A Visit to Wyoming They’ll Never Forget

Last June, José Van Wijland Guzowski and her husband traveled from Holland to Wyoming, excited to explore the area and experience the beauty of Devils Tower. After a day of sightseeing, they stopped for a cappuccino when José suddenly began feeling unwell.

What they didn’t know was that José was having a heart attack.

Unsure of where to turn, her husband quickly searched for the nearest hospital and found Crook County Medical Services District in Sundance. He rushed José to CCMSD, where our receptionist quickly recognized that something was wrong and immediately called for help.

Our team acted quickly, providing José with the care she needed while also helping reassure both her and her husband during an incredibly frightening and unexpected situation. José was then transported to Rapid City, where she underwent open-heart surgery and received four bypasses.

For José and her husband, their unexpected visit to a small Wyoming hospital became a moment they would never forget.

Today, they returned to CCMSD—not because they needed medical care, but because they wanted to say thank you.

They shared their story with our team and even brought along traditional Dutch gifts as a gesture of their appreciation. It was a special opportunity for our staff to see José doing well and to hear firsthand how much the care she received meant to them.

We are incredibly grateful that CCMSD was here when José and her husband needed us most. Moments like this remind us that healthcare is about more than treating patients—it’s about being there for people when they need us, no matter where they come from or how far they have traveled.

We are honored to have been part of José’s story and so grateful to welcome her and her husband back to CCMSD.