Southwest Health System

Aleisha Wheeler, Respiratory Therapist in the Southwest Health System’s Cardiopulmonary department is recognized as Southwest Health System’s January employee of the month! Aleisha was recognized by a patient relative, as well as, a co-worker, who said, "Aleisha was amazing with my mom. Not only did she validate how she felt and understood, but she also really stood out by calling her “love”. I very much appreciate Aleisha by making my mom comfortable and wishing her well when she left. She made a huge impact on our family by reassuring us that my mom would be taken care of. She acknowledged everyone in the room and talked to each one of us and explained what she was doing. If any questions popped up, she would break it down in a way we would understand. She definitely has a bright future ahead of her with her patient care. Thank you, Aleisha, for being very kind to my mom and our family. She is a great asset to the community. She will definitely take care of every person who walks through the doors of that hospital and care for them as she did with my mom." ? "Aleisha Wheeler, RT, is always so helpful to the Med Surg team. Aleisha is great at explaining treatment plans to patients and reassuring patients as needed. Recently Aleisha assisted a standby assist isolation patient to the restroom while med surg staff was assisting other patients.?Aleisha also offers great consults and helps nurses troubleshoot situations prior to calling the providers. She offers great care to our community and is helpful to staff." Congrats to Aleisha Wheeler on her selection as the January 2025 SHS Employee of the Month! We are so proud of her accomplishments and are so thankful to have her as a member of this great SHS caregiver team!

Southwest Health System (SHS) is proud to announce that Lead Physical Therapist, Staci Cost, DPT, has been named the 2024 Southwest Health Leader of the Year. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional compassion and dedication to their community and to SHS, and Staci embodies these qualities in every aspect of her life. As a department, the Rehab staff at SHS unanimously nominated Staci for this award, highlighting her unwavering commitment to her patients and coworkers. Staci consistently puts others before herself, ensuring that everyone receives the best care and resources to improve their well-being. Her dedication to her work is evident in her daily efforts to start patient care early, assist other therapists, and go above and beyond to help others achieve their goals. Staci's passion for lifelong learning has led her to acquire numerous credentials beyond her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy, Manual Therapy Certified, and Integrative Dry Needling, and a Certified Pilates Instructor – Polestar Rehabilitation Series. Staci is also set to begin a fellowship in orthopedic manual therapy to further enhance her skills and patient care. In her administrative role as Lead Physical Therapist, Staci has been instrumental in implementing process improvement plans, leading monthly in-service training, and mentoring physical therapy students and new employees. Her efforts have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the Rehab Department, fostering a positive work culture and professional development. Staci's expertise in pelvic floor rehabilitation has made a significant impact on the community, helping patients feel comfortable and achieve their goals. Her dedication to patient-centered care and her ability to listen and educate have earned her the appreciation of many patients. Beyond her professional achievements, Staci is an active member of the community, participating in various hospital and community-based groups. She serves as Chair of the District Accountability Committee for the Dolores School District, is a member of the Multi-Tiered Support Systems team, Secretary of the Dolores Booster Club, and holds advisory roles at Regis University and the University of Colorado, Denver Physical Therapy programs. Staci also fundraises and volunteers for the Escalante Day 5K, all while being an excellent mom. Staci's contributions to SHS and the community have significantly improved overall morale and team spirit. Her passion for supporting and uplifting others is truly inspiring, and we are honored to have her as part of the SHS family. Congratulations, Staci!

