Blue Mountain Hospital Employs Skilled Locals

Blanding Health Highnotes

From scrub nurses, to dietary staff, doctors, dialysis unit, radiologists, administrators, and pharmacists the Blue Mountain Hospital in Blanding has become a beacon to well-trained medical professionals and  technicians in all fields.  For decades San Juan County’s most abundant export was always its youth, who had to move away to large cities find good jobs. Now with Blue Mountain Hospital’s bright light of opportunity beckoning, many have been able to return and practice their professional skills. During the next several months the Panorama will spotlight some of these UNHS and BMH employees who have helped raise the quality of medical care in rural SE Utah.

Mountain Encounter leads Pharmacist to Blue Mountain Pharmacy

Dr. Chad Moses PharmD, (SJHS class of 1998) is excited about his job as Pharmacy Director of Utah Navajo Health System and Blue Mountain Hospital and he’s been given opportunities that a normal graduate would never experience in a larger city, or working for a big box pharmacy. 

“In high school I had no vision of what my future would be, and then in the middle of my mission I got sick and had to come home for a while,” Chad explained.  “It was then that my grandfather made the suggestion that I should become a pharmacist.” Chad credits good math instruction from Richard Pincock in high school for helping him in college.  “Accurately using a calculator, and doing factoring is critical knowledge for a pharmacy student,” he stressed.

Chad attended Snow College for undergraduate work from 2001 to 2003. “I thought the undergraduate classes were tough, but my eyes were opened to real difficulty in graduate school,” he explained. “A typical day was school from 8 am to 4 pm and then a job as a valet parking attendant until 1-2 am. Luckily, I was able to study on the job.”  Chad married Tiawna Harrison from Moab in Aug of 2002, and they have two children, Olivia and Andrew. 

The University of Southern Nevada Pharmacy School, was his next challenge, where he earned his Doctorate of Pharmacy or PharmD in 2006.  “I never thought I’d be coming back to San Juan County.  At that time I was looking for the largest sign on bonus, I could find, and my parents just happened to run into the UNHS pharmacy manager on top of Blue Mountain and they had an open position. “  That chance meeting led to a referral and contact from CEO Donna Singer, who encouraged Chad to apply.

At the time he was preparing for the National Exam, which he passed on the first try, and by the end of that summer he was working in Montezuma Creek, and happy to be back in San Juan County, though he didn’t get a sign on bonus.  Chad’s enthusiasm for his job is contagious, and he’s had ample opportunity to determine not only the direction but also the equipment and strategies used by pharmacies under his supervision.

One important piece of equipment in the Blanding, and Montezuma Creek pharmacies is a ScriptPro Robot, which finds the Rx by barcode, laser counts the pills, and labels each prescription in a matter of minutes.  It stocks up to 200 different medications.

In 2008 there was a change in pharmacy management within Utah Navajo Health System, and Moses was put in charge of the pharmacy arm. At that time there were three pharmacists and two technicians working for UNHS at two different sites. Now there are six pharmacists and six technicians working at four sites including the hospital and a clinical pharmacist position.

Working with Chad in the back at Blue Mountain Hospital Pharmacy is Dr. Heidi Dowell PharmD. In the retail side of Blue Mountain Pharmacy is Pharmacist Doug Card RPh and licensed technicians Seth Dowell, Regina Lee, and Keshia Yellow. 

Chad is also responsible for three other pharmacies under the umbrella of Utah Navajo Health System. In Monument Valley he works with Dr. Angela Konecki PharmD, and Melissa Joe technician in training.  At Navajo Mountain he coordinates with Gary Teare PAC as a physician dispensing class B branch pharmacy, and at the Montezuma Creek Clinic Dr. Albert Noyes PharmD, Dr. Heidi Dowell PharmD, and technicians Yolanda Yanito and Kelly Keith are on his team.

In 2008 Utah Navajo Health System was selected to participate in the Health and Human Resources (HRSA) health initiative called the Patient Safety and clinical Pharmacy Collaborative (PSPC) with the University of Utah, Poison Control, and the Association for Utah Community Health (AUCH).This collaborative encourages patient safety in medication use by a comprehensive medication education program for the patients. 

