Vol. 1 Issue 48 | WEEKLY
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Price: FREE
Your Voice. Your Community. Tell Your Story.
McKenzie Health
expands services to historic Plainsman Building in Williston SARAH WILSON swilson@vocella.com The Plainsman Building in downtown Williston, long a hub for local businesses and residents, now serves as the home of an essential addition to the region's healthcare landscape: McKenzie Health. Formed in July 2004 through the merger of the Good Shepherd Home Corporation and the McKenzie County Memorial Hospital Corporation, McKenzie Health has centralized healthcare services in McKenzie County. According to its website, McKenzie Health’s facilities include a 24-bed critical access hospital, rural health clinic, specialty clinics, urgent care, Good Shepherd Home for long-term care, Horizon Assisted Living, and the Connie Wold Wellness Center. This broad range of facilities reflects the organization’s mission: “Our commitment is to the patients and their families, whatever their needs may be. Our goal is to achieve the highest level of healthcare for these patients and their families. We are rural USA; therefore, we provide hometown values committed to quality services, continuity of care, assurance of qualified staff, and family involvement for individual patients and clients.” Over the past decade, McKenzie Health has experienced steady growth, significantly impacting healthcare access and quality in western North Dakota. A 2023 study by North Dakota State University's Agribusiness and Applied Economics department, alongside the NDSU Center for Social Research, assessed McKenzie Health’s economic contributions to McKenzie County. The study examined trends affecting the region and how the healthcare system responded to the challenges presented by population growth, largely driven by the oil and gas industry boom. To meet the demands of the expanding population, McKenzie Health expanded its services over time. This included adding general surgical services in 2018 and orthopedic services in 2019. By 2021, the healthcare system had opened a pediatric clinic, which brought on board OB-GYN
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providers. The following year, McKenzie Health added services in echocardiography, ear, nose, and throat care, and maternity services, further extending its reach to meet a broad range of healthcare needs. The study also highlighted McKenzie Health’s role in providing jobs and boosting the local economy. As the healthcare system grew, so did employment opportunities, offering positions in various healthcare fields and contributing financially to the region's development. In 2024, McKenzie Health took another major step by expanding its operations into the historic Plainsman Building at 3 4th St. E in downtown Williston. This expansion marked the organization’s continued growth and commitment to serving the area. Since the grand opening of the Williston location in June, McKenzie Health has extended its hours of operation to include Saturdays, giving the community a crucial alternative to the ER at CHI St. Alexius Health, which was previously the only healthcare option available on weekends. McKenzie Health has brought two major clinics to Williston: the Orthopedic Outreach Clinic and an Urgent Care Clinic. The Orthopedic Outreach Clinic offers patients access to some of the region's top orthopedic specialists. The clinic’s services cover a wide range of treatments, ensuring patients receive comprehensive care for musculoskeletal issues. Services offered include: • Total joint replacement for hips, knees, and shoulders • Sports-related surgeries, such as meniscal, ACL, and ligament reconstruction
Trauma surgery Shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair • Hand surgery, including carpal tunnel procedures • Foot surgery, including bunion correction • Treatment of arthritis and joint pain • Tendon injury therapy and treatment • Both non-operative and operative fracture treatments In addition to these services, the clinic is equipped with imaging facilities, allowing for a streamlined experience for patients. One standout feature of the Orthopedic Outreach Clinic is that patients can seek care without needing a referral from their primary care provider. The second clinic, McKenzie Health’s Urgent Care Clinic, caters to patients seeking care without an appointment. This clinic provides a wide range of services, covering everything from routine health needs to more acute issues. Services include: • Sports physicals • Tetanus shots • Flu vaccines • Allergy and asthma treatment • Care for coughs, colds, and sinus infections • STD testing • Treatment for throat pain, earaches, and bronchitis • Care for back pain, migraines, scrapes, bruises, minor cuts, and burns Imaging services are also available at the Urgent Care Clinic, but require appointments. With its extensive list of services, McKenzie Health is more than ready to address the healthcare needs of all community members, from young children to seniors. Whether residents are seeking specialized surgical care or quick treatment for minor injuries, McKenzie Health offers a convenient, accessible solution. The addition of these clinics in Williston represents the healthcare provider’s commitment to improving the overall quality of life for the community. For more information about McKenzie Health, including details from the NDSU study, visit mckenziehealth.com.
North Dakota approves $3.2 billion gas-toliquids plant WILLISTON GRAPHIC news@vocella.com TRENTON — North Dakota regulators have approved Cerilon’s plan to build a $3.2 billion gas-to-liquids plant near Trenton in Williams County. The facility will convert natural gas into products like diesel fuel, lubricants and naphtha. The North Dakota Public Service Commission unanimously approved the siting application, with the requirement that Cerilon file a construction management plan to address traffic concerns. Residents expressed traffic-related worries during a public hearing in June. Cerilon’s director of sustainability, Rochelle Harding, said the traffic plan should be ready by mid-to-late 2025, with construction expected to begin in 2026. Around 2,000 workers will be on site at the project's peak, and Cerilon plans to bus them in to reduce vehicle traffic. The state Department of Transportation is planning to add turn lanes at a key intersection near the plant on State Highway 1804. Cerilon also intends to capture carbon emissions from the plant and send them via pipeline to a sequestration site. In addition to liquid products, the facility will produce excess electricity to help supply the region’s power needs. This was written using information from the North Dakota Monitor article "PSC approves huge natural gas processing plant: Cerilon to develop plan for construction-related traffic" by Jeff Beach, published on Sept. 27, 2024. For more information scan the QR code or visit WillistonGraphic.com.
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