Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Spring/Summer 2020

Gibson gets it! 17 Selfless service to health care Sunderland Society awards a nurse, a doctor and a volunteer Named to honor the legacy of the late Dr. Paul Sunderland, the Sunderland Society honors those who uphold the high standards he set during his distinctive time at Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS). Doris Gerber, RN Because “taking care of patients is the backbone of the organization,” David J. Hagan, MD, first recognized the employee inductee, Doris Gerber, RN, for her exceptional career, including more than 25 years in the medical/surgical department. Gerber gave credit to her mother for encouraging her to pursue a career path that would enable her to help her family: “It’s a wonderful occupation to get into. You get to know so many wonderful people.” Not only was Gerber dedicated to her career at GAHHS, she also took the role as a parish nurse, demonstrating her commitment to nursing as a vocation. “It’s amazing who you meet, and God blesses us every day with this,” she says. Prakash Thopiah, MD Before becoming a member of the Gibson Area Hospital (GAH) medical staff, PrakashThopiah, MD, served as a consulting cardiologist for physicians at GAH for over 15 years. In presenting the award, Dr. Hagan acknowledged his respect for Dr. Thopiah’s responsiveness to the needs of primary care providers and their patients. Dr. Thopiah appreciated the honor, giving heartfelt recognition to his late father, whom he noted was not only a family physician like Dr. Sunderland but also a philosopher who followed the humanitarian examples of Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. Camilla Lohmeyer In presenting the award to Camilla Lohmeyer, a volunteer who serves with joy as a smile greeter and as an advisory board member, Dr. Hagan pointed out that it was the effort of volunteers that helped build the hospital. Lohmeyer was pleased to be recognized among those who have made an impact at GAH. “The hospital—I brag about it all the time! All of the people make it a very enjoyable volunteer job!” she says. The accomplished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and retired farmer also served as the mayor of Sibley and remains active as a leader in her church and other civic organizations. From left are physician presenter David J. Hagan, MD; volunteer Camilla Lohmeyer (smile greeter); physician Prakash Thopiah, MD (cardiologist); employee Doris Gerber (registered nurse); and Robin Rose, GAHHS CCO and COO. From left, GAHHS CEO Rob Schmitt presents the NRHA Rural Health Champion Award for Representative Adam Kinzinger to Paul Laurie, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Kinzinger. Gibson Gets It in Washington! While advocating for rural health care during the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) Rural Health Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) CEO Rob Schmitt presented the NRHA Rural Health Champion Award to Representative Kinzinger (accepted on his behalf by Paul Laurie, Legislative Assistant to Rep. Kinzinger). Schmitt attended the February event with hundreds of rural health advocates from across the nation to have a voice in real issues that affect rural health facilities like GAHHS and, according to NRHA, “advocate for legislation and policies that protect rural patients, providers and their communities.” Share your special gifts with GAHHS! See how you can volunteer at www.gibsonhospital.org/supporting-gibson/volunteers .