Every year these same healthcare workers are recognized during national holiday weeks like hospital week, nurse’s week, and many more. These holidays are designed to celebrate each departments specialty and the work they do. This year healthcare workers should be very proud of their work, and what they do for the district and the communities they serve.

“The staff of the Castro County Hospital District concern for our patients and residents during this time of Covid-19 is nothing but outstanding,” said Nathan Flood, CEO. “They have taken the increased risk of possible exposure in stride and have put even greater energy and thought in how we take care of our patients and residents to decrease the risk of Covid-19.”

There have been many changes with procedures to help decrease the risk of exposure during COVID-19, but the staff at CCHD has not let that decrease their quality of work. They have stayed committed to the care of the community, especially those who can be at a higher risk like our elderly loved ones.

“We are extremely proud of our dedicated staff during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Laura Kimball, Administrator at Country View Living, CCHD’s long-term care facility. “They are working hard to keep our elderly safe and continue to provide the upmost care for the residents of Castro County.”

Throughout all the changes the heart of these workers has not decreased, because at Castro County Healthcare you are not only a patient, you are a friend’s mother, a daughter’s child, you are family.

“What makes the nurses I work with so very special is they not only treat the sick’s illness or the injured wounds, they also treat the broken heart and the tired soul,” said Dana Cobb, CNO. “I truly feel our community is lucky to have such a wonderful and amazing group of nurses, aides, unit clerks, and all those that make up our staff.  They are the soldiers for your health.”

If you see a healthcare worker, thank them, and next year when the pandemic is hopefully over, remember them. For more information on how you can donate or help Castro County Healthcare contact us at 806-647-2191.

Below are the National Holidays in which we celebrate those in the healthcare industry. Some are happening soon, or just ended!

National Nurses Week – May 6 – 12, 2020

Hospital Week – May 10 – 16, 2020

National Skilled Nursing Care Week – May 10 – 16, 2020

National Rehabilitation Week – 3^rd full week in September each year

Physical Therapy Month – October

National Radiologic Technology Week – During the Week of Nov. 8^th each year

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week – April 19-25, 2020

Occupational Therapy Month – April

“We want to reassure all of our patients that we are following all proper cleaning techniques and taking every precaution after each patient,” said Linda Aguero, Clinic Director at CCHD. “We have spilt our Monday through Friday clinic hours to see the ‘well’ patients in the morning, 8:00am to 2:00pm, and then seeing our sick patients, or patients showing certain signs from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.”

Linda and her team at the Medical Center of Dimmitt are available to answer questions or concerns during their business hours or Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.

The Medical Center of Dimmitt is still asking patients to please call the clinic for an appointment. Once the patient arrives at the clinic, the patient is to call the clinic and the registration clerks will register the patient over the phone. Once they have a room ready, the patient will be notified to come into the clinic and the nurse will take them straight back to an exam room, instead of having them wait in the lobby. If a patient is suspected of having COVID-19 and meets all the criteria, the clinic staff can swab the patient and send to a lab in Lubbock for testing.

They also ask that patients do not bring anyone with them to their appointment, if possible. A minor can have one family member with them. To schedule an appointment contact them at 806-647-2194.

When you speak to anyone who has worked at CCHD, especially one of these seven who were awarded will mention the ‘family’ like environment that they all work in. Their most memorable moments and favorite parts of their jobs are the team, and people they have met and worked with over the years.

“My favorite part of my job is getting to be a part of a team that strives each day to help make a difference,” said Benny Navarro, Housekeeping Supervisor for CCHD.

Some of these awardee’s have held multiple positions at the hospital all the way from housekeeping, to billing and coding, nurse aid or ward clerk, material management and Lab Tech, even an LVN who worked in surgery back when CCHD had a surgery department.

“Looking back at my years here at CCHD through the different positions I have worked I have been blessed to work with so many great people, and what I have learned and experienced through my positions over the years has been incredible,” said Jolene Schulte, Material Management at CCHD.

Castro County realizes that healthcare rules and regulations are always changing and makes sure to keep all staff up to date on this information through providing continuing education.  Many of these employees have grown and advanced with CCHD throughout the years.

