Summer 2019 seemed like a good time to open a clinic. That was before a global pandemic upended every aspect of daily life. “It was like, oh, my gosh, we’re not ramped up yet,” says Jody Ruybal, practice manager of Intermountain Health Superior Clinic in Superior, Colorado, which opened at perhaps the least ideal time in history for a clinic to open. But Jody is a pro, and she had some ideas. Jody has been with the organization for 25 years and in the manager business even longer. Before she managed medical clinics, she managed a McDonald’s for 10 years. And when she decided, along with her mom, to pursue a medical assistant degree, it didn’t take her long to go from MA back to management again. She came to legacy SCL Health, which was then called Exempla, as a practice manager and stayed in that role at Green Mountain for 20 years. When she got the chance to help open Superior and be part of building something new, she jumped at the opportunity for growth and change. Learn more about how Jody and her team put patients first, even when navigating the challenges that came with a global pandemic and a natural disaster.
Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital in Miles City, Montana is now using a state-of-the-art surgical robot to assist with certain procedures and improve recovery times for patients. The Da Vinci XI robotic-assisted surgical system helps doctors with certain procedures by using only small incisions while still being able to make precise movements in the body. “From a patient perspective it results in less pain from surgery and allows for more precise work,” said Imudia Ehanire, MD, surgeon at Intermountain Health Holy Rosary Hospital. “From the surgeon perspective it improves ergonomics of performing surgery, improves visualization and allows us do more precise work. Robotic surgery has been around for over a decade, and for these and many other reasons it is becoming more commonplace in hospitals across America.”
At Intermountain Health, we’re taking a proactive approach to health care — partnering with individuals to keep them healthy. Sometimes it’s breaking down language barriers to turn a misunderstanding into a new lease on life; sometimes it’s renewing hope with the delivery of a nutritional supplement. But it’s always about listening and connecting. When patients need care, care managers are an important part of the team.
The new Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital will open on Saturday, August 3. Construction on the six-story replacement hospital started in 2021 and will provide a state-of-the-art care site in the West Denver suburbs. All patients will be moved in one day from the existing Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, to the new campus, three and a half miles away along I-70. Caregivers have contributed at each step of this process — providing input on the design, testing their workflows, and participating in mock moves. More than 175 volunteers will help create a smooth transition on opening day. "We offer excellent patient care services and quality of care found at Lutheran today and are excited to move into this new, beautiful space, which reflects our commitment to the well-being of our patients," said Andrea Burch, Lutheran president. Learn more about how the innovative design of this new hospital will benefit patients, caregivers, and the community in the article below.
Last week, Natalie Ashby, president of St. George Regional Hospital in St. George, Utah, and president of the Southwest Utah Market of Intermountain Health's Desert Region, addressed the future healthcare professionals at the Rocky Vista University White Coat Ceremony. Her speech highlighted the power of teamwork in medicine and the importance of each role in patient care. "You are not alone. In medicine, you are never alone. You are part of a team—a team where each member plays an integral role in the care of patients," said Natalie. Thank you Rocky Vista University for letting us be a part of your day. Congratulations to those who received their white coats! 🎓
When the new Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colorado opens next month, it will feature a sculpture created by Kevin Robb, whose life was saved by Lutheran 20 years earlier. Kevin is hopeful his sculpture will help spark joy for others at the hospital.
Two years ago, Stephanie Loy’s life looked radically different. Today, she’s a medical assistant at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver thanks to a workforce development program and collaboration between a Denver nonprofit, CrossPurpose, and Intermountain Health. “I always wanted to be in healthcare, but after I graduated high school, I was told I couldn’t go to college because I didn’t have the money,” Stephanie says. She worked two security jobs in downtown Denver; it wasn’t enough to pay her bills, nor did it give her purpose. “I wanted something better,” she says. Learn more about how this collaboration is allowing people without a college degree to work in healthcare by offering development opportunities.
Congratulations to Heidi Wald, MD, chief quality and safety officer at Intermountain Health, for being recognized as one of Becker's Healthcare's 90 patient safety experts to know for 2024! 🎊 Dr. Wald leads the clinical excellence function at Intermountain, overseeing quality, safety and experience across three regions and seven states, including 33 hospitals and over 400 ambulatory sites. She heads an integrated team of over 400 professionals following the merger of Intermountain and SCL Health in 2022. Dr. Wald has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed articles on patient safety and quality for older adults in hospitals and nursing homes. She has played a crucial role in enhancing employee engagement by respecting the cultures and approaches of the quality teams throughout the merger process. Under her leadership, we've expanded our clinical programs in 2023 to standardize clinical best practices systemwide.
As we celebrate National Therapeutic Recreation Week, let's take a moment to recognize the incredible impact of therapeutic recreation services on individuals' health and well-being. These services provide essential support, helping people to recover and regain their independence through recreational activities. A big shout-out to all the dedicated professionals who make this possible! 🌟🏥🎗️ #NationalTherapeuticRecreationWeek
Congratulations to Natalie Darro, DO, comprehensive care at Primary Children's Hospital (in partnership with the University of Utah Health), for being awarded Medical Partner of the Year for 2024 by The United Angels Foundation! Dr. Darro was recognized with this award for “valuable contributions and making a positive difference in the lives of others in the special needs community.” The United Angels Foundation is a non-profit, parent-to-parent support group for parents and families of children with special needs.
