FCS of America Becomes MRHC Foundation’s Newest Pacesetter-Level Donor

Just like their clientele, the staff at Farm Credit Services of America in Mobridge often fly under
the radar, quietly making a positive difference in the agricultural communities where they work
and live. This past week, staff at MRHC Foundation received an unassuming email in their
inbox, letting them know that the company had decided to donate $25,000 to help complete
Mobridge Regional Hospital’s current building project.

“Back in December, we shared with them how we were in our third and final year of the Healthy
Futures Capital Campaign and that we would greatly appreciate any donation they could give to
complete the new Emergency Department, Radiology Department, and Specialty Clinic at
Mobridge Regional Hospital,” shared Haden Merkel, MRHC Foundation’s Campaign Manager.
“We are so grateful they saw the value in our local health care system and have chosen to
partner with us on this project in such a big way.”

Mobridge Regional Hospital has the only Emergency Department within 45 miles of Mobridge,
and it is the only facility within 100 miles that offers surgical and obstetrical care. Being able to
receive medical care in the first hour after an ag-related trauma--whether its a 4-wheeler
rollover, livestock-related accident, or grain bin injury--is critical to patient outcomes. MRH&C
serves over 18,000 rural and frontier residents each year, including many agricultural producers.
“It can be hard to get producers out of the fields long enough for routine preventative care, but
we are so thankful when they come in and want to always be here when they need us,” said
Merkel. “Farmers and ranchers are used to working alone in tough conditions, and sometimes
they accept a level of physical and mental pain most would find unbearable. Unfortunately, that
can also sometimes translate to later stage diagnoses, severe work-related trauma or illness,
and higher rates of depression and anxiety in their industry.”

MRH&C is working to fix inequitable health outcomes like these. The completely renovated
radiology department works closely with the clinic on breast and lung cancer prevention and
diagnostic services. The EMS and Emergency Departments serve rural residents who
experience medical emergencies due to severe trauma or illness. Farm Credit Services of
America’s donation will be used to fund these spaces and build a designated area for
specialists, including mental and behavioral health providers, endocrinology providers,
pulmonology, orthopedics, audiology, and more.

With the ongoing support of partners like Farm Credit Services of America, the future is looking
healthier and brighter for north central South Dakotans. For more information on the hospital’s
building project, please visit www.mobridgehospital.org/news/come-watch-us-grow-construction-
updates/ or call Haden at 605-845-8180.