HGH Newsletter: Issue 2

Connecting with the Community The ongoing national nursing shortage continues to present significant challenges, but we remain committed to providing exceptional care to our community. As we navigate the respiratory season, delays in the Emergency Department and Walk-In Clinic may lead to extended wait times. To protect the health of our patients, visitors, Bertha Higbee, CNO and staff, we kindly encourage visitors experiencing respiratory symptoms to wear a mask while in our facility.

Despite these challenges, we are proud to highlight our 5-Star Nursing Home, a shining example of the dedication and expertise of our exceptional nursing teams. The 5-star rating reflects outstanding performance in critical areas like patient safety, outcomes, staffing levels, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, we continue to invest in the future of healthcare through our partnership with Great Basin College. This partnership supports aspiring medical professionals meaningful shadowing opportunities, also our nursing apprenticeship program offers hands-on experience in a supportive learning environment.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we work together to deliver the high-quality care you deserve. ~Bertha

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Robyn Dunckhorst CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Kim Plummer CHIEF NURSING OFFICER Bertha Higbee CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER Angela Giese CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER Jackie Wilson CHIEF, EMS AND RESCUE Andrew Loveless MARKETING & OUTREACH DIRECTOR JoAnn Casalez

Humboldt General Hospital (HGH) is a County Hospital District, meaning it is a community-focused healthcare facility established and governed under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 450).

HGH is overseen by an elected board of trustees, who are responsible for ensuring that the hospital operates in the best interests of the community.

As a County Hospital District funded in part by tax dollars, HGH is committed to being fiscally responsible with public funds, ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely to benefit the health and well-being of our community.

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Issue: 2

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In This Issue HGH & WSG

Page 2

Internet Safety

Page 3

Laboratory Remodeling

Page 4

Spotlight on our Services

Page 5

Cookies with Santa

Page 6

Careers at HGH

Page 7

A Year In Review

Page 8-9

Employee of the Year

Page 10

Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary

Page 11

HGH Employees Committee

Page 12

Health Tips With Lacy Fettic

Page 13

Humboldt General Hospital Celebrates Successful Partnership with Western Surgical Group HGH takes immense pride in its partnership with Western Surgical Group (WSG), the premier mainstay of surgical services in Nevada. Since October 1, 2023, this collaboration has brought advanced, high-quality surgical care to Winnemucca and surrounding communities, reflecting a shared commitment to providing exceptional healthcare in rural Nevada.

HGH deliberately chose Western Surgical Group over a national surgical provider to ensure that patients receive the personalized, community-focused care they deserve. WSG's deep roots in Nevada and reputation for surgical excellence make them the ideal partner.

Advanced Surgical Care in Rural Nevada In 2024, HGH performed over 60 surgeries, allowing patients to receive expert care without leaving their community. From fellowship-trained surgeons to cutting-edge techniques, Western Surgical Group has elevated HGH’s surgical offerings. When patients require surgery in Reno, they can continue their follow-up care conveniently with WSG surgeons at HGH, emphasizing our commitment to keeping care close to home.

Why Western Surgical Group?

HGH’s decision to partner with Western Surgical Group reflects a commitment to bringing the best of Nevada’s surgical expertise to rural areas. Unlike national surgical groups, WSG understands the unique needs of our community, prioritizing patient-centered care and building lasting relationships with our region’s residents.

Benefits of the Partnership The HGH-WSG partnership delivers numerous advantages to Humboldt County residents: Convenience: Patients can access comprehensive surgical care and follow-up appointments locally, reducing the need for stressful travel.

Expertise: Western Surgical Group’s highly skilled, fellowship-trained surgeons provide advanced care, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Advanced Technology: The partnership enables the use of state-of-the-art equipment and innovative surgical techniques.

Community-Focused Care: Both organizations are dedicated to delivering care tailored to the unique needs of rural communities.

A Shared Commitment to Excellence Robyn Dunckhorst, CEO of HGH, reflects on the partnership’s impact: “We’re proud to bring Nevada’s premier surgical group to rural communities. Over the past year, this partnership has significantly enhanced the surgical care available in Winnemucca. Our collaboration with Western Surgical Group ensures patients receive top-tier treatment while staying close to home.”

Moving Forward As HGH and Western Surgical Group continue their successful partnership, their mission remains clear: delivering exceptional surgical care to the people of rural Nevada. Together, they ensure that local patients have access to the same high-quality surgical services found in larger cities, making Humboldt General Hospital a leader in rural healthcare.

