November 6, 2020
Dear Community:
Our colleague, Registered Nurse Charlotte Skinner, RN, delivered a powerful message last week to the entire state of Montana. She said:
“We need your help, Montana.”
We want to reiterate this message. It is more important than ever that our community hears it loud and clear.
COVID-19 is serious.
It is true, the majority of people who get COVID-19 will recover, and some are even asymptomatic and may not even know they’re sick. We are grateful for this fact.
However, people who are asymptomatic can still transmit the virus and we still do not have a clear picture on the potential for long-term health implications.
Those who become very ill or die from COVID-19 likely got the virus from a chain of transmission that included at least one person who themselves had no symptoms. This is why it is so critical to take preventative measures, even when you’re feeling healthy.
To date 407 Montanans have died as a result of this virus and the death count continues to rise. This virus can cause serious, debilitating illness for some and is deadly for others. The dangerously high virus prevalence circulating in our community has caused the number of people who require hospitalization to strain our local health care capacity.
COVID-19 impacts all health care resources.
When we ask for help in slowing the spread of COVID-19, it’s not just about beds, ventilators or availability of medications. We can have the most advanced equipment, technology and therapeutics in the world, but we do not have an unending number of talented and dedicated health care professionals who use these tools to save lives.
Caring for our patients is where we want to be and where we need to be. But when there is widespread disease in our community, the chances that we are exposed through community spread increases. When we have to be at home because we are sick or in quarantine, we cannot be at the bedside or in the exam room. This impacts the care available for those with COVID-19 and those without COVID-19: from the patient with COVID-19 who needs supplemental oxygen to the child who has an accident on a playground.
We CAN slow the spread.
We know this isn’t easy, but we also know there are things we all can do to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
This is the time to come together and listen to the medical and public health experts about the prevention measures that we know help reduce spread – wearing a mask, making your world small, physical distancing, staying home when sick and washing your hands. And if you do gather with people, follow all safety precautions, all the time.
Slip ups happen. Maybe you regret attending an event or have previously been skeptical about masking. However, it is never too late to begin to take safety precautions. It takes ALL of us putting in the hard work to protect each other.
We’re in this together, and together we’ll get through this.
We live in a great community. Let's be a model of a community that did it right. Our combined efforts will help contain the virus, save lives and get us on track to get back to normal.
Together, we can take action to re-flatten the curve and help our community thrive.
Sincerely,
~ St. Peter’s Health Caregivers
Earl Book, MD
Tracy Dill, MD
Tammi O'Dell, RNC
Katherine Sigafoos
Bennett MacIntyre
Megan Cato Carr, RN-CEN
Dawn Denegar
Anne McCoy, RN
Andrew Gilbert, MD
Toni Easton, CMA
TJ Lanier, PharmD
Julie Brown
Jennifer Taylor, BSN, CCRN
Terri Stevens, HUC/CAN
Kelly Adams
Molly H, RN
Kim Waples, LCSW, CMHP
Alexander Jewett, PA-C
Corbin A
Teresa Boyd
Claire Bostrom, RN
Jeremy Royal, MBA, LCPC
