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On December 14, 2019 I graduated from the Duke School of Nursing Endocrinology Specialty. This specialty is a rigorous yearlong program that focuses on diabetes management and other endocrine problems like thyroid, bone disorders, obesity, pituitary/adrenal and other endocrine disorders. This program was created to meet the demand of a shortage of endocrine specialists in the country and it is the first of its kind in the USA. Ninety percent of this program focuses on diabetes management since this is among the endocrine disorders on the rise throughout the country. At the end of this program, candidates are required to spend time in endocrinology clinics managing endocrinology disorders. I did spend some time from September to the end of November, 2019 at the Sanford Diabetes Center in Bismarck, ND where I was learning more in diabetes management. This was very beneficial not only for a future endocrine provider, but also for a primary care provider who sees some of the disorders in our clinics, mostly diabetes and thyroid disorders. This program uses evidence based current guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society and American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists.

 

The Wishek Hospital and Clinics Board of Directors have voted earlier this year to change the organization’s official operating title to “South Central Health.” The vote took place at the board’s July 16, 2019 meeting.

“By adopting a name that encompasses our region of the state, rather than focusing solely on Wishek, we are signaling to residents and medical facilities throughout south-central North Dakota that we are here for them, and we want to work together,” said Harry Hagel, president of the Board of Directors. “Also, medical facilities across the country are shifting to an emphasis on health and wellness. As we, too, prepare for the future, our name should reflect it – hence the incorporation of the word ‘health’ in the new name.”

“In addition to focusing on wellness, patients will continue to receive the same top-quality health care services,” said Bev Vilhauer, CEO of Wishek Hospital and Clinics. “In recent months, the hospital has been exploring ways to incorporate more wellness services targeted specifically to the needs of area residents. The new services and events we are planning will help keep our communities healthy.”

“Maintaining a high-quality healthcare delivery system is vital to the future of our communities and region,” Hagel said. “The changes now underway will make our system stronger and will help ensure local health care remains available for future generations.”