A journal devoted to helping you live well. Fall 2022 3–6 Meet our new providers Inside 7 Read Rachel’s story David Casillas Plazola, MD Family medicine/ obstetrics “I knew Grant Regional would be perfect for me from my rural rotation experience. From the hospital staff to the community, I’ve felt welcomed and am excited to make Lancaster my home.” page 3 Why Grant Regional Dale Chilson, DO, FAOCO Ear, nose and throat (ENT) “I chose GRHC because of the welcoming atmosphere and community need. I’m excited to offer my experience and expertise to a community in need of ENT services. I believe I will be able to make an immediate impact in patients’ lives and help them achieve better health. pages 4 and 5 Rachel Loeffelholz, APNP, FNP-BC Family medicine “My answer is simple. My co-workers are like a second family. We are there for each other through it all, from work life to home life.” pages 6 and 7 It’s because of our people “Our culture is something very unique and special. It has become an employee-driven model that focuses on providing exceptional care,” explains Dave Smith, President/CEO. “Employee-led improvement teams develop specific goals, share ideas to enhance care and are motivated to do their best work by putting the patient first.” This culture is something that has been noticed by our patients, our community and especially by individuals who have heard of our positive work environment and aspire to work here. ? —Continued on page 2
—Continued from front page A to receive care special place special place to work means a Growth and transformation Building a strong culture that aligns with our mission and vision is the key to our success. It’s no coincidence that Grant Regional’s growth parallels an intentional cultural transformation that it has been experiencing over the past four years. In fall 2018, the hospital had just completed a major expansion and was at a turning point that prompted a growth in services as well as hiring additional staff and an increase in patient volumes—all while focusing intently on providing a compassionate patient experience. Even amid a worldwide pandemic, the success now four years later is undeniable. “We’re proud of our growth from 250 employees to an impressive 305 employees in a short period of time,” says Smith. “Our added and expanded services—such as primary care, urology, ENT, general surgery and neurology—have attracted more patients to our hospital and clinics, and the growth has been remarkable to see.” 5 Star Rating Even through tremendous growth, our dedication and commitment to exceptional patient care has continued to earn us an impressive 5 Star Rating for Patient Experience from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for a consistent 18 quarters (four years). This designation reflects how our staff go above and beyond for each individual patient, keeping their focus on safety and quality while providing outstanding care. Top 12% in the nation Our success and changes in our culture have not been by accident but by design. Purposeful work and dedication have gone into creating a positive and rewarding work environment. Our cultural transformation was validated when our employee engagement survey completed last fall showed that our employee satisfaction rating was among the top 12% in the nation. We recognize that if staff are happy in their roles and feel valued at their workplace, that directly translates to providing exceptional care to patients and families. We were also excited to learn that we were recently voted the 2022 Best Place to Work in Grant County.* While most businesses are facing workforce shortages and are struggling to find, attract and hire qualified staff to fill vital job positions, we are proud to say we have been very successful in finding the right fit and talent for our openings. “Yes, there are some specific ‘hard to fill’ positions that all hospitals have difficulty hiring for, but I am very proud to say that we do extremely well, and I attribute much of that success to our amazing culture, including our Word-ofMouth program that our staff genuinely support,” says Stacy Martin, Human Resources Director. “A perfect example would be our recent addition of important primary and specialty physicians. Most recruitment efforts for these positions take years to cultivate. We are very proactive and have a constant stream of efforts to recruit for future positions. We’re proud to have experienced success in recruiting providers in the past few years for primary care, general surgery and specialty care, including ENT, neurology, urology and ophthalmology, which is unheard of and next to impossible for a small, rural hospital—all within two years.” *2022 Best Workplace/Company in Grant County, WI, by voters in the Iowa-Grant-Lafayette Shopping News. 2 FALL 2022
is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of GRANT REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER, 507 S. Monroe St., Lancaster, WI 53813, telephone 608-723-2143, grantregional.com. Information in ASPIRE TO LIVE WELL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2022 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Dave Smith President/CEO Tami Chambers Chief Clinical Officer Joel Gehling Chief Financial Officer Stacy Martin Human Resources Rochelle Williams Marketing FALL 2022 Grant Regional Community Clinic welcomes David Casillas Plazola, MD Grant Regional Health Center is proud to introduce David Casillas Plazola, MD, as he joins our medical community. Dr. Casillas Plazola specializes in family medicine, including obstetrics, and welcomes new patients at our Lancaster clinic. “My goal is to empower patients with the medical advice, screenings and resources to