Amanda Johnston, CCMA
Laura Nisbet, RN
Erin Peterson
JT Hinman, PTA
Janice Spencer, LPN
Lindsey Darfler
Caroline Hammond, RNC
Rachel Mattern, PA-C, CAQ
Aaron Gams, RN
Olivia Coburn
Claire West, RN
Jessica Bennett, RN
David Webster, NRP
Cheyann Gillespie, CAN
Tetyana Matveyeva
Megan Zawacki, PA-C
Elizabeth Grant, MD
Josh Taylor, CMA
Brian Lee
Brittany Kizer, MSW, SWLC
Linsey Hollow, RNC
Kylie Rickman, RN
Jessica Lukenbill, RN
Kaity Deaton, PharmD
Jennifer Tanner, BSN, RN, CCRN
Dana Roberson, RN
Linda Zderick, PT
Jeannette Evraets, RN
Audra Swafford
Elizabeth Ford, RN
Natalie Clausing, PT, DPT
Dana Walker
Darcie Caldwell, CSCT
Marsha Eklund
Vincent Serumgard
Vicki Ruzicka, RN
Shari Hagengruber
Lee R. Travis, MD
Sarah Pemble
MichelleTwiford
Jami Hansing, RT
Amber McIntosh, LPN
John Elliott
Adreinne Verlanic, RNFA
Jakota Platts, CAN
Lorelei Roberts, RN
Janny Quigley, RN
Justine McLane
Emily Sedgwick, RN
Gwenn Rogers
Sarah Evans, MD
Jennifer Mckay, RNC
Nichole Peebles, RN, OCN
Jenna Reitz
Riley Galt, CAN
Emily Hedrick, RN
Christi Davis, TLAP
Jill Wagenhals
Brandon Hansen
Robert Blank
Krista Weis, RN
Jaylene Tennant, RN
Cailin Martello, CGRN
Renee Olsen, CLS
Luke Wines, RNC
Dale Koch, PT
Gina Spurzem, RN
Betsy Williams, RN
Cynthia Overturf, RDN, CDCES, BC-ADM
Dave Ellis, RN
Lauren Kuntz, RN
Meghan Giovenco, RNC
Angela Erb, CCMA
Jen Keller
Megan McCarthy, RN
Mandi Andersch
Kady Richards
Betsy Klippenes, RN
Adeline Weidow, BSN, RN
Ted Veseth, RN
Debra Peterson, RT (R)
Jesica George, RT (R)
Patricia Keilman, RRT
Sevda Raghib, RN
Jenifer Dodge, MD, FAAFP
Marcia Rohrer
Patrick Wood, MD
Katie Barbee, RN
Jacob Kussman
Stormy Lantz, MSN, RN
Amanda Sell, MSN, RN, CCM
Ginger Baker, LBBP, MBA, MS, MT (AAB), ACHE
Jennifer Gable, CMA
Ashley Coggins, DO
Starla Blank, PharmD
Amberlee Ferrier
Julie Yates, PBT
Annei Daniels, PharmD
AnneMarie Luehr, HUC
Jess Humber, RN
Kaile Ross, PhD
Shelly Harkins, MD
Brandon Newgard, MD
Janice Powell, LPN
Ryan Guy
Bill Treharn
Rhonda Hinrichs, RN
William Kussman, CHEC
Kate Garton, BHCA
Mitch DeLeo
Darby B, CMA
Katie Foster
MeLinda Suhr, CAN, HUC
Michelle Eckhart, RN, MSN
Christine Erickson, LPN
Amy Emmert, MAS, BSN, RN
Kyle Moore, DO
Kathy Swanson, RNC, IBCLC
Rene' Casavan, RT (M) (R) (CT)
Angela Tacey, RN, BSN
Deonne Corne, RN
Paul Wilson, CMA
Ted Lanier, RRT
Devon Murray
Ann Lansing, MS, CRNA
Orpha Montgomery, RNC
Victoria Tillo, RN
Jared Phelps, DO
Jessie Lunde, CMA
Theresa Metropoulos, MCSD
Steve Matthes, BS, BA, BA
Chris Caniglia
Patrick Alduenda, DMS, APA-C
Andy Coil, DO
David Krainacker, MD, PhD
Heidi Abbott, RN
Jane O'Driscoll, PT, WCC, CLT-LANA, CSWS
Jennifer Doughty, RN
Shannon Murray, RNC
Trent Jensen, DO
Andrew Michel, MD, FACEP
Crystal Ross, LCSW
Andrea Hedblom, PA-C
Megan Gullickson, RN
Shirley Konrad
Carrie Mitton, RN
Martha Poell, LPN
McCall Elverum, RN
Patti Hunthausen, RT (R) (M)
Chad Fitzgerald, RPH, PharmD
Kim Stnaley
Mark Mitchell
Jennifer Marshall
Ali McHugh
Kyla Peterson, PT, DPT, OCS
Deb Wakeland, LPN
Judith Buer, RHIT
William Harper
Luanne Tangedal, MS, RN
Cheryl Gunter, RNC
Marisa Hardy, RN
Jarrid Watkins, RN
Jenna Cederberg
Tawni Potts, CCMA
Wendi Thompson, RT (R) (CT) (MR)
Naomi Eaton, LPN
Don Cox, CPA
Gina Davis, BSN, RNC
Tiffany Romano, CAN
Emily Bubbers, MD
Bill Ramsey
Bonnie Frey, CAN
Heather Mitton
Jo Lynn Miller, BSN, RNC
R. Dawn Paul, PA-C
Britt R Ballinger
Jodi Jensen, RN
Pamela Walter, RN
Pamela Walter, RN
Joseph Dunn, RN
Melissa Cobb, CNP
Christopher Korow
James Bennett, MD
Tiffany Kniepkamp, MD
Lisa McMahon, RNC
Jordan Olmstead
Sarah Crowley, BAN, RN, IBCLC
Glenn Arlint
Kelsey Wiegand, RNC
Edward Peachey, RD
Kelli Butenko, EMT-P
