Meet Dr. Syverson

 

Living in the rural community of Fall River Mills really isn’t a concern for Mayers Memorial Hospital District’s (MMHD) new surgeon. Dr. Dale Syverson was born and raised in a small Minnesota town and is quite comfortable in a rural setting. “Being in a rural community gives me the opportunity to offer patients a more timely intervention. I feel like I can make a difference in their outcome and am able to respond to the patient’s needs.”

Dr. Syverson is a welcome addition to the community hospital, as MMHD had gone without a surgeon for some time.  He has wasted no time in getting to work, becoming involved in the area, enjoying the offerings of the outdoors, purchasing a home and setting up roots.

Fall River Mills and the farming community is much like where Dr. Syverson came from. He worked in a lumber yard, hay field and print shop as a teenager. After high school he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for over 4 years achieving the rank of E5 as a hospital corpsman.  He then went to the University of Minnesota for undergraduate work and medical school. It was while in the Navy he became interested in being a surgeon. “I was drawn to the idea of being able to make decisive interventions that had immediate results.”

“While in medical school, I had a clinical rotation in surgery and was inspired by many great surgeons,” he said. He also noted that the University had a strong emphasis on the program.

Next came his general surgery residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, followed by his fellowship at Ferguson Clinic in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I stayed in Minnesota and Michigan for the next 15 years and then ended up in Susanville, California.”

It was quite a move from the Midwest to northern California. How did that happen? “I was visiting one of my children who attended school in California and ended up getting a job offer in Susanville. I really liked the small town appeal and decided to make the move.”

His rural practice in northern California allowed him to do what he loves. “It is more diverse and flexible. It requires a level of adaptability. I am able to use my skills and have a wide variety of cases.” His practice consists of general, colon and rectal surgery.  Since at MMHD, he has also performed several emergency surgeries, which prevented the patient from having to be transported.

Dr. Syverson clearly has a passion for helping people. He had no specific stories to share, purely out of respect and privacy to his patients. “I could tell a story and leave out the names, but I feel never feel comfortable with that.” He did talk about facing some difficult patient issues and life threatening illnesses that responded very well to surgical intervention. “As  a surgeon, I enjoy being able to provide a service and see immediate response and provide necessary care to save a life.”

Surgery is not all that defines Dr. Syverson, he loves the outdoors. “I fish, but am not a fisherman; I golf, but am not a golfer. I also like to paddle, go boating, skiing, hiking and just enjoy the outdoors.” The Intermountain area is the perfect fit for these interests. “It is great to be in such close proximity to nature. There is so much nature to see all around us. There are not many places you can see nature this close on a daily basis. Bald Eagles, hawks, and deer – you can see them every day.”

Dr. Syverson is happy with his move. What does he think about the Intermountain area and MMHD? “I love it. This is a great small hospital. The staff is engaged and invested in the hospital and the community. It is obvious the hospital is an important resource to the community. It makes a difference and there is quality of care.”

As far as his hope and goals for the MMHD surgery department, he said he wants to continue to operate in the scope of the department’s capabilities to provide as much care to as many members of the community as possible.

Dr. Syverson has clinic hours at Mountain Valley Health Clinic and also goes to Modoc six days a month. He performs surgeries and procedures at MMHD weekly. So before you head out of the area for a procedure, Dr. Syverson would love to meet with you and see if he can help.