To help member facilities with workforce needs, SDAHO launched the Hometown Healthcare Heroes campaign. This storytelling campaign is designed to recognize career opportunities at member facilities and celebrate the people that work there and the communities they live in.
Fall River Health Services in Hot Springs, South Dakota is in the southwest corner of the Rushmore State. This independent healthcare system serves Hot Springs and surrounding communities including those who call Nebraska and Wyoming home. Dr. Garry Strauser moved to Hot Springs in 1987, where he has worked for the VA Black Hills Health Care System, until his retirement. Dr. Strauser, also serves on the Fall River Health Services (FRHS) Board of Trustees. “It’s a blessing for me to have worked here all these years in a volunteer capacity. I think most of the people that are here, feel they are blessed to be here, and the people are so welcoming.” Dr. Garry Strauser, Fall River Health Services Board of Trustee, Secretary.
The leadership and staff at Fall River Health Services are a professional team committed to excellent, quality, and patient focused healthcare for the whole person. The system provides for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the individual, family, and significant others, committed to their patients, employees and the public.
Fall River Health Services offers patients a variety of resources.
- 25 bed Critical Access Hospital
- 24-hour Emergency Room
- Seven Sisters Living Center Nursing Home
- Fall River Rural Health Clinic
- Endoscopy
- Surgery
“It’s very rare in a small town to have all these healthcare services in one facility. It’s unique because we do have people from all over the country moving to Hot Springs and the area”, according to Kimberly Weisser, who works as the lead in central registration. Kimberly says staff is comprised of professionals who have been there less than a year and others who have worked for Fall River Health Services their entire careers. “I am really impressed by the quality of care offered, not just by our medical providers that provide one on one patient care but everyone. It’s wonderful a person can come in and they know they will be taken care of from the time they check in until the time they check out and walk out the doors.” Kimberly Weisser, Lead, Central Registration
Providing uncompensated care is another way FRHS gives back to those in need from the community. Each year, FRHS provides $21.1 million dollars in uncompensated care. That’s around $175,000 of uncompensated care each month. “I appreciate Hot Springs, because it’s a small town, we all know one another. It’s like one big family. If someone has a personal problem, we really try and help them and work it out.” Kimberly Weisser, Lead, Central Registration
Those who live in the area say life in Hot Springs is never boring. The town is located not far from the Black Hills National Forest, offering an abundant amount of outdoor recreational opportunities. The town is most known for Evans Plunge, a naturally warm spring-fed indoor swimming pool, a favorite for folks of all ages. The Mammoth site also attracts visitors from across the world, as this unique facility is a world-class center specializing in mammoth and quaternary research. Not far from Hot Springs is Angostura Recreation Area, which offers crystal clear waters, 36 miles of shoreline, and some of the finest sandy beaches in the state, the area boasts many water sports and summer fun activities such as camping, boating, fishing, and swimming. Each year, folks gather from all around to attend the Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival, that takes place at the Hot Springs Municipal airport. Hot Springs is also known as the banana belt of South Dakota. “Having lived here for 35 years I still did not know until just recently that Hot Springs has the warmest year-round average temperature in the state of South Dakota. Although it’s warm and it’s wonderful, it’s not as hot as Phoenix. Dr. Garry Strauser, Fall River Health Services Board of Trustee, Secretary
Career Opportunities with Fall River Health Services:
- Registered Nursing Opportunities (RN’s / LPN’s)
- Medical/Surgical
- Emergency Services
- Family Healthcare Clinic
- Long Term Care
- Ancillary Career Opportunities:
- Pharmacy
- Imaging Services
- Physical, Occupational, Speech – Therapy
- Laboratory
- Respiratory
- Case Management
- Support Staff
Looking for incentives or opportunities for professional development or growth, FRHS may be able to help! Options may include: sign-on bonus, student loan forgiveness program, education opportunities, scholarships for education opportunities, and more.
To learn more about Fall River Health Services and career opportunities, visit them today: frhssd.org/careers
Watch the full video featuring staff from Fall River Health Services and Community members.
To learn more about SDAHO’s Hometown Healthcare Heroes Campaign, visit us today at sdaho.org/hometown-healthcare-heroes.
