A Year in Review
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 28, 2023
Contact: Kayla Beilke
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail: kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org
At CHI Mercy Hospital, we take pride in the work we do for our patients and the services we bring to the community. In order to provide the best care we believe that includes: expanding services, investing in updating our space, and making sure we are up to date on the latest care guidelines. Over the past year we have worked tirelessly to make these goals a reality.
We started off by hiring a full-time Occupational Therapist, Jessie Olson, who has significantly grown the program over the last year. She received her certifications in lymphedema and wound care, which previously wasn’t provided at the hospital. With such high levels of growth in this area we are looking to hire a part time COTA or OT to assist Jessie with her patient volumes.
We have made significant strides towards bringing Mammography services in house for our patient’s annual screenings. We’ve purchased the Mammo machine with the assistance of the CHI Mercy Foundation and utilizing the funds raised at the 2022 Oktoberfest Gala. Now we are waiting to finalize construction plans to renovate the space and create a tranquil experience for the patients.
This year we’ve completed refreshes to our Physical Therapy and Emergency Room spaces. The Physical Therapy gym and waiting room received new furniture, paint, blinds and artwork. The Emergency Room redid their floors, installed new countertops and added a fresh coat of paint.
During 2023, the hospital received a few noteworthy awards including being voted a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital out of all critical access hospitals in the nation. We were one of the first hospitals to complete the “Get with Guidelines” requirements, which are the latest care recommendations for patients regarding stroke and coronary heart disease.
The hospital was nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment in treating STEMI codes, which are considered the worst forms of heart attacks. We are also proud to announce we’re the first Acute Cardiac Ready facility in the state of North Dakota, possibly even nationally! This designation means that our hospital has shown we can take care of patients upon arrival to the best of the state’s standards when it comes to cardiac issues. With all of these amazing accomplishments in 2023, we can’t wait to see where we will go in 2024. We have a few projects that we believe will help to continue improving services and the quality of care. If you’re interested in being a part of our growing team that enhances care to the Valley City community please review our job postings at the link below.
CHI Mercy at Oktoberfest Committed to Cardiac Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sept 5, 2023
Contact: Kayla Beilke
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail: kayla.beilke@commonspirit.org
CHI Mercy at Oktoberfest Committed to Cardiac Care
On October 14th, CHI Mercy Hospital is hosting our annual Oktoberfest Gala to raise money for new cardiac equipment! We are planning a fun evening that includes: dinner, live entertainment, plenty of chances to win prizes, bid on auction items, and hopefully go home with a little extra cash from our raffles! The event will take place from 5:30-10pm at the Valley City Eagles Club. If you are interested in attending please go to: https://www.mercyhospitalvalleycity.org/oktoberfest/ to purchase your tickets today!
Valley City’s dedication to heart health started with the recognition of being named a Cardiac Ready Community. This is a government initiative that requires public access to AEDs, CPR instruction, blood pressure screenings, and transport plans from first responders, EMS and the hospital. CHI Mercy Hospital wanted to do more with this focus, so we became the first and only hospital in North Dakota designated as an Acute Cardiac Ready facility. This means we have proven that we can take care of patients presenting with cardiac issues to the best of the state’s standards. We take this appointment very seriously since such a high number of patients arrive at the hospital with cardiac symptoms and diagnoses.
This spring the hospital was nationally recognized by the American Heart Association for its commitment in treating STEMI codes. These are considered the worst forms of heart attacks since it is caused by a complete block in the coronary artery. Even with these amazing accomplishments under our belt, the hospital has higher goals we hope to achieve. One of these goals is to purchase state-of-the-art heart monitoring equipment for our patients. Please help us support this amazing cause at our Oktoberfest Gala on October 14th!
First Cardiac Ready Acute Care Hospital in North Dakota
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 7, 2022
Contact: Kayla Brademeyer
Phone: 701-845-6486
E-Mail: kayla.brademeyer@commonspirit.org
First Cardiac Ready Acute Care Hospital in North Dakota
CHI Mercy Hospital- Valley City is proud to announce it is the first designated Acute Cardiac Ready facility in the state of North Dakota! This designation means that our hospital has shown we can take care of patients upon arrival to the best of the state’s standards, specifically when it comes to cardiac issues. We take this appointment very seriously since such a high number of our patients present to the hospital with cardiac symptoms and diagnoses. This means we can further care for the community and provide everyone the top-notch, excellent services that they deserve.
In order to become an Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital, we filled out an application and had the Division of Emergency Medical Systems personnel come and shadow us to see our processes. They interviewed our ER staff to discuss our procedures and how we respond to certain situations. It was a rigorous test with 42 areas of criteria to pass in order to become designated. Due to our extensive preparedness, we had all the pieces in place and can now call the hospital an Acute Cardiac Ready facility, the first in North Dakota!
Valley City was already designated as a Cardiac Ready Community- which is a government initiative that requires public access to AEDs, CPR instruction, blood pressure screenings, and transport plans for first responders, EMS and the hospital. This initiative was also taken on to better the health of our community to try and introduce preventative care and access to necessary items in case of emergency.
The hospital and its staff would like to thank Alana McClellan for putting in the work she has to help us achieve this. She has been the leader behind the Cardiac Ready Community projects as well as the Acute Cardiac Ready Hospital designation. We love how much she goes above and beyond to really make sure our community is heart healthy.