The Value of Rural Healthcare

It’s interesting how easy it is to assume that no one else faces the same challenges we do. Even though I know better, I recently fell into that trap.

This past year, I attended a Rural Healthcare Administration training sponsored by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). I participated in this bi-monthly class for about a year alongside other CEOs and COOs from across the United States—including Alaska. Like me, they all work at critical access hospitals in rural areas.

During one of our classes, an executive expressed frustration that, no matter how much their organization had grown or improved, their community still referred to their hospital as a “band-aid station.” The very community they strive to provide exceptional healthcare for.

I’m not going to lie—I was shocked to hear that term used by another community. As other executives chimed in with the same frustration, it hit me: this is a common phrase used in many small towns to describe their local hospitals.

After that class, I sat with the phrase for a while. I thought about what it really meant. And here’s the conclusion I came to:

I am happy—no, I am proud—to work at a “band-aid station.” And I’ll tell you why.

At HCCH’s Emergency Department, our job is to make sure you or your loved one is stable enough to safely transfer to the nearest trauma-certified hospital. That’s our role. And we take it very seriously.

If you come in with signs of a stroke, we’ll act fast, using best practices to give you the best shot at a full recovery. If you arrive with chest pain, we’ll stabilize you and coordinate a timely transfer. If you have life-threatening injuries, we’ll work quickly to prepare you for transport to a trauma center.

Want to know something? We are exceptional at it.

Recently, someone I love very much received excellent care at our Emergency Department. They were treated with kindness, empathy, professionalism, and an incredible level of knowledge. When we left, I sent up a prayer of thanks that they were there when my family needed them most. Just like they will be there for you, too.

That said—we’ve heard you. We’ve heard your feedback. Some of you have shared that your experience could have been better. And we took that seriously.

So, we made a big move. A huge one, actually.

Starting May 1, we’ll be welcoming Missouri Physician Partners, a new ED physician group staffed with providers who are either boarded in emergency medicine or are emergency medicine trained. 

Why make such a major change just a year before moving into our brand-new hospital?

Because our CEO, Tina Gillespie, our Board of Directors, and every single employee at HCCH wants you to know that you matter.

You are the reason we come to work every day. You’re the reason we go home feeling energized—because we helped you meet your health goals. Or we go home feeling deep empathy—because we saw you receive difficult news or witnessed your worry over a loved one.

We care. Every single one of us cares—about you.

So please, come to our “band-aid station.”
We are here for you.