Joanna Fountain

Joanna Fountain is a proud wife, mother of five, and grandmother. She’s always loved spending summers outdoors with her family, camping, fishing, and cooking her signature marinated chicken and grilled shrimp over the campfire. But when a series of serious health issues brought her to the hospital in the winter, it left her and her family feeling uncertain about when—or if—those special moments would return.

Joanna suffered a cardiac arrest and was found to have fluid overload, encephalopathy, and pneumonia. She received life-saving care and was stabilized in a traditional hospital, but due to her ongoing medical needs, she was referred to Vibra Hospital of the Central Dakotas, a critical care hospital specializing in the treatment of medically complex patients requiring extended recovery.

When Joanna arrived at Vibra Hospital, she was reliant on a ventilator to breathe and fully dependent on others for even the most basic tasks. She required continuous monitoring, advanced medical care, and a comprehensive treatment plan.

While receiving that care, Joanna also began the long road to recovery with the help of physical and occupational therapy. Her therapists worked closely with her to rebuild strength, starting with simple but meaningful goals like sitting up at the edge of the bed and improving her ability to eat and drink.

With each passing week, Joanna made remarkable progress. She praised her therapy team for their attentive, hands-on approach, sharing, “I never felt left behind. My progress has been big and noted. My motivation was thinking about getting back to my family.”

After two months of expert care, Joanna returned home, breathing on her own, walking 800 feet with a four-wheeled walker, and independently managing daily activities.

“I’m excited to get back to my husband, grandkids, and my puppy, Charlie,” Joanna said. “My plans for the future are to spend time with my family and pursue my passion of helping others. I would like to go volunteer at my local nursing home.”

Thank you, Joanna, for sharing your strength, spirit, and story with us. We wish you joy, health, and many happy campfire dinners ahead!