Sheridan County commissioners on June 13 interviewed candidates for seats on the Sheridan Memorial Hospital board of trustees but made no appointments, saying final selections will be taken at the commission’s regular meeting next Tuesday.

The interviews brought forward candidates’ health-care experience and priorities for keeping patients in Sheridan. Commissioner Nick Siddle, Sheridan County commissioner and meeting chair, opened the session by saying, “These appointments there will be no decisions made today. These appointments will be made at our board meeting next Tuesday.”

Carol Gregory, a retired nursing executive who held multiple chief nursing officer roles and lives full time in Sheridan, said she wanted to continue contributing to local health care. She emphasized patient experience and community outreach as retention tools: “I think word-of-mouth, number 1, is so important,” Gregory said. She told commissioners she is available to attend monthly meetings and subcommittee work.

Rob Johnson, who said he spent six years on the hospital foundation board, said his priorities include maintaining local access and making care cost-competitive so residents do not feel compelled to go to larger centers. “I want to see health care thrive,” Johnson said, and urged better messaging and use of patient testimonials to keep treatments local.

Dr. Fred Lounsbury, a retired internal medicine physician, described his support for small-town hospitals and said preserving local independence is a goal. “The longer and better you can remain independent, the better I think it would be,” Lounsbury said, adding that a strong local medical staff and diverse services help retain patients.

Commissioner Mike Arzey asked each candidate why many residents travel to places such as Billings or Casper for care. Candidates cited patient experience, awareness of local services, provider recruitment and cost as the main factors.

No formal votes or appointments were taken at the June 13 meeting. Commissioners reiterated that public comment and final appointments will occur at the commission’s regular meeting next Tuesday.