Yet through all of the challenges of 2020 and an unprecedented pandemic we have many accomplishments to celebrate.  We have successfully treated several COVID-19 patients since April and I’m proud of how our staff stepped up to challenge during a very scary and unknown health crisis.  We continue to treat many inpatients and Emergency without transmission of COVID-19 from our patients to caregivers.  This is something to be very proud of.  We have also done all we could to keep vital services up and going to serve patients in our community.  We take keeping our patients and residents seriously and we have been very fortunate through this pandemic.  I believe we have an organization full of Healthcare Heros!

We also are happy to welcome to our team some great new surgeons to our community and hospital.  Neurosurgeon Dr. Pat Cindrich launched our spine surgery program in March, in August we welcomed Dr. Brandon Beck to our General Surgery program to join Dr. Dac Johnson.  Then in September we welcomed Dr. Chase Nelson, ENT to start an Ear Nose and Throat program.  We are excited to offer these new services and increased capacity in our surgical and specialty clinics.  Just in time for the arrival of these surgeons we completed our new Surgical and Specialty Clinic.  This was outdated building space that has been transformed into beautiful and modern space through clever design and remodeling.  Patients, staff, and surgeons alike are thrilled with the new space and how it turned out.

We want to assure the community that we are delivering safe care every day and are paying special attention to protecting the health of patients and staff so we can continue to endure this year's challenges.  Minidoka Memorial Hospital will continue to push forward with our strategic plans and initiatives and we want to thank the community for your continued trust and support.  Enjoy the rest of 2020 and be safe, well, and thankful for the good things in life.