“I have gained so much knowledge working for CCHD and continue to do so, because there is always something new that I can learn,” said Gloria Hinojosa, Collections in the Billing Department.

CCHD is proud of each and every one of their employees and cannot thank them enough for their continued years of service to the hospital district and to its new groundbreaking opportunities, with new facilities and departments. Help CCHD congratulate and thank the following honorees for their service.

The 2020 Honoree’s include:

45 years: Jolene Schulte

20 years: Gloria Hinojosa and Hortensia Ramirez

10 years: Jamie Blasingame and Vicenta Martinez

5 years: Benny Navarro and Cathy Wilcox

A CNA is an important piece of the workflow at CVL. Nurses depend heavily on the CNA’s when it comes to the resident’s care. CNA’s are the nurses and doctors ‘eyes and ears’ during their shift. The CNA class is taught by two nurses in the Castro County Hospital District, Raneta Patton, RN and Charge Nurse, and Tonya Ethridge, RN.

If you have questions about a CNA’s role or if becoming a CNA sounds like something you or someone you know would like to do, you can go by the facility and fill out a CNA class application any time or watch our Facebook page (@countryviewtx) for updates on our next class. For more information call 806-647-2984.

An estimated 57 million people – nearly one in five Americans – live in rural and frontier communities throughout the United States. An assessment by The Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH), states that in the 1960s there were 300 hundred rural hospitals, and as of September 2019 it is down to 158 rural hospitals. Since 2010 there has been 26 rural hospital closures that have occurred in 22 communities.

NOSORH speaks of the importance of rural communities need to address accessibility issues, a lack of healthcare providers, the needs of the aging population suffering from a greater number of chronic conditions, and larger percentages of un – and underinsured citizens.

Castro County Healthcare District understands this importance and has found ways to help create many local health opportunities for our community. Through the Medical Center of Dimmitt, the community has access to four physicians, Dr. Hardee, Dr. Chamblee, Dr. Alvarez, and Dr. Matos; along with three Nurse Practitioners, Peggy Birkenfeld, Sheila Higgins, and Susan Hochstein. They also offer a Chronic Care Management program with Rita McDaniel, BSN, RN.

Plains Memorial Hospital is a Level IV Trauma Center staffed with highly skilled nurses and physicians, with a 24-hour emergency room where the staff is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support. They can also help you get better at home with their Swing Bed program. The Swing Bed program not only provides skilled nursing care but also rehabilitation services through their onsite Rehab Department.

The expert physical, occupational, and speech therapy team of Welch Rehab specializes in multiple services not only in their facility, but at Plains Memorial Hospital, and Country View Living, the new long-term living facility.

CCHD recognized the increasing need for a locally accountable senior living facility due to the rural areas increase in aging population. A community-wide study brought validation of the need for the new senior living facility in Dimmitt.

“The hospitals and providers serving these rural communities not only provide quality patient care, but they also help keep good jobs in rural America,” says Teryl Eisinger, NOSORH CEO.

CCHD is one of the larger employers in Castro County with around 200 employees throughout all of their departments. With a third of that being added on since March of 2019 at the opening of Country View Living. Based on TORCH’s assessment, out of the 158 rural hospitals there are 26,900 jobs a year and those employees provided care to 3.1 million Texans.

TORCH states that every Texan should be concerned about rural hospitals as rural areas provide the food, fuel, and fiber for the entire state; as well as being traveled through by everyone at one time or another.

When you get sick think of your local clinic. When you need urgent care, think of your local hospital. When you need therapy after a surgery or injury think of your local rehabilitation team. When you or a family member are reaching the time for 24-hour skilled nursing care think of your local long-term living facility. CCHD is here to provide you the care you need at home in every age of life, there is ‘power in rural’ and there is power in CCHD!

Raneta Patton, a RN and Charge Nurse, was an instructor for the CNA course. She has been working with CCHD as a nurse for six years, but also began working with CVL when they opened in March 2019. Patton states that she knows how important and difficult a CNA’s job can be, and she decided to teach these classes to make sure they were all well prepared for the job. She takes a lot of pride in being a part of something that is really making a difference at CCHD.