Chad explained, “When medications are used properly they can save or preserve life, but when used improperly they can either cause injury or death.” This has been especially beneficial for patients being treated with high risk medications such as Insulin and Coumadin. Utah Navajo Health System currently has 30 patients in the pharmacist run Coumadin Clinic. This clinic helps evaluate Coumadin therapy counsel patients, track progress, make dose adjustments, and improve the overall outcome for patients on Coumadin therapy.

Nationally pharmacists are beginning to be recognized as an integral part of the health care team not just prescription dispensers. He said, “Our department is doing things now, that aren’t typical in big box pharmacies and patients benefit greatly from this service. Virtually every part of health care involves medications so it only makes sense that the pharmacist is part of that health care team. We are the drug specialists it is what we were trained to do. We are no longer just dispensers we are involved in patient care. The pharmacist is a resource to medical providers, nurses, patients, and their families.”

UNHS in San Juan County is also a busy practice site for PharmD interns in their last year of pharmacy school from University of Utah where they participate in medication reconciliation and patient education. Chad was instrumental in setting up the pharmacy practice site for these students and was their preceptor.

Currently Chad works primarily at the Blue Mountain Hospital. Patient safety, as far as medications are concerned, is Chad’s number one priority.

Spring Cleaning at Bluff Fort -March 1, 2012

Part of the volunteer group who came to help at Bluff Fort March 1, 2012
LaRue Barton, fort director gives instructions for cleaning.

March 1 was Spring cleaning for Bluff Fort, and nearly 50 volunteers arrived like a lion to get the 14 cabins spiffed up and the chapel, Relief Society building, and grounds ready for a new season.  LaRue Barton, director of the Visitors Center, was exuberant in her appreciation of those who came to help. 

This is What They did:

A lizard in the Relief Society
building was taken outside

LaVerne Tate and Karen Kartchner, clean inside the Relief Society building

LaMar Helquist, one of the permanent volunteers at the fort cleans away winter debris

Shauna Hurst and LaRue Barton move vacumn cleaners using the fort hand carts

Patsy Shumway and Betty Rock from Blanding 2nd ward helped clean the chapel

The Mahon sisters gave rugs and curtains in the Perkins Cabin a good airing 

Heather Meyer, Shauna Hurst learn from Lanell Stringham, how to dust quilts from Barton Cabin

The Fahey's return the fluffed up and dusted feather tick in the Barton Cabin

The Holiday's helped with dusting in the Old Barton Cabin as well

The Bluff Fort is run by volunteers and each year has its own challenges and rewards. With all the new buildings cleaned and windows washed, that challenge has been met.  The “ground breaking” news in 2012 will be the beginning of construction on the Bluff Coop on the north side of the grounds, which expected to begin this month. 

Sandi Laws and her mom, Clyda Palmer dust and clean.
Clyda actually grew up in Bluff, living in the old Kumen
Jones house that is still partially standing on the Bluff
Fort Historic Site.

Rachel Johnson, Candace Lyman, Lawanna Palmer and Patsy Shumway help
clean the Jens Nielson Cabin, in preparation for Spring tourists.

Leslie Nielson is ready to vacumn the Decker cabin, while Beverly Vowell finishes
windows next door.

Naida Black, Betty Shumway, and Karen Dufur cleaned the Jones cabin 

Steve Wilcox,  Kenna Lee, Erma Redd, Bernice Perkins, and helped clean the grounds.

Marsha Black finds out that hand carts can still be pushed and pulled, as part of
the clean-up detail.

Pam Bronson, Fila Harris, and Jackie Redd complete the finishing touches in one of the 14 cabin.

Last year a strong team of couples helped throughout the tourist season.  The Bartons, Harveys, Taylors, and Rowleys will be returning again for part of the summer, but there is still a gaping docent hole, which LaRue is hoping local people will help fill.

