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Officials break ground at new HAMC site

By Sue Sitter - | Nov 5, 2022

Sue Sitter/PCT A long line of government and community officials breaks ground at the site of a new Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby. From left are Kevin Leier, principal, Little Flower Catholic School; Laurie Odden, executive director of the Rugby Chamber of Commerce; Patricia Paul, chief operations officer at Rugby’s Merchants Bank; Josh Mattson, hospital board member; N.D. Rep. Jon Nelson; U.S. Rep. Kelly Armstrong; Kolin Johnson, board member; Tanner Johnson, board member; Rugby Mayor Frank LaRocque; Mark Wax, USDA Rural Development; Christy Wiltse, USDA Rural Development; HAMC CEO Erik Christenson; Sen. John Hoeven; Erin Oban, director, North Dakota Rural Development; Tim Blasl, president, North Dakota Hospital Association; Board Chair Wayne Trottier; HAMC CFO Melissa Shepard; Kim Bott, board member, and Deanna Marchus, board member.

Officials from federal, state and local government joined Rugby community organizations for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of a new Heart of America Medical Center Nov. 1.

HAMC CEO Erik Christenson spoke first at the event, explaining the need for a new facility in Rugby, a rural community with a critical need for health care.

Christenson talked about the current hospital’s age. Some sections of the building date to the 1940s.

“People like to say, ‘They built a new addition to the hospital in 1991,’ and I’ve said this several times – I remember in 1991 asking my future bride out to homecoming and we’re now grandparents,” Christenson said to laughter from the crowd of people gathered for the event. “That’s not new. That’s a lot of years ago.”

“Today marks the end of the beginning and the start of a new future for health care at Heart of America and our surrounding communities,” he said. “This really will make a difference. This means so much to everybody here and in the area to assure that there is healthcare that is accessible to rural North Dakota.”

Christenson thanked the hospital’s board of trustees, patients and long-term care residents. He said he felt honored to have patients “trust us with their care.”

Sen. John Hoeven joked about the hospital’s present hodgepodge of additions that make it difficult to find an entrance.

Hoeven thanked Erin Oban, director of North Dakota Rural Development and District 14 state legislators Jerry Klein and Jon Nelson.

“I enjoyed working with them as governor and now in the Senate,” Hoeven said.

He also gave thanks to Good Samaritan Hospital Association Board Chair Wayne Trottier and all hospital board members.

“It really is a team effort, and you’re a huge part of the team,” Hoeven added.

“This is going to be north of $55 million, close to probably by the time you’re done, a $60 million incredible, beautiful facility,” Hoeven said. “And I won’t have any problem finding the front door,” he quipped.

“But a lot more importantly, you’re going to have state of the art healthcare,” he added. “I’m not just guessing, and I didn’t just read it. “

“So, the next time you’re on I-94 in the Jamestown area, look just to the south, and you’re going to see a beautiful hospital,” he added. “Or, the next time you’re in Hazen – take a look at that facility. “Or, talk to Alan O’Neil, and he’ll show you a picture on his cell phone of the critical care facility along with associated skilled and basic care nursing home they have in Grafton,” Hoeven added.

Hoeven also recognized hospital employees and healthcare providers at HAMC. “You’re the ones who make it happen,” he said of the hospital’s providers.

“You’re the ones who make a difference. You’re the ones that save people’s lives, take care of them and their families,” he added.

Other dignitaries to speak included US Representative Kelly Armstrong, who gave a shout out to locals wearing hats from Dickinson High School. Armstrong addressed students in grades 3-6 from Little Flower Elementary School, who listened in the audience.

“I’m just happy to be here to help celebrate this with you all today because it’s really important,” he added.

“The facility doesn’t deliver health care; you don’t just do this for the community of Rugby; you do this for the whole region,” Armstrong added.

Other state and local dignitaries to speak at the event included Rugby Mayor Frank LaRocque, Oban; Trottier, Tim Blasl, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association and Nelson.

A luncheon for the public at First International Bank and Trust followed the event.