Community hospitals play an important role in the places they serve. They care for neighbors, provide jobs, support local families, and make it possible for people to get many of the healthcare services they need right here in their own community. At Pomerene, that responsibility also means looking for opportunities to bring new resources into Holmes County. Pomerene Hospital has been selected to receive federal funding through the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program, a program created to support healthcare services in rural communities.  Supporting Rural Healthcare Rural hospitals face challenges that larger health systems may experience differently. Recruiting and keeping healthcare workers can be difficult. Costs continue to rise. Hospitals must also serve people who may live many miles from the care they need. At the same time, these hospitals are an important part of everyday life in their communities. They provide care when someone is sick or injured, help people manage their health, and connect patients with additional care when it is needed. The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program helps hospitals continue that work. In 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded nearly $25 million to 132 hospitals across 13 states through the program. For Pomerene, receiving this funding means bringing additional resources into Holmes County and putting them to work for the people who live here. “We are always looking for ways to bring resources back to our community and use them where they can make the greatest difference,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “We are grateful for this support and for the opportunity to put these funds to work for the people we serve.”

Pomerene Hospital is expanding its general surgery services with Dr. Rick Stjernholm joining Pomerene Surgical Services full-time alongside Dr. Michael T. Schell. Dr. Stjernholm is already a familiar face at Pomerene. Now, as a full-time member of Pomerene Surgical Services, he and Dr. Schell will provide surgical care for a wide range of conditions and needs. For patients, that means greater access to general surgery through a team they can turn to for procedures ranging from hernia repair and gallbladder removal to colon and breast surgery. General Surgery for a Wide Range of Needs General surgery covers many different procedures. Some are planned after a condition has been diagnosed by your primary care provider. Others may be needed following a visit to the emergency room. Dr. Stjernholm and Dr. Schell provide services including, but not limited to: Breast biopsies and surgery Minimally invasive surgery for: Abdominal wall hernias Bilateral inguinal hernias Colon resections Colostomies Small bowel resections Biopsies Gallbladder surgery Appendectomies Your surgeon will review your condition, talk with you about your options and explain what to expect if surgery is recommended. Minimally Invasive Options When Appropriate Some surgeries can be performed using laparoscopic or other minimally invasive techniques. These procedures use smaller incisions and specialized surgical instruments. At Pomerene, minimally invasive techniques may be an option for abdominal wall hernias and other procedures when appropriate. Dr. Stjernholm or Dr. Schell will recommend the surgical approach that makes sense for your condition and individual needs. Getting the Right Care Starts With a Referral If you have a condition that may require surgery, the first step is usually talking with your primary care provider. Patients may also be referred to Pomerene Surgical Services following a visit to the emergency room. Once you are referred, Dr. Stjernholm or Dr. Schell can evaluate your condition, explain your treatment options and help you understand what comes next. With Dr. Stjernholm joining the practice full time, Pomerene is expanding the general surgery services available to the community while keeping the process personal and straightforward. If you think you may need surgical care, talk with your primary care provider about a referral to Pomerene Surgical Services.

MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Pomerene Hospital has received three additional 2026 American Heart Association awards recognizing its commitment to evidence-based stroke care and coordinated heart attack care. Pomerene received the following recognitions: Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Get With The Guidelines®-Rural Stroke Silver 2026 Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award These three recognitions are in addition to the two 2026 American Heart Association awards for heart attack care Pomerene announced last month. “These recognitions show the strength of the systems our team and local EMS partners have built for stroke and cardiac care,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “They reflect the training, communication and daily follow-through required to meet nationally recognized standards. For our community, it means proven care begins close to home.” The Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus and Rural Stroke Silver awards recognize Pomerene’s work to follow research-based treatment guidelines designed to improve care and outcomes for patients experiencing a stroke. The recognition also highlights the important role hospitals such as Pomerene play in providing timely stroke care in rural areas. Pomerene was also recognized as one of seven participating hospitals in the Ohio Statewide Mission: Lifeline regional system. The Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award recognizes collaboration among hospitals, 911 emergency medical services, transportation agencies and other healthcare partners working together to improve care for patients experiencing heart attacks. Pomerene Hospital is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital. Pomerene employs more than 325 employees and maintains a medical staff of more than 80 physicians. For more information, call 330-674-1015.

MILLERSBURG, Ohio — Pomerene Hospital has received two 2026 American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® awards for heart attack care. The awards recognize Pomerene’s work to follow evidence-based guidelines for patients experiencing STEMI heart attacks. A STEMI is a serious type of heart attack that happens when blood flow is blocked to part of the heart. Fast recognition, treatment and coordination of care can make a major difference for patients. Pomerene received the Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Gold Plus award for its role in caring for STEMI patients who may need to be transferred for a higher level of cardiac care. The hospital also received the Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold award, which recognizes the unique role rural hospitals play in providing timely local care. “These awards reflect the work of many people across our hospital as well our local EMS partners,” said Anne Gunther, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “When someone is having a heart attack, every minute matters. Pomerene Hospital is proud to serve the local community with care that is close to home, coordinated and focused on the needs of each patient.”  Heart attack symptoms can include chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, pain in the arm, back, neck or jaw, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness or unusual fatigue. Symptoms can look different from person to person. Anyone who thinks they may be having a heart attack should call 911 right away.

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Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Sporting Clay Shoot