West River Health Services
MISSION
The mission of West River Health Services is to provide comprehensive health and wellness services to the residents and visitors of the region.
VISION
To be a unified organization; To provide a full spectrum of services in the continuum of care; To follow its Mission of service and Values of Excellence, Innovation, Compassion and Respect; To face with courage the constant challenges of providing rural healthcare; To accept and assert itself in the role as a regional and national leader.
CORE VALUES
Excellence in practice,
Innovation in service,
Compassion for the people we serve, and
Respect for one another.
OUR MOTTO
Quality FirstTM
Top Stories
Dr. Matthew Hefty (Pictured) was born and raised in Bismarck, and has recently been hired as West River Health Services’ newest general surgeon. (Photo by Cole Benz/The Record)
By COLE BENZ | Record Editor
cbenz@countrymedia.net
Exposed to the medical field as a young child, Matthew Hefty discovered a love for medicine and science and turned that passion into a profession.
“I developed an interest in medicine very early on,” Hefty said.
Recently hired on as West River Health Services new general surgeon, Hefty grew up with a father who has spent more than 40 years working with babies in the NICU in Bismarck. And as a child Hefty dealt with a chronic illness that forced him and his family to travel for treatment. He said that experience enhanced his respect for medicine.
“From those experiences I developed more of an interest and respect for science at that point,” he said.
Hefty was born and raised in Bismarck. He went on to graduate from Concordia College in Minnesota with degrees in Biology and Chemistry before attending medical school at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine. He spent his residency in general surgery at Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners.
Though his medical education started in college, he had already gained a great deal of medical experience.
At the young age of 13, Hefty started working at a local healthcare facility transporting patients to radiology. Then, when he became 17, he became a surgical nurses assistant for a hospital in Bismarck, a position he would keep until his first year of medical school. From this job, and the guidance of some mentors, he developed an interest in surgical studies of medicine.
But his experience also helped him to get to know the process of healthcare.
“It helped me develop an understanding for healthcare as a team approach,” he said.
It also helped him gain a better bedside manner when it came to patient care, Hefty added.
When talking to the Record, Hefty said he would encourage anyone who is interested in the medical field to get into a healthcare facility and start learning, even if it is on a volunteer basis.
“Get into the hospital, volunteering or participating in some kind of co-op that allows patient interaction,” he said.
His time in the hospital gave him a slight edge when it came to medical school and his practical studies.
“I had a better understanding for it when compared to some of my other colleagues because I had been exposed to it early on in the hospital,” Hefty said. “So I think that was a tremendous benefit.”
Having been born and raised in North Dakota, Hefty said he appreciates the area and the patients he can serve here.
“I’ve always had a strong devotion to my state, I really enjoy taking care of the patients from North Dakota,” Hefty said.
He also believes that surgery in the rural areas is lacking, and he believes that is due to surgeons completing fellowships in other specialties that force them to move to larger, metro areas.
But having a strong understanding and tremendous training in laparoscopic surgery, he hopes to use his skills to treat patients here, at home, instead of forcing travel upon them and their families.
“What I hope to bring here, is a breathe of skills that I’ve acquired, and that includes a broad spectrum of general surgery,” Hefty said. “Just kind of a broad spectrum of skills that may be available to patients so they don’t have to travel to larger, tertiary care centers.”
Jeffrey Bruning, M.D. Family Physician
By JAN ORVIK
UND Today
When people need medical care, a family physician is often just the right prescription.
“Family medicine is usually the first point of contact in the health care system,” said Joshua Ranum, a physician at West River Health Services in Hettinger. “And it’s the most cost-effective way to deliver health care.”
Family physicians, said Ranum, “can do almost everything for just about any patient.” And once a physician gets to know a patient, he added, they provide a continuity of care that can reduce emergency room visits and seeing multiple doctors.
The UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, which has been working successfully for years to boost the number of family medicine practitioners in North Dakota, was recently named third in the nation for educating family physicians. Since 1981, the School has averaged 22.5 percent of its graduates who enter a family medicine residency. The national average is just 10.9 percent.
“Family medicine fits North Dakota very well, said Ranum, a Scranton native and graduate of the school. “It’s an effective health care delivery system.”
The state of North Dakota and the school have long seen the value of “growing their own” physicians. As one of the most rural states in the nation, and with an aging population, a projected shortage of physicians by 2025 was expected to hit North Dakota especially hard. That’s why, in 2011, the school and its Advisory Council proposed the Healthcare Workforce Initiative that was later funded by the State Legislature. Its goals are to focus on making North Dakotans healthier, retain more graduates who practice in the state, expand class sizes to produce more graduates, and improve efficiency.
The North Dakota State Legislature provided funding to increase each class size by 16 medical students over the past two biennia, and in 2013 approved funding a new building to house the larger classes and bring together all departments within the School. Today, 293 students are studying medicine, compared to 252 in 2011.
