Expanded hours and renewed focus - Lovell Public Health returns to full-time hours with addition of local nurse

The Big Horn County Public Health Office in Lovell is returning to full-time hours for the first time in months, thanks to the addition of registered nurse Kindy Krei, who began work this week. The Lovell office will now be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a lunch closure from 12 to 1 p.m.

With expanded hours and new energy, it’s also a good time for residents to rethink the many ways a public health office can serve the community. From immunizations and maternal health programs to preventive care, screenings and education, there are more resources and options available now than many people realize.

New Public Health nurse

Krei, a Rocky Mountain High School graduate who grew up in Deaver, earned her nursing degree from Northwest College in 2010. She lives in Lovell and brings a familiar face and seasoned experience back to local healthcare. Krei and her husband, James, have four children including two Lovell High School graduates and two grandchildren.

“I’m honored to be joining the Big Horn County Public Health team,” Krei said. “The staff here has done an incredible job under very challenging circumstances. Their dedication to the health and wellness of this community is inspiring. I’m excited to be here full-time, and I look forward to connecting with the community and helping to provide consistent, accessible public health services once again.”

Krei previously served as the Public Health Nursing Supervisor in Park County for five years and is now stepping into her new role at a time when the department is rebuilding and expanding its services.

“When I was in nursing school, these were the jobs to get,” she said. “Public-health nurses didn’t quit; they retired.”

She noted that the nationwide nursing shortage has affected nearly every branch of the profession.

For much of the past year, the Greybull office has shouldered double duty, with its nursing supervisor traveling to Lovell once a week to cover essential services. With Krei’s arrival, county officials say residents can expect improved access and more consistent scheduling. The department is still seeking one more full-time registered nurse for Greybull to restore full coverage county-wide.

“I think the community will really benefit from having this office open five days a week again,” added Lisa Trujillo, Krei’s supervisor. “It’s been a long haul covering both ends of the county.”

Wide range of services

Krei said public health is often misunderstood and that many residents don’t realize how many services are available locally.

“Public Health covers a wide range of services, so it’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of everything we offer,” she explained. “Among the most utilized programs are immunizations and the Maternal Child Health Program, known locally as Wyoming Hand in Hand.”

The Wyoming Hand in Hand program is a free, voluntary maternal and child health service designed to support parents through pregnancy and the first two years of their baby’s life. Participants can receive up to 26 in-home visits from trained public health nurses who provide guidance on everything from prenatal health and breastfeeding to child development, communication and bonding.

“It’s actually prenatal and postnatal,” Krei said. “Prenatally, we can meet with clients three to four times, monitoring blood pressures and communicating with doctors. We don’t replace the doctors-- we offer additional education and support.”

“The program is open to everyone,” Trujillo added, “but if we reach a high census, we prioritize first-time moms, high-risk cases and families who may need extra help.”

Building community connections

Immunizations are another major focus for the office. Clinic hours will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment, with all ACIP-recommended vaccines available.

“One of my biggest goals is to build up our immunization program again,” Krei said. “I want to work with the schools so we can vaccinate students in sixth grade before they need their seventh-grade Tdap shot (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis). That way, parents don’t have to worry about getting them in one by one.”

She also plans to expand community outreach through senior center wellness clinics and “lunch-and-learn” sessions.

“When seniors come in for lunch, we can provide education on topics they care about and offer blood pressure checks or glucose screenings,” she said. “It’s a small thing, but it helps people stay proactive about their health.”

More services than many realize

The Lovell office offers a wide range of other services, including:

STD and pregnancy testing

TB testing (skin and blood tests)

Blood draws for immunity titers

Car seat safety checks by appointment

Breast pumps for eligible families

Stitch removal with an MD order

Chronic disease education

CPR training or “skills pass-offs” by appointment

Although the office does not perform home wellness checks for seniors, Krei said staff work closely with other agencies to connect residents to needed resources.

“It’s just me in the office right now,” she added, “so when I’m out at the senior center, I’ll lock up and post a note. People can still call the Greybull office, and someone will answer.”

Looking ahead

The return of a full-time public health nurse to the north end of Big Horn County marks an important step in restoring consistent care and community connection. Residents are encouraged to stop by the Lovell office, meet Krei and learn more about the wide range of public health services available and to rethink all the ways a local public health office can serve today’s needs. With so many new options and programs available, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of the resources that keep our communities healthy and connected.

Contact information:

Big Horn County Public Health – Lovell Office
213 E. 3rd St., Lovell • 307-548-6591.