On behalf of the SDAHO team, we would like to express our gratitude for the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, technicians, C.N.A’s, administration, supporting staff members and others within the healthcare community. SDAHO would like to recognize and celebrate these South Dakota healthcare heroes by sharing their stories. Our goal is to bring recognition and awareness to the healthcare workforce and the many lives they impact.
Our first Healthcare Hero we would like to recognize is Kelly Baloun, an RN at Faulkton Area Medical Center (FAMC). Kelly’s colleagues nominated her to be a featured healthcare hero because she “exemplifies every part of FAMC’s mission: to provide quality care to all patients in the Faulkton area.”
Kelly grew up admiring her three aunts who were nurses, and when it was time for her to choose a career, she used them as inspiration. “I enjoy helping people, so what better career to go into? Being able to see that I helped make someone’s day better reminds me daily that I picked the right career,” explains Kelly.
Since starting at FAMC in 2012, she’s taken on several roles: Infection Control Nurse, Safety and Emergency Management Director, Employee Health Director, QAPI Director and Quality Team Lead. But when coronavirus hit in early 2020, Kelly felt passionate about doing more. She embraced FAMC’s Covid-19 services and is the sole person answering triage calls.
“Kelly has gone above and beyond in many aspects of her job, but she’s knocked it out of the park when Covid-19 came. She is quite possibly one of the hardest working individuals I have met, and she does everything with a positive outlook.” – Ginny Bray, Director of Radiology
“When facilities started preparing for Covid-19, Kelly stepped up to the plate for FAMC and developed plans, policies and procedures. Every facility should have a Kelly Baloun; I know that I am thankful to have her at FAMC.” – Heather Bode, CEO/Administrator
Being a South Dakota native, Kelly is incredibly passionate about working in her home state, and she’s grateful for the quality of care patients receive. “I’m always impressed that, in general, all of the South Dakota healthcare systems genuinely care for the patients we serve and are always looking for ways to ensure top-notch care.”
If you want to read other healthcare hero stories or nominate someone to be featured, go to sdaho.org/heroes.
#SDhealthcareheroes