Southwest Health System is proud to celebrate Sheri Willburn as Southwest Health Systems 2024 Employee of the Year. Sheri has been a dedicated member of our team for nearly 32 years. Sheri has worked in multiple departments of the hospital, including Med Surg as a staff/charge nurse, Same Day Surgery, and Case Management for the last 8 years. Lisa Gates, Chief Nursing Officer, shared her admiration for Sheri, stating, "I have had the honor of working with Sheri in all of these roles, from being her teammate who she calls in to work a shift, to being her teammate in Same Day Surgery, and now her leader in Case Management. Sheri embodies the core nursing characteristics we would all want for ourselves and our families if we needed healthcare. She is also the peer all of us want when we start our shifts, knowing that our day will be better with her beside us." Sheri embodies the essential qualities of a nurse with compassion, advocacy, quality of care, and addressing personalized patient needs. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of care by bringing excellence to our practice every day. Sheri is truly a pillar of these characteristics. Sheri was nominated by her peers who said the following in their nomination: “Have you ever thought about what you would do if your loved one were hospitalized? What happens when it's time for your family member or friend to leave? What would happen if the person you care about most wasn't ready to go home and live alone? Southwest Memorial Hospital has a great discharge planner. Sheri Willburn, a beacon of resilience, helps navigate all the options for patients when it is time to be discharged and continue the healing journey. She works tirelessly to advocate for patients. There are many ways to define a good nurse. In general, it means bringing your best qualities to work to promote positive patient outcomes and striving to strengthen the nursing profession. All while you seek solutions to improve patient care and advocacy. This is Sheri! She embodies the essential qualities of a nurse: solid communication skills, empathy & compassion, critical thinking & problem solving, attention to detail, and integrity & advocacy. In reviewing these qualities, Sheri encompasses them in her daily practice, nurturing these virtues within her daily nursing practice as a discharge planner. Sheri Willburn is the epitome of being a nurse. She is kind, caring, and a strong patient advocate. Sheri has shown incredible communication and multitasking skills with department, community, and family members. She has incredible knowledge of insurance and placement centers to provide the best care for our patients. She is available to answer questions and discuss difficult situations in a pleasant manner. Sheri plays a critical role in our patient's safe discharge. She is a joy to work with, and we are happy to have her here.”

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Eve Bruneau, DO, to our medical team. Dr. Bruneau brings a wealth of experience in general surgery, making her a valuable asset to our community. Dr. Bruneau completed her General Surgery Residency at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and holds a Medical Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She has over a decade of experience in both clinical and educational settings. Outside of her medical career, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, drawing, painting, gardening, and farming. "We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Eve Bruneau to our team," said Joe Theine, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at SHS. "Her dedication to patient care and her extensive experience will greatly benefit our community." For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bruneau, please contact Southwest Medical Group at (970) 564-2681 or visit swhealth.org.

Matt Lindsay, Southwest Health System’s EMS Director in the Ambulance department, is recognized as Southwest Health System’s 4th Quarter 2024 Leader of the Quarter! Matt was recognized by Meghan Higman, Inpatient Director who said," I would like to give a special shoutout to Matt and all his support. Not only does he still take my calls after all my crazy requests, but he is always willing to help me problem solve and keeps our patient’s needs first. Recently I called him with a need for assisting a patient to get home later in the day. She was elderly and her husband was unable to drive later in the day to come and get her. Medsurg only had 1 open bed, and I was trying to free up as many beds as possible for admissions. Matt had a crew out on a transport in Durango, a crew waiting for an ER transfer, and he himself was out on a CP call. Despite the chaos he was still able to make arrangement to help me get our patient home safely that evening. The patient was grateful to go home and see her pets, her husband was grateful because he didn’t have to drive due to his vision, and I was grateful to have a bed for another patient.??There was another occasion where I was covering for ER, and we had a minor patient needing transported on a psych hold to Colorado Springs. We were informed we had a bed but if we couldn’t get him there that night they would give it to another patient. The patient had been in the ER already 3 nights and would greatly benefit getting to a facility that met his needs. The ER also needed to make space for other acute patient needs as they had patients in the waiting area and hall beds. I was able to text Matt and not only was he helpful in assisting with the logistics of the transfer, but he provided me with insight into the complexities between multiple entities with arranging placement and transfers for this patient population. This was beneficial as we were able to secure placement for this patient at a closer facility in Grand Junction AND arrange his transport that afternoon.??Outside of patient care, Matt still entertains my crazy ideas. I have called on Matt to set up skill stations for our High School Interns, do interactive tours with our school groups, attend career fairs, and not to mention assuring we have help with our Halloween trunk or treat.?I understand that there are often other teammates attending these events, however Matt assures me he has a plan to make them happen.?This work is impactful for our future healthcare workers and community." Congrats to Matt on his selection as the 4th Quarter 2024 SHS Leader of the Quarter! We are so proud of his accomplishments and are so thankful to have him as a member, and LEADER, of this great SHS caregiver team??

