Ogden Regional Medical Center

Jon Brasher, 17, of Huntsville, throws the ball during water polo practice at the Ben Lomond High School swimming pool in Ogden on Thursday. The Weber High student was feeling light-headed after smashing his thumb in a car door in August and fell down a flight of stairs, suffering a traumatic brain injury. He was flown to Ogden Regional Medical Center, where a neurosurgeon stopped the bleeding from a tear in a large artery in Jon’s brain, saving his life. Today, Jon deals with depression and some memory loss, and knows he will battle the problems for the rest of his life, but he feels fortunate to be alive and plans to go to college to become a psychologist. (KERA WILLIAMS/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

After severe brain injury, Huntsville teen feels lucky to be alive to pursue psychology

HUNTSVILLE — When Jon Brasher shut his thumb in a car door, he shrugged off the injury and continued in to work as a ranch hand in Morgan. That decision, it turns out, almost cost him his life.

The sudden pain the 17-year-old Huntsville teen felt in his thumb that August day left him feeling light-headed, but he didn’t let it stop him from working. It was the day before his junior year was to begin at Weber High School, and he had spent the summer working hard to save up for college.

Jon and his boss, Dave Fluckiger, went into a barn and up to the loft to get a post pounder for the miles of fencing they were replacing.

“I don’t remember what happened next, but Dave told me one minute he was talking to me and the next I had crumpled to the floor and then fell down 10 wooden stairs,” Jon said. “I was knocked unconscious for a few minutes and had stopped breathing.”

Roy Fire Department Chief Cody Draheim demonstrates a 12-lead EKG monitor that is used on the scene when a patient complains of chest pain or other heart attack symptoms. EMS personnel are able to send pictures and the results of the test directly to the hospital before the patient even arrives. This cuts down valuable time and allows the patient to be treated more quickly. (JAMIE LAMPROS/Standard-Examiner correspondent)

Two Top of Utah hospitals heart-care certified

Ogden Regional Medical Center and Brigham City Community Hospital have been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care.

A brand-new AirMed helicopter takes off from the helipad at Ogden Regional Medical Center for an emergency in Evanston, Wyo., on Wednesday. (BRIAN WOLFER/Special to the Standard-Examiner)

New high-capacity helicopter to shuttle patients to and from Ogden Regional

OGDEN — Local residents who experience major medical emergencies now have access to a big new helicopter that can transport two patients at a time, handle the delivery of babies, go out at night and more.

The American Eurocopter EC145 is AirMed’s newest team member. Stationed at the University of Utah Hospital, it will transport patients to and from Ogden Regional Medical Center in addition to surrounding states such as Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and Nevada.

Pink ribbon

Wear pink for cancer awareness

OGDEN -- In an effort to raise awareness of those who have cancer in the community, Ogden Regional Medical Center and Utah Imaging are asking Weber State University basketball fans to wear pink to Saturday’s game against Sacramento State.

The game is scheduled to tipoff at 7 p.m.

Cameron Child and Krissy Child wait for the start of Ogden Regional Medical Center’s annual Thanksgiving Run/Walk on Thursday in Ogden. (NICK SHORT/Standard-Examiner)

Thanksgiving run/walk breaks attendance record

OGDEN — The 27th Ogden Regional Medical Center’s annual walk/run was held Thanksgiving morning

Participants were asked to donate nonperishable food items and could choose between walking 2 miles or running 5 miles.

Back row, from left: Sister Danile Knight, Sister Luke Hoschette,  Sister Mary Zenzen, Sister Iris Beckwith. Front row, from left : Sister Jean Gibson and Sister Stephanie Mongeon. (Contributed photo)

Open letter from departing sisters of Mount Benedict Monastery

This letter from the sisters of Mount Benedict Monastery in South Ogden was scheduled to be mailed out to the community this week:

Dear Friends of the St. Benedict’s Foundation and Monastery:

Red Cross reports critical need for blood donations

OGDEN — The American Red Cross is asking people to take a few minutes to roll up their sleeves and donate blood as supplies are at a critical low right now.

All types of blood are always needed. However, the most urgent need is for blood types O positive and negative, B negative and A negative, said John Petersen, public relations manager and recruiter for the American Red Cross Blood Services of Utah.

MountainStar Blood Services also needs blood, said Steve Hansen, recruiting and marketing supervisor.

NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner 
Dr. Megan Wolthuis-Grunander, a trauma surgeon at Ogden Regional Medical Center, poses recently for a portrait.

North Ogden native trained in trauma, surgical critical care

OGDEN -- Dr. Megan Wolthuis-Grunander was just 3 years old when she decided she wanted to practice medicine.

Glenda Mae Hugie Pentz

Glenda Mae Hugie Pentz, of Croydon, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, from a lingering illness at Ogden Regional Medical Center. Graveside services were held Friday, April 20, at the Croydon Cemetery on Friday. To read the full obituary, see the Standard-Examiner's e-edition.

(Nicholas Draney/Standard-Examiner) McKay-Dee Hospital

Ogden Regional and McKay-Dee named as top-100 U.S. hospitals

OGDEN — Ogden Regional Medical Center and McKay-Dee Hospital have been named among the top 100 hospitals in the nation in their respective categories.

Thomson Reuters, a business data provider, released its annual study Tuesday identifying the top U.S. hospitals based on overall organizational performance. The two Ogden-based hospitals were the only ones in the state to receive the Top 100 Hospital awards.

Ogden Regional was listed as one of the top 100 medium community hospitals while McKay-Dee was listed as one of the top 100 teaching hospitals.

Bridgette Berkeley takes care of a patient in the ICU at Ogden Regional Medical Center recently. She graduated in July and says she knows she’s lucky to have gotten a job in her field so quickly. One thing that helped was that hospital officials knew her work ethic, as she worked as a secretary and a nursing assistant at the hospital while in school. (NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner)

Economy hides possible impending shortage of nurses

SOUTH OGDEN — When Bridgette Berkeley goes to work as an intensive care unit nurse at Ogden Regional Medical Center, she feels fortunate.

A July nursing graduate from Stevens-Henager College, Berkeley said she’s bucking the trend to already have the job she wants such a short time after graduation.

(Photo courtesy of Ogden Regional Medical Center) TomoTherapy is an advanced radiation delivery system that precisely targets a patient’s tumor from all angles while sparing normal, healthy tissue. The machine has a CT scanner built in to allow 3-D imaging, which is used to accurately locate the tumor. The only other Top of Utah hospital that offers TomoTherapy is Davis Hospital and Medical Center in Layton.

New 3-D CT-scanner provides pinpoint locations for cancer treatment

OGDEN -- Ogden Regional Medical Center has taken cancer therapy one step further.

Gertrud 'Heidi' Hoaglin

Gertrud "Heidi" Hoaglin died after a long battle with cancer Sunday, March 25, 2012, at Ogden Regional Medical Center. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Ascension Lutheran Church, 1105 N. Washington Blvd, in Ogden. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Post condolences at www.leavittsmortuary.com. To read the full obituary, see the Standard-Examiner's e-edition.

(KENDAL RUSSELL/Standard-Examiner) Professional backcountry snowmobiler Randy Sugihara sits in his bed at home Wednesday, wearing a back brace after being injured in a recent snowmobiling accident.

Pro snowmobiler Randy Sugihara recovers after brush with death

Watch footage of Randy riding here.

RIVERDALE — Randy Sugihara is no stranger to snowmobiling injuries.

The professional backcountry snowmobiler has suffered a blown-out knee and shoulder, a broken foot, tears to just about every muscle in his back, and has always been able to return to his sport as strong as ever. But an accident Feb. 26 could have ended his career, or even his life.

In late February, Sugihara went to Pinedale, Wyo., for a movie premiere for his production company, an event held to promote breast cancer awareness. Afterward, he and fellow sledders decided to ride in the area for a few days.

(NICHOLAS DRANEY/Standard-Examiner) Ogden Interim Police Chief Wayne Tarwater speaks outside the Ogden Police Department on Tuesday.

Dispatch tapes reveal response to police shootings

Click here to hear the dispatch tapes

OGDEN -- It begins with a frantic call for help from a police officer identified as Whiskey Seven.

His voice is tinged with urgency and desperation at the start of dispatch tapes from a Jan. 4 shooting that killed Ogden Officer Jared Francom and wounded five other officers.

"We've got shots fired," Whiskey Seven shouts into his police radio. "We've got officers hit. I need medical. I need additional units."

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