West River Health Services

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Kornele Named Emerging Rural Leader Alyson Kornele, CEO at West River Health Services, received the Emerging Rural Leader award at the 2024 Rural and Public Health Awards Banquet, which recognized outstanding North Dakota rural health and public health advocates for their accomplishments. The award is presented to a new professional who has demonstrated tremendous promise for and commitment to improving the health of rural North Dakota residents. The awards banquet took place June 5 in Grand Forks. Kornele has been at West River Health Services since October 2022. Originally, from rural Oklahoma, she earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Oklahoma and her master’s degree in healthcare administration from Oklahoma State University. Despite being new to North Dakota, Kornele has shown great strength and passion to helping those around her. “I am continually impressed by Aly’s leadership abilities, dedication, and commitment to excellence,” said Carmin Erickson, chief nursing officer at West River Health Services. “Aly is deeply passionate about meeting the needs of her staff and the community, striving to deliver excellence in healthcare.” In addition to her duties as CEO, Kornele is also a member of the City Chamber, Hettinger Housing Authority, and FFA. At the state level, she holds membership with the North Dakota Hospital Association and the North Dakota Healthcare Task Force.

Registration: 6:30 a.m. - 7:15 a.m. at Mirror Lake Park in Hettinger on July 4. Entry Fees: $20 to June 16; $30 June 17 to July 4 Online registrations end June 27 pre-ordered t-shirts non-refundable Start Times: 7:30 a.m. - Kids 1K Run (11 & under) 3K Run/3K Walk to follow Raffle Drawing: 9:00 a.m. Refreshments & Bananas: Provided after the race courtesy of Kennedy’s Fresh Foods & Pepsi. Awards: Kids 1K Run by age: Male & Female Ages 5 and under, ages 6 - 8, & ages 9 - 11 Youngest Overall 1K Runner 1st Place 3K Run by age: Male & Female 12-16, 17-29, 30-49, 50 & over. Fastest Overall Male & Female 3K Runner Youngest Walker Most Senior Runner Sponsors & Donors: Consolidated · Dacotah Bank · Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union · Dakota Western Bank · DWK9 Dog Training · Gate City Bank · Grand River Honey Company · Hands on Health · Hettinger City Fitness Center · Hettinger Family Dental · Hettinger Theater · Kennedy's Fresh Foods · Lakeside Autobody & Glass · Mirror Lake Lodge · Mizuno Jeremy Galbreth · Pepsi · Salazar Family · Shred ND · Smith's Drug & Clothier · Stateline Designs · Stippich Inc. · The Bone & Joint Center · Twin City Roofing LLC · Uecker Family · West Plains Inc. · West River Insurance Agency · West River Veterinary Clinic · WRHS Foundation · WRHS Registration · Paul & Molly Wolf $2 Raffle Ticket Prizes: $600 Cash Prize from WRHSF $600 (4) $150 Dog Trainings from DWK9 in Hettinger $360 Hettinger City Fitness Center One-Year Membership $300 (1) Mizuno Men’s & (1) Women's Running Shoes from Jeremy Galbreth $200 Regent's Enchanted Castle Gift Card from the Uecker Family $200 Dunham Sports Gift Card from Jennifer Sanchez (In Honor of WRHS Registration) $175 (1) $90 (1) $85 Movie Tickets & Concessions Card Bundles from the Hettinger Theater $175 Nike Sunglasses from Paul & Molly Wolf $1 Bucket Draw Prizes: $250 (5) $50 Gift Cards from Smith's Drug & Clothier in Lemmon $100 Gift Card from Black Powder Fireworks in Hettinger $80 (4) $20 Gift Cards from KB Jewelers in Hettinger $75 Gift Card from The Grounded Haven Photo Studio in Dickinson $60 Gift Card from Sharon Silkman Massage in Hettinger $55 Gift Card from Touch of Heaven Massage in Lemmon $50 (2) $25 Gift Cards from IGA in Lemmon $40 (2) $20 Gift Cards from The Flower Box in Lemmon $40 (4) $10 Gift Cards from The Daily Grind in Lemmon $25 (5) $5 Gift Cards from Grandma's Chocolates in Lemmon $25 Scheel’s Gift Card $20 (2) $10 Gift Cards from Red Barn Bakery in Lemmon For additional information call 701-567-6187 or 701-567-6190.