For more information about our surgical services,

visit www.hghospital.org and www.westernsurgical.com

Internet Safety: What to Look Out For By: Chris Vertrees, Network Systems Analyst With security, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and one of the best ways to stay protected is by preparing for common threats. Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, and it’s important to stay vigilant. Here are some of the most common scams to be aware of: Travel Scams While most people's getaways may be over for now, when it comes time to plan your next trip, be cautious of travel scams that target eager travelers. Scammers often advertise unbelievable deals on flights, hotels, and vacation packages. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. To avoid falling victim, always book your travel through trusted platforms and official travel websites.

Impersonation Scams Related to Tax Filing Season With tax season approaching, scammers may pose as IRS agents, requesting personal information or even payments to clear supposed tax debts. Always ensure you’re dealing with official agencies and never share personal details over the phone with anyone who calls unexpectedly.

Dating Scams Scammers often target individuals looking for relationships, building trust to later ask for money or sensitive information. Be cautious and never send money or share personal details with someone you’ve only met online.

Impersonation Scams Related to Charity Many people feel compelled to donate to charity, but scammers take advantage of this generosity by setting up fake charity websites. To ensure your donations go to a legitimate cause, always donate through trusted and official charity platforms.

Stay Safe and Vigilant It’s essential to protect your personal information. Always use secure channels for communication, avoid conducting sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi, and enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts. These steps will help prevent loss, even if your password is compromised.

Stay safe, and remember to always validate before sharing sensitive information.

From the Department of Information Technology at Humboldt General Hospital.

Laboratory Upgrades

Streamlined Efficiency, Expanded Labs, and Quality Care Close to Home!

In our ongoing commitment to providing exceptional care, we’ve made exciting upgrades to our laboratory with the addition of a new chemistry and immunoassay analyzer, a hematology machine, and a second general water system.

These improvements will enhance the efficiency of our lab, allowing for faster test results and reduced wait times.

Crisanti Rabanes, Laboratory Director “Upgrading our laboratory greatly improves patient convenience and satisfaction. With more tests available in-house, patients can now avoid the hassle of traveling to external laboratories, saving time and reducing wait times for results. This ensures a more seamless and efficient experience for our community.”

The new Atellica CI Analyzer brings significant advantages, such as enhanced reporting capabilities, improved turnaround time predictability, and a focus on safety and security. With features like random-access sampling, microvolume aspiration, and automated maintenance and quality control scheduling, this analyzer helps deliver quicker and more consistent results for our patients.

These upgrades also enable us to perform more tests inhouse, ensuring more timely results and reducing the need for outsourcing. This positive change will further strengthen our ability to provide high-quality care to the community while maintaining smooth operations and fast, reliable test results.

Brylee was this year’s New Years Baby, born on January 6, 2025, welcome to the world little one.

Dr. Scott Curtis, “I had the privilege of delivering baby Brylee, the first birth of the year at Humboldt General Hospital in Winnemucca. Camryn’s strength and Cristhian’s unwavering support made the experience truly special.

Congratulations to Camryn and Cristhian on their beautiful daughter. Wishing your family joy, health, and happiness in the days ahead!”

New Years Baby

Spotlight on Our Services: Mammograms October is a month surrounded by awareness and resources in relation to breast cancer, but the reality for many is not as bright and sunny as campaigns make it seem. Finding a lump brings upon a feeling of impending doom for many, but there is hope.

With proper screening and a quick diagnosis, cancer can be treatable with high success.

During October, Humboldt General Hospital offered 50% off screening mammograms for cash-pay patients—just $274, including the reading fee. This allowed more of our community to access life-saving screenings. Community health is and always will be a priority at HGH, so bringing this opportunity to the community further achieved that goal.

Diane Klassen, Cristal Lopez, and Laura Butterfield were the radiologic technologists primarily performing mammograms to help our community. They also worked to train Jasmine Lopez in the field. Diane performed 26, Cristal performed 42, and Laura did 37, for a total of 121 mammograms this past October. Of these mammograms, there was one definitive case of breast cancer that was caught and one that is still being tested. This makes a total of 13 breast cancer cases this year that were caught at HGH because of mammogram technology.

How Do Mammograms Work?

During the procedure, the breast is compressed between two plates to spread out the tissue, allowing for clearer images with minimal radiation. The machine takes multiple X-ray images from different angles, which a radiologist reviews to look for any signs of issues like lumps or calcifications.

