Doctor Hubele receives award

Dr. Suzanna Hubele, of Two Rivers Medical Clinic, was recently chosen as one of several health care professionals chosen for the Idaho Rural Health Heroes Award by the Idaho Rural Health Association. 

 Qualifications include service and dedication to the people who call rural Idaho home. 

 Hubele was awarded along with one other physician from the Western Region, as well as selected physical therapists, and radiology technicians at an award ceremony in Boise on Nov. 17. 

 Hubele shared that the rural health heroes are dedicated to delivering high quality and innovative care to the underserved and work collaboratively to address barriers and disparities that remain.  

 Hubele has nearly 18 years experience working as a physician. She attended medical school through the University of Washington WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho) program. This program has been in place since 1971 andcurrently accepts 40 Idaho students a year. Hubele felt the program was an excellent fit for her as it encourages Idaho students to return to, and practice in, the state they are from. Students receive training in rural medicine from the very beginning of their education.

 When Hubele first began looking for a place to practice, after she finished her residency, she had three places in mind. The first was Twin Falls, because that was close to her hometown of Hansen and family. The second was Moscow, because she had gone to undergraduate school at the University of Idaho, worked for Gritman Hospital, delivered both of her children there and knew the medical community well. 

 Hubele’s other top choice was a community she was introduced to by a fellow resident who was a year ahead of her.  

 This friend had done a rotation in Weiser with Dr. Barr and Dr. Wootton and he really loved the community and the practice, and recommended it to Hubele. He had a National Health Services Scholarship, and Weiser was not “needy” enough based on their criteria, something known as a HPSA score (Health Professional Shortage Area). He ended up in Gallup, New Mexico, where he is still living, working and loving life.  

 Hubele came out and did a rotation at Two Rivers Medical Clinic. 

 “I fell in love with the clinic, employees, and the town and here I am!” Hubele said. 

 Having grown up in a town much smaller than Weiser, Hubele also wanted her kids to grow up in a similar community. Weiser was the perfect fit for her family of four. 

 “People in rural communities need medical care just like anyone else,” she said. “I strive to do my part to take care of people where they live and work with the limited resources that we have.  Because we are a rural community and because I trained to work in a rural community, I get to provide care for the whole family, including obstetrical care, deliveries with cesarean sections, newborn and wellness child care, adolescent care, young adults, elderly and even the dying. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of the life continuum.”

 Hubele shared that she hopes the community understands that the care providers in the community do the best with what they have.  

 Also, sometimes, it can be very difficult to transfer patients to another hospital, either because the consulting physician doesn’t think it is necessary or because the facility does not have enough beds or staff. Although the small community has limitations, she feels that they are able to make up for that in many ways through making meaningful connections with patients and improving their health, and this is her favorite part of the job. 

 She also enjoys working with medical groups in our state to advocate for our patients and their rights, working to make sure that the patient, with the information and education provided by their physician, is the one making their own healthcare decisions.