Laura Bucholz, Saratoga, Wyoming

Not so long ago, only a small barebones walk-in health care clinic was available to meet the growing needs of Saratoga, Wyoming, and surrounding Carbon County, which lies west of the Snowy Range Mountains in southern Wyoming and includes many guest ranches. The clinic was closed on weekends, and those with acute medical issues were forced to drive hours to receive advanced life-saving medical care. 

This is an all-too-common challenge for communities across rural America. Between 2010 and 2022, 136 rural hospitals closed. The American Medical Association says 65% of rural communities have a primary care physician shortage. And a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that rural Americans live shorter and less healthy lives than their urban counterparts. 

Laura Bucholz, owner of the XH Land and Cattle Company in Saratoga, was keenly aware of the impact the healthcare shortage was having on her neighbors and employees. But she also understood the economic impact on the community at large. Tourists were reluctant to visit, lest a medical emergency befall them. And potential home buyers and entrepreneurs were looking elsewhere, for communities with better health care and childcare options. 

“I just knew something had to be done,” Bucholz told On Land. A small team of friends were recruited and “the next thing we knew, we had a committee and a preliminary plan.”

“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know that having easy access to a mammogram can mean the difference between life and death.”

– Laura Bucholz

That plan required tremendous volunteer effort from Bucholz and those friends, including too many fundraising calls to count. “As a breast cancer survivor myself, I know that having easy access to a mammogram can mean the difference between life and death,” she explained. In addition to the time spent organizing and fundraising, Bucholz herself donated generously to help expand the services the hospital could offer, including the acquisition of more advanced diagnostic tools, like cutting-edge imaging equipment. “You no longer have to wait weeks for a mammogram,” she exclaimed with pride. “You can walk right in and get one anytime!”

The project began in the fall of 2018 and finally, in May 2023, North Platte Valley Medical Center opened its doors. “It was often two steps forward and one step back,” said Bucholz. “But we never ever thought of giving up.” And thanks to creative planning, the now-empty clinic building was converted into Valley Village Childcare.

In July, Western Landowners Alliance CEO Lesli Allison found herself battling a serious case of Rocky Mountain Tick Fever. Fortunately, she was only about 90 miles away from Saratoga and checked into North Platte Valley Medical Center’s emergency room. “I instantly felt better knowing I was in the hands of an experienced team of healthcare professionals. They did a great job with the assessment and provided me with the prescription I needed for a complete recovery. Tick fever can be pretty serious, and had it not been for the good care and timely guidance I received at the center that evening the outcome could have been different,” said Allison.  

Bucholz’s passion was instrumental in exponentially increasing access to health care for her community, and for visitors like Allison. “Believe me, I’m not looking for a gold star on my forehead. I was one of several volunteers,” said Bucholz. “It’s a privilege to be able to give back.” By putting her energy and resources to work off her ranch, Bucholz helped ensure her part of rural America is healthier and more resilient for generations to come.