“As a nurse, you depend heavily on your CNA’s to assist in resident care,” said Patton. “They are with the residents more often than anyone else and are the nurses and doctors ‘eyes and ears’ during their shift.”

Patton did not teach alone, Tonya Ethridge, RN, also dedicated her time to teaching the CNA class. Ethridge saw this a great opportunity for her to be able to give something back after her six years in the nursing field. Ethridge worked for CCHD at Plains Memorial Hospital from 2013 to 2017, and returned to work at CVL when it opened, and states, “that it is an amazing place to work.” She has enjoyed teaching and getting to know the students and watching them grow each day in class.

“It is amazing at the begging of class to see them unsure of themselves, and then by the end of class see how they have grown and come to love the residents and what they are doing,” said Ethridge.

Both women speak of the heart, dedication, and importance of CNA’s. They are the front line of our resident’s care, and nurses cannot do their job without them. “Because a good CNA doesn’t just have a job, it’s their calling.”

If becoming a CNA sounds like something you or someone you know would like to do, you can come to the facility and fill out a CNA class application any time or watch our Facebook page (@countryviewtx) for updates on our next class. For more information call 806-647-2984.

The new state of the art facility that opened in March of 2019, offers more than your average long-term living community. They have opened their doors not only to people who need care, but to the community as well. They have done this by offering the only Starbuck’s Coffee within 48 miles of Dimmitt, TX and the surrounding communities. In addition, Country View Living will be offering lunch to the community, Monday through Friday from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, to everyone who would like to eat Luby’s or a Fuddrucker’s Express Burger.

“It has been very exciting to have this partnership with Luby’s and to be able to open our home to the community to enjoy as well,” said Laura Kimball, CVL’s Administrator. “This has not only given Dimmitt another place to dine or get coffee, but has brightened our residents days by interacting with others in the community, and helping them feel like they are still a part of a community.”

Country View Living is part of the Castro County Hospital District (CCHD) family. The facility has an in house exam room where a Medical Center of Dimmitt provider can go and see a patient. They also provide local transportation to and from appointments if needed. CCHD’s focus is on serving your entire family in every area of healthcare you or your family may need.

“We are excited what the facility has brought to Castro County and the surrounding area,” said Linda Rasor, CEO for CCHD.  “We have extended our CCHD family and want our team to be your family’s choice for senior living, allowing them to stay close to their family and friends while enjoying our great food options and many activities.”

There are currently thirty-four residents in the sixty-bed facility, with the plan to keep admitting residents and have a full facility. CVL has a designated wellness center, rehab area, activity room and chapel.  There is also a salon and many gathering areas throughout the facility along with covered outdoor areas for residents and families to enjoy.

This senior living facility was built with local residents and surround communities in mind, by bringing new and innovative ideas to long-term living in this area. Country View Living is still accepting new residents. If you or someone you know or someone in your family is interested in touring the facility or has any questions about the care they will receive, please contact CVL today by phone at 806-647-2984 or by email at info@countryviewtx.com.

The Recovery Near Home program (Swing Bed) at Plains Memorial Hospital allows them to receive the extended care they need without the need to change facilities. It is a unique program that acts as a bridge between the hospital and home, offering peace of mind to both patients and their families and allowing a more comfortable recovery.

“I just regarded the Swing Bed as a transitional time,” said Ray Jo Riley, a PMH Swing Bed patient. “I enjoyed being closer to family where they didn’t have to drive so far to come and check on me. It serves the purpose it is intended to and set up for, as far as I am concerned.”

Swing Bed Coordinator, Paula Proffitt, speaks about how Plains Memorial Hospital is a critical access hospital so they can use any room for inpatient care or skilled nursing and rehabilitation. With Swing Bed, the hospital can “swing” a patient’s level of care from acute to skilled nursing and rehabilitation. If acute care is needed again, the patient can be “swing” back, meaning there is no need for them to change facilities.

