M O N U M E N T
H E A L T H
Issue 07
Summer 2022
I PICK JOY A young Black Hills leader is receiving a unique therapy from caregivers at Monument Health. This treatment is helping him fight — for his health and for kids in need.
OUR PRIORITY IS YOU. WHENEVER YOU NEED US. SPEARFISH HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT EXPANSION
At Monument Health we are constantly striving to provide an environment where technology, innovation and health care meet compassion and peace of mind. The Emergency Department expansion is one of three investments being made in Spearfish. The others include an expansion to the
THE PROJECT • Adds more than 6,000 square feet • Adds a fully covered drive-thru ambulance drop-off dedicated entrance • Adds a dedicated entrance directly on North Ave.
hospital and clinic on the north side and a new multi-specialty clinic at Exit 17.
EVERY GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
TO LEARN MORE OR MAKE A DONATION, scan QR code or visit www.monument.health/ spearfishexpansion
FAMILY STARTS HERE. RAPID CITY HOSPITAL CHILDREN’S EXPANSION
Monument Health understands that your family is the most important thing in your world.
THE PROJECT
That’s why it’s the most important thing in ours.
• Updated and modernized space for
EVERY GIFT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
• Adds more than 49,000 square feet • Adds a dedicated entrance Labor & Delivery and Pediatric Care, including Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
TO LEARN MORE OR MAKE A DONATION, scan QR code or visit www.monument.health/ rcchildrenexpansion
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W E L C O M E
F R O M
Paulette Davidson
President and Chief Executive Officer, Monument Health
S Despite facing an adult-sized share of challenges, Grayson Chapeau never loses his smile.
ometimes deep wisdom comes in small packages. Spearfish celebrity, Grayson Chapeau is a good example. He’s not even a teenager yet, but he has faced a lifetime of health challenges. Brain cancer at age 4. Neurological problems from radiation treatment. Some 40 sessions inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to treat the neurological problems. Despite all that, Grayson is good-natured, poised and upbeat. His motto: “Make today great.”
Grayson is one of the many people in the summer edition of Monument Health Magazine who are making today – and every day – great in western South Dakota. This being the summer edition, we’re getting outdoors and taking a look at the green side of Monument Health. I know that many people in the area are avid gardeners. Put your homegrown vegetables to good use with these quick, healthy recipes from our kitchen to yours. We’re profiling Dani Jeffres, who heads up the team of groundskeepers who keep Rapid City’s hospitals, clinics and office buildings looking their summer best. And while you’re out walking, running and exercising this summer, there’s a good chance you’re wearing a Fitbit, Garmin Forerunner or some other wearable fitness device. Our physical therapy and sports performance experts have tips on getting the most benefit from these fitness tools. So enjoy this issue of Monument Health Magazine, and “Make today great.”
