Charlie Rasmussen, DO, family medicine and obstetrics physician at Texas County Memorial Hospital, has extended his employment with the hospital for another four-year term.
“I want to express my appreciation to the hospital board and administration,” Rasmussen stated at the hospital board meeting on July 26. “Everyone has been very accommodating to me in my four years of employment, and working with everyone has gone well.”
Rasmussen sees patients at the TCMH Medical Complex in Houston. He also does an obstetrics clinic at the TCMH Mountain Grove Clinic one day a week as well as working several shifts each month in the hospital’s emergency department. He currently serves as the chief of the TCMH medical staff.
“This contract shows real commitment on the part of TCMH administration to retain physicians at the hospital as well as recruiting them,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen added that he plans to encourage other new physicians at the hospital in renewing their contracts when they reach the point of renewal.
Rasmussen noted that the planned hospital expansion was also taken into consideration in continuing his employment at TCMH.
“TCMH continues to place patient care as their highest priority, and the hospital’s upcoming building project will enhance the services I am able to offer my patients at TCMH,” he said
Rasmussen noted that providing excellent patient care has always been a top priority in his medical practice.
In his four years of service in Texas County, Rasmussen’s practice has grown as well as his family. He and his wife, Stacey, welcomed their daughter, Rylee, almost two years ago. They have built a home outside of Houston.
“I would like to thank the people her for welcoming me into their lives,” Rasmussen said. “They have been very kind to Stacey, Rylee and I.”
“Recruiting physicians to practice in rural communities is very difficult,” said Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH. “Retention of physicians can be even more difficult than recruiting.
“It takes an entire community to help us retain our physicians, and it’s evident that the community’s support and utilization of Dr. Rasmussen has helped us retain him.”
Murray noted that TCMH hopes to recruit all physicians to spend their career at TCMH, but that doesn’t always happen.
“This additional four-year commitment from Dr. Rasmussen is indicative of his commitment to providing care for many years to the patients in our service area,” Murray said.
Rasmussen also hopes that the contract extension will allay fears that he may go elsewhere to practice.
“When I first came here, everyone asked me, ‘How long are you going to stay?'” Rasmussen said. “I hope everyone realizes that I am committed to continuing to provide healthcare services for the people of Texas County. I want to be here a long time.”
As a board certified family medicine physician, Rasmussen specializes in the treatment of patients from birth to the end of life. In addition to his family medicine training, Rasmussen has specialized training in obstetrics and sports medicine. Rasmussen delivers babies at TCMH, and he also does stress testing at the hospital.
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When I first came here, everyone asked me, ‘How long are yougoing to stay?’ I hope everyone realizes that I am committed tocontinuing to provide healthcare services for the people of TexasCounty. I want to be here a long time.”
Hospital includes physician retention efforts in strategicplan