“The School of Medicine and Health Sciences works hard to produce the family medicine practitioners needed by the people of North Dakota,” said Joshua Wynne, vice president for health affairs and dean of the School.
The school added more in-state residency slots to train physicians. Before, some medical students had to leave the state to complete their training. Often, they didn’t return to North Dakota.
“Two things are important for any journey,” said Sen. Robert Erbele of Lehr. “First you need to know where you want to go and then you need to plan the route. That was the purpose of the Healthcare Workforce Initiative. The first part of the mission was to determine the healthcare needs of North Dakota and then develop a plan to meet those needs.
“I am proud of the way the leadership of the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences, along with the Advisory Council, responded to the findings of the HWI and were able to move forward with promoting family practice medicine and expanding rural residency opportunities,” said Erbele.
One of those new residency programs is in Hettinger, and this is the second year that West River Health Center has welcomed residents.
“I was interested in coming to Hettinger, especially since it was a new program,” said Jeffrey Bruning, a medical resident who is spending two years of his residency at West River Health Services.
Bruning grew up in Geneva, Neb., a small town of 2,200 that’s similar in size to Hettinger. He’s gone to school in the Caribbean, London, and New York City, and has found he prefers the Midwest.
“I’m from the Midwest,” Bruning said. “The people here are gracious, and you can get to know them. And the faculty are great. The physicians guide us, and we can experience all sorts of medicine in a single setting.”
“I like managing all aspects of care and getting to know patients,” said Bruning. “I get to see a patient who comes into the Emergency Room. If that patient needs surgery, I can scrub with the surgeon. Then I can follow that patient in the hospital and as an outpatient.”
“The residents are jumping in with both feet,” said Ranum. “The community has embraced them. It’s different than having medical students. They identify them as their doctors, and they’re starting to build patient rolls.”
“Students who train in a rural environment are more likely to stay in the state,” said Ranum. “This will increase the physician supply for the region.”
“The physicians give a lot of time to the residents, and help us be better physicians,” said Bruning. “If I have a question, four physicians answer. They take the time to explain, and they’re interested in making us better physicians.”
“I like to see patients and get to know them, diagnose, and understand how best to treat them,” Bruning said. “I like it here.”
Of course you do! For a $5,000 or more gift (lump sum or aggregate in one year) to our West River Health Services Foundation’s qualified Endowment Fund, you can receive a 40% tax credit from the state of North Dakota. Individually, you can give up to a maximum of $25,000 (which would provide you with a $10,000 tax credit); if filing jointly, the maximum gift is $50,000 (providing you and yours a $20,000 tax credit). This legislation was passed in 2011 by the North Dakota state legislature. And who knows how long this tax credit incentive will be here
This past month, a long-time friend of the WRHS Foundation gave a $5,000 gift to our Endowment Fund. She will receive a 40% North Dakota tax credit or $2,000 back. Plus, if she itemizes her federal taxes, she could receive another 30% or $1,500 back (if that is her federal tax bracket). We looked at all of the alternatives, with the aid of a local financial planner, and decided this was the best tool for her to use. So, for her $5,000 gift to help improve local healthcare, she could receive up to $3,500 in tax credits! So in retrospect, her $5,000 gift really only cost her $1,500
In fact, for this awesome 40% ND state tax credit, you do not need to itemize. Any unused credit can be carried forward for another three years. There are also potential 40% ND state tax credits for IRA distributions, planned or deferred gifts such as trusts, annuities, life insurance policies, etc
Businesses can also participate in this amazing tax credit program. C corporations, S corporations, estates, limited liability companies, trusts and financial institutions that pay state income tax may receive a 40% credit up to a maximum credit of $10,000 to a qualified ND endowment fund. This means they could potentially give $25,000 to receive their maximum $10,000 tax credit
Over the last two and half years, the WRHS Foundation has accumulated over $82,000 in its Endowment Fund, mainly through gifts of $5,000-$10,000 from local area believers. The principal has been conservatively invested, leaving the interest for the Foundation to spend for needed equipment and facilities. We’d like to see this Endowment Fund surpass $200,000 before 2020. Then we’d have some considerable interest to spend wisely and yearly
If you have any questions regarding this terrific North Dakota tax credit, please contact Ted Uecker at the WRHS Foundation at 701-567-3666. The Foundation is here to provide fundraising and development services for West River Health Services and Western Horizons Living Centers as they provide comprehensive health and wellness services to the residents and visitors of our region. In a nutshell, we do our very best to raise funds to improve your top-notch healthcare “close to home.” This particular Endowment Fund investment is a win-win situation for you (via tax credits) and for our local community’s healthcare (via the interest from the principal, for needed equipment and facilities). Onward!
