Page 2 - Better-You-Fall-2022

President’s perspective CHI St. Joseph’s Health
Board of Directors
We are pleased to This fall we welcomed Susan Ross, DNP, back Ben Koppelman
bring you the fall to St. Joseph’s as a new Hospitalist. Susan CHI St. Joseph’s Health
issue of BetterYou, worked as a nurse for St. Joseph’s in a variety of President
formerly known as different nursing roles before going on to pur-
the HealthLine! sue her Doctorate in Nursing Practice. We are Julie Goebel
Inside you’ll discover happy to have her return in her new role. Midwest Division
more about CHI St. Chief Operating Officer
Joseph’s Health and We are proud to share that our Hospice Care
news about our team has been awarded a Superior Performance
programs and award by Strategic Healthcare Programs for Todd Officer, MD
services. being ranked in the top 20% in the nation. CHI St. Joseph’s Health
Ben Koppelman CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice Care was the Chief of Staff
only program in Minnesota to receive this
In this issue, CHI St. Joseph’s Health is excited award. We are proud of the excellent care they Jason McCollum
to announce the launch of robotic-assisted provide and congratulate them on this great Park Rapids
surgery for patients undergoing a variety of achievement.
general and bariatric surgical procedures. This Sr. Bernice Ebner
breakthrough technology is an effective, Lastly, it is hard to believe the holidays are right Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls
minimally invasive alternative to both open around the corner. This year, the brightly
surgery and laparoscopy and is performed decorated Christmas tree on Main Street will Brad Dahn
through small incisions. There are many bring a special glow as we highlight the Nunn & Park Rapids
benefits of robotic-assisted surgery including Pillsbury families. As we honor their connection
shorter hospital stays, less pain after surgery, with our Hospice Care team, we are thankful Esther Simon
lower risk of infection, less blood loss and for this special time and to honor our loved Park Rapids
faster recovery. ones at the Heartland Lakes Community Tree
Lighting as we let the Light of Hope shine. Cliff Tweedale
It’s been two and a half years since the start Park Rapids
of the pandemic and we are finally seeing some Our health is the most important thing we
positive signs that we are moving in the right have. Thank you for trusting us with your care. Al Judson
direction. Since the release of the COVID-19 I encourage you to contact me with questions,
vaccine, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community concerns, and suggestions regarding Park Rapids
Health has given over 6,000 vaccine doses and CHI St. Joseph’s Health. You may call me
continues to offer walk-in COVID-19 vaccine directly at 218-616-3500 or email me at Kurt Hansen
clinics to the public. We are proud of the work Ben.Koppelman@commonspirit.org. Park Rapids
that has been done by our entire staff to
navigate through challenging times to keep the
community safe. Ben Koppelman
In this issue of BetterYou, we highlight the
benefits of our Weight Management Center as a
resource for your health. A record number of
Americans struggle to achieve and maintain a President
healthy weight. Our dedicated team is here to CHI St. Joseph’s Health
help overcome challenges by designing
personalized solutions for a healthier you.
2 CHI St. Joseph’s Health | www.chisjh.org
COVID-19 evolution in our
community
COVID-19 has had a lasting and ongoing impact on health care community. Our vaccination process has evolved from initially clinics
delivery. Since March 2020, CHI St. Joseph’s Health and CHI St. that filled up very fast, and were in high demand with limited supplies
Joseph’s Health Community Health has had an in-depth response to of vaccines, to now being able to have ample supply of vaccines and
the COVID-19 pandemic. provide weekly accessibility to everyone in the community.
The response has been an evolving process. “Early on, when very little Bivalent boosters are now available and provide protection against the
was known about the virus, our roles included providing community most recent Omicron variant of COVID-19. Both Pfizer and
education on prevention and mitigation through the changing Moderna have bivalent booster products and are available to anyone
situation. Once COVID-19 cases emerged in the community, we who had any previous vaccine product. Requirements of the bivalent
provided case investigation, contact tracing, essential services, and boosters include having at least completed the primary vaccine series
medical care at the hospital. In December 2020 and January 2021 our and it has been at least two months since getting their most recent
first vaccines became available, and under the guidance of the CDC booster. Community Health offers walk-in COVID-19 vaccines on
and the Minnesota Department of Health, CHI St. Joseph’s Health Tuesdays from 9 -11 a.m. In addition to the walk-in clinics, these
Community Health started the process of rolling out vaccines to vaccines are also available from local pharmacies and health care
priority groups,” said Marlee Morrison, Community Health Director. providers. “While the pandemic effects have decreased, this booster is
Vaccines were first given to health care workers and the population an important part of prevention as we move into the winter months,
over 65 years of age. As more vaccines became available, doses were which have historically seen an increase in COVID-19 cases,”
offered to the population as a whole. The hospital and Community says Morrison. Anyone wanting a COVID-19 vaccination is encour-
Health have strived to be a source of accurate information and to aged to contact CHI St. Joseph’s Health Community Health at
combat misinformation. Since the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, 218.237.5464.
Community Health has given over 6,000 vaccine doses to the
Doc spotlight: Nathan Harris, MD
degree at North Dakota State University (Go Bison!) and
then went to the University of Minnesota for medical
school. My residency was at Hennepin County Medical
Center in Minneapolis.
I came back to this area and chose rural over metro
because this is home. This area is packed with friends and
family and wonderful people! What a great place to enjoy
the outdoors and raise a family. When I’m not working, my
six kids get lots of time and attention. I love anything
If you or a loved one is hospitalized at CHI St. Joseph’s outdoors, especially deer hunting, and my dad and grandpa
Health, you’ll probably meet me. I am a Hospitalist, which have shared their love of woodworking with me.
is a doctor who specializes in taking care of patients while
they are in the hospital. Small-town life is what I enjoy most. I love the peace and
quiet. I love how safe it feels. I appreciate that I have
I started here as a part-time Hospitalist in 2011 and have friends and family who will drop what they are doing and
been full-time since 2014. The best part about being a come help me anytime I need.
doctor is the people. I enjoy every patient interaction and
my coworkers at CHI St. Joseph’s Health are the best! CHI St. Joseph’s Health stands out because working here
feels like working with family and that’s how we try to make
I also enjoy living in Park Rapids. The area became home our patients feel... like they are one of the family and
after growing up in Nevis. I earned my undergraduate genuinely cared about with every interaction we share.
www.chisjh.org | CHI St. Joseph’s Health 3