In recent debates regarding Humboldt General Hospital it was implied that my opinion did not count for two specific reasons. One that I worked for HGH, and two that I love my job. My only reply to this is … You are absolutely right … I AM BIASED.
I have so many reasons for my bias. I love my family, my friends and neighbors. I love my profession and enjoy the company I work for very much. I have been given the tremendous opportunity to work with a best in class group of individuals in a state of the art facility.
I am biased because I have seen my department grow from 16000 encounters per year to nearly 30000 encounters per year. I saw the creations of a 24 hour general surgery program, telemedicine, 24 hour orthopedic surgery, and the first fully recognized and accredited Rural Residency program in the State of Nevada. All of this in three short years. You bet I am biased.
I have seen the exponential advances in our radiology department and the look of amazement from visiting Physicians when they see that we provide the best imaging medicine has to offer. I see the efficiencies and level of care in our new Acute rooms and I have seen those rooms save the life of my own family.
I have felt the pride of seeing yet another five star rating for Harmony Manor. Knowing these wonderful and committed people take care of our communities aging population set the bar in empathy, compassion and dignity. I witness and have the pleasure of working alongside one of the nation’s best EMS programs.
It is easy to see why these professionals as well as all HGH staff are recognized throughout the country as best in class. I work for an Administration responsible for elevating a nearly bankrupt organization into one of the top ten financially responsible hospitals in the country. You better believe I am biased. I am biased because I am proud of my community’s hospital and can site documented national recognition for nearly every department I work with. Working in this environment every day and being surrounded by such wonderful people surely adds to my bias.
Personally, I guess I hold some deep down bias as well. I am one of the individuals that had to endure watching my beloved grandmother slowly deteriorate to the effects of Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. I was the person that carried her to my brothers Suburban to be transported away from the home she loved to die in an unfamiliar town because this town did not have the appropriate services to care for our elderly with this diagnosis. Yes, Memory Care in Winnemucca is on my personal agenda hoping I can help make it possible so that no one will endure what mine and many other families go through. I suppose that is an emotional bias.
I have two children and I suppose I have other bias as well. I hope my son never requires knee surgery but if he does, I want to be able to keep him here in town and have the best imaging available and to have a great Orthopedic Surgeon and a clean state of the art Operating Room. I prefer him not to have to drive himself at 17 years of age to Reno to receive services as I did. I also want to have a hospital that will attract great physicians and new specialties to ensure my family and my community’s health and wellbeing. You could say I have personal bias.
I am sure all readers can understand that yes, I am biased. I am biased to the idea that I have accepted responsibility to help ensure the best healthcare possible for my children, my family, my friends, and the folks I call strangers today but have no doubt will be my neighbors and friends in the future. Lastly, I am biased because I am a tax paying resident of this community and expect nothing but the best for the dollars I contribute. I believe HGH has represented me well in this premise.
I hope each of you are biased. I hope we are all biased to needs of this great city of Winnemucca and Humboldt County.
Lonnie E. Hammargren
Winnemucca
