Broadus welcomes new Nurse Practitioner

Patrick Flanigan, FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner) has recently taken the reins as the lead medical provider at the Powder River Medical Clinic – or, as Patrick would like to refer to the facility, the Powder River Family Clinic. This distinction is important, as Patrick as well as Powder River Medical Administrator Sean Hill are both looking to re-engineer the county's medical facilities to provide "patient centered family medicine".

Patient centered family medicine is health care model which respects the individual patient's preferences, needs, and values. On the ground, this improved care will take the form of expanded hours of operation, more extensive coverage (for instance, labwork will now be done on sight at the clinic, providing results in minutes instead of days), and the care that comes from having a provider who is also a member of the community.

That new member of our community, Patrick Flanigan, sat down with The Examiner for an interview earlier this week, where we discussed how he came to be a Nurse Practitioner, and how he chose Broadus.

Flanigan grew up in the town of Eden, New York, which is not far from Buffalo. The area is known for its hunting, fishing, vegetables, and especially the yearly corn festival, so Patrick is used to the small town life – a pace of life which has always appealed to him. Flanigan has three sibling living in different parts of the country, in addition to his mother and grandmother back home.

Over the years, Patrick has lived in 11 states and 2 other countries. He attained a Bachelor's of Science degree in Nutrition from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (a degree which will come in handy here, since PR County doesn't have a Nutrionist). Flanigan also holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Xavier University in Ohio, and most recently his Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, from South Dakota State University, from their Rapid City satellite campus.

Patrick lived and worked in South Dakota for a number of years, working as a Registered Nurse for the VA in Fort Meade, as an RN in Deadwood, and gaining clinical NP experience on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in Eagle Butte. During his time in South Dakota, he also served as a pianist for a cathedral.

He specializes in care for people of all ages, working in pediatrics, adolescent and adult care, and on to geriatric care. This distinction is an important part of the "family" in family medicine – all members of the family are able to be cared for in a local setting.

The choice to move to a small town, and eventually Broadus, came about after Patrick read a story years ago, about a Nurse Practitioner in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who purchased a failing medical clinic in rural Colorado. Through hard work and regaining the community's trust, she was able to hire more personnel, growing the clinic and turning what was once a failed business into a bustling operation that provided professional care to the rural community.

This story struck a chord with Patrick, and ever since reading the story he has made it his goal to become a medical provider to a community in need. Patrick was a great candidate for Broadus, because not only were we a community in need, but our location within driving distance of the Black Hills meant Patrick is still able to visit his South Dakota friends.

Broadus is Patrick's first job as a Nurse Practitioner, and a job which he is already enjoying immensely. "I started seeing patients last week, and I love it," he commented, beaming as he spoke.

Both Vicki Klemm and Kerry Gardner at the clinic have been instrumental in helping Patrick to transition into the job, as has the skilled guidance of Dr. Jeff Hostetter. "I couldn't do it without their support," he said.

Patrick commented on the new position: "Broadus is a family; a giant tree with interwoven branches and stories. I've always wanted to find a small town to become my home – somewhere to put down roots. I'm excited to make Broadus my home, and become a part of the family."

For those wishing to meet Patrick, an open house and "Grand Re-Opening" is planned at the clinic, on Wednesday, February 26th, from 4-6 pm. Snacks will be provided, and staff will be on hand to discuss the expanded opportunities available at the facility.