“After my hip replacement in Amarillo, they told me they wanted to discharge me and transfer me to a rehab facility,” said Dee Briscoe, a PMH Swing Bed Patient. “I said no thank you, I am going back to Dimmitt to Swing Bed. The nurse asked me, ‘what about your therapy’, and I told her we have the best therapy there is, you can’t beat it, so I am going to do all this at home.”

While you are in Swing Bed at PMH you have access to their 24-hour access to their skilled nursing services, including nursing, wound care and physical therapy.

A referral from a physician is required for anyone who is wanting to come recover at home through PMH Swing Bed. There is a minimum three midnight stay required, so speak with your physician about coming especially if it is an elective surgery, or if you don’t have anyone at home to care for you.

“It is a good option for patients who might otherwise be discharged to a nursing home when all they really need is skilled nursing care for just a few more days before returning home,” said Proffitt. “We call it an intermediate step from being an acute patient until being able to go home. It’s just another step to helping you get there.”

For any questions or more information on PMH Swing Bed Program you can contact Paula Proffitt at 806-647-8790 or visit 310 W Halsell St in Dimmitt, Texas.

The Plains Medical Foundation is in its 18^thyear, established in 2000, and continues to assist with the financial needs among the communities and patients served by Plains Memorial Hospital, newly opened Senior Living Facility, Country View Living, The Medical Center of Dimmitt, and the numerous departments within the Castro County Healthcare District.

“It is great to see how each year the Gala receives more participation,” said Mary Crow, PMH Gala Co-Chair. “It is also rewarding to see your work on an event is received well by the community, and does not only aid in funding part of the Foundation’s goals for the healthcare district, but all of them.”

Due to the record earning year of the Hats and Heels Gala the Plains Medical Foundation could assist in multiple financial needs of Castro County Healthcare District. This year the donations from the Gala aided in funding an EMS cardiac monitor for their patients and a Wonder Guard system for our Senior Living Facility, Country View Living.

“We are very thankful for our Foundation and their dedication to provide for the community and healthcare district,” said Linda Rasor, CEO. “It is wonderful to see the community come together and help us raise this money, so that we could purchase both the cardiac monitor and Wonder Guard system, as well as have extra funds to provide additional care and funding to Castro County Healthcare as needed.”

The Hats and Heels Gala is held every other year in April, with the next one being on April 17, 2021.This year consisted of a three-course dinner, live music featuring Little Texas, as well as a live and silent auction. The ribeye steaks for the dinner were provided by Cargill and Rafter 3 Feedyard, and Joe’s Catering out of Amarillo catered the lobsters to add with the steak, the appetizers, sides, and desserts.

A special thank you to everyone who helped, attended, and donated at the 2019 Hats and Heels Gala. It is because of you we can keep providing this event to the community.

Proceeds from theHats and Heels Gala, as well as gifts from family and friends, will continue to be used to fund the Foundation’s giving. Any department in the hospital, senior living facility, or clinic is eligible to receive donations from the Foundation. All gifts are tax deductible according to the limits of the law.

“A common cold and a bacterial infection are very different,” stated Linda Aguero, Clinic Director. “Your common cold or flu is a viral infection and antibiotics will not work.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises patients and their families to use antibiotics only when necessary to further reduce antibiotic resistance, the spread of superbugs, and protect patients from any antibiotic side effects.

It is important to know that using antibiotics when they are not needed cause bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, which can make them harder to cure and could require stronger treatment. So, protect yourself and your family with the best care and talk with your healthcare provider at the Medical Center of Dimmitt about the right medicines for your health.

The CDC also states to always turn to your provider to learn more. They also remind you that if you are prescribed an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, like strep throat, some pneumonia, and sinus infection, to take all the medication prescribed. Not finishing the medicine can cause resistance bacteria to develop, making it harder for your body to fight an infection in the future.

So “get smart” and know that antibiotics are not always the answer. For more information, talk to your healthcare provider at the Medical Center of Dimmitt, 806-647-2194, or visit www.cdc.gov/getsmart.