“We need couples or two women willing to come for one morning or afternoon each week, LaRue explained. “ They would answer tourists questions, run the cash register, show the video, and if possible, when they are not busy they could work on a quilt or a woven or crocheted rag rug.”  Usually these are local people who work a 5 hr. shift once a week.

In addition, she explained that the fort also needs other couples willing to come for two weeks, or a month to work in the visitor center, and help with whatever needs to be done.  “Sometimes that includes working in the garden, keeping the cabins clean, hoeing weeds, or whatever we are doing.”

For these out of town volunteers, Mrs. Barton has a nice 34 foot travel trailer that will be available for docents to stay in.  ""If you are interested, you need to schedule your two weeks right away, so we can schedule the trailer."

LaRue expressed appreciation for all the help given, as the group met to eat lunch at Twin Rocks

 While working for a couple of weeks or a month, there will be time for seeing the local tourist spots as well.  Contact information is LaRue Barton  435 459 2092    email   larueb@frontiernet.net   .  The phone number at the visitor center is 435 672 9995. 


The end of a great morning of cleaning-- visiting and eating a delicious lunch at the Twin Rocks:

40 plus volunteers showed up to help, also filled the Twin Rocks cafe for lunch

Volunteers enjoyed the sunny pleasantries of good company and good food at Twin Rocks

Nothing like a Navajo burger, or Navajo Tacos at Twin Rocks

Talking Comb: Ramblings on the Earth’s Backbone

It’s no easy trick to cram seven years of Comb Ridge research and documentation into 1 ½ hours -- especially when that research covers 13,000 years.  Archaeologist Winston Hurst made a valiant stab at the daunting task on Feb. 25, as he discussed pre-history, basketmakers and early pueblo findings along the 77 mile “backbone of the earth.”   

With many more slides and hours of information left to cover, the large audience agreed with his suggestion of  reconvening another time at the Edge of the Cedars Museum for a 2^nd and possibly a 3^rd session where late Pueblo, Ute, Navajo, and pioneer history related to Comb Ridge will be discussed..

Traditional peoples, which Hurst defined as “non-industrialized cultures,” have always looked to landmarks in their surroundings, “which are pregnant with importance and symbolism,”.  Hurst explained how Comb Ridge which forms a cross with the San Juan River, has been regarded as the “cosmic center point” or “spine of the world.”

For over 50 years scouts and school classes have hiked the Posey Trail on Comb Ridge

Lynn Lyman was a frequent presented at
Comb Ridge Scout Hikes

For many local people “non-industrialized” or not, Comb Ridge plays an important role in more recent history with its geographical, geological and archaeological significance.   Hurst described his life-long love of that particular area, and his role in the 2005-2010 Comb Ridge Heritage Initiative, a state funded project covering 44,000 acres.  Because of the expanse of the area which is dotted with hundreds of sites, funds ran out before all archeological sites could be studied.  However, 800 sites were formally surveyed, which is about 1/30^th of the total sites in San Juan County.

Sites surveyed include the historic Perkins Ranch site of the 1880’s clear back to Prehistoric trails and roads.  The University of Denver did earlier surveys in the 1970’s and their discoveries were curated in the Museum of Natural History in Salt Lake City.  All those sites, plus hundreds more were replotted using new technology like gps.  Every site was photographed and identified by a number and multi page entries were documented.  This data base is kept at the Utah Statewide Archaeological survey archives and is managed by the State of Utah. 

Hurst emphasized often that information of archaeic people and paleo-Indians is “very sparse” but that there is some evidence in Comb Ridge related to that 11,000 BC-1000 BC era.  Clovis points have been found, and rock art portraying a large Mammoth exist.  In addition Clyde Barton in the 1950’s found a large 40” femur bone of a mammoth, which is displayed in the Dinosaur Museum in Blanding.

Much evidence of these early people was likely bulldozed up when the new Bi-centennial highway cut through Comb Wash.  This area is also a popular recreation/camp area, which compounds the problem of using the valley for research.  However, archaic rock art along the San Juan River and a rare Clovis find made by Andrew Goodman (EOC employee) has reconfirmed the belief that people have been in the area since 11,000.

