Annual hospital meeting sees good turnout

Over 75 members attended the Dahl Memorial Healthcare Annual Member Meeting last Thursday at Carter County Events Center. Around 90 attended in 2017 while only 45 turned out in 2016.

The meeting began with members voting on and approving changes to multiple association bylaws.

After the vote, CEO Ryan Tooke discussed the most up-to-date plan for the building project. This will be presented to the public in the form of a bond election and will be on the General Election ballot this November. If the bond passes, the proposed $15.1 million facility will be built on the old Ekalaka Elementary school site. Bids for construction of the building would go out in April next year and completion would be scheduled for July, 2020.

The estimated number of annual mills required for the 17-year bond is 25.58. Tooke encouraged anyone with questions about what this would do to their taxes to contact him. Additionally, he will be scheduling meetings around the county throughout the month of October to answer questions and hear public comment.

Diane Fraser was recognized for 10 years of service at the facility. Seven new employees have started working for Dahl Memorial since last year's meeting. They are: Hunter Costin, Dayle Lovec, Shannon Volmer, Chris Frank, Jesse Scott, AJ Limberger, and Ryan Tooke.

Dale Diede, PA-C gave a presentation at the meeting and described some of the clinic services offered at the facility. He also stated that flu shot numbers were up over the last year, from 250 to 286, while health fair numbers went down from 283 to 267. This year's flu vaccine clinic will be held Thursday, September 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. Anyone who can't make the clinic is urged to stop at the clinic anytime during regular hours. Diede then spoke about chronic care management and annual wellness visits.

The lab at Dahl got a new complete blood count machine this year and Libby Barth is the new X-Ray manager at the facility. Staff have been looking into obtaining a new digital radiology system that would provide better images and make sending those images to other facilities easier.

An Emergency Medical Services Technician Class finished this spring with six students. EMTs at Dahl are now using tablets to electronically transfer trip data to the state.

At the end of his presentation, Diede spoke about involvement Dahl Memorial has had in community activities over the last year including sports sponsorships, a root beer float stand during the Days of '85, and a winning parade float, to name a few. Diede also spoke briefly about his opportunity to be a part of the Justin Sports Medicine Team at the Rapid City Stock Show, the Deadwood Days of '76, and the Sheridan Wyoming Pro Rodeo this year.

Three board members were elected at the annual meeting. Troy Fruit (incumbent), Jitt Schneider (incumbent), and Georgia Bruski were elected to the board of directors.