Happy Hospital Week! May 10-16 is National Hospital Week 2020. This is a chance to recognize each hospital for the service they provide to the community. You know about the clinic; you know about the behind-the-scenes staff; you know about the "patient people"; now it's time to introduce you to the rest of the staff!

In every facility, teamwork is what makes the dream work. Each job is essential. Each member of our staff is vital to the well-being of the facility. Some staff members like Lisa Sipler, CNA/Activities Director, work endlessly to keep the residents entertained and aides in their family communications. This fun-loving girl grew up in Colorado. Lisa started work at BSMC in 1997 as a CNA and became the Activities Director in 2003. She says her favorite part of the job is "making the residents laugh."

Lisa S. works closely with Lisa Genereux, RN. Lisa G. is from Big Sandy and she has been our Social Service Designee since 2019. She helps with resident appointments, care plans, discharge planning, Resident Council, and many other things. She says her favorite part of the job is "spending time with the residents and making a difference/contributing to their life in a positive manner."

Sarah Bendig is another member of our team that joined in 2019. She is a PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) and not only works with the residents but also helps with the clients of Strutz On PT. Sarah is from Great Falls but made her home with her family in Big Sandy last year. She says her favorite part of the job is "getting to interact and build relationships with all my patients. They all become part of my family, in a way."

Kurt Strutz is our local Physical Therapist with Strutz On Physical Therapy. He started working with BSMC in 2002. Not only does he see people in an outpatient setting, but he also assesses and helps our LTC residents or those coming here to rehab after surgeries or long hospital stays. He is from Great Falls but has lived here since 2000. His favorite part of the job is, "working with people because I think if you can help someone out, that's a pretty good thing. Getting someone back on track is the reward."

Our lab ladies, Carla Gilman and Maricel Bachoco, play a vital role in your care as well. Did you know these ladies can run over 40 different lab tests here in the facility? Anything from blood clotting tests to blood counts, heart damage labs to cholesterol, and diabetes labs. If you need some lab work done and are unsure if we can do so in our facility, please call and we'll be happy to look into it for you! Carla and Maricel both started at BSMC in 2013. We will be saying farewell to Maricel at the end of the month as she is moving to Florida!

Each of these people plays a part in keeping you healthy and happy; but this place could not go 'round without the help of our Office Staff! Colette Terry works as our Business Office Manager. She started here in 2016. Her responsibilities are plenty, but she says her favorite part of the job is "the amazing people I get to work with!" Colette works closely with our two Business Office Clerks, Karma Hale and Brandy Terry. Brandy started at BSMC in 2015. She works in accounts receivable, which means obtaining monies from our patients, insurance companies, and Medicare/Medicaid. She says her favorite part of the job is "working for a company that is family-oriented and the people that I work with." Her partner in crime, Karma, began here in 2017. Karma works with payroll and accounts payable, as well as credentialing for providers insurances. She says her favorite part of the job is "seeing the smiles of our residents and knowing that they get amazing care from the BSMC team!" So, to put it simply, Brandy collects the facility income, Karma spends it, and Colette balances the checkbook at the end of the quarter! Seriously though, their jobs entail so much more than that and we value their time and effort into their respective responsibilities.

Last but not least is our CEO, Leah Griffith, RN, MHA. Leah is responsible for leading this ship and making sure we are serving our community to the best of our ability. Leah's job includes overseeing all operations and compliance. She reports directly to the Board of Directors, a volunteer Board comprised of the following community members: Harvey Keller, Bob Nelson, Nicole Allderdice, Anna Bold, and Ann Quinn. Leah started working in the facility in the business office when she was 13. She did work some throughout high school and college in housekeeping and dietary as well. She left the area for a few years but returned in 2012 to work in the clinic and then stepped into the role of CEO in 2014. Leah says her favorite part of the job is "interacting with patients and the community. My other favorite part is our staff. We have a great team throughout the entire facility."

We do indeed have a great team here at Big Sandy Medical Center. Every single individual's role is necessary and their hard work is appreciated. As we celebrate Hospital Week, keep each of these staff members in your hearts. They work hard to provide you with the best care around! Our staff is at the center of your care, but you are the heart of BSMC. Thank you for your continued support! We also thank the local individuals who have made us masks, bought us pizzas, and offered their support in any way possible during these last few months!