Ten years ago Soliant set out to find the Most Beautiful Hospital in the country – a hospital that encompassed every meaning of the word beauty. This year, Pipestone County Medical Center & Family Clinic Avera in Pipestone, Minnesota was named Soliant’s 2019 Most Beautiful Hospital. From the people who work hard inside the hospital day in and day out to the programs that support the health of the patients, this hospital truly embodies beauty. We spoke with a representative from Pipestone County Medical Center to find out what makes their hospital so beautiful and what puts the heart behind their hospital.
Q. In your own words, what makes your hospital so beautiful?
A. Our building is undoubtedly beautiful, with stunning architecture throughout and attention to detail that is truly patient-focused. None of the aesthetic beauty matters, though, without the skill, caring, and compassion that our staff brings to the table every day. That’s the beauty that matters the most, and we are blessed to have it in abundance here at PCMC.
Q. What is the most important factor in creating a healthy, happy staff?
A. We have developed a culture where we support one another, where we value hard work, and where we serve each other every day. PCMC is a team, and everyone on this team brings valuable insight and experience to the table – and we all share a commitment to providing the best possible care for our patients.
Q. What programs or initiatives do you have in place that make Pipestone such a unique and special place?
A. PCMC does, indeed, have many specialized programs that are not found elsewhere in the area, such as Lymphedema Therapy, Hippotherapy, and special therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease. Our on-campus residential hospice house provides end-of-life care to the community. On-site dialysis provides services to many in the greater surrounding area. A robust volunteer program is supported by many volunteers from the community who are willing to assist in all areas of the hospital campus. PCMC greatly supports and is engaged with our community, schools, and youth through programs such as athletic training and a presence at sporting events. We have staff who are committed to local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and the Pipestone Area Coalition. And employee recognition initiatives are an important part of promoting employee engagement within the facility.
Q. How does Pipestone prioritize their patient’s health?
A. Meeting the health needs of our patients is always our top priority. To do that effectively, we believe it is essential to invest in our people and our infrastructure regularly. We are committed to bringing the best and most qualified medical professionals to PCMC, and we are equally committed to retaining and training those who are already a part of our team so that they can grow. We’ve invested in the people of our region through the completion of our new clinic/hospital, and we continue to ensure that our patients have access to state-of-the-art technology – like our new artificial intelligence-driven 3D mammography service – which is one of only two in the state of Minnesota.
Q. From a physical standpoint, what physical features of your hospital promote healing for your patients?
A. Our spacious patient rooms offer a sense of being ‘at home’. There is room for family and friends to be a part of the healing experience; to visit and give encouragement. Patient rooms and other areas are enhanced with large windows that give way to lots of natural light. Artwork and finishing colors throughout the facility are soft and calming.
Q. What does this recognition mean for your hospital and the Pipestone community?
A. Pipestone is a tight-knit community that has an excellent relationship with its hospital. All of Pipestone County rallied around this contest, as did the PCMC employees and their families, investing countless hours and millions of mouse-clicks into winning a competition that brings national exposure to our small corner of the world. We are so very proud to have earned this award, and the people here take personal ownership in it because they are the ones who made it happen. It truly brought the community together, and it will help to shed light on what an incredible hospital we have here and on the vital importance of rural hospitals in America today.
Congratulations again to Pipestone County Medical Center & Family Clinic Avera for their accomplishment. We know they will continue to do beautiful things everyday.
See the full list of this year’s Top 20 Most Beautiful Hospitals in the U.S. here. And make sure to stay on the lookout for when nominations open for the 2020 Most Beautiful Hospital next year!
