National Rural Healthcare Day: Elevating Healthcare Access in Jamestown

Embracing the Challenges of Rural Healthcare

November marks National Rural Healthcare Day, a time to recognize the unique challenges and successes healthcare providers face in rural communities. In Jamestown, North Dakota, the Jamestown Regional Medical Center (JRMC) is crucial in delivering high-quality care to a population over 100 miles from the nearest urban center. Michael Delfs, President and CEO of JRMC, highlights the complexities involved in providing specialized care in this region.

"Our most challenging services are specific to the specialty care that this region needs," says Delfs. “While we serve 16,000 people, it's a hundred miles to Fargo or Bismarck, the larger urban areas. Providing specialty care here is essential to the community because many rural models only have specialists visiting once or twice a month. Our community, however, does not want to travel that far.”

JRMC has tackled this challenge directly by employing various specialists, including orthopedic surgeons, urologists, and OB/GYNs, all of whom were requested by the community. Delfs explains, "Recruiting and retaining our employed specialists has been challenging, but we've managed to do it." This strategy helps keep local talent and ensures residents receive necessary care closer to home.

Cultivating a Supportive Healthcare Culture

To address recruitment challenges, JRMC has focused on building a solid internal culture that engages staff and enhances patient care. "We involve all our medical providers in designing practices here, creating an efficient environment for them and a great patient experience," Delfs notes. This emphasis on a positive work culture has resulted in lower turnover rates and a robust pool of applications for open positions.

JRMC regularly surveys employees to gauge morale and collect feedback for continuous improvement. "Much literature suggests that if you engage your employee base, they will provide exceptional service," Delfs explains. This focus on culture has proved beneficial, as JRMC experiences fewer staff shortages than other healthcare facilities.

Innovative Initiatives for Improved Access

To enhance access to healthcare services, JRMC has implemented several initiatives aimed at reducing barriers for patients. One notable change is allowing patients to self-refer for specialty services. "We want to remove roadblocks so that people have access. If you have a specific issue and want to see an orthopedic surgeon, you can make an appointment directly," Delfs states.

Additionally, JRMC is expanding its services to meet community needs better. Delfs shares, "We recently added a second orthopedic surgeon to provide a broader range of orthopedic care. We're also opening a women's walk-in clinic for gynecological issues, allowing women to receive care within the same week they need it."
Another forthcoming initiative includes dermatology services set to launch in mid-2025. This move is driven by community feedback regarding long wait times for dermatological care. "We decided we could provide this service locally, helping alleviate the burden on our residents," Delfs adds.

Supporting Local Workforce Development

Local workforce development is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of healthcare services in Jamestown. JRMC has partnered with universities to provide healthcare students with educational opportunities and hands-on experience. "We believe we must elevate professional healthcare, and we want students to experience our organization," Delfs says.
JRMC attracts skilled professionals and nurtures a dedicated healthcare workforce by offering competitive pay and fostering a positive workplace culture. "We monitor local market pay rates to ensure we're competitive. We focus on recruitment and retention strategies, ultimately leading to better care for our community," Delfs concludes.

Jamestown Regional Medical Center's commitment to addressing the challenges of rural healthcare and enhancing service delivery stands as a testament to the power of community-focused care.

Jamestown/Stutsman County Development Corporation was organized to develop employment, improve business conditions, and advance the interests of the City of Jamestown and Stutsman County, North Dakota, by implementing and sustaining an organized effort to attract new business and industry, support existing business and industry, and encourage new business starts. Contact us today for more information.