Hospital (208) 756-5600 Clinic (208) 756-6212
Salmon, ID – Steele Memorial Medical Center (SMMC) is thrilled to announce the first scheduled birth in its obstetrics (OB) department since the program’s reopening under the leadership of Dr. Isaac Sairs and Dr. Joe Krakker. This joyous occasion marks a significant milestone for the hospital and the community, reaffirming SMMC’s commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of Salmon and surrounding areas.
The baby, Ramsey Robert Thomas, was born on January 28th at 10:47 PM, weighing 6 pounds 9 ounces and measuring 20 inches. The proud parents, Troy and Kaysie Thomas, were delighted to welcome their newborn at Steele Memorial Medical Center.
SMMC had to make the difficult decision to temporarily close its OB program in October 2023 following the retirement of Dr. Natelson. The nationwide OB shortage, especially acute in rural areas, posed a significant challenge to maintaining these critical services. In Idaho alone, multiple rural hospitals have been forced to close their OB departments due to provider shortages and financial constraints, leaving families in remote communities to travel long distances for prenatal and delivery care.
Recognizing the urgent need to address this gap, SMMC embarked on a rigorous search for qualified providers to restore these vital services. The addition of Dr. Isaac Sairs, a Family Practice OB Physician with a passion for rural medicine and surgical obstetrics, has been instrumental in making this milestone possible. Dr. Sairs grew up in Mobile, Alabama, where he developed a love for the outdoors and community, which ultimately inspired his journey into rural healthcare. After earning a degree in Computer Science at Rice University, he transitioned to teaching and later pursued a medical degree at Howard University. He completed his residency in Ogden, Utah, and further specialized in surgical obstetrics during a fellowship inMemphis, Tennessee. Dr. Sairs is deeply committed to holistic, patient-centered care for families and is excited to serve the Salmon community.
Dr. Sairs expressed his enthusiasm for joining SMMC and serving the Salmon community. He emphasized the importance of having local access to quality obstetric care, especially in rural areas. "Providing OB services here means ensuring that families can welcome their newest members in a place that feels like home, with trusted, skilled providers by their side. I am eager to contribute to the team at Steele Memorial and build lasting relationships with the families we serve," he said. "Practicing rural medicine allows me to make a meaningful impact where it is needed most, and I look forward to continuing the strong legacy of care at SMMC.""
Dr. Krakker has been an integral part of SMMC’s OB team since 2016, but due to the provider shortage, he was unable to operate the OB program on his own. With Dr. Sairs now on board, the OB team is fully restored and ready to provide outstanding maternal care to the community. "The ability to bring OB services back to our community is a tremendous achievement," said Dr. Krakker. "Our patients deserve to have quality care close to home, and we are committed to making sure they receive the best possible support during this critical time in their lives."
SMMC’s commitment to high-quality obstetric care never wavered, even while the program was on hold. During the past year, OB nurses, both permanent staff and traveling professionals, maintained their certifications in Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and fetal heart monitoring. Several members of the OB nursing team attended the Rocky Mountain Childbirth Conference in October 2024, where they gained critical insights from specialists in high-risk obstetrics and obstetric emergencies, participated in educational case studies, and learned from an attorney specializing in OB litigation. Additionally, SMMC hosted a mock C-section drill involving all OB nurses, both night and day shifts, along with the operating room team, CRNAs, and Dr. Sairs. "It was an incredible opportunity to refine our skills and ensure we are fully prepared for any situation that may arise in the delivery room," said Preston, CEO of Steele Memorial Medical Center. "This level of dedication from our team speaks volumes about the quality of care we are committed to providing."
Steele Memorial Medical Center Board Chair Jean Anders emphasized the significance of reinstating OB services in the community. "The return of services will relieve the stress and inconvenience of having to travel 3-4 hours in order to receive OB services," she said. "The board is proud of the services we currently provide and supports the search for even more specialists to provide medical care to our community and the surrounding areas."
SMMC serves as one of the most remote critical access hospitals in the lower 48 states, making the reopening of its OB program even more critical for the well-being of the community.