One of many rock art panels adjacent to Comb Ridge

Hurst showed slides of rock art created in different time periods, which helped show the development of culture over the centuries in the Comb Ridge area.  Early Basket Maker people did not make pottery but did raise corn and turkeys.  The Classic Basket Makers (1500-2000 BC) were in Comb Wash, with one site excavated by Bill Davis and Debra Westenfall. Bigger and more permanent pit houses mark the Late Basketmaker era which lasted from 450 -725 AD.  Many of these are found in the Butler Wash area on the East side of Comb.

The final part of the slide show discussed the Early Pueblo era when redware pottery began to appear in the area between 750-950 AD.  There was a population explosion with villages developing, and two-three story pueblos being built.  Monarch Cave is one area where it is easy to see the beam sockets where poles were used to support multi-leveled homes or prior civilizations. Totally new pottery techniques developed and citadels were built for protection as well as shrines. 

For information on the later ramblings around Comb, look for slide show #2 and #3 at Edge of the Cedars Museum.

Edge of the Cedars Museum meanderings and musings

For those interested in archaeology with local connections, the Edge of the Cedars has several wonderful new and improved displays. It’s a great way to spend a cold afternoon on a winter day.

Most recently Richard and Eve Lynn Perkins donated a wonderful collection to the museum.  A new Kocopelli display in the lookout corner tells the story of this Pied Piper of the Pueblo, and a pristine bird flute found on their property is prominently displayed.

Adjacent, a beautiful Pueblo display on the second floor has been upgraded and expanded into a permanent exhibit.  This also features hundreds of objects while telling the history of the Four Corners area.

The Shumway, Holliday, Perkins collection has been digitized and viewers can now understand more of what they are looking at in the large glassed permanent display.  By using the adjacent computer, with a simple click of the mouse you can understand quickly what you’re looking at, where it was found, and other relevant data.  This visible storage can also be visited on-line: http://static.stateparks.utah.gov/visible_storage/visiblestorage.html

Small pots which are part of the Pueblo display on the 2nd floor.

For those new to the area, a visit to this local attraction will be time well spent.  The museum was built at the site of an ancient village which included dwelling units and a kiva. The kiva and some other structures have been restored and can be viewed behind the museum.  It’s a great adventure for families, and the museum even has a children’s area, with a miniature pueblo, drums, books, and puzzles.  With cutbacks in staffing the hands on activities have yet to be developed, though an intern this summer will hopefully finish up the education work that Rebecca Silverstone began.  Because of State cutbacks, her job was terminated, and she now works at the School District Media Center.

Local Artist wins awards throughout the West

By Janet Wilcox

Though Gilmore Scott worked nine years with the forest service, putting out fires, he now uses his creativity to fan the fire of his artistic talents.  

Gil is a Montezuma Creek resident, and a graduate of San Juan High School.  After high school Gilmore took classes at CEU/SJC and then went on to Utah State University, where he is just a few credits short of getting his degree.  One of his mentors in his rise to recognition was his old high school art teacher, Tony Wojcik who continued to encourage him.   

“The main thing I liked about Mr. Wojcik," Gilmore explained,  "was that he always had good advice about my work and how to improve it. He’d explain how to take a different approach. Not many people give out good real constructive ideas. As a kid he also saw me working here and there, and would say, "It's a lot better to sit in an air-conditioned room and paint!"

“Gilmore was a talented student with a quiet demeanor, when I had him in high school,” Wojcik said.  “I just tried to help him and the other kids with color, design, texture and organization.  It’s like the writing process in many ways where you take the components of words, phrases, descriptions, and sentences and create paragraphs with strong images.”

  “I talked a lot with them,” Wojcik contined, “about creating their own style—something that would set them apart from any other artist. I'd say, 'What makes a Gilmore Scott style? How can you take a Native American theme and stylize it'?” 

