{Fifty-Two Weeks}

I started this project not only for myself creatively, but for the women in our community! These next 52 weeks you will meet women that are an inspiration to our community, who go above and beyond for their families or our small town, who may own their own business, or are just an inspiration to those who love them. Each woman has their own story, their own calling, their own struggles, and their own accomplishments. I couldn’t have said it better “I want to inspire people. I want someone to look at me and say because of you I didn’t give up.”-unknown

{Week Ten of Fifty-Two}

“It is what it is.”

I first met this wonderful woman when joining the primary school PAC (parent advisory community) three years ago. I knew of her but hadn’t met her in person. She is one of those women who you can talk to for hours and still feel like there is more to say. She is a smiling face, a warm welcome, and above all an amazing lady who puts her patients and family first. Week ten of fifty-two goes out to the amazing Doctor with a heart of gold who loves her patients, Dr. Dee Engle of Memorial Hospital of Converse County.

If you have been a patient of hers or still are a patient you know how much work and love she puts into every patient. Dee grew up north of Lusk on the family ranch. She went to school for a total of 9 years and then on top of that 3 years of residency. She has her bachelors in science from the University of Wyoming, got her medical degree in family medicine and obstetrics from The University Washington, and did her residency in Rapid City. I knew it took a lot to become a doctor but wow. I asked her what made her want to become a Dr. and Dee said “I was always interested in science and community work. I knew in middle school I wanted to do something in family medicine. I love being around people. I thought I would be a nurse but then decided I wanted to be in charge and have my own patients. Being in family medicine you get to learn the family’s dynamics and watch the families grow in each stage of their lives.” Dr. Engle is a family medicine with obstetrics doctor at MHCC and has been here for eight and a half years.

I admire this woman for so many reasons but one is she holds it all together so well, even when she may not think she is. I asked her how hard it is with her job and raising a family. I know just being a stay at home mom like me is hard I can’t imagine having a full time job on top of a family. “Balance is hard! This is my biggest challenge. A patient may come in when I may or may not be on call and when I have to tell my family it will take a while it is hard for me. I would love to be in both places at once and sometimes my family has to be second. Thankfully my family is very understanding and I don’t have to do this very often.” Dee says. Like most doctors and nurses, she works at her clinic but also one week night a week and one weekend a month. She also is the chief of staff, has board meetings and finds time to volunteer at her girls schools on top of her already busy schedule.  

Making a difference in people life is something Dee does and you can see that with every patient she takes care of. I asked her what she loved most about her job and she said “Making a difference in people’s lives. I love being a part of such an important family experience, from the birth of a child, to taking care of the family year after year.” As we talked about family, work and life I wanted to know what she would want her patients to leave her office feeling like. “That I listen, that I care, and I am here for them big or small. My patients are very important to me. They are all unique, very respectful, and are open to other ideas and thoughts about an approach I may want to try. I truly love my job and the people I get to treat and care for.” Dee says. 

Now I know the hard worker and amazing women Dee is, just from the 3 years I have known her. But something I didn’t know and her patients may not know is she worked for the Lusk Harold in the summers as a kid. She did this for almost 4 summers. She did the article “What’s the scoop”, interviewing, wrote the stories, took pictures, laid it all out and then it was printed in the Torrington paper. Who knew right! She says she loved it and it was a great summer job. 

 Getting to know Dee….

What is your biggest struggle….Balance but the hardest thing is delivering bad news to a patient.

What is your greatest accomplishment….Trying to keep all my balls in the air, family, patients, keeping everything running smoothly.

What is your biggest fear….I won’t be able to give my family or patients what they need. Not being able to deliver on a promise or cause emotional hurt.

What is something on your bucket list….Traveling the world! Would love to see Australia.

Who inspires you and why….Florence Nightingale as she was compassionate, my patients inspire me and my parents for their hard work ethics.

What is your favorite quote….”It is what it is.”

One word to describe “Dee” and why she inspires you…..

“Selfless! She would do anything for her "momma's”! –Kelsey Nelson

"Sweet! She makes time to volunteer for our school & community even though she is a very busy doctor. She has a heart of gold & I love her smile & laugh.” –Bridget Stinson

“Hard worker! Great Mother!” –Tanya Seeds

“Thoughtful. Dee is an amazing lady. She is so busy yet she still finds time to volunteer in Maddie's classroom and make special treats for the students! Her thoughtfulness and generosity is inspiring!” –Cathy Dugger

“There are so many words to describe Dr. Engle. The one that I would pick today is compassionate. She is a very busy lady, being a loving wife, amazing mother whom runs her kids around to activities and participates in classroom reading times, a doctor, and a great friend. Her patients are very important to her; she always does what's best for everyone. She's a woman that will stay up throughout the night because she has a laboring mom that she is worried about, but still makes it to her clinic the next day for a full day of work. Wow, what a truly amazing and inspirational women!!!” –Dani Geer

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” Her love for her patients is only felt in there heart and hers. The emotion you see, are true feelings of love from the heart.” –Kurt Engle (Husband)

“There is truly not one word to describe Dr. Engle I would describe her as calm and optimistic. She is not only an amazing family medical doctor to our community but also a friend. Being a great doctor requires more than years of medical education and thousands of hours spent in residency. You need to be trustworthy for your patients and in return trust them even when they may appear to be very similar to yourself or those that couldn't be more different. What do they all have in common? Is that they need you! And that is why I think Dr. Engle is a great assist to our community.” –Manda Smylie

“Intuitive! She has an amazing intuition that she follows and it has helped a lot of people!” –Laura Moore

“Genuine!” –Maureen Crane

“Selfless!  She gives and gives and gives and gives.  Not only to her patients, to her peers, the nursing staff, her family, her community, the Girl Scouts, the schools, her students, and lastly herself.  One dedicated women!” –Beckie Oliver

“Devoted! Dr. Engle is the epitome of the word. She is devoted to her family, patients, and community! I truly do not know how she keeps all the balls in the air but she has definitely earned the title of a professional juggler. She is devoted to being a wife and mother, regardless of the long hours she works, they are her priority. She is dedicated to her profession as a physician, always staying educated about best practice and changing recommendations in healthcare regarding her patients. She is loyal to memorial hospital of converse County and the community of Douglas. She continues to be the Chief of staff at MHCC; it's her expectations for safety and excellence that makes our hospital rise about the standard. She is very active in supporting the athletics in converse County as well as literacy in the schools by reading to her daughter's class each Thursday. I am very lucky to work alongside her as a professional and to call her a friend. Dr. Engle is a woman of strength and aspiration.” –Holly Sasser

"Capable" Dr. Engle is always capable to handle life in so many directions. She not only is an excellent Physician but also puts aside a great amount of devotion to her family. I would also think of her as a "Superwoman" We can always count on her, we are extremely fortunate to have the privilege to work with her in Labor and Delivery.  She will go above and beyond to make sure the patients are treated at the highest level possible. Thank you for all you do each and every day.” –Beth Pirnie

“Dedicated! She is dedicated to her patients, right from the start, in their mama's belly, through all the different challenges that life brings their way. But, maybe more importantly, she is dedicated to her family. Unless I am seeing her as a patient, I never see her without at least one of her daughters in tow. She volunteers at their schools, bakes them cookies, and takes them to all their different activities. She inspires me to be a better mom, through my health and my love. Thank you, Dee!” –Karla Penfield

Thank you Dee for all you do for our community! You truly are an inspiration and have touched so many lives with your great kindness and amazing heart. It was a honor to capture you at work doing what you love and wanted to say “Thank you”.