Category: Ronda

Guest Blogger: Ronda

The month of October proved to be another busy month for the health center!

Here in South Dakota it has been very dry, and the temperatures have been unseasonably mild. It’s great for getting in those much needed chances to be outside amongst the colors of fall, whether it be to go for a walk with a friend or work in our yards, but the allergies here in Chamberlain have been unbearable! We have seen many of our students and staff for allergen ailments as well as the so called “regular” viral infections moving through a few families.

I had the opportunity to skip work for four days to attend one of St. Joseph’s donor luncheons that was held in Denver, Colorado.   This was my first time to attend an event like this so I had no idea what to expect.  Not only was I the chaperone of the two female students who spoke to our guests, I also had the privilege to visit with several donors.

Since I love to talk so much, I truly enjoyed this aspect of the luncheon.  I felt this  was an opportunity for me to give my opinion on all the great things St Joseph’s does for our students, for their families and for their employees.  St. Joseph’s has about 200 employees, so we are one of the largest employers in this area.

I was proud to tell people at the luncheon the advantages of working at a St Joseph’s.  Not only  is it a  religious organization, but a family-oriented employer as well.  It is a place where I am honored to provide health and wellness to so many people!

Yes, attending the donor luncheon was a wonderful opportunity for me to tell others how much I enjoy my job and love working with the student and employees at St. Joseph’s Indian School!

Ronda

Guest Blogger: Ronda

The school year started out with a bang at the Health Center! St. Joseph’s Health Center staff includes:

  • Nancy, RN, began at St Joseph’s in 1980
  • Ronda, LPN, began in 1991
  • Connie, Health Center Assistant began in 2003

Let us tell you about what we do!

We started the school year by getting all 220 students checked into the Health Center (HC) the day before school starts.  The day is always very busy, but we love having the opportunity to meet the new students and a few of the parents when they bring their children to St Joseph’s.

During their quick visit here that day one of the first things we do is check their eyes.  We use this information several times through the year to determine who needs eye appointments or if their prescription is still working for them.  As of today, the children in need of glasses have received them, and we hope are wearing them … you know how kids can be!

We also do heights and weights on all the students at this time.  Then again at the end of the school year we repeat this process.  The students enjoy seeing how much they have grown in a short nine months

This year the state of South Dakota was able to provide our Lakota students with the flu mist, and all 220 of them were given the first part of September.  We appreciated the mist instead of the shot because there was a lot less crying! What a relief to have this task done.  Not only were we immunizing our students, we also gave 170 employees and their families their shots.  Sorry no mist for them, they had to take the shot in the arm.

As October begins, so do our physicals for the students.  Each new student  gets a physical in September and the returning students have them on a yearly basis.  Busy busy busy! Intertwined in all of this, each child gets a yearly dental cleaning and needed dental work done.

Thank you for helping us provide the medical attention our students need!

Ronda