Community Welcomes New Family Physician`
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
For Immediate Release Driggs, ID - (03/08/2006) -
The arrival of family practice physician Dr. Rob Wolfe fulfills a key strategic objective for Teton Valley Hospital & Surgicenter according to hospital chief executive officer Susan Kunz. As the result of a community needs assessment that was conducted in 2003, the hospital administration and board of trustees determined that the recruitment of an additional physician was essential.
A majority of 2003 survey respondents desired more choices in selecting a personal physician in addition to an expanded selection of hospital services. Although overall survey results rated TVH&S; as providing excellent to good care, hospital leaders agreed that the request for choice must be addressed.
�The most valuable feedback we can get is from our own patients and community members,� notes Susan Kunz. �We take it very seriously.�
Recruitment efforts began immediately. Teton County, Idaho has been given the federal designation of being a medically underserved county. Many rural locations have earned this designation in direct correlation with the difficulties encountered in recruiting medical professionals. Pay is generally much lower than that offered in larger cities, hours are longer, and amenities may be scarce.
After more than two years of aggressive recruiting, Dr. Wolfe arrived for a site visit. Hospital leaders and medical staff members were impressed by his credentials and delighted with his philosophy of patient care. In return, Dr. Wolfe was impressed by the hospital�s high level of quality staff and medical equipment.
�This community has every reason to be proud of their county hospital and the level of care that�s rendered. It�s amazing to me what this rural hospital has to offer. I�m excited to be a part of it,� says Dr. Wolfe.
The recruitment and retention of qualified medical staff is a significant part of the hospital�s strategic goals. In tandem with the addition of a physician has been the ongoing campaign to increase diagnostic services and specialties. Since 2003, over $2 million in state of the art equipment has been acquired including a CT scan, 3-D ultrasound, C-arm fluoroscopy unit, bone densitometer and mammography suite.
Full-time orthopaedic surgeon Matthew Bitner joined the active staff in 2004. Courtesy privileges have been extended to Dr. Maura Lofaro, OB-Gyn and certified nurse midwife-nurse practitioner Theresa Lerch. Specialties such as increased capacity in general and gynecological surgery, plastic surgery and dental restoration are recent offerings that sprouted from the 2003 survey.
�I really wouldn�t enjoy driving over an hour just to get an ultrasound or bone density test,� adds Kunz. �And as for surgical procedures, no one should have to travel from their home town because they had no choice. What better place to heal than at the heart of the Teton Mountains with your family and friends nearby?�
Dr. Wolfe will join Dr. Larry Curtis, Dr. Chad Horrocks and Dr. Matthew Bitner with active medical staff privileges at TVH&S.; Additionally, Dr. Wolfe provides full-time patient care at Victor Medical Clinic.
March 1st marked the first day Dr. Rob Wolfe began serving patients as a full-time physician for Victor Medical Clinic.
Dr. Wolfe and his family moved to Driggs from Calumet, Michigan where he provided full spectrum family care in a clinic setting.
Dr. Wolfe was born and raised in Michigan�s rural Upper Peninsula and completed the Rural Physician Program at Michigan State University where he earned his medical degree with high honors. As a board certified family physician, he offers expertise in all aspects of family practice including managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease as well as providing women�s health and maternity care.
�Our family has visited this region quite often. We all enjoy the peace and solitude of nature. I have to admit that fly fishing rates high on my list of things to do!�
With the explosive growth that Teton County is experiencing, hospital trustees and administration have their sights set on the future. Increasing debt associated with indigent care and facility infrastructure needs are just a part of the challenges currently faced by hospital leaders.
�We have to keep our fingers on the pulse of the people we serve,� concludes Kunz. �If it weren�t for the support of our community, Teton Valley Hospital & Surgicenter wouldn�t be here.�
The mission statement of the hospital is to serve as the focal point for our community�s health care system with outreach to neighboring under-served areas. The hospital board of trustees is comprised of community residents Jo Haddox, chair, Nancy McCullough- McCoy, vice chair, Jeff Carter, Geordie Gillett, Darwin Josephson, Joe Martinez and Janet Penfold.
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