Two hospital board positions up for election at September meeting

The Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association Annual Membership Meeting will be held on September 14, 2017, 6:00 p.m., at Carter County Events Center. In addition to the annual report of facility activities, elections will be held for the two board positions currently held by Bud Powell and Brittani Brence. Below are responses of the nominees to an interview conducted with each.

Dean Bruce

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

I was raised in Mercer County in west central Ohio - the state's largest agricultural producing (dollar-wise) county. I was honorably discharged from the Army after over four years of service, three of which were in Germany. My job was Intelligence Analyst and I was a Sergeant for most of the time I was in. I served as a pastor for thirty years, including eight months as interim here in Ekalaka. My degrees are in Christian Ministry and Theology. The first time Kristy and I were in Ekalaka was in August of 1988, when we went on a 100 mile trail ride with Trails End Ranch. My hobbies include learning edible plants and primitive skills, as well as ham radio.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board of directors?

Many people come to me to share their feelings and concerns on issues, including Dahl. I know folks in probably every department there, including residents. I have always been a listener. I would continue to listen as well as ask questions and work toward the best for the residents, employees, and community; generally in that order.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

My goals for Dahl Memorial are related to item two above, to see the best for the residents, employees, and us in the community supporting Dahl Memorial.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

My initial response and follow-up would depend on the situation. But, I would make notes, check into the situation (see analysis above), see that the issue is properly addressed/resolved, and inform all involved parties of such. At this point I have not yet been provided with the organization's by-laws so I don't know if there is a prescribed procedure. I am also planning to familiarize myself with recent board minutes to learn more of their procedures, issues facing the board, etc.

Dwayne Bruce

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

I was born and raised in rural Ohio, my father was a pastor and my mother worked at Walmart. I worked two summers at Trails End Ranch when I was in my teens and fell in love with the area. I served six years in the Army after high school as an infantryman first and later as a recruiter. I served a year in Iraq where I was wounded by a roadside bomb. I was medically retired from the Army in 2009 due to those injuries. I moved my family to Ekalaka in August of 2009 to volunteer at Trails End Ranch and enjoy retirement. I currently serve as a reserve deputy for the Carter County Sheriff's Office; I am an EMT, and a member of Ekalaka Volunteer Fire Department. I am married and have six children; I am also on the board at Ekalaka First Baptist Church.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board of directors?

As someone who is serving as an EMT and someone who was wounded in combat, I know the need for and the benefit of prompt medical care. I believe that it is a critical service that Dahl Memorial provides to this community. As a board member, I would hold the communities need for healthcare above politics or personal differences.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

As stated above my goal for Dahl Memorial is to provide quality healthcare in a timely fashion. I believe that any patient at Dahl Memorial deserves the same quality of care that they could receive anywhere else. That would be my goal.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

I believe that my experiences as a combat infantryman, an army recruiter, an EMT, a fireman, and a parent have equipped me with thick enough skin to avoid hurt feelings, the empathy to listen and understand the situation, and the ethics to act promptly.

Dane Castleberry

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

I am Dane Castleberry. I was born in Ekalaka at Dahl Memorial and have lived most of my life in Carter County. I married Pam Sparks of Plevna, MT. We have four grown children.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board of directors?

I have served on numerous boards over the years. I feel I can rely on that experience to be a good board member. I try to look at all sides of a situation and make a judgment on all the facts. In the past I have voted opposite of my personal feelings because it was the right thing to do for the betterment of the organization.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

I've served as an EMT for Dahl Memorial for 26 years. I am familiar with the facility and the challenges of keeping the doors open. During my time as an EMT, I served as the director for the program; most recently I served as training coordinator. I was the training coordinator for all but one of the classes we held to keep volunteer EMTs in the program. We worked hard and continue to provide the best service we can with the resources we have. If elected, I feel that I can bring to the table experience I gained as an EMT.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

I would listen to their comments, have them proceed through the right channels, and follow up so that their concerns were heard.

The board's job is to set policy, hire the administrator, and see that policy is implemented. Not to get bogged down in day-to-day activities; micromanaging never works.

Charles Parks

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

I have lived in Ekalaka all my life and completed school at Carter County High School. I have operated Parks Sales and Service for 40 years and Parks Gelbvieh Ranch for 30 years. I am married to Sandy Parks.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board of directors?

I hope to keep the best medical services that we can possibly provide and have Dahl Memorial keep up with future changes that are happening.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

Keep Dahl Memorial providing good medical service and get the building up to date if calls for replacing or major repair. It is very important to keep this medical service going forward.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

I would first ask them if they have talked to the supervisor for the dept. and if they have then talked to the administrator.

Bud Powell

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

Bud was born, raised and went to school in Ekalaka until 1961. In October of that year Bud joined the Navy. While in the Navy, Bud served on many boards. He served in the Navy until 1989 when he moved to North Dakota and worked for four years. He is now retired, and he and his wife live on the family place just outside Ekalaka. Bud spends a great deal of time in his sawmill and is well known for his wood craftsmanship.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board of directors?

Bud has served on Dahl Memorial's board for the past three years. He is familiar with the current situation at the facility and has been an active participant in the facility's strategic planning process as well as the board of directors' Building Committee.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

Bud would like to see Dahl Memorial be the best healthcare facility that it can be to serve all of Carter County.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

Bud has actually had this type of situation occur during his time on the board. He has called the Administrator and asked questions to try to gain understanding of the whole situation. He has then requested discussion during the next regular board meeting. Bud says he would be willing to listen to the person. He would advise them to present their problem in writing and take it to a board meeting.

Dan Schrock

1. Please provide a brief biography so people who don't know you can get to know you a little better.

Originally from Michigan, I moved to Montana after I finished my degree in education at Northern Michigan University. Since that time I have lived and worked in small, rural communities in both Montana and Alaska.

My experiences in these communities have taught me to work closely with my neighbors for the greater good of our community.

2. How do you feel you would benefit Dahl Memorial by being on the board?

I will work collaboratively with other community members to ensure the board is making progress towards meeting the needs of the facility, its valued staff of professionals and the community that depends on the professional medical care they provide.

I have previous experience in facilities planning and construction that will benefit the work of the board and its members through that experience. I also have budgetary experience with public funds that will guide my responsibilities to the taxpayers in stretching tax dollars as far as possible.

In my life and career I have looked to lead for the benefit of others. The work of the board is challenging as is the decision making the board does for the benefit of our community. Instinct and experience tell me that this is something that I want to do for the community.

3. Knowing what you know about Dahl Memorial, what are your goals for the organization?

To properly plan and build a quality hospital and nursing home that will adequately meet the present and future needs of the community.

To work to address recruitment and retention issues associated with staffing challenges that the hospital faces.

To safeguard the trust the public has placed in the board in our official responsibilities.

To increase educational outreach provided to the community through grant funding sources.

4. Situational Experiences: If a member of the community approached you in public or called you to complain about a situation that had occurred with Dahl Memorial, what would you do?

I would refer the complaint and the individual to the hospital CEO and the official complaint procedure of the hospital as politely as possible. There are many reasons I would do so but most importantly, it fosters accountability within the organization and it also protects my ability to be impartial. If and when it comes down to my vote as a board member, I need to do so publicly, in good faith, and without compromise.