Yasuo Simina and his family have found a home in the central South Dakota community of Huron and their medical home at Horizon Health.
Originally from the Federated States of Micronesia, Yasuo moved to the United States permanently in 2016. He received a leg injury while captaining a boat in
Huron provider Amanda Adams, PA-C,
his native country and came to Seattle for hip surgery. His cousin learned Yasuo was in Seattle and offered to buy a ticket to visit Huron once he finished his treatment. Yasuo’s wife Susana and daughter Jasin joined him in 2017. He wanted to return to Micronesia to work but his family wanted him to stay in Huron more.
“That’s how I know Horizon,” Yasuo said. “This is the clinic I came (to) after the surgery to follow up. When I get sick, this is the clinic I come to.”
Susana and Jasin wear flowers in their hair as part of a Micronesian tradition. In their home country, flowers are a symbol of happiness. That emotion radiates from Yasuo. When he moved to Huron, his health was not good, he says. He had problems breathing which Horizon Health providers and specialists in Sioux Falls were able to improve. Overall, he feels much better – and happier – today.
“Horizon really helped us out,” he said. “It’s very nice treatment here. All the employees, the nurses, the doctors are very, very friendly. We know that this is where to go.”
He has high praise for the clinic staff and his provider, Amanda Adams, PA-C, who helped make his wellness journey a success.
Adams keeps a close eye on his health. Yasuo suffers from multiple chronic conditions. He says Adams has scheduled his appointments more frequently to keep a close watch on his health.
“When she treats me, I know from her heart that she really wants to help me,” Yasuo said. “She sends me to the heart doctors, kidney doctors, I’m following up with them because of her. She’s a very helpful doctor. Anything that I must know for my health she always provides.”
Yasuo’s medical provider directed him to Community Health Worker Samara Contreras who helped the family find needed resources. The process was so easy he started recommending Horizon and its community health worker program to his friends.
“She’s very, very helpful,” Yasuo said. “To us, Samara is a part of our family. She really, really takes care of us. She’s a nice person.”
The community of Huron has provided an open-armed welcome to Yasuo. His family feels at home and safe in their community and at Horizon Health.
“I prefer to live here if we stay in the United States,” he said. “Everything we need is here. We have our clinic, we have our Walmart, we have our hospital. I don’t want to live in a big city. Too complicated.”