Tax Credits For Charitable Gifts In North Dakota
Gift Amount $5,000 $25,000 $50,000
ND Tax Credit $2,000 $10,000 $20,000
(40%)
Federal Tax Credit $1,500 $ 7,500 $15,000
(30%)
Net Cost of Gift $1,500 $ 7,500 $15,000
This information is provided for educational purposes only. Please consult your attorney, accountant or financial advisor for advice on your situation.
By Ted Uecker, WRHS Foundation
By COLE BENZ | Record Editor
cbenz@countrymedia.net
A new flag is waving in the wind at Western Horizons Assisted Living thanks to a generous donation by the family of a former resident.
The Norma Swenson family—Orval and Renee Swenson, Orven and Deborah Swenson, Karen and Gary Gabrielsson, Twila and Mark Zidon, and Carol Melby—provided funds in her name to erect a new 25-foot flag pole in a landscaped section of the parking lot. Orval and Renee were on hand for the ceremony, with Orval getting the inaugural flag raising duty.
Norma Swenson lived in the center for many years, and the family knew she had an affinity for flags, so it was a great way for them to honor their late mother, and Orval was happy to be a part of the dedication.
“It was very touching, my mom always liked flags, and I think she would have been very pleased to see it flying above Western Horizons [Assisted Living], a place that she called home for many years,” Orval said. “So it was a nice tribute to be able to raise that flag.
”As he raised the flag, the fourth grade class in Hettinger sang a rendition of the national anthem.
The Hettinger Post #115 color guard was also at the ceremony to present the flags.
Following the flag raising, the Veteran’s Day program started inside.
Ted Uecker, who emceed the event, said he was pleasantly surprised at the turnout. It wasn’t advertised much, which shows the power of word-of-mouth. Among the attendees (outside of the vets and their families and facility employees) included retired West River Health Services CEO Jim Long and the new Hettinger United Methodist pastor R. Duane Coates.
Uecker welcomed everyone and thanked them for their presence, then he handed it off to Mayor Richard Wyman, who gave the opening prayer. His wife, Holly, sang a few songs for the crowd throughout the event.
Hettinger resident, and veteran, Richard Raasch was asked to be the event’s guest speaker. He used a jar of gum balls to illustrated just how little of the U.S. population serves and protects this country. He had three hundred pieces of candy, representing the 300 million residents of the United States. He pulled out just three gum balls holding them up high, and said this is the ratio of citizens to soldiers—300 million to 3 million.
Following his speech, and another song from Holly Wyman, Uecker set some time aside in the program to recognize local vets from both the assisted living center and care center.
The following veterans were recognized: Gene Anderson, Kenny Doerr, Wayne Eklund, Alan Kromarek, Vernie Milliren, Durwood Ohm, Clarence Schaible, Albert Weaver, Quentin Oase, Owen Oleson, and Jack Rafferty.
Each vet received a t-shirt and a United States calendar.
Following the veteran recognition, sheet music was handed out to the crowd and everyone participated in a time of song.
November 11, 2016
Western Horizons Assisted Living Center
Hettinger, ND, USA
Outside Parking Lot – 11:00 am
Flagpole Commemoration ………………….. Hettinger American Legion Color Guard
Flag Raising ………………………………………………………………................ Swenson Family
National Anthem ………………………………………… Hettinger School 4th Grade Singers
Inside Western Horizons Assisted Living Center – 11:15 am
Welcome …………………………………………………………………………………… Ted Uecker
Opening Prayer …………………………………………………………………………. Richard Wyman
Special Music …………………………………………………………………………….. Holly Wyman
Flagpole Recognition …………………………………………………………………. Ted Uecker
Guest Speaker …………………………………………………………………………… Randy Raasch
Special Music …………………………………………………………………………….. Holly Wyman
Veterans Recognition ………………………………………………………………… Ted Uecker
Music Sing-Alongs ……………………………………………………………………… Everyone
Complimentary cookies and coffee provided by Western Horizons Assisted Living & Visiting Nurses Staff. Piano accompaniment by Jill Sailer. Thank you ladies.
Special Guest Veterans recognized today include:
Gene Anderson Vernie Milliren Quentin Oase
Kenny Doerr Durwood Ohm Owen Oleson
Wayne Eklund Clarence Schaible Jack Rafferty
Alan Kromarek Albert Weaver
Special THANK YOU’s to Norma Swenson’s children (Orval & Renee Swenson, Orven & Deborah Swenson, Karen & Gary Gabrielson, Twila & Mark Zidon, and Carol Melby) for providing the funds to erect our new 25-foot American flagpole at our Western Horizons Assisted Living Center. Thank you to Mike Carpenter and Scott Jorgensen for making their dream a reality. Thank you to Kent & Kathleen Brackel at KB Jewelers for engraving the plaque in Norma’s memory. Thank you Hettinger American Legion Johnson-Melary Post #115 Color Guard, Richard Wyman, Randy Raasch, Holly Wyman, Jill Sailer, Diane Henderson and Hettinger School 4th Grade Singers. Onward! Living the dream in the USA!
