Prowers Medical Group Hosts Two Events

Children’s Corner Mosaic

Two events were recently held at Prowers Medical Group, an open house to meet medical providers in an informal setting and enjoy some snacks and a celebration of a makeover of the Children’s Waiting Room at the entryway of the PMG Clinic.

Dr. Smith Studies New Photograph Wall

General Surgeon, Dr. James Smith was on hand to greet and visit with some attendees and took another moment to view his photo, along with other providers, that now lines the entryway.  Prowers Medical Center Board members, Connie Brase and board chairman, Julie Branes, were in attendance as well for a portion of the afternoon.  Branes noted that the groundbreaking ceremony for renovations to the hospital will begin at 11am on Monday, April 13, and the public is invited to attend and enjoy the BBQ which will be offered.  She spoke about one other new element that will enhance PMC’s ability to offer medical services, “We’ve finalized the contract with Parkview Hospital in Pueblo to share some of their staff and services at PMC,” she said.

Branes and Brase

The board of directors and CEO Craig Loveless, have been working on this proposal since last winter, meeting with Parkview staff and sharing visits of both facilities.  Loveless had said this will provide an opportunity for local residents to receive additional medical care along with some administrative assistance such as compliance guidelines, a peer review process and quality improvement of various programs.  Specific medical assistance included orthopedic or cardiologist physicians who could rotate some days in Lamar.

PMG Providers and Staff

The PMG Clinic also witnessed a healthy turnout for the refurbished and newly decorated Children’s Waiting Room.  Geared mostly for the younger set, it’s a nook that’s been arranged and decorated to hold a child’s interest, either through a small library of reading material for the young, kid-sized tables or a unique “I Spy” wall mosaic.  Kids will enjoy searching for recognizable items such as toys or Indian Head nickels embedded in the colorful four foot by six foot mosaic created by local artist Jenni Reitz.

Artist Jenni Reitz

Several residents contributed their abilities to create the new Corner: Char and Brian Herrera  of the Home Store installed and framed the mosaic; Hazel Cutler and the Friends of the Lamar Library donated the bookshelf and reading materials’; Luke Richard, High School Woodshop teacher, helped finish the mosaic and Roni Vallegos, a Certified Child Life Specialist also aided in the Corner’s design.  Susan Lamont, Clinic Liaison and Chairman of the PMC Foundation said the board of directors spearheaded the efforts to develop the waiting room devoted specially to youngsters waiting to see their medical providers and shared the constructions costs with the hospital.

By Russ Baldwin