Providing Care…And So Much More
By Kim Reuter, Director of Operations
Providers. What is a provider? They are the doctors, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, eye care experts, mental health therapists etc. who care for us in a healthcare setting. But really, they do so much more than help us stay healthy. The providers at Southwest Health do a lot for their patients but also for their staff and community. They do it day in and day out, selflessly. Besides healthcare guidance, what do they provide?
They provide us with a partner in our healthcare. Each provider is unique; they don’t hide their personalities. We often have big decisions to make regarding our health; we need someone we trust and connect with to help us through those decisions. Each of our providers have distinct styles of care, personal interests (whether it is horses, camping, biking, sports, or spending time with their family), and passions. When we feel connected with them, we can build a trusting relationship with them, which is important when it comes to taking care of ourselves.
They provide us with a comforting ear, someone we can share whatever we are going through. They hear our most personal information, how our families are doing, our struggles, our triumphs. They offer us guidance, suggestions, and help. They offer us comfort.
They provide us with laughter and silliness when working with our children. They get down on the floor and play with them. They let them use their stethoscope to listen to their heart. They know it can be a scary experience to go to the doctor, especially for children. And they do a wonderful job of helping make it less scary and even fun.
They provide the community with support. They attend local sporting events and community functions, coach sports teams, and are highly involved with local support groups. Our providers live here. They are thoroughly woven into our community as our neighbors and friends. Many grew up in the area and returned here to care for their community.
They provide their patients with a voice. They advocate on their behalf. When it is necessary for a patient to be seen outside of Southwest Health, they do not hesitate to make phone calls to other providers to ensure the best possible care.
They provide us with high standards of care, both for their patients and their colleagues at Southwest Health. Treating both with respect and dignity is a priority to them. Being a part of a family is what they are looking for when they join our organization. It’s why they choose to be here. They don’t just see us in the office and then forget about us. Many call just to check on how we’re doing. Why? Because they care and understand we are important.
Providing care for southwest Wisconsin is the top priority. Even with booked schedules and plenty to do, they have taken time to help our most vulnerable populations get vaccinated for COVID-19. They have physically helped in whatever way they could at the vaccine clinics. They do not back down from teamwork or think any task is beneath them. If it’s for the greater good, they show up.
They provide us with information and education to help us be our best. They take the time to sit down with us and answer our questions about a new diagnosis, write blogs about their area of expertise or a newly developing health trend, and they present at community My Healthy Life workshops. They want not only to help us heal but also to keep us well.
Last, but definitely not least, they provide us with hope. When we are feeling down, when we are not feeling well, and think, “This is just the way it’s going to be,” they offer us hope that it can get better. When one treatment or solution isn’t working, they offer us others. They don’t give up on us, even if we have given up on ourselves. They root for us, encourage us, and cheer us on.
So thank you, providers. Thank you to each and every one of you. Thank you for choosing to be here. Thank you for making the health of those in southwest Wisconsin a priority. Thank you for being a provider of so many things.