Community Update FAQs
South Lincoln Hospital District is One of Only Ten Hospitals in Wyoming to Earn Pediatric Readiness Status
Kemmerer (June 17, 2024) – South Lincoln Hospital District (SLHD) is one of only ten hospitals in Wyoming to earn pediatric readiness status. By obtaining the Wyoming Pediatric Emergency Recognition status, SLHD has shown its commitment to quality patient care and emergency preparedness for the pediatric population in its community. This recognition is the culmination of patient care policies, specialized pediatric training, and a focus on ensuring that the Emergency Room is as prepared as it can be to receive pediatric emergencies from the community. “This is something to be proud of and South Lincoln Hospital District is one of only 10 hospitals out of 29 in the State of Wyoming to receive this recognition for commitment to pediatric care.” Brad McKee, EMSC Specialist, Wyoming Office of Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Wyoming Pediatric Emergency Recognition is part of the National Pediatric Readiness Project (NPRP) led by the EMSC Program in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Emergency Physicians, and the Emergency Nurses Association. This program empowers Emergency Departments (ED) to improve their capabilities to provide high quality care to children. This is a national effort to improve the quality of pediatric care in general EDs where 80% of children will be seen. “Pediatric patients are often more difficult to treat than adults. They are often unable to provide a complete history or describe their conditions fully. Hospitals should have not only pediatric-specific equipment on hand but have pediatric-specific education and training,” Scott Logan, EMS Program Supervisor, Wyoming Office of EMS. Research has shown that high pediatric readiness contributes to lower mortality rates in ill and injured children.
This is one of multiple steps SLHD has taken to insure the hospital is prepared to receive pediatric patients from our community. SLHD’s Emergency Medicine PA, Jay Fearnley, introduced a valuable partnership between Primary Children's Hospital and SLHD. Primary Children's Hospital ED Physicians have assisted with South Lincoln Hospital District to provide outreach and simulation-based training to guide our team in pediatric readiness initiatives. The focus of this training is for providers, RNs, and ED support staff to provide high quality care to pediatric patients in our community. “The team at Primary Children’s has been instrumental in providing valuable training. In addition, they have helped with equipment review/recommendations for pediatric emergency care as well as treatment protocols for sick and injured children,” Jay Fearnley, PA. SLHD is doing all it can to be the hospital of choice in South Lincoln County for the whole family. SLHD honors the trust the community gives it to care for emergency patients of all ages with a commitment to pediatric readiness and continual training and education of all ED staff.
Helmsley Charitable Trust grants $291,933 to help South Lincoln Hospital District purchase state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment
Kemmerer, WY (March 21, 2024) – The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has granted $291,933 to South Lincoln Hospital District to purchase a Sequoia Crown Edition ultrasound machine with echo capabilities for the hospital along with two Juniper 2.0 portable ultrasounds to be used in the Emergency Room and clinic as part of a statewide ultrasound initiative across Wyoming. The initiative includes nearly $13.9 million to help Wyoming hospitals and health centers purchase ultrasound imaging devices and boost sonography and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training opportunities across the state.
“We are very grateful for the Helmsley Charitable Trust in helping us bring the latest ultrasound technology to South Lincoln Hospital District. This will enable us to provide advanced diagnostic imaging which will lead to better care for the patients of South Lincoln Hospital District,” Dave Ryerse, South Lincoln Hospital District CEO.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. This safe, cost-effective tool supports other clinical information to help providers make timely diagnoses and provide appropriate treatment. South Lincoln Hospital District Radiology Manager, Sandra Sellers, stated, “We appreciate all that the Helmsley Charitable Trust does for small rural hospitals. We have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of multiple grants from them over the years for various pieces of equipment in our department and are incredibly grateful for their generosity. We now have ultrasound machines for point of care in our clinic and emergency department, as well as state-of-the-art equipment for the exams done in the imaging department.”
Walter Panzirer, a Trustee for the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said the grants will help improve access to quality medical treatment for all Wyoming residents, whether they live in the heart of Cheyenne or Casper or in a smaller rural community.
“Our hospitals and health centers need to stay current with rapidly advancing technology so they can continue to provide top-notch healthcare close to home,” Panzirer said. “These grants help ensure that facilities across Wyoming have the latest and greatest ultrasound equipment and training.”
The grants were announced Thursday, March 21 during a statewide news conference.