Jezzele Salazar Earns Rural Health Clinics Certification Jezzele Salazar, ambulatory care officer at West River Health Services, successfully completed the Certified Rural Health Clinic Professional (CRHCP) Program, through the National Association of Rural Health Clinics. Salazar’s participation was sponsored by the State Office of Rural Health, housed at the Center for Rural Health (CRH) within the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences. “The CRHCP course has provided me the opportunity to learn various aspects of effectively managing a Rural Health Clinic entailing admin and finance, billing and coding, compliance and quality, and human resources. This provides me knowledge and skills to address challenges and contribute to the success of our organization,“ said Salazar. The National Association of Rural Health Clinics CRHCP Program is an eight-to-ten week online course with a proctored final exam. The program is designed to enhance knowledge to successfully run an RHC. The coursework includes topics such as scheduling, front office, and patient flow; internal controls; provider enrollment, cost reporting, revenue cycle basics, emergency preparedness, and many other areas. Jody Ward, grant program director for the North Dakota Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program, said, “Having well-trained clinic leaders is an important aspect to running a successful Rural Health Clinic. We are proud to be able to provide this important education which will allow the clinics to continue to serve their communities at the highest levels of care.” About the Center for Rural Health Established in 1980 at the University of North Dakota, the Center for Rural Health is one of the nation’s most experienced rural health organizations. It has developed a full complement of programs to assist researchers, educators, policymakers, healthcare providers, and most important, rural residents to address changing rural environments by identifying and researching rural health issues, analyzing health policy, strengthening local capabilities, developing community-based alternatives, and advocating for rural concerns. For more information, visit RuralHealth.und.edu.

West River Ambulance Receives New Rig Since its establishment in 1944, West River Ambulance (WRA) has been faithfully serving the Hettinger and Adams County area for 80 years. A notable milestone occurred in 1968 when WRA became the first North Dakota ambulance service to provide formalized training to its volunteer members. Another significant achievement followed in 1987, as the service became the first volunteer ambulance service in North Dakota to employ a full-time paramedic, offering Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the coverage area. What perfect timing during the anniversary year for West River Ambulance to receive a 2024 Ford E450 Type Three Arrow two-wheel drive Ambulance with a 7.3L V8 gasoline engine. This new rig marks a perfect addition to its ambulance fleet. Emergency Medical Services Interim Manager Tyler Kientopf mentioned that the ambulance service is currently seeking individuals interested in working as ambulance drivers, Emergency Medical Responders, or Emergency Medical Technicians. He emphasized the importance of drivers and other team members in enabling EMS providers to devote their time to the patient. For details about the requirements or qualifications needed to join the team, please contact Tyler, at 701-567-6209. West River Health Services Administrator Alyson Kornele expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to everyone who made charitable contributions to support our EMS operation, and to our dedicated volunteers. Emergency Medical Services is a crucial aspect of any community, and I am pleased that our staff and volunteers have the resources necessary to provide this essential and high-quality service."

WRHS Outstanding PA-Cs Two exceptional nominees, Teresa Nielsen, PA-C, and Jodi Moore, PA-C, were recently recognized for their dedication and contributions to the field of medicine at the North Dakota Academy of Physician Assistants Convention in Fargo. Both of them highly deserved to be nominated for this prestigious award due to their outstanding work. West River Health Services is proud of both of them and thank you for your unwavering commitment. Congratulations to the other nominees: Cody Baxter, PA-C, Matthew Massman, PA-C, and Judy Pegg, PA-C. Lastly, congratulations to Grant Lannoye, PA-C, from Towner County Medical Center, for being named the 2024 PA of the Year!

Gratitude to everyone who participated in voting for Dr. Arnold, recognizing him as the premier Obstetrician/Gynecologist in the 2024 Best of the Western Edge! #wrhs #hettinger #obgyn #dickinsonpress