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C O N T E N T S SUMMER 2022
Regulars
In Case You Missed It This is our roundup of all the latest news and happenings throughout Monument Health. page 4 Awareness Months Highlights of key health issues and medical staff. page 6 My Space Kathy Stiefvater, manager of Laboratory Services, works collaboratively with caregivers in multiple locations. page 9
H E A L T H Managing Editor Melissa Haught Editor Stephany Chalberg Senior Writers Dan Daly Wade Ellett Contributors Karlee Baumann Jennessa Dempsey Dawn Kocina Ronda Neugebauer Anna Whetham Art Director Stacy Brozik Photographer Allison Geier-Barlow Social Media Manager Breanne Canaday Production courtesy of Rapid City Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary Published in association with Evergreen Media Creative Director John Edwards Photographer Jesse Brown Nelson Senior Writer Ashley Johnson Monument Health Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication without the expressed consent of the publisher is prohibited. The information included in this publication is believed to be accurate at the time of publishing. Additional articles are available online at magazine. monument.health Monument Health Magazine is a free, quarterly publication distributed throughout the Black Hills. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. ©
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Ask the Doc Saverio Barbera, M.D., FACC, FHRS, discusses the most common form of heart arrhythmia. page 10 Garden Fresh Discover your new favorite summer snack. page 12 Volunteer Services Konnie Sorenson talks about the impact of volunteering. page 14 Black Hills Enchantment How the Black Hills led one registered nurse to a new home in Rapid City. page 16
16 Since Day One Brox Hunt’s caregivers have been closely monitoring him for his whole life. Brox is now a rambunctious, baseballloving 5-year-old. page 26 Serving Growing Communities Monument Health meets the needs of growing communities in Spearfish and Rapid City by investing in the experience of patients. page 28
Introducing Get to know physicians who have recently joined Monument Health. page 33 Physician Spotlight Meet Monaleze Saini, M.D., a family medicine physician and Abbie Metzler, D.O., a primary care sports medicine physician. page 34 My Space Dani Jeffres, grounds lead at Monument Health, is passionate about creating and maintaining beautiful spaces for patients. page 37 Calendar Upcoming events at Monument Health. page 39 Directory Find a Monument Health provider near you. page 40
Features and Stories
Make today great Grayson Chapeau is a fifth grader who makes the most of every day. Patrick Tibbles, M.D. helped Grayson recover after radiation therapy. page 18 Smart Devices Health and fitness experts at Monument Health advise users of wearable tech on the advantages and limits of these ubiquitous devices. page 22 Wild West Health Care Monument Health LeadDeadwood Hospital celebrates 125 years of providing care, and one caregiver commemorates the storied history in her new book. page 30
NEWS // EXCELLENCE
Physicians Honored in Inaugural Awards
COMMUNITY HEALTH SUMMIT In January, Monument Health physicians and caregivers hosted the annual Community Health Summit during the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. Attendees had an opportunity to receive vaccinations, a blood panel or vision screening at a reduced rate. Monument Health and its partners performed more than 50 vaccinations, 10 lab draws and 50 vision screenings during the 10-day event. In addition, attendees received branded items such as work gloves, massage lacrosse balls, coloring books, stickers and stethoscopes for kids, and healthy recipe cards. The interactive Kid Zone was especially popular.
PROVIDERS MARK eCONSULT MILESTONE In April, Monument Health providers submitted their 1,000th eConsult since joining the Mayo Clinic Care Network in January 2020. Physicians from Monument Health can combine their understanding of their patients’ medical 4
needs with Mayo Clinic expertise so patients get exactly the care they need, close to home and at no additional cost. That’s especially true in specialties such as medical oncology, hematology, neurology and cardiology.
Monument Health recognized seven Black Hills physicians at the inaugural Physician and Provider Awards Banquet to honor providers who have shown dedication to patients and communities. Winners were John Palmer, D.O., Bruce Eaton, M.D., FACP, Jason Knudson, M.D., Daniel Petereit, M.D., Heather Brewer, M.D., Forrest Brady, M.D. and the late Harold Edward Fromm, M.D.
NEW CUSTER HOSPITAL AND CLINIC PRESIDENT Barb Hespen has been selected as the new President of Monument Health Custer Hospital and Market. Prior to joining Monument Health, Barb was Chief Nursing and Quality Officer at Sheridan Memorial Hospital in Sheridan, Wyo. She also worked for Monument (Regional) Health from 1997-2013 as Director of Risk Management and Accreditation, Director of Patient Services and Supervisor of the Home Care Department. From 2003 to 2010, she served as Director of Patient Services at Custer Regional Hospital.
SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
CANCER CARE INSTITUTE CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
MAVIS JEWITT HONORED Mavis Jewitt, the Registered Nurse involved in Hospice of the Northern Hills since it began 25 years ago, was the first-ever recipient of the Monument Health Foundation’s Dignity Award, presented by Hans Nelson, Foundation Director.