Sheri Willburn, Case Management RN in the Southwest Health System’s Case Management department is recognized as Southwest Health System’s December employee of the month! Sheri has been a part of the SHS team for the past 31 years! Sheri was recognized by her co-workers who said "Have you ever thought about what you would do if your loved one were hospitalized and not ready to go home alone? Southwest Memorial Hospital has a great discharge planner, Sheri Willburn, who helps navigate all the options for patients when it's time to be discharged. Sheri embodies the essential qualities of a nurse: communication skills, empathy, compassion, critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, integrity, and advocacy. Sheri worked diligently with a patient's wife to find a suitable care plan, educating her about hospice options and providing compassionate support. Despite a hectic day, Sheri responded to the patient's needs, comforted his wife, and ensured he received the care he deserved. The patient passed away with dignity and peace, thanks to Sheri's efforts. Sheri is kind, caring, and a strong patient advocate with excellent communication and multitasking skills. She has extensive knowledge of insurance and placement centers, making her a critical asset in ensuring safe discharges for patients. Sheri is a joy to work with and is highly valued by her colleagues. Congrats to Sheri on her selection as the December 2024 SHS Employee of the Month! We are so proud of her accomplishments and are so thankful to have her as a member of this great SHS caregiver team ??

Megan Gurney, Food Service Worker III in the Southwest Health System’s Food & Nutrition department is recognized as Southwest Health System’s November employee of the month! Megan was recognized by Rachel Garrison, Speech Language Pathologist, who said, "Inpatient lunch happens at 12:00. I called Megan at 11:45 with a request for a patient and she agreed to complete the special order. Megan always makes things happen for our patients when nursing staff or speech therapists request things (almost always with short or no notice), which is not an easy task. She goes way past the normal confines of her job to make our patients comfortable with their food/drinks. There is no telling how many miles she walks during a typical day making sure all patients have exactly what they need, including adaptive silverware/bowls and color contrasts for our patients with memory deficits. I was in a room and a patient was telling me that they did not enjoy Ensure but drink it daily. Megan said that people like it better over ice. She went to get ice and poured it for him, which allowed me to continue the session. Megan goes above and beyond for our patients every single day. Thank you for the care you provide for our patients." Congrats to Megan on her selection as the November 2024 SHS Employee of the Month! We are so proud of her accomplishments and are so thankful to have her as a member of this great SHS caregiver team???

Happy New Year from Southwest Health System! ?? As we welcome 2025, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible community for your unwavering support. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and prosperous New Year!

Southwest Health System is proud to announce that it has been awarded a prestigious 5-star rating by the National Rural Rating System (NRRS), a program recognizing dedication and excellence in rural healthcare, as well as being named to the National Rural Honor Roll. This esteemed designation is a testament to SHS's dedication to delivering high-quality care and exceptional patient experiences. NRRS evaluates hospitals based on rigorous standards, including patient satisfaction, quality of care, and overall hospital performance. This recognition reflects SHS's ongoing commitment to meeting the unique healthcare needs of the rural communities we serve despite the challenges often faced by rural healthcare facilities.

Lupe Moreno, Pharmacy Technician in the Southwest Health System’s Pharmacy is recognized as Southwest Health System’s October employee of the month! Lupe was recognized by a co-worker, who said, "First, I need to thank ALL the Pharmacy Techs for their daily hard work in ensuring the infusion patients have the medications they need.?At times there are many moving parts to get the medications to them. But today, I would like to give a big THANK YOU and kudos to Lupe! Lupe is always diligent with her keen eye and experience in knowing what medications are here for infusion patients.?On Thursday, she realized we did not have a medication for one of our patients scheduled for the next day (Friday).?This was due to our error in scheduling (again-many moving parts) and Lupe caught this error in time and was able to order the medication to be delivered the next day, just in time for his infusion. The patient was very understanding and grateful that it all worked out considering, like all our patients, he relies on a regimented and consistent timing of his infusions to keep his chronic disease symptoms manageable. Lupe - you are awesome, and thank you so much, again, for what you do!!!" Lupe expressed how SHS has helped develop her career by allowing her to acquire new skills, knowledge, and experience as a Pharmacy Technician. She is confident in her role and job duties. She expressed how fortunate she is to have a strong and competent department behind her, and truly enjoys working with her team. If she had advice for a coworker, it would be, “take pride in the work you do. I like to be very thorough, efficient, and prepared. Treat each patient with kindness and respect” Congrats to Lupe on her selection as the October 2024 SHS Employee of the Month! We are so proud of her accomplishments and are so thankful to have her as a member of this great SHS caregiver team??