January
Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital came into 2023 having already secured the Women’s Choice Award for Total Comprehensive Care. RPM ranked in the top 4% of small hospitals in the nation. January was a busy month. Ame Bennett, Human Resource Director was named the Employee of the Month, the month before she took over handing out the award, perfect timing! Marsha Davis, RN, long-time night house supervisor retired leaving a huge hole in the night staff’s hearts and lots of spaces on the huddle board’s recognition list. Georgia-Pacific gave a generous donation of $10,000 to the RPMH Foundation for the Wellness Park. GP has been a partner with Dr. Liedtke and the RPMH Wellness Park since the beginning of the park remodel. The last, but not least notable event in January was the COLA recognition of the Rolling Plains Rural Health Clinic Laboratory accreditation for Quality Lab Services.
February
To start the month of love, Gracy Jackson, Environmental Services, was named the Employee of the Month. One of the most commented aspects of any inspection has been how clean the hospital is, and Gracy is a huge part of that. Speaking of inspections, for the 35th consecutive year, Brenda Hollis and the Dietary Department logged a 100% Health Inspection. Don’t forget to join Brenda and her staff for breakfast or lunch every day. Another department that has raked in the accolades is the Obstetrics Department. Sara Reynolds, RN, was hired as the new leader to lead that great department. February was the month that the Chronic Care Management Program started its community appearances, visiting the TSTC Resource Fair as well as starting its regular S.N.A.P. visits.
March
March was kicked off by naming Jose Rangel, Physical Therapist, as the Employee of the Month. Jose has been a great asset in Therapy Services as well as part of the RPMH Sports Medicine team that services Roscoe Collegiate School District during football games. Therapy Services neighbor Wesley Stafford, Cardiac Rehab Director, joined the Texas A&M Extension office and presented combatting the loss of balance for the S.N.A.P. building as part of the “Matter of Balance” series. Rolling Plains has been working on getting out into the community and sometimes that means the community comes into the building to teach the RPMH staff. Cory Stroman kicked off C.R.A.S.E training by presenting to the directors. Cory, along with a couple of other Sweetwater Police Officers would come and train the whole staff throughout the next 3 months. To end the month, Dr. Liedtke led the 3rd annual Picnic in the Park fundraiser in the RPMH Wellness Park. The Foxfire Trio played at the event that raised funds to continue the Wellness Park renovation.
April
When you come in for surgery, you are often met and admitted by Jasmine Turner, April was also met with Jasmine Turner winning the Employee of the Month. For the second year in a row, the Roby Science Health class led by Julie Taylor toured the hospital. After the first year, 2 of the students in that class ultimately came to work for RPMH when they graduated. The Rural Health Clinic has had a single administrator since it was bought in 2016 by RPMH, so when there was a vacancy in that role, Mr. Dippel was diligent about filling that role. Tandi Riley was selected as the Executive Director of the and was placed on the Exec Team. Tandi previously served as the director of Cardiopulmonary before taking some time to be with her family. Tandi’s caring nature and wide range of experience made it a perfect fit for the Rural Health Clinic.
May
During hospital week, the employee of the month was given to a very surprised Donis McCluskey, Director of Environmental Services. Donis has all the best stories, so giving him another one was an honor. With the Executive Director of the RHC position filled, the longest-tenured leader, Debbie Roberts, felt she could retire. No one deserved to be able to ride into the sunset more than Debbie. The Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital Foundation put on the second annual Wild Game Dinner at the Nolan County Coliseum Annex. The event raised $ 20k for the foundation whose goal is to fill in the gaps of healthcare in Nolan County. Tandi hit the ground running and went to TSTC and spotlighted the RHC to the nursing class. TSTC and RPMH have a great relationship and Tandi added another layer to that relationship. The Leapfrog Group came out with the 2023 Safety Grades and RPMH was presented with a stellar A grade for hospital safety. Safety is the hospital's #1 goal and getting this accomplishment shows that we are going in the right direction. Nolan County Hospital District Board Members, Wes Williams, Mila Gibson, and Ken Becker were sworn in for another 2 years of service. Mila and Ken have served double duty serving on both the NCHD Board as well as the RPMH Foundation board. The biggest news of the year came in May as Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital was named a Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association. RPMH was only 1 of 2 hospitals in Texas to be in the top 20.
June
Starting the summer months, the second Therapy Services PT, Mary McIntosh, wins the Employee of the Month. Mary is a fantastic PT and is expanding services within her department. The CCM programs continue to get out in the community, this time going to Snyder for the Comfort Keepers Health Fair. Erika Estrada joined Sally McCluskey in Snyder to talk about all things CCM, RHC, and RPMH. The Dietary and OB Departments have been working on getting Celebration Meals to the new families, and in June, that program was launched with great success. To end the month, RPMH hosted a Top 20 Celebration that was attended by many of the Sweetwater community.