National Innovation Award Recipient Monument Health was named the 2021 Collaboration Champion in the Workday Healthcare Innovation Awards. The award recognizes organizations that embrace the spirit of innovation and that work to advance, enhance and influence a new way to work.
HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
She was presented the surprise honor during the 25th annual Northern Hills Hospice Ball in Spearfish. The event raised more than $62,000 for Hospice of the Northern Hills, well above the $55,000 goal. The Dignity Award was created to honor those who have dedicated their lives to hospice programs through the Northern Hills as well as the greater Black Hills Region, according to Hans Nelson, Director of the Monument Health Foundation. Mavis Jewitt served as Director of Hospice of the Northern Hills for its first 18 years. She remains an active supporter of the program, its mission to provide family support, special equipment, programs and comfort items for 200 patients a year who are nearing the end of their lives.
PR-Marketing Team Honored
Construction began on the new Cancer Care Institute expansion in March of 2021. Phase 1, the new 35,000-square-foot building on the northeast corner of the Rapid City Hospital campus, is scheduled to be completed this July. It will be home to the Radiation Oncology Clinic, Radiation Oncology Treatments, Cancer Care Infusion Clinic, Cancer Care Laboratory, Cancer Care Salon and the Gifts with Hope cancer care gift shop. In Phase 2, crews will renovate the existing Cancer Care Institute space. Services there will include Medical Oncology Clinic, Gynecologic Oncology Clinic and the Breast Surgery Clinic. Phase 2 construction is scheduled to be completed summer of 2023.
Monument Health Strategic Marketing and Communications team took home five Gold Addy Awards, one Silver Addy and a Judge’s Choice award at the Black Hills Chapter of the American Advertising Federation’s American Advertising Awards banquet in February.
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AWARENESS MONTH // EXCELLENCE
NICU Awareness Month
SEPTEMBER IS SEPSIS AWARENESS MONTH Sepsis can develop when the body’s normal immune response goes awry and it can quickly become life-threatening. In severe cases, sepsis can weaken the heart, shut down organs and may lead to death. Early recognition of sepsis is critical for preventing severe outcomes. Sepsis currently affects more than 1 million people every year and cases are on the rise. Those at higher risk include people with weakened immune systems, infants and children, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses and those who suffer severe burns or physical trauma.
Assisted Living Week
September 11-17 is National Assisted Living Week. This week recognizes the important role that assisted living communities and caregivers have in caring for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Monument Health offers Senior Care, Long Term Care and Assisted Living environments in Custer and Sturgis, where caregivers help provide both support as well as independence.
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PAIN AWARENESS MONTH Nearly 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. September is Pain Awareness Month, which shines a spotlight on issues involving pain and pain management. Pain is meant to serve as a warning, indicating that the body has a problem. Living with chronic pain, however, can become debilitating. Monument Health’s pain management team uses physical therapy, psychology and occupational therapy. Pain management caregivers also coordinate cognitive behavior therapy, surgical referrals, rehabilitative therapies and alternative therapies in order to help patients regain a higher level of function.
Every September we honor our smallest and most vulnerable patients, and the physicians and caregivers who care for them, during Neonatal Intensive Care Awareness Month. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Rapid City Hospital cares for premature and critically ill infants born throughout the immediate fivestate area. As a Level III healing environment, Monument Health’s NICU is the only one of its kind in western South Dakota and is capable of treating most neonatal medical problems.
Breastfeeding Awareness Month August is breastfeeding awareness month. Whenever possible, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, and then continuing breastfeeding while introducing complementary foods until a child is 12 months old or older. Breastfeeding has health benefits for both babies and mothers. Breast milk provides a baby with ideal nutrition. Breastfeeding can also help protect baby and mom against certain illnesses and diseases. Monument Health has board-certified lactation consultants in Rapid City and Spearfish that can help guide new parents through the process of breastfeeding.
Immunization Awareness Month August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. During NIAM, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse or health care professional to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccinations.
SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
BACK PAIN? NECK PAIN?
LEFT TO RIGHT: Joseph Carda, M.D., Michael Huot, M.D., Thomas Fulbright, M.D., Derek Buck, M.D., Kyle Schmidt, M.D., AmiLyn Taplin, M.D., Gregory Brandenberg, M.D., Jonn Butz, M.D., Steven Frost, M.D., Troy Nesbit, M.D.
VISIT THE EXPERTS The Monument Health and West River Pain Docs team of experts provide operative and nonoperative care for conditions affecting the back and neck. From trauma to acute or chronic pain, we treat it all.
WE TREAT: + Low back pain + Neck pain
+ Spine trauma + Herniated discs
SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS, CALL: 605-755-2230 1635 Caregiver Circle | Rapid City, SD 57702
LET’S FACE IT Skin issues can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP. Our board-certified dermatologists and their highly trained staff specialize in finding solutions to: + Acne + Eczema + Psoriasis + Warts + Rosacea + Diseases of hair/skin/nails + Skin cancer screening and treatment options
Monument Health Dermatology Rapid City 4150 5th St., Rapid City | 605-755-5340 Spearfish 550 East Colorado Blvd., Spearfish | 605-717-8860 monument.health/dermatology
The laboratories provide upward of 70 percent of the information providers need to diagnose, treat and monitor patients.
COMMUNITY // MY SPACE
Monument Health laboratories use state-of-the art technology in multiple locations throughout western South Dakota and Wyoming to produce accurate, sensitive, specific and timely results. All the labs at the Critical Access Hospitals are now accredited by the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA). Monument Health laboratories use Mayo Clinic Laboratories for its esoteric testing. Mayo Clinic Laboratories is a distinctive leader in the field of esoteric testing.
Kathy Stiefvater
Manager of Laboratory Services Monument Health Critical Access Hospitals, Custer, Lead-Deadwood, Sturgis
Kathy has been with Monument Health for almost 30 years, and has worked in the laboratory environment for over 40. Four years ago, her role expanded to cover all the Critical Access Hospital labs, which include Custer, Lead-Deadwood and Sturgis.
HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
My Role As the Manager of Laboratory Services, I have the opportunity to work across the entire Monument Health system and work collaboratively with caregivers in multiple locations to improve and build our lab services to care for each of our communities. My Goal My top goals have always been to provide high-quality testing along with an excellent patient experience. Achieving Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) also helps our caregivers demonstrate a higher level of performance and elevate the quality of lab services by improving clinical outcomes and improving processes for the patients and communities we serve. My Passion Delivering reliable test results to providers to help support and manage their patients’ care is my foremost priority. I also like to stay abreast of technological advancements in lab testing to ensure we continue to advance and enhance our current testing menu. Outside of work I love spending time outdoors and taking on new adventures!
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ASK THE DOC // TRUST
What you need to know about atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is the most common heart arrhythmia. It is an irregular heartbeat that causes a chaotic, disorganized and very rapid rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. Electrophysiologist, Saverio Barbera, M.D., takes a deeper look at Afib, and what to do if you suspect you are in Afib. Are there different types of Afib?
Saverio Barbera, M.D., FACC, FHRS, is a Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Monument Health Heart and Vascular Institute. He chose to practice medicine because it combines his love of science with his love of interacting with people. He wants to make a difference in people’s lives.
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We call the different types of Afib the three Ps of Afib. The paroxysmal phase of Afib is the earliest phase in which patients have brief irregularity of the heartbeat and it usually resolves itself in seven days or less. The second P – the persistent phase – happens when the Afib gets more advanced, leading to structural changes in the heart. Some patients have been in Afib for many years in a row and their atria (the upper chambers of the heart) have been scarred and stretched out. They are in the third P, what we would call permanent atrial fibrillation. What are the warning signs of Afib?