What It Takes to Be a Mammogram Technologist Must be licensed with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) for Radiography.

Must have a Nevada State License for Radiography.

Must complete 25 mammograms and 30 hours of continuing education in digital and 3D mammography for a Nevada State License in Mammography.

To become a Registered Mammography Technologist with the ARRT, a technologist must complete 200 mammograms/QC exams.

Sit for a 200-question board exam

Cookies with Santa Sharing the Holiday Spirit The holidays are always meant to be an exciting time to get together with family and enjoy food and traditions. For HGH EMS, it also brings along the tradition of hosting Cookies with Santa. In recent years, the event has become too big to fit in the EMS station, but that doesn’t stop our hardworking staff from working things out.

This year, Cookies with Santa was hosted in the hospital and was successful once again. In total, 414 people attended.

Families were able to share cookies and get photos of their children with Santa, which are then keepsakes they get to hold onto. There is nothing more precious than these little moments during the winter season.

The great part about having Cookies with Santa inside the hospital rather than in the EMS station was that there was more room for families, so nobody was waiting out in the cold.

The Cafe RX Coffee Cart was also open for business to provide warm drinks.

Cookies with Santa also served the purpose of holding a toy drive. The circumstances of others are not always known, but the act of donating a toy or a jacket can be a holiday miracle for someone. Donations were collected by volunteers and distributed by the FCC

Careers at HGH

Become a Community Healthcare Partner

Dietary Aide Dietary Aides prepare food for patients, staff, and the community on a daily basis. They do incredible work to keep our hospital healthy and provide delicious meal options. The Dietary department at HGH provides quality meals to patients, residents, staff, and visitors, focusing on balanced nutrition and maintaining a safe, sanitary environment.

Positions are available as both Casual Call Employees and Full-Time. Pay ranges from $15.32 $25.11 per hour depending on experience. Working at Humboldt General Hospital also comes with the benefit of PERS (Public Employees' Retirement System). PERS is a pension plan that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to eligible public employees in Nevada.

To learn more, visit the careers tab under “Join Us” at https://www.hghospital.org/.

Certified Nursing Assistant Getting started as a CNA at HGH is simple. Enroll in CNA classes at Great Basin College (GBC) and start working toward your certification. Through the Nursing Assistant in Training (NAT) Program, you can work at HGH while continuing your education and gaining hands-on experience. After completing your classes and passing the state certification exam, you’ll be ready to begin your career as a CNA. We’re committed to supporting your education. Through our partnership with GBC, you can receive up to 90% reimbursement for your CNA class costs. Once certified, you'll earn a competitive wage of $19.64 to $32.18 per hour, depending on experience.

Job Qualifications and Requirements Preferred Education: High school diploma or equivalent Post-high school vocational or specialized training Required Licensure/Certification: Valid Nevada State CNA certificate Current CPR certification

To learn more, visit the careers tab under “Join Us” at https://www.hghospital.org/

2024: A Year in Review Health Fair

Residents Graduation

The Community Health On June 28th, HGH Fair was successful once Family Medicine again this year, Residency Clinic in continuing its tradition of partnership with UNLV promoting health and celebrated the graduation EMT Class Hospital Week wellness within the of its 2024 residents.

May 12-18: HGH Graduation community. Annually, it Please join us in offers discounted labs, celebrated Hospital Week This last school year, we congratulating Dr. with a week full of fun had 9 senior graduates in screenings, and health games, delicious food, our high school EMT class. Andrew Gerenraich and checks, making essential and heartfelt recognition. Many are now attending Dr. Michael Rees as they healthcare services more begin their next chapter!

The event highlighted the school to become accessible to individuals outstanding contributions Registered Nurses and and families. of our staff, with special other healthcare honors for Nurse professionals. This class is Nightingale and the a great opportunity to recipients of the Monarch take a step into Awards, showcasing the healthcare.

Welcome Two dedication and excellence New Residents that define our hospital In July HGH welcomed our community.

Color The Mucc two new residents, Dr. In April, the Humboldt Ketcham and Dr. Shepherd! They bring Chamber of Commerce In May, the Auxiliary fresh perspectives and and Humboldt General celebrated the Pink Ladies enthusiasm to our team as Hospital came together Fit Kids for their dedicated they continue their medical for a fun-filled morning volunteer hours and June-July: The HGH Fit training. We look forward of color, community, and to the positive impact they recognized Alicia Cramer Kids program is a free wellness. The Color The will have on our patients as a lifetime member. We summer Program that Mucc run is an annual and community. are deeply grateful for the promotes physical activity tradition. Participants Welcome to HGH!

