On call CRMC doctor cross-country skis to work during blizzard

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - As a doctor, being on call is not something to take lightly.

You are supposed to be on the front lines at the hospital in case something should go wrong.

For Cheyenne Regional Medical Center’s Dr. Rudolf Burcl, this weekend’s blizzard brought on unforeseen complications when the snow started to pile up.

“I tried to get out of the garage and made it about halfway down the driveway and then got very very thoroughly stuck,” said Dr. Burcl.

The nearly 31 inches of snow that dumped on Cheyenne in a two-day period forced the former-Czechoslovakia native to get to his shift, where he was on call for the obstetrics unit, in a different fashion.

He decided to get there by doing something he has enjoyed since he was a pre-teen -- cross-country ski.

“For a moment I was wondering what am I getting myself in to,” said Dr. Burcl. “And then I was like, well I’m still in town. Worst scenario, I’m going to knock on total strangers’ door [for temporary shelter].”

Thankfully it never came to that and the the anesthesiologist said he had fun after a rough first 40 minutes with the snow blowing in his face.

He successfully made the more than 4.5 mile journey from his home at The Pointe to CRMC in roughly 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Wyoming News Now would like to salute Dr. Rudolf Burcl for literally giving his all to get to work and serve our community.

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