SUPPORTING THE
DR. MATTHEW P. OWENS LEGACY FUND
The Redfield community lost a beloved doctor and friend, Dr. Matthew P. Owens,
on his 60th birthday - November 29, 2023.
Dr. Owens placed great value in
building families and communities through his practice in rural family medicine. He built positive
relationships with patients and community members, encouraging them to get involved in rural health programs.
Dr. Matthew Owens was the “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) in understanding the importance of how rural medicine is vitally interconnected with Emergency Management Services. He recognized the need for more people living in rural South Dakota communities and tribal lands to be trained in emergency response techniques as well as having access to equipment and supplies needed to be a first responder.
Partnering with the Department of Labor and SAMSHA, Dr. Owens spearheaded grants that provided funds for training in emergency response. Dr. Owens developed the Dakota Responder Training program and, in partnership with Agtegra, trained over 400 people in Stop the Bleed™, Narcan administration, and AED use before his passing. Doc Owens was passionate about training people in rural communities to be prepared to step in and help if they came upon a person in need prior to the arrival of EMTs. That program also built interest and provided a pathway to additional education for people to become Emergency Medical Responders and eventually Emergency Medical Technicians, then Paramedics. There are eight additional EMTs in the Redfield community thanks to Dr. Owens’ dedicated efforts to expand the number of people ready to aid those experiencing medical emergencies.
In 2023, Dr. Owens was awarded the COPIC Humanitarian Award, which honors a physician for volunteering their medical services and expertise to benefit others and making notable contributions to their local community. Dr. Owens designated the Redfield Community Memorial Hospital and Clinic Foundation Inc. as the recipient of the $10,000 Humanitarian Award. Those funds provided the Redfield Community Memorial Hospital and Clinic Foundation with the financial resources to begin purchasing “ditch kits” to equip Agtegra vehicles with proper tools to help others in need.
In furtherance of Dr. Matthew Owens’ commitment in providing emergency response training and resources to rural South Dakota communities and tribal lands, a Legacy Fund has been established in his name.
LATEST
CLICK ON PHOTO TO EXPAND AND FOR MORE INFORMATION
As of May 2024, 153 individuals from Agtegra, Tribal Lands and rural communities have completed Dakota Responder Training and were given a
Doc Owens Ditch Kit!
10/26/2024
Dr. Matthew Owens was acknowledged for a lifetime of commitment to expanding emergency response resources for rural communities and tribal lands by being made an Honorary Member of the
South Dakota EMS Association.
HOW TO HELP
Each and every dollar donated to the Dr. Matthew P. Owens Legacy Fund helps to carry on Doc Owens' vision of ensuring that
South Dakota rural communities and tribal lands have
access to trained emergency responders and resources
needed to aid an injured person prior to arrival of
EMTs and Paramedics.
Your generous donations to the Dr. Matthew P. Owens Legacy Fund will help the Redfield CMHC Foundation to purchase:
The Doc Owens Ditch Kit
$85
AED Defibrillator
$2,500
CPR Rescue Mask
$30
Tourniquet
$15
EMT Scholarship
$3,000
Laptop - Responder Training
$1,400
NARCAN - Opiod Overdose
$60
Dakota Responder Trainer
$500
Projector - For Training
$400
CONTACT
Jessica Muellenberg
Executive Director
PHONE
(605) 475-7402
ADDRESS
PO Box 288
Redfield, SD 57469