Pioneer Memorial

Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services in Viborg is open for business twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, rain, shine, or snow. The healthcare services provided are necessary, and in some cases, critical for those seeking emergency care, or for those needing hospitalization. Additionally, Pioneer Memorial is home to residents of the nursing home, assisted living center and independent living apartments located within the same building. Thus, when a storm threatens, especially when that storm hits over the Christmas holiday, Pioneer Memorial employees go into high gear, not only to care for the patients and residents, but to accommodate the needs of fellow workers who staff the facility.

“Our employees were fantastic, gracious, willing, and helpful throughout the entire blizzard”, according to Lori Hisel, Director of Support Services at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services. Approximately 27 to 30 Pioneer Memorial employees stayed at the facility from Wednesday evening until Saturday or Sunday. Other employees, living in Viborg, were transported by maintenance staff or by Matt Thompson, local volunteer and husband of one of the CNAs, Lori was quick to add, “Thank you Matt!”

According to Hisel, who stayed at the facility herself from Wednesday through Saturday, “Employees and residents found ways to have fun regardless of what the weather outside was doing.” She added, “Of course all of us would rather have been celebrating Christmas with our own families, but we couldn’t get out and they couldn’t get in, so employees and residents adopted each other and celebrated together.’

Dietary staff staying at the facility kept the food coming and made sure there were lots of homemade goodies and delicious holiday meals to keep residents and staff well fed. According to Hisel, “We had homemade oyster stew and potato soup on Christmas Eve and a wonderful Christmas Day Dinner.” Shirley Skonhovd, Villa resident added, “Our family tradition has always been to have oyster stew on Christmas Eve. We sure enjoyed having it here along with the rullepolse, turkey and Christmas goodies.”

Hisel was most concerned about the two to three maintenance staff members who worked through the storm. “They were going out into the blowing snow every two to three hours to make sure the road was clear in case emergency vehicles had to get through, and to make sure emergency exits were open.” Rita Westergaard, CNA, who stayed during the storm added, “Once the storm was over, maintenance even cleared our cars off so we could go home.”

Dr. Earl Nelson who joined the Pioneer Memorial Medical Staff in 1968, arrived on Wednesday and served as the doctor on call throughout the storm. Nurses, CNAs, administrative staff, housekeepers, dietary, maintenance, laundry staff, everyone pitched in and made sure patients, residents, and employees were safe, well fed, and enjoyed some holiday fun.

Patty Anderson, Director of Activities, also stayed throughout the storm organizing games, caroling, and even a Hawaiian party to help keep spirits up. Staff and residents participated together enjoying both the activity and the fellowship. Shirley Skonhovd added, “We had so much fun. We kept busy all the time with bingo, singing, games, and lots of good food.”

Though no one is hoping for another massive snowstorm, it is evident that Pioneer Memorial employees and residents “stuck” during the Christmas blizzard of 2009 found ways to prove that family encompasses more than our individual DNA, and that shared circumstances and caring hearts go a long way in building Christmas Spirit.