help them achieve their best health outcomes. I believe in taking the time with patients to explain their disease and the strategies we have to prevent complications and remain as healthy as possible,” Dr. Casillas Plazola shares. Dr. Casillas Plazola was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. As a teenager, he moved to the central valley of California with his family and later went on to complete his bachelor of science in human biology. After undergrad, he sought out an adventure in the North to pursue his medical education at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He chose the Fox Valley for his residency training with the intention to practice full-spectrum family medicine with obstetrics. He completed his rural family medicine rotation in Lancaster in 2017, and that experience helped him make his decision to begin his practice in Lancaster. Dr. Casillas Plazola fell in love with Wisconsin for the genuine community and family-friendly values and is excited to put down roots in this community. ¡Bienvenidos! Dr. Casillas Plazola looks forward to practicing fullspectrum family medicine while developing long-term relationships with his patients and their families. He enjoys treating patients of all ages, but one highlight is helping mothers bring new life into the world. He says that is hard to top. Also, “I look forward to being someone Spanishspeaking families can turn to in Grant County, where there aren’t many bilingual providers available,” he says. “As a physician, being able to communicate with patients and their family members is essential. I feel that having the ability to speak both English and Spanish fluently helps me connect and better understand patients’ health concerns.” Dr. Casillas Plazola shares that the thing he enjoys most in life is family time, including time spent with his fiancée and puppy, Dog Vader. Together they enjoy exploring state parks during the summer, chasing the fall colors during autumn and completing a puzzle during winter. He also loves playing and watching soccer. DR. CASILLAS PLAZOLA IS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Appointments are available at our Lancaster clinic location by calling 608-723-2131. To learn more about Dr. Casillas Plazola and view an introductory video, visit his profile page in our physician directory at grantregional.com. 3 FALL 2022
Grant Regional Health Center is pleased to welcome Dale Chilson, DO, FAOCO. He joins our team of local specialists and is excited to offer a wide array of ENT services that patients in our region need and deserve close to home. Dr. Chilson’s practice offers all aspects of ear, nose and throat care, both medical and surgical. He has extensive experience in treating and removing facial skin cancer and lesions of the head and face and performing reconstructive surgery after treatment. In addition to his 27 years of experience, he provides compassionate, personalized care for patients of all ages. He believes in taking the time to really listen for better understanding to get to the heart of the matter. Getting to know more about the patient’s concerns helps him diagnose the health condition and determine how best to move forward with treating it. Ear, nose and throat specialist joins our team Meet Dr. Chilson, board-certified in ENT and facial plastic surgery SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY! To learn more or discuss your options, call Grant Regional Community Clinic at 608-723-2131. 4 FALL 2022
Dr. Chilson received his medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio, and practiced at St. Margaret’s Health in Spring Valley, Illinois, for the past 27 years. He is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. Comprehensive ENT care His practice involves treating conditions such as sinus infections, allergies, ear pain, infections, hearing loss, dizziness, voice and swallowing problems, facial skin cancer, and tumors of the head and neck. He performs a wide range of surgical procedures, including: ● Nasal surgery, including septal reconstruction and turbinate reduction. ● Sinus surgery. ● Balloon sinuplasty. ● Removal of facial cancers or lesions and reconstructive surgery. ● Adenoid and tonsil removal. ● Ear surgery (for ear tubes, eardrum repair and otosclerosis). Dr. Chilson works collaboratively with Grant Regional’s audiologist, who provides comprehensive, state-of-theart audiological testing for patients of all ages. This includes adult and pediatric evaluations, hearing aids and assistive listening devices, tinnitus evaluation, and therapy. He plans to expand vestibular and balance testing in the future. Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to widen the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses. This procedure is done by endoscopy, which means a quicker recovery and minimal downtime. Better airflow Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure to widen the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses. This procedure is done by endoscopy, which means there are no external changes to the nose, it has a quicker recovery time, and there is minimal downtime. Balloon sinuplasty can also be done under sedation to allow for a painless experience, and it is often done within a matter of minutes. This technique uses a small balloon device, which is placed through the nasal cavity and into the natural opening of the sinus. The sinus passage is then enlarged to allow patients’ sinuses to have better airflow. The balloon device is then removed. No remaining packing or permanent materials are left inside the nose. This means much faster recovery and excellent results. Patients with the following conditions may be candidates for balloon sinuplasty: ● Recurrent infections. ● Facial pain and pressure. ● Barosinusitis (headaches that worsen with weather changes). ● Congestion. ● Diminished sense of smell or taste. ● Difficulty breathing. ● Chronic infection that fails to improve with antibiotics. Dr. Chilson has many years of experience performing this procedure and is available to assess patients using the latest technology and to decide the appropriate treatment. Given his expertise in sinus care, he will work with patients to create a treatment plan that is specific and individualized for each patient’s condition. We are capable of performing a comprehensive evaluation, including endoscopic examination, allergy testing and CT scans—all locally without the need to travel far. 5 FALL 2022
