Pride & Promise: Healthcare Leaders Share their Wins for '24 and their Hopes for '25
Courtney Unruh, CEO/Administrator, Freeman Regional Health Services, Freeman, South Dakota
Courtney Unruh, CEO/Administrator, Freeman Regional Health Services
In our ongoing effort to keep our metaphorical finger on the pulse of what's happening in our wide and diverse medical community, we invited regional healthcare leaders to share their insights about the year past and the year to come. Our hope is that you'll learn something new about the health systems around you, get to know some of the people at the helm, and find inspiration for your own organizations as we navigate a new year.
1) What are you proudest/most excited about what your organization has initiated or accomplished in 2024?
In 2024, I am incredibly proud of our strides toward making Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) a preferred place to work and receive care.
We have prioritized the importance of a strong culture based on our mission, vision, values, and CARE (Compassion, Attitude, Respect, Excellence) standards. Our leadership development initiatives, including leadership book studies and advanced training like the SDAHO nurse leadership program, are cultivating strong leaders who are committed to excellence and advanced educational certifications and degrees.
Our exceptional Board of Directors, Physicians, and Advanced Practice Providers have helped steer our efforts to become a preferred care provider in our service area. We have enhanced our outpatient services significantly and we are excited to offer DEXA scans and the Planet Heart program supported by our new 16-slice CT.
Community engagement also remains a high priority, highlighted by successful events like our 14th Annual FRHS Foundation Golf Tournament and our 13th Annual Freeman Regional Foundation Gala which foster a strong connection with residents of Marion, Menno, Bridgewater, and Freeman.
2) What are you most looking forward to or hopeful about for your organization in the coming year?
In the coming year, we are excited to advance our vision of a comprehensive care continuum on a single campus, ensuring that our community has seamless access to a wide range of services.
We are also focused on engaging young community members in strategic planning and working collaboratively with local organizations to enhance the overall health of Freeman. Our commitment to advancing rural health is evidenced by our active recruitment of new physicians and the onboarding of two additional Advanced Practice Providers.
By fostering these connections and continuing to improve our services and grow our team, we aim to establish FRHS as a leader of rural healthcare in our area. In Freeman, we believe we are better together, and we are optimistic we will have a healthy and thriving community for generations to come.