Issue 29.12
Tucked away in a non-descript strip center marked by Dairy Queen on State Street in Hurricane is a small office that employs 10 health professionals who follow the tradition of medical service practiced by the late Dr. Garth Last, who served the Hurricane community and surrounding areas for over 30 years.
When Dr. Last moved his young family to Hurricane in 1960, he was the only medical doctor for miles around. He became the legendary country doctor who made house calls at all hours of the day or night and lovingly served the people of his community until his death in 1993.
Known as Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice (SUHCH), the office in Hurricane, as well as the one in St. George, is Dr. Last’s legacy and gift to the community and the people he so dearly loved and cared for. The company was established in 1990 through the efforts of Dr. Last and nurse, Betty McDonald who saw the need for quality medical care in home health services. Together they sought to give the best medical service to patients at home and in nursing facilities.
No one ever went without medical care for lack of means while Dr. Last was alive. The Hurricane office and surrounding offices pride themselves on preserving that tradition of providing excellent compassionate care to everyone they serve. SUHCH continues to assist those in financial need when the situation arises through the Dr. Garth B. Last Foundation
When the Hospice Care service was added in 1999 under the direction of David Isom, MSW, it was the first locally owned Hospice established in Hurricane and St. George. Today the tradition of compassionate medical care continues in all the Southern Utah offices. Family members of Dr. Last and Betty McDonald remain the guiding lights and inspiration to their employees.
Dr. Greg Last, eldest son of Dr. Garth Last, serves as the Medical Director giving counsel to the Hurricane staff that
continue to practice the principles of loving care laid down by his father. Half of the staff members have been with the company since its early inception, and together they have over 75 years of service to the Hurricane community. Most live close by and personally know many of the people they serve.
The office supervisor, Lisa Ross, has been with the company for over 17 years and is assisted by a team of dedicated nurses: Annette Kleinman, Linda Fields, Sheila Larsen and Mike Johnson. The CNAs are Heather Brinkerhoff and HeidiTerpstra. Craig Hansen serves as the staff social worker and Claudia Talbot is the office manager who keeps everything running smoothly for the staff.
Southern Utah is blessed to have such a dedicated staff of health professionals in their midst. If you are ever in need of Home Care or faced with a terminal illness and need Hospice Care, don’t hesitate to call on these caring medical professionals who are your good neighbors ready to help when the need arises.
For more information, call the Hurricane office at 435-635-9300.
Luigi Persichetti is the chaplain for Southern Utah Home Care and Hospice.