Grant Regional is excited to welcome Rachel Loeffelholz, APNP, FNP-BC, to her new role of family nurse practitioner. She has been a registered nurse (RN) with Grant Regional Health Center since 2016 and recently graduated with her master of science in nursing–family nurse practitioner (MSN-FNP). “After spending many years as an RN in a variety of settings, I understand the importance of listening to my patients,” Loeffelholz shares. “Creating therapeutic, trusting relationships is a key component of my practice. I believe it is important to acknowledge each person’s individuality while providing compassionate care, educating patients and families, and striving to promote healthy habits/preventive care for individuals of all ages.” Loeffelholz has the additional certifications of ACLS, BLS, PALS and EMT-B as well as pediatric/adult ventilator certification. In addition to caring for patients at Grant Regional, she proudly serves as a volunteer emergency medical technician with the Potosi EMS. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors and partaking in hunting, fishing or hiking. She also keeps busy with her family farm. Please join us in welcoming Loeffelholz as our newest family nurse practitioner! for the whole family Compassionate care Rachel Loeffelholz and her husband, Milo, with their children, Carson and Hayden 6 FALL 2022
My why A question I have been asked a lot is why I chose to stay at Grant Regional. For me that answer is very simple—my co-workers are like a second family. We are there for each other through it all, from work life to home life. Just shy of my one-year anniversary at GRHC, my husband and I welcomed our daughter, Hayden, to our family at home and at GRHC. Fast-forward one year and three weeks, our lives got flipped upside down. Our son, Carson, was playing with Hayden in a backyard playhouse; I was 10 feet away cleaning the pool; and my husband was mowing the lawn. Suddenly something did not feel right. I peeked into the playhouse to find only Carson. My heart began to race, and I ran to the pond in our backyard to find Hayden floating face down in the water. Springing into action My first responder training took over as I pulled my lifeless child from the water and began CPR as I yelled for my husband to call 911. (This was the first time in my entire life I had done CPR on a real person, and it was my own child.) Being a volunteer member of Potosi EMS, I heard my phone and pager go off as the page went out for a crew to respond to our home. I continued CPR until EMS arrived— which seemed like an eternity. I was thinking to myself that I am not planning a first birthday and a funeral in the same month. I was able to get Hayden back with agonal breathing as the crew pulled into our driveway. During those moments, I felt relief knowing that my EMS family had my baby and we were on our way to a hospital. ‘Rach, we got her’ There was no doubt in my mind that GRHC was where we needed to be going. I remember running into the ER repeating over and over again that this was my baby, this was my baby, as EMS brought her into Trauma 2. I remember making eye contact with Carla Jensen, RN, as she said, “Rach, we got her.” It was in that moment, watching from outside the trauma room, I felt waves of emotions as the reality of the situation sank in. A switch was flipped, and I became a mom and not a first responder. But also at the same time, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. There was no better place for my baby girl during this tragedy than GRHC. I experienced feelings of relief while I watched my co-workers work on and care for my child as if she was family, and that feeling is why I continue to choose GRHC. —Rachel Loeffelholz, APNP, FNP-BC 7 FALL 2022
Kate Reuter, APNP Kelly Muench, PA-C Eli James, MD Helping you stay healthy! ● COVID-19 vaccinations. ● Flu shots. ● Child vaccinations. To schedule, call us today! Family practice Clinic locations in Lancaster, Cassville and Potosi Abby Allen, PA-C Abigail Burns, DNP, APNP Family practice/obstetrics Erin Huebschman, MD Kimberly Perttu, DO ● Exceptional birthing experience. ● Nurturing support and lactation help. ● Childbirth education classes. ● C-sections. ● Breastfeeding education and support groups. ● Infant and child CPR. We specialize in family practice and obstetrics— caring for families from birth through all life’s stages. Appointments: 608-723-2131 Learn more at grantregional.com David Casillas Plazola, MD Rachel Loeffelholz, APNP, FNP-BC 507 S. Monroe Street Lancaster, WI 53813 ● Well-child checkups. ● Women’s health. ● Vaccinations. ● Chronic conditions. ● DOT physicals. ● Prescription management. ● Video health visits. ● Sports physicals. ● Annual physicals. Specialty care ● Audiology. ● Counseling. ● General surgery. ● Neurology/spine care. ● Ophthalmology. ● Otolaryngology. ● Orthopedics. ● Podiatry. ● Urology.
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