Category Archives: News

Outpatient Clinic to open Dec. 4

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2024

GANADO, Ariz. – After years of planning and construction, the new $177 million Sage Memorial Hospital (SMH) is now open to the public in Ganado, Arizona.

“We are excited to start welcoming patients into our new location,” said SMH Director of Marketing and Public Relations Christian Bigwater. “This has been a long-awaited initiative for our community and we are proud to bring an advanced healthcare facilities and services to meet the needs of our patients.”

The hospital held a grand opening event on Aug. 23, giving the public an opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility before it officially opened its doors. Since then, hospital staff have been moving in phases to ensure a smooth transition.

On Dec. 2, following a successful survey by the Arizona Department of Health Services, Sage Memorial Hospital received its license and was given the approval to open its doors to the public. The first services to open at the new hospital is the Emergency Department on Dec. 3, followed by the Outpatient Clinic on Dec. 4.

“Sage Memorial Hospital is the only tribal healthcare facility that is licensed under the state of Arizona,” said SMH CEO Melinda White. “At SMH, patient safety and quality of care are our top priorities. Achieving hospital certification represents our commitment to planning and maintaining safe, high-quality patient care.”

For more information about Sage Memorial Hospital and its services, please visit sagememorial.com or call (928) 755-4500.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2024

GANADO, Ariz. – Sage Memorial Hospital announces the success of its 2024 Mass Flu/COVID Event, held from October 17-19, 2024, during which a total of 1,479 vaccines were administered.

The event began with two days dedicated to vaccinating students from various local schools, including GUSD – Ganado Unified School District, KDLO – Kin Da Lichii Olta, and GSCS – Greasewood Springs Community School. On the last day, the vaccine event opened to the community where members of the Navajo Nation and nearby towns were able to receive the flu and COVID-19 vaccines.

Trevaia Fowler, Mass Vaccination Planning Section Chief, expressed gratitude for the community’s commitment to health. It’s great to see our community not just taking part but also leading the way in preventive healthcare.”

For more information on Sage Memorial Hospital’s vaccination events and services, please visit www.sagememorial.com/flu.

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Our student employee Keanu Mitchell sat down with the Director of Rehabilitation Deidra Salabye to attain   more information on the Physical Therapy Department at Sage Memorial Hospital. 

Keanu: What is the main goal of physical therapy?

Deidrea: The main goal is to rehabilitate patients by educating them on how to facilitate their healing after an injury, surgery, or patients with chronic pain or issues. Also to educate patients on how to strengthen their bodies and get their bodies to move better. There is a lot of education and demonstration for the process of teaching patients different exercises and stretches to help their bodies.

Keanu: What makes Sage Memorial Hospital’s Physical Therapy different?

Deidrea: Sage Memorial Hospital’s therapists and the services they provide to their patients. The therapists here at Sage Memorial Hospital are incredibly well trained and have years of experience. The therapists are empathetic, caring, and they are great with specific patient’s needs. They are hands on, patient, and they listen to their patients needs.

Keanu: What do you admire most about the Physical Therapy department here at Sage?

Deidrea: The work ethic of the physical therapy department, they are very hands on and work hard to have the clinic run more efficiently and provide services that patients deserve.

Keanu: Is there any improvements you want to make in the physical therapy department?

Deidrea: Policy writings is an improvement that they are now working on because the current policy is outdated. Policies give guidance on how to run the physical therapy department more efficiently. Another improvement they want to make is [to have] all permanent staff.

Keanu: Do you have any additional comments?

Deidrea: The physical therapy department strongly believes in the mission, vision, and values of Sage Memorial Hospital. They are running efficiently following the mission, vision, and values. The Physical Therapy department is very thankful for the support from the executive team.

As we move closer to the opening of our new facility, I would like to take a moment to recognize all who have worked tirelessly to accomplish this impressive goal. The entire construction crew, Sage Memorial Facilities Division, the consultants, nurses, allied staff, IT services, maintenance crews, and every other department came together to achieve the dream of a state-of-the-art hospital in Ganado, Arizona.  

In keeping the vision of Sage Memorial’s Board of Directors to provide innovative health care while enhancing the Diné philosophy of life, our brand-new hospital will provide a robust suite of medical services and state-of-the-art technology for all residents in our service area. 

Some highlights of our services include a four-bed Intensive Care Unit staffed by ICU trained nurses, 24-hour physician coverage, and Tele-Intensivist support.  Other services include an Inpatient Hemodialysis Unit as well as new subspeciality medical services such as TeleStroke care, tele and in-person cardiology and pulmonology.  

Sage Memorial’s outpatient clinic also boasts subspecialities in the field of Rheumatology and Neurology. To complement these new services, Sage Memorial has in-house echocardiogram and cardiac rhythm testing as well as stress testing, sleep apnea testing, and pulmonary function testing. 

Patients can expect to receive current, state-of-the-art treatment in a timely and cost-effective manner when they visit our new hospital. We aim to provide the “Right Care in the Right Place at the Right Time.”