Healing Garden an oasis for all

Custer’s Healing and Wellness Garden is an asset to caregivers, patients and community members alike. Nestled along the side of Custer Hospital, the healing garden spans 10,000 square feet and a trip around the therapy walking path reveals one surprise after another.

When Monument Health and the city of Custer opened the doors on the new $21.7 million hospital and clinic in April 2018, the vision was to make the best use of the new facility as a healing center. An outdoor space was part of that shared vision, and the healing garden began to take shape once local patron Delmer Brown was identified as the initial donor for the project. Other individuals and organizations have since made valued contributions to the project.

Joy Falkenburg, M.D., is the curator and caretaker of the healing garden. She says the space was designed to utilize sounds, sights, smells and textures to bring people into the present moment as a form of healing.

“We felt like an outdoor space was really important for the vision of Custer as a healing center,” said Dr. Falkenburg. “It’s next to the hospital so that patient rooms look out onto the garden, and patients can sit and even do rehabilitation out there.”

Dr. Falkenburg and other providers’ healing approach to medicine finds many practical uses for the garden. This includes convalescence and solitude, activity, sensory opportunities and spiritual respite.

“We have several unique plants that smell and feel different, so those can be used for stroke patients or patients with sensory abnormalities,” Dr. Falkenburg said.

On the far side of the garden, around back, a door from the hospice suite opens into a large circular area.

“It’s not uncommon that people want to die in nature and with the sunshine on their face,” Dr. Falkenburg said. The garden helps these individuals stay close to nature as they come to the end of their lives.

The first year the garden was planted, a major hailstorm wreaked havoc, but the garden has been re-planted each spring in what has become an annual event for clinic staff and community members. During this year’s planting in June, vendors, caregivers, children and community volunteers worked together to revitalize the space for another season of restorative connections with nature.

Some of the of the garden’s most special features include:

• Several seating areas, including a semi-circle pergola area.

• Two different water features.

• A children’s playhouse.

• An intention hut in which visitors can quietly reflect.

• A “wind phone” is available for people to express their grief, concern or anything else in their heart, leaving it “on the wind.”

• Five raised garden beds for growing vegetables.

• Sculptures and art throughout the garden.

• A variety of foliage from trees to shrubs and flowers meant to attract birds.

What are your main responsibilities as a volunteer?

Right now my focus is to make blankets for patients. This is something I can do at home on my own time, which means I am still making a difference for patients while having time to care for my 92-year-old mother. When I need supplies, I come to Rapid City Hospital, pick up fleece and take it home. Then, I cut it to size, tie it into blankets and return them. Over the years I have tied hundreds of blankets. I have also returned to in-home hospice volunteering as my schedule allows and I'm so thankful the restrictions of COVID-19 have finally been lifted. Hospice volunteering is truly a rewarding experience, getting to know and visit with patients as they near the end of their lives.

What surprises you about volunteering?

Just the sheer number of opportunities available for the volunteer. Of course, it’s fun meeting and working with the other volunteers, and it also gives me a feeling of accomplishment. It’s about doing something for someone else and hopefully brightening their day during a difficult time.

What do you most look forward to on the days you volunteer?

We have a really fun group on the auxiliary board of directors, and I look forward to our meetings and conversations. It is also exciting to see just how much money the auxiliary has been able to donate to various needs within the hospital. Giving $250,000 to the Cancer Care Institute over a five-year period as well as annually donating to CMN, just to name a couple! It's possible to have such an impact because of the volunteers' support and commitment. I truly work with an amazing, selfless group of men and women who volunteer their time and energy for a much larger goal. I am proud to be listed among their ranks!

Kirstin Hockhausen, m.d. Dermatologist

Her husband’s leukemia diagnosis was a driving force for Dr. Hockhausen, ultimately leading her to pursue a career in medicine. Eventually, she found her passion in dermatology.

I am a general medical dermatologist with Monument Health. My job is to be prepared for any skin condition that walks through the door. I take care of patients of all ages from newborn babies to adults. I also perform skin cancer surgeries and provide cosmetic services. My team and I treat a wide variety of skin concerns from common conditions such as, acne, eczema and psoriasis to more rare or complex skin diagnoses and skin cancers. Skin conditions often exist alongside other medical issues, and I work collaboratively with primary care providers and other medical professionals on a daily basis.

When I was a medical student, I had the privilege of working under Dr. Allen Nord here in Rapid City. With every patient he would say, "What can we do to help this patient today?" I have learned to carry this question with me into each patient encounter. My goal is to use my expertise and experience to help in every way I can, every time. Each patient is unique, and I am dedicated to providing high-quality dermatologic care that is individually tailored to the needs of the person sitting across from me.

My Passion

I am passionate about my community and my patients. I always want to be the physician who patients confide in, who encourages them through difficult treatment protocols and is excited to celebrate with them once we have fully treated the skin cancer, cleared up the acne or got rid of their child's rash. Through patient education, skin cancer screenings and up-to-date medical management of skin conditions, my team and I deliver high-quality dermatologic care. Rapid City is my home, and I could not be more honored to be able to use my training, skills and knowledge to serve this wonderful community.

Advanced Practice Provider (APP) refers to physician assistants (PA-C), certified nurse practitioners (CNP) and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA). Because of their advanced training, APPs can do many of the same things a physician does. Patients benefit from having both their physician and their APP working together on their care.

I really enjoy teaching the next generation of PAs and CNPs. I had tremendous preceptors when I went through PA school, and I try to pay that forward any chance I get. As the APP field continues with tremendous growth, we all have an obligation to be certain that quality does not suffer. Lastly, I try to be a voice for my fellow APPs. I am one of 11 members on the Monument Health APP council. I will continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to APPs at Monument Health.