Congratulations to April’s Hometown Healthcare Heroes recipient, Community Memorial Hospital and Clinics, in Burke, South Dakota.
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.
When it comes to Community Memorial Hospital’s (CMH) key mission, the word excellence is a driving component as outlined in their mission statement. “Excellence in the provision of health care and related services, governed as a not-for-profit community organization, serving the needs of our people with superior quality and value.”
Burke, South Dakota is a town of 600 people. Those who live in the community and work at CMH say many people who visit the area are surprised at what the town and hospital have to offer. “They cannot believe what we have for a community the size of Burke and our facility. We are a 16-bed critical access bed hospital. We have two rural health clinics located in Burke and Bonesteel and we offer a wide variety of services.” Mistie Drey, CEO, Community Memorial Hospital
In addition to a hospital and clinic, CMH offers:
- physical, occupational, speech therapy
- cardiac rehab
- sleep studies
- out-patient services
- chemotherapy and more.
CMH is a community owned with a local board of directors. Mistie Drey, the CEO of CMH grew up in Burke and left for a few years but eventually returned. “It was the best decision I ever made. I love Burke and I get emotional when I talk about it because it’s such a special place. Until you come and visit this place, it’s hard to explain. A lot of our staff were born and raised here too. That goes to show what our facility and our community has to offer.” Mistie Drey, CEO, Community Memorial Hospital
Amy Juracek is a Certified Nurse Practitioner with CMH. “This hospital and healthcare community is very central. It’s important to most everyone in town, but the reverse is also true.” Amy Juracek, CNP, Community Memorial Hospital
Those who work at CMH can work in a variety of areas, learning many different skills. “In some bigger facilities, you are in a GI floor or another floor. Here in Burke, you have to be ready for trauma, cardiac, stroke, kids, pediatrics. Here everyone comes to help you too, you are not left alone we work great as a group.” Tammy Hotz, DON, Community Memorial Hospital
CMH has seen many upgrades in the past 5 years. “ Everything in the facility is new and modern, all the equipment is new, including a new CT machine in the past few weeks. What makes us most unique is we are very family oriented. Everyone enjoys coming to work. You spend more time here than at home, so loving what you do is important.” Mistie Drey, CEO, Community Memorial Hospital
In addition to being the largest employer in town, CMH is very community oriented, giving back to those who call the area home. “The hospital does wonderful things for the community; they sponsored upgrades at our city park, so our kids have a safe place to play. They do programming and shadowing with our school for kids who are interested in the medical field.” Rachelle Norberg, Attorney/Community Memorial Hospital Board Member
CMS also provides school physicals for the students, and free wellness classes at the local wellness center for the entire community. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Your kids can go out and play. The river is not very far from us either if you like to fish, it’s a great place to live and work.” Tammy Hotz, DON, Community Memorial Hospital
Main street offers a variety of amenities, including a bank, clothing store, hardware, restaurants, a grocery store, floral shop, coffee and more.
CMH is always looking for nurses:
- Certified Nurses’ aides
- Licensed Nurse Practitioners
- Registered Nurses
“We have a competitive benefits package, we offer sign on bonuses, we offer recruitment assistance. Everyone earns paid time off as they work and vacation time. Your hours are very flexible, which is a benefit. We always put family first. If there is an event you need to go to with your family, we will try to make it work. We make that a priory.” Mistie Drey, CEO, Community Memorial Hospital
Burke has been very progressive the past few years in getting single family homes in town and doing rehab projects and getting dollars to make that happen. “In my role as a provider, we have had two new providers recently. So now we have two people from our area and two that are not from our area, that are new. That is good because it brings new perspectives on things.” Amy Juracek, CNP, Community Memorial Hospital
To learn more about Community Memorial Hospital and Clinics in Burke, South Dakota visit: cmhburke.org
Watch our video story on Community Memorial Hospital and Clinics.
To learn more about the SDAHO Hometown Healthcare Heroes Campaign visit our website.
