- How did you become a part of the board?
I was asked to serve on the Board by Dennis Wollman, who was Board Chair at the time and Dan Gran, then CEO.
- What do you enjoy about being on the board?
It is important for rural healthcare to be vibrant and high quality in South Dakota in general and specifically, the Freeman region. This Board has been forward-thinking and innovative through some difficult times and decisions and remains committed to serving the broader Freeman community. We are an always evolving, diverse group, and those differences make us able to navigate the fast-moving climate of health care. As a part of the greater Freeman business and health care community, I enjoy the opportunity to make local health care options better for residents of this region.
- What is something that impresses you or you appreciate about FRHS?
The fact that we have a spectacular collection of caregivers, including CNAs, nurses, therapists, and a highly-respected group of talented physicians is likely unprecedented in small communities in South Dakota. With the merger of FRHS with the Salem Mennonite Home organization, we have created an entity that can provide a continuum of care from independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care, through hospice care.
- What do you look forward to for the future of FRHS?
The future is bright for FRHS. The current leadership at FRHS continues to provide high level planning for future health care for the region. The current leaders and providers at FRHS understand that making our facility a hub and desired destination for young families through retirees, knowing that they have the care needed at any stage in life, is the key to making Freeman a vibrant destination for growth.