St. Luke's Health System

Congratulations to Magic Valley's Dr. Dan Alder, world traveler, former Navy, on his retirement! In his career, Dr. Dan Alder has been many places but found home in Twin Falls.   After serving a church mission in Sweden after high school, he taught Swedish at BYU in Provo, Utah, where he also excelled as a folk dancer. He attended medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., then upon completion, served in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Ranger for 26 months, living in San Diego as well as Okinawa, Japan.   His work as a radiologist also sent him to Guam, Italy and other naval bases to assist as needed while his family lived in San Diego. Alder retired from the Navy in 2006 and moved to Twin Falls in January 2007, joining the St. Luke's team.    Dr. Alder's last day seeing patients was June 30. 

July 4 fun at Magic Valley Physician Center and Wood River Family Medicine

St. Luke's Nampa celebrated two award winners recently, CNA Tracey Griffin and RN Marissa Putman, who received Sunshine and DAISY awards. Griffin was recognized by a patient’s mom, who shared: “Tracey is out of this world, extraordinary, above and beyond. She makes you feel like family and helps you heal with laughter … She’s a blessing.” The patient’s sister added: “Tracey was more than amazing with my brother. She truly is a breath of fresh air. She made us laugh and just brightened the mood …" Putman was recognized by members of a patient’s family for her commitment and devotion to caring for their loved one. The patient's mother said “You are a gift from GOD!!! Thank you so much for being my son’s Guardian Angel!!!” The patient’s sister noted that Putman was amazing in the care of her brother and went the extra mile to make sure that he was comfortable and well cared for and uplifted and encouraged him daily.

“There’s always been a great connection, obviously with how it was founded, but also through a shared mission of wanting to help people, whether they could afford it or not,” said Missy Swajkoski, the chairperson for the 160th anniversary planning committee.

Nonprofit organizations are a critical resource to help support, educate and foster health throughout our communities. St. Luke’s helps to support partnerships with local nonprofits each year through Community Health Improvement Fund grants. In 2024, 85 nonprofit organizations across the Treasure Valley, West Treasure Valley, Elmore, Valley, Adams and Valley counties received CHIF grants from St. Luke's to support specific efforts that benefit our communities. (Additional grants are also awarded in the Magic Valley area.) In June, the St. Luke’s Community Health and Engagement team hosted an event to celebrate this year’s CHIF grant recipients at JUMP in downtown Boise. “We are all better because of St. Luke’s,” said Crystal Kuhn, director of philanthropy for the Nampa Family Justice Center Foundation. The Nampa-based organization provides wrap-around services for those affected by abuse. Kuhn says the grant from St. Luke’s has been instrumental in allowing them to support those in the community who need safety, hope and healing. The center applied grant dollars to grow its own fundraising efforts. “The money provided by St. Luke’s provided seed money so we would have our expenses met, so when we actually had the gala, we were able to use all of that money to directly back to client services,” Kuhn shared.

Boise RN Emily Scheideler was presented with the DAISY Award on June 26. Boise CNO Marle Hoff, director Liz Jorgensen and Scheideler's team joined in celebrating.   A patient’s daughter who was impressed with the care her mother received nominated Scheideler, noting the following.   “From our first interaction with her you could tell that my mom was in the safest hands possible. The attention to detail Emily provided my mom was next level and the genuine concern she had for her, no other RN has displayed that.    "We were fortunate to have Emily for two nights during my mom’s stay. Unfortunately, after being released from the hospital, we found ourselves back in the ED waiting to be admitted again. When we were told that Emily would be our nurse, we were all ecstatic. When we arrived, Emily was eagerly awaiting my mom with a warm smile. She had flowers in the room since my mom loves flowers and even pronounced her name correctly.    “She was beyond thorough with checking my mom in and addressing any concerns. Emily is the nicest, sweetest, nurse ever and we are so thankful for her. The care and love she has shown my mom during her time in the hospital is something that any family hopes for.”

Vivian Smith, an occupational therapist at St. Luke's Nampa, was recently recognized by a patient for the excellent care she provided.    The patient was admitted following a suicide attempt and was on a hold with 1:1 supervision. As a result of the patient's medical course, she was unable to perform activities of daily living independently.   The patient commented to Dr. Alok Desh that she felt significantly better, “like a real person,” after working with Smith one day. Smith assisted the patient with activities of daily living, such as being able to bathe herself, clean her face and brush her hair. She also provided a delirium journal and behavioral activation techniques.   Smith is less than two years into her position as an occupational therapist, and, according to her team and leaders, she has a bright future, frequently going the extra mile for her patients and demonstrating unmatched kindness and compassion working with those who have behavioral or mental health challenges.

St. Luke's Wood River recently hosted a group of high school students from the nonprofit group Far + Wise, which provides educational and enrichment programs in Blaine County.   Over three days, they learned about dieticians, nursing, surgery, lab, family medicine physicians, medical imaging, building services/security and more. They also had a resume workshop with the Talent Acquisition team.    Sarah Seppa, Wood River director of community engagement, and CNO/COO Almita Nunnelee were pivotal in helping organize the unique opportunity.   Many of the students have been in the program for years, so the same group gets to experience the same learning opportunities as they grow from elementary school into high school.

St. Luke's team honors newest citizen by gifting a special flag. On the last day of April, Berenice Crowder passed her exam to become an official citizen of the United States. The bilingual outreach coordinator for the St. Luke's Center for Community Health in the Wood River Valley first fell in love with the area working at Sun Valley on a student work visa during her summers attending college in Peru.   Last week, following the St. Luke's Wood River Community Board meeting, Community Health and Engagement leader Theresa McLeod presented Crowder with an American flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.    Along with the flag, Crowder was given a certificate authenticating that the flag was flown over the Capitol, along with a note that it was flown in her honor of becoming a citizen, a request aided by Sen. Mike Crapo.   “When I had the flag in my hands, my maternal instinct kicked in and thought ‘I will protect you!’” Crowder said. “I am a proud American, I worked hard to become one and I am working even harder to honor the philosophical principles this country was created on: natural rights, liberty, equality and justice for all.”   Congratulations, Berenice! We are proud to have you on the St. Luke's team!

Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July!