Sheryl Dority, RN (top), with members of the UT-1 DMAT team, and the clinic they set up outside the hospital
Kudos to a group of Intermountain caregivers who deployed to help with hurricane relief during September 2020, responding to Hurricane Laura in Louisiana, and Hurricane Sally in Missouri. They were deployed as members of UT-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (UT-1 DMAT), which responds to disasters and medical emergencies through the National Disaster Medical System within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The group provided a stand-alone urgent care clinic in a hospital parking lot in Sulphur, LA, where they triaged patients for the ED and provided medication care while all local clinics and physician offices were closed due to lack of power and water.
“Being able to reach out to those in need is a very fulfilling experience,” says Sheryl Dority, RN, tele-critical care, and a member of UT-1 DMAT who was deployed. “We lessened the load of an amazing team of caregivers in a greatly overloaded rural emergency department. Many of their homes had been destroyed, families displaced, and several were living at the hospital. It felt good to represent healthcare workers from around our nation. We had multiple members of their staff and patients thank us for not forgetting them in their time of need.”
Sheryl says these types of deployments help better prepare caregivers when they return home and step back into their roles in the community, including responding to COVID-19. “In crisis care times, we understand what’s most helpful and what isn’t,” she says. “We learn better ways to give essential care to a large number of patients. And we learn to think outside ourselves and work together.”
Thanks to Sheryl and all the caregivers who were deployed for their service:
- Elizabeth Anderson, nurse practitioner, trauma services, Primary Children’s Hospital
- Jeremy Bair, pharmacist, Intermountain Medical Center
- Barrett Raymond, nurse practitioner, Springville Clinic
- Steven Metz, pharmacist, Intermountain Medical Center
- Gregory Nelsen, pharmacist, Primary Children’s Hospital
- Brian Winther, pharmacy team lead, Primary Children’s Hospital
Jocelyn Jones
Cheers to Jocelyn Jones, a central processing technician at McKay-Dee Hospital, who was recently one of the top candidates trying out for the U.S. National Rugby Team going to the 2021 Olympics. While no new players were added at this time, Jocelyn will try for the 2024 team. She’s been playing for seven years, starting in high school and during college where she was noticed by the U.S. National Rugby Team. She aspires to play rugby at as high of a level as possible, on the national team, and possibly professionally overseas. “Jocelyn is a great team player who is fun to work with and has a positive attitude,” says Craig Charlesworth, central processing manager. “We’re all very proud of her and it’s exciting to see her get these opportunities.”
Jocelyn says, “It’s very difficult to make a living as a female athlete, so we all have other jobs. Luckily, since graduating, I’ve been able to work toward pursuing a career in medicine. I’m so grateful for the support and flexibility from Intermountain to make both of my dreams possible.”
Ryan Huber and his wife, Kylynne
Congratulations to Ryan Huber, athletic trainer with Intermountain Sports Medicine based at Parowan High School, who received the High School Athletic Trainer of the Year award for 2020 from the Utah Athletic Trainer Association.
“Ryan has done so much to grow athletic training in Utah,” says Melissa Mendini, head athletic trainer for Intermountain Sports Medicine in the Iron County School District. “As one of the only athletic trainers at the 2A level, Ryan has treated and cared for many athletes. He’s constantly covering games, tournaments, and playoffs as the only athletic trainer or medical professional present — many times caring for athletes that are not his own and who’ve never had an athletic trainer before. As one of the most caring and personable athletic trainers I’ve ever met, Ryan has had an impact on our athletes, community members, and school administrators. People in Parowan look to him as an extremely important healthcare resource. He’s appreciated in this rural area and absolutely deserves this award.”