About two-thirds (97) of the 143 devices purchased through the $12.3 million in equipment grants are POCUS machines, which are used by providers at the bed or tableside for immediate assessment of a patient to quickly determine a course of action. The grants will also provide 26 general ultrasound systems and 20 cardiovascular ultrasound systems, which aid in imaging of the heart.
The initiative also includes nearly $1.6 million for the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Initiative, which aims to enhance patient care across the state by both broadening the scope of training in specialty ultrasound and bolstering access to quality POCUS services.
(Additional information including photos and b-roll video can be downloaded from https://helmsleytrust.box.com/s/x8s7rulkm4w0e5g3pgzlj4ipuqzg3len and the news conference livestream recording can be found at https://helmsleytrust.tv/helmsley-rural-healthcare-program-wyoming-virtual-press-release/)
About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed about $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $650 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
Logo Creation Contest for South Lincoln Hospital Foundation Deadline
Extended to September 1, 2023
Kemmerer (August 7, 2023) - South Lincoln Hospital Foundation (SLHF) is seeking an original
logo design. The SLHF board of directors has decided to open the design creation to the community in a
Logo Design Contest. The deadline for design submissions has been extended to September 1, 2023 in
order to receive the most submissions. The SLHF board of directors asks that any community member
who has a passion for graphic design and a commitment to support healthcare close to home enter the
contest.
The South Lincoln Hospital Foundation strives to serve our community by inspiring generosity
toward South Lincoln Hospital District (SLHD) in order to pave the way toward superior healthcare in the
Kemmerer/ Diamondville community and surrounding areas. SLHF values community, compassion,
innovation, and superior healthcare close to home. The logo should symbolize the goals and values of
the South Lincoln Hospital Foundation, as well as be representative of the southwestern Wyoming area
and community that SLHF and SLHD serve.
Submission Details
• The contest is open is all individuals living in South Lincoln County or the surrounding areas
• Logo must be an original design created by the contestant
• Logo must be in in JPG format (contest finalists will be asked for scalable vector files)
• Email Submissions to choward@slhd.org with the subject SLHF LOGO by September 1, 2023
• Submissions must include the creator’s name and age, a brief description of the logo design, and
the logo in JPG format
Finalists will be decided by a judging panel and will be announced by the South Lincoln
Foundation Board of Directors shortly after the contest has commenced. The winner will then be chosen
by the foundation board and the chosen design will be used to represent South Lincoln Hospital
Foundation in various avenues such as online, in print materials, and in media. If you have any questions
about the Logo Design Contest or are interested in joining the SLHF board of directors please call Caitlyn
Howard, Marketing & Foundation Strategist at 307-800-8189. We thank all contestants for participating
in this project. We are confident that through the combined efforts of community members we will find
a logo that is truly representative of South Lincoln Hospital Foundation.
South Lincoln Hospital Foundation Receives First Grant
Kemmerer (Apr. 13, 2023) - South Lincoln Hospital Foundation (SLHF) has received its first grant
from the Kim and Jody Brown Family Foundation. SLHF, which has now officially received 501 (c) (3)
status, has begun the work of fundraising for its mission of supporting South Lincoln Hospital District.
South Lincoln Hospital District (SLHD) is the primary source of medical care in the Kemmerer/
Diamondville area, as well as some surrounding areas. Though a lot has changed in the last 110 years
since the Lincoln County Miner’s Hospital was established as the only medical facility in a 100-mile
radius, today the local hospital district is no less important to those who live and work in South Lincoln
County. SLHD includes South Lincoln Medical Center, a 16 licensed bed acute care inpatient unit, with 2
ICU beds, and 7 Swing Beds, 3 Emergency Room Bays, as well as 2 surgical suites, advanced radiologic,
and laboratory, and outpatient clinic facilities; South Lincoln Nursing Center, a 24-bed long term care
facility; and South Lincoln Emergency Medical Services.
