For Prowers Medical Center and the health of the community we care for, 2022 has been a year of both triumphs and challenges.

First, I could not be more proud to report that Prowers Medical Center not only passed but passed with flying colors four quality-care assessments by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. CDPHE examiners regularly come to Prowers Medical Center to conduct extensive on-site reviews. Some of these visits are scheduled, and some are unannounced.

This year our processes for Mammography, Nuclear Medicine and overall patient care were intensively scrutinized and received results of “zero findings.” What this means is that examiners found not one single deficiency in their lengthy, rigorous criteria of quality standards. All our staff members deserve our congratulations and gratitude.

What’s more, we achieved Level IV Trauma Center designation immediately following the reviewers’ November 8th visit—a rare fast-track stamp of approval in recognition of our team’s flawless command of the requirements. For our community, Level IV Trauma services will provide thorough, effective triage and better outcomes whenever seriously injured patients are brought to Prowers Medical Center for emergency care. It also strongly connects us to the Trauma Center Network statewide, making transfers to facilities providing higher levels of care more efficient when every second counts.

2022 also saw the completion of our new MRI suite. Equipment was relocated from its longtime placement in a parking-lot trailer to its new home in a state-of-the-art suite that provides patients and staff with much more comfortable, convenient care and workflows.

We were also successful in bringing five new primary-care providers to our Clinic. All Nurse Practitioners with varying levels of experience, our new providers are not only skilled advanced practitioners but they also are devoted to this community. Four of the five are Lamar natives or have strong ties to this area. This is a feat that we are very proud of!

We have also added a number of new treatments and programs. These include nerve blocks for surgical patients, which lessen pain for several days and result in less need for pain medication; our SAIL program, a new fitness class put on by our Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation Department that helps keep seniors strong and independent; and our Freedom from Smoking class, which will give area residents who want to quit tobacco a much better chance of succeeding.

While there is much to celebrate, we also are well aware that difficulties on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic continue.

As is the case nationwide, healthcare staffing remains challenging. Feeling the burnout physically, mentally and emotionally, caregivers are leaving the profession in droves. Rural hospitals have been especially hard-hit. And the staff members who remain have even more pressure placed on them.

Yet Prowers Medical Center is committed to attracting and retaining team members. They deserve a safe workplace that values their expertise and commitment as well as supporting a healthy work-life balance. The well-being of our team members is central to our ability to provide quality care to you and your family. I hope you will join us in respecting and thanking them at every turn.

While the pandemic has abated, COVID-19 is still a threat. As I write this, three respiratory viruses—influenza, RSV and COVID-19—are surging in our community and state. One way this “tripledemic” spreads is through tiny droplets released into the air when those infected sneeze, cough or speak. Masking is proven to help prevent transmission. This is why masks are still and will remain required at Prowers Medical Center for the foreseeable future.

In 2023, watch for more progress at Prowers Medical Center. Our HVAC system is undergoing an overhaul. For better staff workflows and patient experience, we are in the design phase of enhancing our sterile processing capabilities in Surgical Services, nearing completion of the remodel project in our central registration area and evaluating ways to add more exam rooms and offices to our Clinic. We continue efforts to restabilize and reopen our Labor and Delivery unit. To that end, we now have two excellent OB/GYNs on staff who complement each other in coverage rotation to create consistency and familiarity with our patients. We are also laser-focused on adding more specialty physicians to our Specialty Clinic days. All of these efforts are to better serve you and your family and neighbors as well as create the best possible work culture for our team.

At Prowers Medical Center, our Pillars of Excellence are People, Service, Quality, Finance and Growth. Everything we do every day strives to uphold our focus in each of these areas. We invite your feedback, ideas and suggestions as we also work to add new and more meaningful ways of communicating with you.

Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a healthy New Year.

Karen L. Bryant, Chief Executive Officer