CCMSD recognized by Wyoming Nurses Association

Staff members from Crook County Medical Services District (CCMSD) were honored with two awards during the Wyoming Nurses Association's (WNA) annual convention at the end of September.

An individual member of staff was presented with the Nursing Excellence in the Workplace Award, while the overall team received the Collaborative Practice Award.

Katie Wolf, RN was the recipient of the Nursing Excellence in the Workplace Award, which is conferred upon "a registered nurse who has developed an innovative and unique approach to nursing theory and knowledge in any practice setting" and is a role model of consistent, high-quality nursing practices.

According to a press release from the WNA, Wolf's career, "is marked by dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to providing exemplary care in rural Wyoming. She embodies the spirit and criteria of this award through her exceptional contributions to nursing theory, knowledge and practice."

Wolf is the Care Coordination Program Supervisor. She graduated from Western Dakota Technical Institute and began her career as a certified nurse assistant, then progressing through the roles of licensed practical nurse and registered nurse in the emergency department.

As Care Coordination Supervisor, she has successfully implemented a vaccine program at Sundance Clinic, increasing patient access to vaccines, and has expanded the chronic care management program and founded the care coordination department.

Wolf has also initiated and developed a behavioral health integration program and is working on several additional initiatives.

Wolf holds certifications in numerous areas, including management of aggressive behavior, basic life support, mental health first aid, National Institute of Health stroke scale, advanced cardiac life support, emergency nursing pediatric certification, trauma nursing core course and wound care.  

Wolf also spearheaded CCMSD's first annual free shopping event, during which over 1500 articles of clothing were donated for patients and members of the community to shop free of charge. The event was expanded to Moorcroft and Hulett.

The Collaborative Practice Award meanwhile goes to, "A health system or individual hospital for a collaborative project which shows an interdisciplinary approach to best practices that resulted in improved patient outcomes or cost savings."

This year, it was awarded to CCMSD's team for their dedication to improving patient care through collaboration and health and wellness programs.

"They put patients first," states WNA in a press release.

The WNA notes that CEO Micki Lyons encourages creativity in her staff to enhance care and connect with the community, which has helped the organization to thrive.

The project champions include Wolf, Samantha White, RD, Dietitian and Anthony Vopat, Ambulance Director.

The project itself was a health and wellness program with care coordination integration, which emphasizes health promotion through personalized training and nutritional wellness sessions while connecting patients to essential health services.

Health and wellness sessions include tailored personal training goals for patients led by a team of healthcare providers, along with nutritional wellness visits that cover topics such as building a healthy plate and portion control.

Behavioral health care coordination services and community health workers are also incorporated. Sustainability is achieved through care coordination, which helps patients avoid unnecessary procedures and services. Because the program is structured and focuses on physical, mental and social health, it allows for both Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, which ensures its long-term sustainability.