July
Tierney Severe, RN, OB, was instrumental in the remodeling of the OB Courtyard and was recognized as the Employee of the Month for her efforts. The day after the fireworks, the dietary department made an amazing breakfast dessert charcuterie board for the July Chamber Coffee. During the event, tours of the new ICU Murals were given. Mitch Moore was commissioned by the RPMH Foundation to paint murals in all 6 ICU rooms. Building on all the community engagement, RPMH hosted the Chamber’s After Hours at Argos Brewhouse and Bookstore. Word came in in July that RPMH won another award, this time from the American Heart Association. After a lot of work, RPMH is in its first year with the stroke designation so winning the Rural Stroke Bronze Award was an incredible accomplishment. Loran Hendrix, RN, was named as the Emergency Department Director. Loran brings a lot of experience to the position and it’s an easy drop-off location for her non-profit, Coats4Kids. For every new hire, that means there is someone who has left our family. Leola Gentry retired after working at 200 E Arizona for over 40 years. This woman is missed every day!
August
Radiology found an absolute gem when they hired Jade Adkins, and the Employee of the Month committee agreed! With school starting and RPMH and SISD having a budding relationship, Hospital Administrator, Doug Dippel spoke at the SISD convocation. It makes sense that the ER has been getting such great reviews when you have employees like Kevan Keen, RN, who won the year’s first DAISY Foundation Award for extraordinary nurses. Nationally recognized nurse at a nationally recognized hospital. Match made in…Nolan County.
September
The September Employee of the Month is a lady of many talents. She’s a Ward Clerk, and CNA, and most people go to her for bilingual services. Anita Carrillo was nominated multiple times for this award, this washer time! The RHC Behavioral Health Team hosted a Lunch and Learn on Burnout in the RPMH ER Classroom. Can you believe that USG has been here for 100 years? Us either, we weren’t here! Sara Salas and Tasha Soto went to the 100-year celebration representing the RHC and their long-time relationship with USG. There probably isn’t a perfect day but a day that you introduce 2 quality leaders into the group is close. Michael Procopio took over in Cardiopulmonary and Lucretia Vierus is leading the nurses at the RHC.
October
Misty Guelker kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by winning the month's Employee of the Month. Misty came back to RPMH in HomeHealth, and I think it’s safe to say, it’s been a successful reunion. October was also a month full of community, starting with the National Night Out at the Nolan County Coliseum. Sally McCluskey and Sarah Watson from the CCM program represented the RHC and RPMH. The week after, RPMH and the RPRHC were in full force at the Nolan County Health Fair. There were 8 different departments represented and multiple free services were performed for our community. Of course, you can’t have an October without a Breast Cancer Survivor Luncheon. Jade Adkins and K’Leigh Jackson did a masterful job getting that set up, and Dietary knocked the lunch out of the park and Dr. Tracy Sambo gave a great keynote speech. Another October staple is the “Friday Night Fight.” Jill Locklar and Carla Lambert always do an unbelievable job with this fundraiser, and it was no different this year. Jade and K’Leigh had the pleasure of going to the Pink Out pep rally to receive a check from Jill and Carla. 4 great ladies who made it possible for so many others to get their potentially life-saving mammograms.
November
The month of thanks kicks off with a bang with Mary Segura winning the Employee of the Month. Affectionately known as Mean Mary, there is no better fitness trainer in town…or the world. The radiology department and the RPMH Foundation put on a Mammography Benefit at the Blue Agave raising money for enhanced technology in the mammography field. November is also Diabetic Awareness Month and the Lions Club, RPMH, and the Texas A&M Extension office joined forces to have a Diabetic Health Fair. Sally and Sarah followed that up by hosting a Diabetic Lunch and Learn at the RPMH ER Classroom. The RHC Behavioral Health Team took a trip north to the Fisher County Hospital to give a presentation on burnout and introduce their team to the providers in Rotan. The RPMH Labor and Delivery Department was named a CMS Birthing Friendly Facility based on quality and patient satisfaction. The Emergency Department would not be outdone by having the second DAISY Foundation Award winner of the year, Melissa Barnes. As the new year is upon us, the 2024 Chief of Staff was announced, Dr. Tracy Sambo. Dr. Sambo, General Surgery, does much more than surgery, including women’s health and Botox.
December
It only makes sense that the Employee of the Month for December is also heading up the Angel Tree donations for RPMH. Jaci Callan brings home the 3rd award of the year for an Emergency Department RN. Jaci made it a 4th award by also bringing home the Employee of the Year award. The department was well represented by its employees, so it was no surprise that the Women’s Choice Award recognized RPMH for its ER Care. Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital ranked in the top 1% of hospitals in Emergency Care within the recording period for 2024. It wasn’t just the ER that was highlighted in December. Katie Roberts, LPC, was spotlighted on KTXS speaking on postpartum depression. As the year comes to an end, the Behavioral Health Team and the RPMH Foundation were presented with a check for $20K from the Nolan County Renewal Project.
Next year will be the best year yet!
Happy New Year.
