RiverView Health is pleased to announce the addition of board-certified general surgeon, Dr. Randy Bolar, to its staff. Dr. Bolar is now available to see patients at RiverView Clinic in Crookston.

“We are very excited to have Dr. Bolar on board at RiverView,” said RiverView Health CEO Ross Matlack.  “Dr. Bolar’s practice will be a nice compliment to the surgery services currently offered by Dr. Idatonye Afonya.  Having two general surgeons will also improve 24-hour coverage for emergency situations,” added Matlack.

Dr. Bolar came to RiverView from Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, Tennessee. He received his medical degree from Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton Ohio prior to completing an internship and residency in general surgery at Dwight David Eisenhower Medical Center in August, Georgia.

Dr. Bolar and his wife Sharon have experienced northern Minnesota in the winter months before while he was practicing in Thief River Falls from 1994-1998.  “Our girls have not had the same experience, but they’re looking forward to it,” said Dr. Bolar.  The Bolar’s have four school age daughters.

The Minnesota Eagles Organization recently awarded RiverView Health with a $1,500 Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund Grant, which will be utilized in the diagnostic imaging department for the MRI and CT projects. This new, state of the art equipment provides high resolution images, allowing physicians to better diagnose masses, tumors and cancers.

“With cancer detection being a critical community need and quality of life driving this project I applaud the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Grand Aerie #873 stake holder’s role and commitment to this grant request,” said Kent Bruun, Director of the RiverView Health Foundation.

The Minnesota Eagles Organization previously granted RiverView Health three grants totaling $10,000. The first grant was used to secure patient safety lighting equipment for RiverView Care Center’s Memory Care Unit.

The second grant was the catalyst to update RiverView’s Infant Hearing Screening System. Each baby born at RiverView completes a hearing screening soon after birth. Infants identified with a hearing deficiency are referred to appropriate services so early intervention will occur.

The third grant was used to purchase an infant training simulator system and pediatric wheelchairs. The training simulator is used for Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) courses taught at RiverView Health for regional medical providers.

“The RiverView Health Foundation applauds the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Grand Aerie #873 and Bruce and Cindy Meyer’s stakeholder role in providing $11,500 in grant support to RiverView Health over the past twelve months,” said Bruun. “These projects reflect the Eagle organization’s positive influence to improve the lives of others. “

RiverView Health has partnered with Sanford Health to provide its patients with an integrated, state-of-the-art Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. The community-owned health system in northwestern Minnesota has entered into an associate agreement with Sanford Health, effective February 22, 2011.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Sanford to provide our patients with access to the most advanced information systems available. Hospitals, particularly those in smaller towns, face tremendous challenges today, and by moving into an associate relationship with Sanford Health, our patients will see the benefits of Sanford’s advanced use of Electronic Medical Records (EMR),” commented Ross Matlack, RiverView CEO. “This is a giant step forward for us in terms of use of technology, and using these systems allows doctors in Crookston, Grand Forks, Fargo and beyond to have real-time access to clinical information, and this will only serve to enhance our ability to care for patients.”

Matlack also discussed other potential benefits of working with Sanford, including the ability to share quality initiatives and potentially to explore cost savings strategies through group purchasing. “We truly appreciate Sanford’s willingness to collaborate with us, and for respecting our desire to remain independent…they have been great to work with,” he added.

The EMR system will allow nurses, doctors and other medical professionals to seamlessly collect, store, and access a patient’s medical information in the safest way possible. Patients will also be given the opportunity to utilize a secure Internet based portal to conveniently schedule appointments, access lab test results, and communicate with their care team.

“As an organization, Sanford Health takes an integrated approach to health care. Working with other health systems to share the same electronic medical record is a catalyst for providing that integrated care,” said Dennis Hofer, vice president for Sanford Health Information Technology.

Sanford Health has several levels of relationships with area hospitals. These relationships range from associate, managed, leased and owned status. An associate agreement with Sanford Health allows RiverView Health access to the EMR system, which is expected to be installed by the fall of 2012.