The Kim and Jody Brown Family Foundation Grant, along with a ten percent match from South
Lincoln Hospital Foundation, will enable the foundation to purchase a Geri chair for South Lincoln
Nursing Center, one new AED for Uinta Drug, and two new glucometers for South Lincoln Medical
Center. “This grant allows for the first of many great additions to the hospital through the Hospital
Foundation. Our sights are set on our next project to continue to contribute to our hospital, an
important asset of our community,” said SLHF board president Shelby Thatcher. South Lincoln Hospital
Foundation knows the value SLHD adds to our community and is dedicated to seeing the hospital
succeed. SLHF is looking to add more board members to its board of directors. If you are interested in
supporting health care in southwestern Wyoming and the lifesaving work of South Lincoln Hospital
District, contact SLHD Marketing and Foundation Strategist Caitlyn Howard at 307-800-8189 about
board member opportunities.
South Lincoln Now Offers Avel eCare Emergency Services
New telemedicine services will support staff, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to care
Kemmerer (Dec. 14, 20222) - Open 24/7, the Emergency Room at South Lincoln Medical Center is
equipped to handle any patient that comes through the door. However, access to a second set of eyes and
ears can be beneficial in critical cases. This is why South Lincoln Hospital District entered into a
partnership with Avel eCare--a telemedicine provider that supports hospitals around the country--to
receive virtual Emergency services. The new emergency telemedicine program, funded by a $189,254
grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Rural Health Program, went live on
December 7.
At the push of a button, our local physicians and emergency room staff now have immediate, virtual
access to Avel’s team of board-licensed physicians and expert nurses who specialize in emergency
medicine. This will positively impact patient care in a variety of ways, including:
• Consistent Coverage: Access to board-certified emergency physicians 24 hours a day
• Access: Connects rural communities to highly trained specialists
• Timeliness: Activation of emergency transport teams as early as possible
• Second Set of Hands: Additional support during multiple emergencies
• Keep Care Local: Fewer transfers so patients can stay close to home
• Partner in Care: Collaborative approach allows local caregivers to focus exclusively on
patient care
“South Lincoln Hospital District is deeply committed to ensuring members of our local community
receive the best care and attention possible. We have a trusted medical team here in Kemmerer who offer
excellent care and our goal is to make sure these individuals have the right resources, support, and tools at
their disposal to continue their great work – a goal that is met by partnering with Avel eCare. We greatly
appreciate the assistance of the Helmsley Charitable Trust to make this possible,” said Dave Ryerse, CEO
of South Lincoln Hospital District.
Since it was first founded in 1993 to provide expanded specialty care access to rural areas, Avel eCare has
developed one of the most robust telemedicine networks in the United States. Its team of doctors, nurses,
clinicians, and other medical professionals are all deeply committed to their mission of delivering high
quality care to patients when and where it is needed, and currently serve more than 650 facilities across
32 states. In all, Avel has helped local care teams treat millions of patients.
“We look forward to partnering with staff at South Lincoln Hospital District to assist in delivering
unmatched telemedicine services 24/7/365. Avel eCare couples sophisticated technology with a spirit of
collaboration and partnership – all with the goal of improving access to quality health care,” said Doug
Duskin, CEO of Avel eCare.
To learn more about health care services at South Lincoln Hospital District, visit
www.southlincolnmedical.com. To learn more about Avel eCare, visit www.avelecare.com.
About the Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional
efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning
active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has committed more than $3.5 billion for a wide range of charitable
purposes. Helmsley’s Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information
technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to
patients in remote areas, provides state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel, and
expands access to behavioral health services. To date, this program has awarded more than $600 million
to organizations and initiatives in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming,
Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, and Nevada. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org
Public Notice
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
FIRST PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
South Lincoln Hospital District will hold a public hearing for the community's 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities, with proposed funding made available from Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) Neighborhood Development Program. The public hearing will be held:
Date and time: October 24, 2022, at 6 pm
Place: South Lincoln Medical Center, 711 Onyx Street, Kemmerer, WY 83101 - hospital board room
The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit public view, comments, and recommendations for potential sponsorship of a grant application for WCDA's CDBG-funded Neighborhood Development Program.
The Wyoming Community Development Authority will accept applications until October 31, 2022, at 5 pm. WCDA expects to have approximately $11,993,565.87 available for housing related activities within the State of Wyoming. The maximum CDBG funding available to any one project is $1,000,000.00 Eligible activities include acquisition, rehabilitation, publicly owned infrastructure, clearance of sites, improvements to public facilities, and planning only activities. At least 75% of activities must result in a direct benefit to low (50% of HUD's AMI) and moderate (80% of HUD's AMI) income persons.
