Brent Thiel and his wife Nancy live on a ranch in northwestern South Dakota. They’re four miles from the town of Isabel and the closest healthcare in 40 miles – the Horizon Health – Isabel medical clinic. For the last 30-plus years they’ve made Horizon their healthcare home.
“We are very fortunate in Isabel to have Lisa Martin as our physician’s assistant and her staff do an excellent job here,” he said. “Not only in providing healthcare but she’s a very big part of our community – involved in community activities and programs and things that help better our community.”
Isabel is a town of 145 people set on the rolling midwestern prairies where the antelope literally roams and it’s so quiet you can hear yourself think without the rush of traffic and big city lights. The town is small but mighty. People come from all over the world to view the community’s cattle genetics, Brent said. They might view the town as a miniature Mayberry from the television show Andy Griffith.
“Obviously nothing is that simple and pure, but Isabel is a community that’s very dependent on each other,” Thiel said. “It’s a little like the old TV show Cheers – everybody knows your name. People care and that’s a great supporting background, a great place to raise a family.”
He said he and Nancy were blessed by the people they knew when their children were growing up. There was a shoulder to lean on if you needed one, Brent said. Or you just generally need a helping hand.
Small-town roots run deep with Brent. He grew up south of Aberdeen, South Dakota, on a sheep and cattle ranch. After attending college and working for a livestock association for several years he and Nancy moved to Isabel in 1987. They started their family soon after and learned the benefit of having a local, hometown clinic to see to the cuts and bruises, flus and colds children acquire on their way to becoming adults. The clinic was affiliated with the hospital in Hettinger, North Dakota, where both the Thiel children were born.
Most of his fellow community members are involved in agriculture either firsthand or through a family member. At times the Isabel clinic provides emergency serv
ices to stitch someone up after a farm accident. Brent has experienced this firsthand following his own ranching injuries. Not only physical, but behavioral healthcare is administered when a patient and provider are on a first-name basis.
“In this small community you have your providers’ cell phone number, and you can call after hours it is quite an asset to be able to call and say ‘Hey, I need some stitches, or I need this done.’” Brent said. “Especially if you’re raising a family or you’re a little bit on the elderly side you can’t put a value on having a clinic here in Isabel to provide those attentions when they come up.”
He and Nancy are passionate about supporting Horizon Health not only for themselves but for future generations. Their children have moved away from the area, but through community involvement as Sunday School teachers they are familiar with the many young people who want to grow up and call Isabel home.
“There’s still something about growing up in a farm and ranch community, a responsibility and a work ethic,” Brent said. “We have a community here with lots of young people. It’s so imperative that they have a place to go for their medical needs, that the doors are open, the lights are on, and the service is available.”
Brent encourages others to support Horizon Health. He sees how positively people respond to the care they receive at Horizon. He sees the cars parked in front of the clinic daily.
“That’s a sign that Horizon is providing a service, that people are coming here for medical attention,” Brent said. “I would encourage people to realize if we don’t support it, it won’t last.”