Gilmore Scott took that advice seriously and has developed his own style.  Today he uses a strong, dramatic palette of colors that are bold yet simple.  Portraying the culture of his Dine (Navajo) heritage, he uses the high southwest desert landscapes and traditional objects such as baskets, rug weavers, and hogans in his paintings.  Not only are his style and color choices dramatic, but also his end product often features a distinct glossy brightness.  Scott incorporates watercolors, acrylics, and color pencils—sometimes using all three mediums to complete art.

His dedicated efforts have not gone unnoticed and during the past two years he has garnered a dozen art awards throughout the west.  For the past two years his art was honored at the Edge of the Cedars Art show in May.  In 2011 he won 1^st place for “Colors of Beauty,” and he won Best of Show in 2010 for his painting “Our Mother”.  This piece also won the Judges Choice Award at the 18^th Annual Southwest Indian Art Fear at Arizona State, in Tucson, as well taking 1^st at the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City, OK. 

In June and July 2010 he won 1^st place, both at the Mesa Verde Indian Art Market, and at the 23^rd Annual Native American Arts Festival at Pinetop Lakeside, Az. In 2011 he again won at Pinetop for “Spring Rain.”  One of his images will be featured  on this years 2012 festival poster.

Two of his pieces were selected for publicity purposes.  One for the 2010 T-Shirt  for the Totah Art Festival in Farmington, and in 2011 he was the poster winner for the Totah Festival.

It’s obvious today, that Gil Scott has found his style—one which others recognize and appreciate, and he plans to take Wojcik’s advice and do a lot of painting in his, hopefully, cool studio in Montezuma Creek.

Sentimental Journey of Quilts: Trunk Show Fills Home

Normally a trunk show in the quilting world represents showing special quilts kept in a trunk, but in Eve Lyn Perkins’ case, it took a whole home to hold her collection.  Next to her family, there is probably no other interest that has consumed and entertained her for so long, as has quilting.  She started learning when she was 10 years old, by helping her mother and grandmother and hasn’t stopped since.

Surrounded by beautiful quilts she has made over the span of 60 plus years, Eve Lyn took neighbors, friends, and quilting buddies on a sentimental journey of quilting on Nov.18.  She and her daughter Gayle were conductors for the grand tour of quilts which filled seven rooms and hallways of her home. 

An estimated 45 full sized quilts, plus another 50 or so small quilts, wall hangings, rugs, table toppers, and art pieces were artfully displayed. Never one to be afraid to try something new, Eve Lyn has mastered hundreds of patterns and quilt making techniques including applique, chicken scratch, embroidery, paper piecing, and original designs. 

Her displays included heirloom friendship quilts made by her mother, grandmother, and great aunts, along with pioneer quilts made from clothing, and prints of the 30’s and 40’s. Her creative work included everything from polyester “trip around the world” quilts, to levi camp quilts, to fancy quilts almost too beautiful to use on a bed.  

The quilt displays were spectacular, and took a great effort to orchestrate and take down.   Everyone enjoyed the evening which celebrated one of the great quilters of Blanding. Everything was "sew" wonderful!”

Grayson Quilters Show and Tell

Show and tell from guild members was exceptional as well. Besides dozens of amazing quilts there were wreaths, rugs, bracelets, pillow cases, bags, wash clothes, and back scrubbers shown.  Who says quilt guild is just about quilting!?

All A-mazed by Blanding Streets

The Corn Mazes of northern Utah have nothing up on the excitement provided by Blanding's A"Mazing" streets when it comes to sidetracking participants, or running them into dead ends. Not only does the west side of town currently provide ample opportunities for back tracking and rethinking the course of travel, but it also provides some interesting hazards and sudden drops with unexpected delays and turns. At best most mazes in the state provide only a month or so of entertainment and surprise, but Blanding citizens have enjoyed their A"mazing" adventures since the onset of summer. But the extreme bonus this location provides, is that you get to enjoy Blanding's maze from the comfort of your vehicle. Who missed promoting this business bonanza? The city should have sold tickets! Of course once we get out of this a "mazing" mess (hopefully without calling 911), we will appreciate the calm serenity of paved streets devoid of potholes and bumps, and reflect on the experience we've had. It's been quite a ride!