HG Auxiliary Annual Banquet

took part in a 3K and 5K color run, featuring 21 vibrant color stations that drenched them in colorful fun.

Pink Ladies' decades of generosity and service!

and healthy habits for children. It encourages fun, active lifestyles and supports the well-being of our community's youth.

2024: A Year in Review National Night Out Harmony Manor

Caroling at the SNF

HGH EMS attended the CHRO, Angela Giese Car Show HCSO National Night Out, coordinates the now-annual The Harmony Manor Car connecting with the sing-along at Harmony Show is a new event community and showcasing Manor and Quail Corner, their lifesaving work. It was created for the residents Veterans Lunch bringing joy and music to of our long-term care a great opportunity to the residents. This On November 13th, facilities to enjoy food strengthen relationships heartwarming event, led by HGH celebrated with local first responders and cars. The community HGH leadership, has and promote safety Veterans Day by giving was invited to join in the become a cherished awareness. out hot and fresh tradition, with residents fun. Although it was the enthusiastically joining in lunches to local first year, the car show brought many smiles and veterans. Each recipient the singing. It’s a wonderful way to spread happiness gave the residents an was entered into a raffle and connect with the to win a handmade quilt event of their own. community during the

by Mary Lou Rives. holiday season.

Red Carpet On September 16th, HGH rolled out the red carpet to celebrate the premiere of our new commercial, Trunk Or Treat featuring volunteer stars The employee committee from our team and has shown their HGH Results From Donating to community. The event was a spirit once again this year This Year glamorous affair, complete Pleasant Seniors with Trunk or Treat.

Healthy You Friday Tests with special treats and VIP Everyone's car On December 10th, the recognition for those who Performed: Executive Team and HGH decorations were made it possible. It was a 1,126 Employees Committee exceptional, with wonderful way to highlight Inpatient Surgeries: joined forces to donate costumes to match. the creativity, teamwork, and 132 $768 to the Pleasant community spirit that define Helping the community is Outpatient Surgeries: Senior Center, helping HGH, making it a standout one of our goals, so 566 cover the cost of moment in our year! handing out candy is Procedures: Christmas dinners for always rewarding.

427 local seniors. This Babies Delivered: heartfelt contribution 208 ensures a warm, festive

meal filled with holiday cheer.

Cesarean Sections: 51

Tiffani Nalivka Employee of the Year

Humboldt General Hospital is proud to celebrate Tiffani Nalivka, Director of Food and Nutrition, as our Employee of the Year! Tiffani's dedication, leadership, and commitment to improving the lives of others have made a lasting impact on our hospital and community.

"I was deeply honored and grateful to receive this award and touched by the kind words shared by my colleagues," Tiffani shared. "It was an amazing surprise at the annual Christmas party, and I’m so thankful for the support and the incredible people I work with."

Since joining Humboldt General Hospital in January 2012, Tiffani has embraced every new day with enthusiasm, collaborating closely with multiple departments and empowering others to learn about food and nutrition. She takes pride in helping people achieve their health goals, whether for life or as their needs change.

Congratulations, Tiffani, on this well-deserved recognition!

Since its founding in 1969, the Humboldt General Hospital Auxiliary has donated over $4 million to support the hospital, funding critical purchases such as hospital beds, surgical equipment, and a blanket warmer for Harmony Manor, the hospital's long-term care facility.

In 2024, the Auxiliary’s contributions included $18,000 for a new portable baby hearing scanner. This modern device replaces the bulky, difficult-to-maneuver equipment previously used, enabling the OB department to efficiently and effectively screen newborns within their first month. Additionally, the Auxiliary funded a spirometry machine and 600 tubes for the Pulmonary Rehab program and purchased a $2,500 exercise bike for the long-term care physical rehab program.

The Auxiliary also plays a significant role in supporting future healthcare professionals. It awards $40,000 annually in nursing scholarships, with 2024 recipients including six new applicants and two renewals. The scholarship program has recently expanded to include individuals pursuing careers as Physician Assistants.

