News from your Community Healthcare District
On Tuesday they barbecued chicken and made delicious sandwiches for the staff. On Wednesday it was pizza. Thursday we had ice cream and on Friday the staff had popcorn. Every day the feeling of being appreciated grew among the Healthcare District staff. May 11-17 was National Hospital Week and National Nurses Week. National Hospital Week started in 1921 and is held this week to honor the work of Florence Nightingale, pioneering hospital nurse, whose birthday is May 12. The employees enjoyed the acknowledgement of the work they do to bring you quality healthcare services.
Jerold Phelps Community Hospital was born in 1948 when Leland Lowen, M.D., built his home and office, with one room used for any patient that might have to stay overnight. In 1951, Southern Humboldt Community Hospital was constructed as a six-bed facility that was enlarged in 1964 to eight beds. In 1978, the Healthcare District was formed and in March 1980, the District assumed ownership and operation of the facility.
In spite of significant financial difficulties, the hospital has continued operating due to the dedication and hard work of its employees and the continuing support and
Because of its small size, our Community Hospital is able to give individualized care in many areas. The friendliness of a small town community carries over to hospital care. Employees participate in training and seminars to keep skills current to assure competent care to the wide variety of patient needs that arise. Contrary to the belief that small rural hospitals have less qualified staff, SHCHD has selected personnel interested in constantly improving their qualifications and has formal arrangements with specialists in Fortuna/Eureka to accept referrals for services that we do not offer. The District is strengthening connections with all the agencies and organizations that help make our community healthy to provide a continuum of care. As the federal and state governments fail to pay enough for treatment of Medicare and Medi-Cal patients, the District must often delay purchases of needed equipment and watch for ways to improve efficiency to keep financially sound. We must all work together to make the continued existence of our healthcare system secure and locally controlled.
Caring for the Community We’re Privileged to Serve
Thank you for supporting the Healthcare District’s work. Please use our services to stay healthy and well. Make your appointment today at the clinic by calling 923-3925. The clinic is open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and all day on Wednesdays. Drop-ins are welcome. We also offer mammograms. Call 923-3921, ext. 240 for an appointment. Our lab is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll need your healthcare practitioner’s order for mammograms and lab tests, but no appointment is needed for most lab testing.
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