Interested persons are invited to attend, participate in the process, comment on the program, and present potential applications seeking support. Comments may be submitted in writing prior to the meeting. Send comments to Heather Hronek at hhronek@slhd.org.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during these hearings should notify Heather Hronek at hhronek@slhd.org at least 3 days prior to the hearing to be attended.
The Program Description and Application for the CDBG-funded Neighborhood Development Activities may be obtained by contacting WCDA at 155 North Beech Street, Casper, WY 82601 or www.wyomingcda.com.
Publication date: September 14, 2022
Nursing Home Access Door (Updated 8/23/22)
Beginning 8/23/2022, the nursing center will have an access door with a screening station available for after hours and weekend visitors.
The access door will be the patio door of the nursing center leading into the dining room and can be accessed using the wheelchair ramp near the back of the hospital by the park. The door remains unlocked between the hours of 6 am and 10 pm.
All visitors will be required to complete the screening form, and temperature check as they enter the door, and then put on a mask.
As always we ask that if you are ill, you wait to visit until you are feeling better.
Listening Hour and Community Open House! (updated 7/11/2022)
As mentioned in our July newsletter, starting Tuesday July 19th, our Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Ryerse will host one-on-one
Community Listening Hour from 4-5pm, every Tuesday in his office. No appointment necessary.
In addition, SLHD will host a monthly
Community Open House starting Tuesday, August 9th, 2022, from 5:30-6:30pm in the hospital board room. This will be held on the
2nd Tuesday of every month.
At the Community Open House, David Ryerse, CEO, will update attendees on the status of the hospital, any event updates, and happenings as well as some pretty great dad jokes. You won't want to miss it! The last 15-20 minutes will be a question-and-answer session for the public.
Everyone is encouraged to come!
If you want to sign-up for our newsletter go to www.southlincolnmedical.com and scroll down on the main page.
More great changes to serve you better coming soon! Keep watching our Instagram, or Facebook page!
Health Fair (updated 7/11/2022)
South Lincoln Hospital District is excited to host a health fair with the help of Wyoming Health Fairs (WHF)! It will take place September 17th, 2022 8am-12pm at the Training and Events Center in Kemmerer. We are grateful WHF can help provide this service to our community. We have been working with them for several weeks on this project. If you are a vendor and wish to have a booth, please email hjorgensen@slhd.org so we can send you the registration form.
Blood Draws will take place in the EMS building August 24th, 25th, 26th from 6:00AM-11:00AM.
For appointments please call 1-800-979-3711 or To register for your blood draws click here
Surgical On-Call 24/7
Surgical On-Call 24/7 is going away, does that mean that the operating room is closing?
No, the operating room is not closing. We are still going to provide same-day surgical services,
Monday-Friday. Our General Surgeon, Dr. Franks and other physicians will continue to provide surgical
care at SLHD.
What other services are going to be affected?
No other services are being affected besides obstetrics (labor and delivery).
Does this mean the emergency room is closing or any other services besides obstetrics (labor and
delivery)?
No.
So tell me again why are you doing this?
When a patient is ready to deliver it is best practice and a standard of care to have a surgical team available to assist with an emergency caesarean section (C-section) in case the need arises. It is required to have this surgical team available all the time as the time of delivery for many patients is unforeseeable. In order to have a surgical team available all the time, there needs to be several surgical nurses to share being on-call. Like most healthcare organizations in the country, particularly in rural environments, South Lincoln Hospital District has been unable to recruit the number of surgical nurses required to maintain the availability of a surgical team all the time. Without a surgical team available all the time, it is unsafe to support an obstetric patient in a planned delivery at SLHD.
After June 1st, and I'm pregnant who can I go to and who should I call?
As with any healthcare condition, begin with your primary care provider and they will help you navigate
the appropriate care you need. You can reach a SLHD clinic provider at 307-877-4496.
What happens if I have a maternity emergency after June 1st?
As with any patient, based upon careful and appropriate medical decisions that put the safety and care
of the patient first, there may need to be a transfer of care to another appropriate accepting hospital to
receive further specialized care. Our responsibility is to stabilize and treat according the capabilities of
the organization.
Is this a permanent decision?
According to the strategic objectives identified by the Board of Trustees and executed by the Administration of SLHD, the organization will continue to review the need for additional service lines in the future.
Click on this link to get the announcement directly from SLHD's CEO, Dave Ryerse.
Community Update
