Hospital board candidate information

Editor's note: Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association's annual meeting is scheduled for September 22 at 6 p.m. in the physical therapy room, located on the second floor of the new facility. Two positions on the association's board of directors are up for election this year. Following is information submitted by three candidates for the two board positions, published as they were received.

Melody Loken

I am seeking reelection to the Board of Directors of Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association. I have served 9 years as a director and feel that I have a very good understanding of hospital finance, which differ from what most business finance is and takes time to understand. I want to see our healthcare remain under local control. The Board engaged CAH Solutions last year to advise us on how best to improve the financial position of DMHA while also improving patient care. I believe that continuity of the Board during this engagement is important. We have made good progress in this direction so far thanks to DMHA staff dedication. My goal is to support staff while continuing to grow DMHA services in a safe and prudent manner. We have some of the best staff of any healthcare I have seen and I feel that as a Board member it is our responsibility to make policy that support both; care of the patients, and the staff providing that care. I am very excited to be part of the growth DMHA is experiencing. I encourage all association members to attend their annual DMHA meeting to have a voice in your representation on the board as well as to hear the great things that are taking place at DMHA.

Marilyn Schultz

Marilyn Schultz was born and raised here in Carter County. I am married to Ken Schultz ad we ranch in the Chalk Buttes area. We have raised our two daughters, Jessica and Samantha, and have 8 wonderful grandchildren.

I enjoy my position at the Carter County Museum and all the people who come through the doors to visit and learn.

I have served as a hospital board member in the past and would like to be involved in DMHA's future by serving on the board again.

Rusty Spencer

Rusty Spencer visited the small of Town of Ekalaka, Montana for the first time and it was love at first sight. Rusty grew up in a large community just outside of Ogden, Utah, only 40 miles from Salt Lake City. Throughout his childhood Rusty was very active in FFA, 4-H, a various sporting activities. In 2014, he moved to eastern Montana and North Dakota to work in the oil industry. Rusty quickly discovered two things: eastern Montana could be extremely cold in mid-November and Carol Marie Peabody. In late 2014 the couple moved back to Ogden only to realize how strongly they loved and missed eastern Montana. By 2017 we moved back, have two young sons, Dallas and Austin, and have been active members in Carter and Fallon Counties ever since.

Rusty is very involved at Ekalaka Public Schools. He is a bus driver, coach, and mentor for the community's youth. Alongside his family, Rusty helps run the Peabody Six-Ess Ranch which is twelve miles south of Ekalaka. To top off his busy schedule, he is also a full-time employee at Denbury Resources in Baker.

Rusty is very passionate about helping our small-town community thrive and grow. Being a hospital board member would give the opportunity for our community to grow even more.

Please consider Rusty Spencer as a new DMHA board member.