Blessed year for Roosevelt General Hospital

Editor’s note: Area leaders associated with taxpayer-funded entities were invited to write guest columns summarizing 2017 from their perspectives. Haylee Spence is director of planning, marketing and public relations for Roosevelt General Hospital.

When looking back at all 2017 has brought Roosevelt General Hospital and RGH Clinic, we can think of one word to best describe our year: blessed.

Although there are many aspects of health care out of our control that affect our organization, we have been able to continue growing our services and improving the care we provide to this community.

Our clinic has had many successes this year that benefit our organization.

Neelu Finley, physician’s assistant, was recognized at a national level for the work she is doing in endocrinology. Without Finley and the Endo Extension for Community Health Outcomes program, patients from Portales would be driving at least 100 miles to be seen and treated.

Our clinic welcomed Jamie Bassell, nurse practitioner, to provide care to patients during extended hours. Bassell allows RGH Clinic to offer quality care on both Saturdays and Sundays and to be open until 9 p.m. each weekday.

We also brought on Dr. Michael Gromet to provide dermatology services to our community. This was another specialty service where people were previously driving many miles for care.

Through being a member of the Accountable Care Organizations, our clinic has been fortunate to have a cost savings of $195,000, which lowers the cost of care to our patients and also ensures a higher standard of quality from our providers.

This year, our Melrose Clinic received Rural Health Designation.

In 2017, Roosevelt General Hospital partnered with Engstrom Eye Center to bring cataract surgery to RGH. Dr. Paul Engstrom and Dr. Grace Mellgren are based in Roswell, which would equate to an hour and a half drive each way. By partnering with Engstrom Eye Center, RGH now offers crucial exams and surgery to our community without the hassle of travel.

Our lab implemented a new way of testing for gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory illnesses through Biofire FilmArray System. The new approach allows our lab to need only one sample to test for multiple causes of the patient’s illness. This makes testing less hassle for patients and provides better results for a speedier diagnosis.

As we look forward to 2018, we are excited to see these new programs grow as well as adding even more services to create better access to quality care for our community. Starting next year, RGH Emergency Department will be offering neurological consult services through a partnership with University of New Mexico. The neurologist will work remotely with our ER doctors to make sure patients suffering from a stroke, brain injury, spine injury or brain tumor have the best plan of care.

As the health-care needs of Roosevelt County and surrounding areas evolve, RGH strives to continue meeting those needs through new services, new technology and innovative care. We are very grateful for the continued support from our community and are blessed to serve the people of Eastern New Mexico.

Contact Haylee Spence at: [email protected]