Arthur Martin, RN
Raena Whitney
Sherry Kosena, BSN, RNC
Brittany Lee, RNC
Yvonne Tapper-Gardzina, MS, RD
Paul Clark
Laurie Ditto
Nicholas Maffei, RN-BSN
Wayne Rada
Adam Plate, MD
Christopher Dumont, RN
Andrew Gilbert, MD
Jennifer Emery, MD
Jayme Schneider, RN
Riki Emerson, RN
Chris Whelan, RRT
Charlotte Skinner, RN
Jennifer Reinstadler, RNC
Nicole Clark, MD
Angela Austin
Ashley Carpenter
Michael Fuller
Leslie Pearson, PTA
Kayla Morris
Brenna Scofield, DNP, FNP-BC
Emili Miller, MSW
Randy Sasich, MD
Inna Bordewick, PA-C
Kathleen Silverstein, RN
Kendon Anderson
Jenny Taylor
Shannon Wacker
Katharine Strizich, RNC
Cheryl Bieber, RNC
Kendra Lenhardt, MPA
John Galt, MD
Diane Sedlacek, MBA
Hannah Sieracki, RN
Lisa Villa RT (R)
Patricia Gifford
Mikael Bedell, MD
Alvera (Vera) Englund, LPN
Laura Bennett, MS, PA-C
Rene' Casavan, RT (M)
Kim Rieser, RN
Briana Smith RT (R) (CT) (MRI)
Starla Blank, PharmD
Lynne Grant, BSW
Dave Pepper
Sandy Cooper
Jennifer Pappas
Sarah Cox, MOT, OTR/L
Sarah Maxell, OT
Cindy Bultena, RN, MSN, RN
Anthony Pierini, RN
Josie Eckman
Dianne Armstrong, RNC
Jenny Sinrud, RN
Adam Schiedermayer
Rhonda Baxter, LPN
Julie Yates
Shannon Doom
Patricia Harant
Rebecca Johns, RN
Lori Ricks
Jodi Aschim, RNC
Diane Dean, CTR
Nicole Ramstead, RN
Elizabeth Stearns Sims, EdD
Patricia Gillespie B.S.R.T (R)(N)
Robert Phillips, MD
LeeAnne Yonchek, PA-C
Sara O'Connell, MD
Sarah Elliott, RN
Colleen Gambill, RN
Hadley Stanfel
Jennifer McGinnis, RN
Michelle Rush, MBA, CPHRM, CHC
Shari Hazelbaker, RN
Katie Gallagher
Larissa Dewitt
Emily Allen, LPN
Julie Petre, PharmD
Lyndsay Smith, BSW
Shona Ellison, PHR, CP
Emily Hedum, DO
Michael Strekall, MD
Barb Slunaker, RHIA
Rebecca Morgan
Elyse Demaray, RN
Beverly Roope, FNP-C
Matt Aakre, CLSp(MB)
Susan Mitchell, MT, ASCP
Melissa Stiles, PT
Tom Richardson, PharmD
Stephanie Clinch, RDMS
Laura Plaska, RN
Brooke Clinch, DPT
Summer Monforte, MD
Brad Hornung, RPH
Tim Ferber, MA CCC-SLP
Kari Badger, PT
Shari Hagengruber
Alice Luehr, DNP, RN, CNN
Rose Frank, CMIP, CHESP, CLM
Chelsey Field, DO
Taylour McNelly, MLS
Jasmine Doom
Karla Smith, PHR
Jennifer Baker
Sheri Renney
Jill Whyte, RN
Rochelle Quist, RN
Elizabeth Miller
Marjean Heisler, PT
Debbie Berg, CLS
Vivian Reeves
Erin Summers, PMP
Hemanth Modadugu, MBA, MHA
Deborah Thompson
Miyoko Fisher
Cris Bridges
Lena Phelps, PA-C
Jaime Larese, RDN
Kari Parmer, RN, MSN
Marcy Reher
Robin Richardson
Juliet Hahn, CP
Elizabeth Quinn
Dawn Gallinger, PhD
Michele Johson, CPC
Diane Nowak, MD
Margo Dollan, RN
Gwenn Rogers
Karen McCarl, CPC
Kristen Olsen
Bradley Dick, MD
Merrill Taylor, RN
Pamela Melton, PharmD, BCACP, CPP
Cathy Kovich
Jennifer Rude
Olivia Lee, CCMA
Kimberly Pepper, BCC
Anne Anglim, MD, MS
Nicole Welch, CCMA
Chloe Marsh, CCMA
Betsy Koerten, RN
Bridgid Crowley, MD
Marietta Halverson
Kelly Hunt, RN
Kim Kurokawa, RN, CCDS
Joe Boule, CRT, RPSGT
Kennedy Wancewicz
Cindy Garcia
Laurie Coverdell Hall, MBA
Donna Fyfe
Brenda Lockington
MaryAnn Beach, PA-C
Sara Churchill, RN
Heather Harrington, CLT
Marlene Steinberg
Molly Litchfield, RN, BSN
Michelle Krings, RHIA
Kolene Gardner
Heidi Simons, PharmD
Sarah Fenton, MD, FACC
Tim Casey, PTA
Kimberly Pepper, BCC
Wisemiller, RN
Bruce Tyler, BA, BS, MBA
Robert LaClair, MD
Heidi Hohmann
Shayla Barraclough, PharmD, BCPS
Jamie Seymour, RN
Sandra K. Mittleider
Lanae Williams, PA
Meghan Arnette
Tolly Patten, RDN
Jacque Tescher
Jonathon Griffin, MD
Sandra Haschle, PhD, MSN, MA, RN, NE-BC
Jayme Johnson
Kelsey Henderson, RN
Brittany Hoover, RNC-OB
Rick Gulan, RN
Mallory Taflan
Wade Johnson
Theresa Jensen, RN
Courtney Marney
Karla Hart
Metta Barnhart, RN
Shannon Hovde, RN
Jennifer Nye, RN
