Horizon Health is deeply committed to providing exceptional healthcare services and fostering healthier communities in South Dakota. Through the Horizon Cares Program, this dedication manifests in numerous impactful ways, from supporting its medical professionals to expanding vital services and engaging with the community. This program is not just a name; it’s the embodiment of Horizon Health’s mission to ensure accessible, quality care for all those they serve.
At the heart of the Horizon Cares Program are the dedicated individuals who make Horizon Health what it is. For professionals like Katee Olinger, a certified medical assistant at Horizon Health Wessington Springs, a job became a calling. Her two decades of service exemplify the profound impact that compassionate healthcare providers have on their communities. Similarly, Alyssa Hicks, a provider in Mission, demonstrates how building strong connections with patients can significantly improve their healthcare experience and outcomes. Working in a close-knit town allows providers like Alyssa to care for generations, fostering trust and understanding that is crucial in healthcare.
The Horizon Cares Program also emphasizes the importance of strong leadership and community engagement. Todd Jordre’s involvement with the Horizon Health Foundation showcases the commitment to giving back and championing community health. Growing up in a small town instilled in Todd the values of hard work and community service, values that are central to the Horizon Cares Program. His efforts through the Foundation ensure that Horizon Health can continue to expand its reach and impact. Likewise, the family tradition embodied by Horizon’s Chief Medical Officer Misty Rudebusch, PA-C, and her mother, Jean Thompson, CNP, PA-C, highlights the deep-rooted commitment to quality healthcare within rural South Dakota towns. Their combined dedication, passed down through generations, is a cornerstone of the Horizon Cares Program’s success.
Expanding access to specialized care is another critical aspect of the Horizon Cares Program. The partnership between Dunes Dermatology and Horizon Health Yankton brings regional dermatologic expertise to the community, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive skin care services closer to home. Furthermore, Horizon Health is continually growing its team of providers. The addition of Amber Moody, DNP, CNP, PMHNP-BC, as a Behavioral Health provider, and Melissa Thoene, PA-C, and Tia Chase, PA-C, to the Yankton and Huron clinics respectively, demonstrates Horizon Health’s proactive approach to meeting the diverse healthcare needs of the communities they serve under the Horizon Cares Program.
The Horizon Cares Program also extends to supporting future generations of healthcare professionals. The Horizon Build Dakota Scholarship program is a testament to this commitment, providing financial assistance to students pursuing healthcare careers and encouraging them to serve in South Dakota communities. This initiative ensures a pipeline of skilled and dedicated professionals who will continue to strengthen the Horizon Cares Program for years to come.
Finally, the Horizon Cares Program recognizes the vital role of community support and access to care in transforming lives. Stories like that of Arne Ten Broek, whose health significantly improved after moving to a small town with access to Horizon Health services, and the Schelske family, who experienced exceptional care during a holiday medical emergency, underscore the tangible impact of accessible and compassionate healthcare. Similarly, Ryan Maher’s donor spotlight emphasizes the crucial role of community donors in sustaining and enhancing the Horizon Cares Program, ensuring vital healthcare access remains available in hometowns across South Dakota.
In conclusion, the Horizon Cares Program is more than just a series of initiatives; it is a holistic and deeply ingrained philosophy at Horizon Health. Through its unwavering commitment to its staff, its proactive expansion of services, its engagement with the community, and its support for future healthcare professionals, Horizon Health truly embodies its mission of providing meaningful healthcare access and making a lasting positive impact on the lives of individuals and communities throughout South Dakota. The Horizon Cares Program is a testament to their dedication to ensuring that everyone has access to the quality healthcare they deserve.
