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Barlow Named 2024 North Dakota Community Star

Nov 12, 2024

Steven Barlow

In celebration of National Rural Health Day, the Center for Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) proudly unveils the North Dakota 2024 Community Star, Steven Barlow!

Community Stars are part of an annual recognition program that honors remarkable individuals and organizations going above and beyond for rural health. Barlow exemplifies the true spirit of collaboration, turning challenges into opportunities, ensuring access to quality care, and fostering a sense of unity and support within rural communities.

Barlow has been serving Dakota Regional Medical Center and Griggs County residents for over eight years as a family nurse practitioner. His dedication to his practice and to his patients is apparent, whether he is in the emergency room, clinic, or nursing home. Barlow is known for constantly going the extra mile in his work, whether literally by traveling over forty miles to serve a sister rural community with a satellite clinic and nursing home, or figuratively as he stays late, comes into work early, and always lends a helping hand.

When caring for his patients, he is supportive and ensures that his patients know he is available to answer any questions they may have, even after hours. While Barlow makes sure his patients are cared for in a timely, professional manner, he also looks in on his coworkers, continually checking in on them and making sure they are cared for. He is known for organizing employee activities and gatherings to make sure staff know how much their efforts are appreciated.

Barlow is not only committed to Dakota Regional Medical Center; he is also dedicated to the advancement of rural health as a whole. He is vital in the influence of young healthcare workers and has aided several young nurse practitioners as a preceptor. He works hard to set an example for the next generation of healthcare workers and is always present in the moment, dutifully doing whatever is required to provide the best care possible.