The Auxiliary’s thrift shop, Poke 'n Peek, continues to be a vital source of funding. In 2024, volunteers Tim Messmer, Tim Trakas, and Dave Gourley installed new shelves, and Blackout Tinting added front-window tinting to improve the shop’s appearance and functionality. Eric Brooks installed a new sign for the shop and is currently focused on building a new cashier’s corner. October’s workday saw an impressive turnout of volunteers, allowing for the processing of a significant volume of donated items. However, the influx of clothing donations continues to outpace processing, emphasizing the need for additional volunteer support.

The Auxiliary also made a direct impact on the community through the annual Clothes for Kids event, which provided clothing for 107 children.

Thanks to the Auxiliary’s dedication, HGH and the surrounding community continue to benefit from improved resources, enhanced care, and meaningful opportunities for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Volunteers needed!

Volunteer opportunities available for Humboldt General Hospital, Poke N’ Peek Thrift Shop, and more!

Any amount of service is appreciated!

Great way to make long-lasting friendships!

Amazing way to give back to the community!

Both men and women welcome!

For more information or to join please call, (775) 623-2076

Meetings are the First Tuesday of the Month from 2pm to 3pm in Sonoma Conference room

Officers for 2025 Shelly Smith—President Cher Alvarez—Vice President Tori Stephen—Treasurer Jessica Villarreal—Secretary JoAnn Casalez—Event promoter Thank you to Emilee Hatch, Kim Hayes, and Ashley Zuniga-Garcia for your dedication as officers for 2024

The Employees Committee (HGHEC) is a vital part of Humboldt General Hospital, bringing employees together and giving back to the community. Their efforts are tireless, consistently coming up with fresh ideas and organizing meaningful events. Some of the largest and most anticipated events they organize include the summer bowling event and the annual Christmas party, which is the biggest event of the year.

This year’s Christmas party welcomed around 270 participants and served as a highlight of the holiday season.

HGH strongly supports the efforts of the Employees Committee, matching employee donations and contributing $10,000 toward the Christmas party, ensuring its continued success and joy for all involved.

Additionally, HGHEC organizes fundraisers like food and craft auctions showcasing employee-made items, further fostering a sense of community and camaraderie.

In 2024, the HGHEC demonstrated remarkable generosity, donating $12,308.60 to 19 local organizations and sponsoring 12 scholarships for Lowry High School students, totaling $9,000.00. Just this quarter, they contributed $250 to Zion’s Fall Festival and $500 to the Winnemucca Grammar School for Spook Night, along with their sponsorship of the annual Employee Christmas Party. Their ongoing dedication to both employees and the community exemplifies the spirit of Humboldt General Hospital.

Connections Challenge Here are a few key points to keep in mind before applying for HGHEC donations: There's no deadline to apply! Applications are welcome anytime throughout the year.

Applications will remain on file for the calendar year.

We may request additional information from applicant organizations.

Preference will be given to organizations contributing to the health, wellness, and safety of Humboldt County.

We don't fund administrative costs such as rent, utilities, or salaries.

Complete applications are essential for consideration.

I’m a special kind of picture, clear and precise, I help doctors look for changes, and I do it quite nice.

For women’s health, I play a key part, What am I, that’s close to the heart?

Harry’s Artichoke & Jalapeño Dip Submitted by Christine Gooch This Game Day dip is the perfect snack to sit around with friends and enjoy while watching your favorite teams compete.

Health Tips to Bring in the New Year With Lacy Fettic, MD Make sleep a priority: Establishing a consistent sleep schedule (same time to bed, same time to wake), sleeping in a cool, dark, and quiet environment (no lights/noise from electronics), and exposure to early morning sunlight are the best ways to ensure restorative sleep.

Consistent sleep patterns improve our stress levels, strengthen the immune system, and boost our ability to focus and solve problems.

Do not give up: We all have days in which we overeat, underexercise, sleep poorly and make poor health decisions. Don't let this completely derail your health goals!

Ingredients: 2 cans (14 oz each) quartered artichoke hearts, drained 1 small can (4 oz) diced hot jalapeños, drained 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup mayonnaise Freshly ground black pepper (about 6 turns) Paprika (for garnish) Whole jalapeños (optional, for garnish) Instructions: 1. Prep the Artichokes: Drain and chop the artichokes into small pieces.

2. Mix: In a bowl, combine artichokes, jalapeños, Parmesan, pepper, and mayonnaise. Stir to combine.

3. Bake: Transfer to a shallow baking dish, sprinkle with paprika, and bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

4. Garnish & Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with halved jalapeños (optional), and serve with chips, pita, or veggies.

Connections Challenge Answer The answer to this edition's Connections Challenge is: Mammogram!