He's Back, For Good

After attending the University of South Dakota thanks to an HRMC Foundation Scholarship, Colton is back to work at the hospital

It’s just a couple months into Colton Ketelhut’s first job as a physical therapist at Huron Regional Medical Center, and he can already see that working in Huron has helped him up his game. “Here, a patient with any condition can come through the door, and we tackle it, and get them to the best person for the best treatment,” he says.

It’s one of the reasons he loves his job at HRMC, a place near and dear to his heart. Colton grew up and graduated high school in Miller, a town about 45 minutes from Huron, and married Mikayla, the love of his life and a local resident as well. The two recently put roots down by buying their first house. “I guess that means we are sticking around,” says Colton, laughing.

Sticking around, actually, is something that Colton committed to while a student at the University of South Dakota. He was able to pay for part of his degree thanks to a generous Fund for the Future Scholarship from HRMC’s Foundation. In return for the scholarship, Colton made a four-year commitment to work at the Huron hospital. 

The Foundation started the scholarship program in 2016 through the generosity of Huron donors and aimed to recruit and retain a new generation of medical staff. Colton says the scholarship propelled him forward in college, and it’s an honor to return and give back through his knowledge and skills.

There has been a deep investment in the medical services and facilities in Huron. Gone are the days when patients needed to travel to a larger city to find the right care. “HRMC is doing its best to meet the needs of the community,” he says. Colton points to things like the $3 million renovation of the maternity floor at the hospital, the arrival of a new family physician, and the hiring of a new orthopedic surgeon. The hospital has top-of-the-line equipment and focuses on how to foster a healthy Huron by offering programs like free mammograms during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Since laying down roots in Huron, Colton and Mikayla have become involved in the community, including volunteering at Elks Lodge events. They also work out at the local gym and play league sports. “There’s a sense of family in this region that we love,” he says. 

“We’re working hard on educating the public that they can get exceptional care here at home.”

His favorite thing about living here? “You can leave work at 5 p.m. and be in your tree stand by 5:30 p.m.,” he says, laughing. Hunting and outdoor activities rank high on their recreation list.

The couple also hopes someday to become parents, and Colton knows he can offer his family the quality of life he grew up with in Huron. “That’s one reason we’re here,” he says. “It takes a village to raise a family, and coming back here, we’ll have that opportunity to raise our kids that way.”

Working at HRMC is really about the people he sees every day. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that what we do in the physical therapy department—and throughout the hospital—is contributing to a great quality of life for people in our community.”