The Moose Mountain Health Care Committee’s annual Christmas gala was attended by 170 individuals. There to enjoy an evening together, delicious food, and entertainment, all enjoyed their evening.
Focusing on obtaining and keeping doctors in Carlyle and Arcola the Moose Mountain Health Care Committee was excited to have enough sponsorship this year that each ticket sold was profit for the Committee. Although numbers attending were down, the sponsorship this year ensured the fundraiser was a success.
“We have lots of really great sponsorship this year, the sponsors were very generous, and we are thankful for that,” Sheila Sim, explained.
The evening was a hit with Cornerstone Theatre’s production of “Wake up little Scroogy” getting people into the Christmas spirit.
Currently there is one doctor in Carlyle, Dr. Khanam arrived in October, and three doctors in Arcola: Dr. Morin, Dr. Ghaly, and Dr. Amayo.
“We’re still short doctors and currently we’re paying for locum housing,” Sim explained.
The Committee is excited about the New Year, however, as a new doctor(s) is potentially coming to the area.
In addition to paying for locum housing, the Committee focuses on helping doctors come to the community to find housing, help them buy furniture, help them with a vehicle, and “the whole nine yards” as Sim stated.
There are four dedicated individuals currently involved with the Moose Mountain Health Care Committee including Sim, Bev Grimes, Lynn Brady, and Brenda Walter.
“We’re always looking for people and we really encourage Carlyle residents to jump in and have some input, right now Lynn is our only Carlyle rep, so we’re kind of missing that piece,” Sim explained.
“There’s just things that need to be done for doctors that shouldn’t be left up to the staff of the practice, so we’d love to have someone from Carlyle and any other volunteers from Arcola to do things like take them around to the school, introduce them to the different activities in the area, even just take them out for a coffee, and just introduce them to the community in general.”
“One of the big things is spousal employment as well, so we need bodies on the ground to network and to help our new doctors and their families become a part of the communities they’re in.”
Sim also wonders if any business groups or Chambers of Commerce might be able to work together in order to help with spousal employment.
*Note: doctor services provided by clinics in Carlyle and Arcola are also responsible for surrounding communities' services as well including Stoughton, Lampman, and White Bear clinics.
