When it comes to fresh air and friendly neighbors, there's nothing like rural living.

But tell that to a young doctor looking to make a fortune healing the sick. Many rural health care facilities are trying desperately to recruit physicians to their communities.

Debbie Kuehn has the story...

If you've ever had a neighbor drop off a hotdish in times of sorrow... If you've ever retrieved your wallet and the money inside it from the person who found it...or If you've ever heard the sound of a ten o'clock curfew whistle... you already know the meaning of quality of life... Unfortunately, it's the kind of bait Mitch Leupp hasn't had much luck with...

(Mitch Leupp, Admin. Mountrail County Health Center) "It's still ver difficult even to get interviews.in the rural areas and in North Dakota as a whole."


It's Leupp's job to recruit doctors to the Stanley Hospital... a job that's not as easy as it sounds. Fact is there's seems to be a shortage of doctors in rural areas. And to steal a medical term, the situation is critical...

(Mitch Leupp, Admin. Mountrail County Health Center) "We're doing a lot of things and none of them really successsful. We're way above the national average in regard to salary. We try to make iti as attractive as possible in regard to what we do to the call schedules for the rural facilities and brining in visiting doctors to help out with the ER call schedules."


On the other hand, the "demand" for medical services is increasing... especially here in Stanley where many new people have moved in to town to find work in the oil fields. Leupp says the emergency room and the clinic have been busier than ever. And the growth has also put a greater demand on housing... pushing prices up and creating yet another hurdle for people like Leupp...

(Mitch Leupp, Admin. Mountrail County Health Center) "We've seen the prices for apartment rent and houses go right through the roof and so that's had a negative impact on a lot of our staff that isn't in the oil industry and making the dollars that are out there."


Still, Leupp feels if he could just entice young physicians to come and take a look at their community, he could have a fighting chance of keeping them.

(Mitch Leupp, Admin. Mountrail County Health Center) "And I think if they came out and saw the quality of life and what great facilities we have out here and the people... because we always hear how great the people are in North Dakota. And if they came out and experienced that, I think that would be a great part in recruiting, but... "

Stanley has enlisted recruiters to help in the nationwide search... but has yet to get a response. It's frustrating, but Leupp promises to stay with it... because nothing tastes better than a neighbor's hotdish on a weary day. Debbie Kuehn KX News. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list