One of the most common symptoms is that a patient often will feel weak or winded when exerting themselves. Another fairly common symptom is palpitations, which are feelings of an irregular heartbeat. Other symptoms can be dizziness or lightheadedness, and an overall general sense of fatigue.
What are the risk factors for Afib?
People often ask me – what’s the cause of my Afib? They hope we can tell them one definitive cause that almost never exists. It’s multiple factors. One of the most common and biggest factor is age. Your heart beats 100,000 times every day, and it can handle that for many, many years. But the parts that are moving start to wear and calcify with age to the point where they don’t function as well. The electrical system can start to falter. Other risk factors include obesity, sleep apnea and high blood pressure, which can all cause extra strain on your heart. Another big factor is alcohol consumption. Sometimes in atrial fibrillation patients we’ll see what is called “holiday heart.” Patients can actually just have too much holiday and their heart goes under strain during the hangover time when they are dehydrated, which can lead it into Afib. How common is Afib?
Afib is the most common arrhythmia known, and it generally becomes more common as people get older. Approximately 10 percent of people over 70 have atrial fibrillation at some point in some form. How is Afib treated?
The first thing when treating Afib is to evaluate the risk of stroke. Approximately 1 in 4 strokes are caused by Afib. Risk of stroke can be managed with blood thinners or an implanted device called a Watchman. A Watchman is placed in patients who are at
SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
Monument Health Heart and Vascular Institute is home to the region’s largest group of cardiovascular specialists offering the full spectrum of cardiac care. To learn more, visit monument.health/heart
risk of stroke but can’t handle blood thinners for a prolonged period. It is a screen that is implanted into the left atrial appendage to block the place where blood clots can come from, stopping strokes from happening. Once stroke prevention is addressed, then medication is considered in treating the patient’s heart rate. Sometimes, these things aren’t enough, or the patient doesn’t want to take all of the prescribed medication. We then look at the management of the patient’s symptoms by controlling the rhythm itself – getting the heart back into normal sinus rhythm. We can do a procedure called a cardioversion, which delivers quick, low energy electrical impulses to the patient’s chest, or an ablation, which uses small burns or freezes to help disrupt abnormal electrical signals. If I know that I am in Afib, what should I do?
If you’re having chest pain, shortness of breath and are dizzy even lying down, you should get to the emergency room or call 911. If you are comfortable at rest, but notice an irregular heartbeat, call your doctor for evaluation of your condition. What happens if Afib is left untreated?
Untreated Afib leads to a scarred and stretched left atrium. Often times with untreated Afib we see atria that have stretched to the point where any attempts at trying to maintain normal rhythm are medically futile. At that point, we attempt to control the patient’s heart rate. If the heart rate can’t be controlled, we can try AV Node Ablation. During this catheter-based procedure, we use heat energy to destroy a small amount of tissue between the upper and lower chambers of the heart (AV node). We often place a pacemaker at the same time to control the slow rhythm that’s created by the ablation of the AV node. And now we have little leadless pacemakers that can be injected in capsule-form into the heart, so we don’t have to implant a device in the chest.
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Can you safely monitor Afib with consumer-based wearable products?
Yes. The Apple Watch is terrific and can now automatically pick up atrial fibrillation. The Fitbit can also tell you that your pulse is irregular or rapid. The third device I recommend is called the Kardia, which my own mom uses. It is an electrode device that connects to an app on your phone. When you feel like your heart isn’t beating normally, you can put your fingers on the electrodes. An app will record the electrocardiogram in a person’s body by way of their fingertips, and then will store the reading as a PDF that can be sent to your doctor for evaluation. What new procedures or technologies are available for treating Afib?
A procedure new to Monument Health in 2020, is called the Convergent Procedure. This procedure is a collaboration between an electrophysiologist and a cardiothoracic surgeon. An electrophysiologist will collaborate with Charan Mungara, M.D. for this procedure, which is reserved for people who have very advanced Afib. Dr. Mungara completes the surgery portion first, in which he makes a small incision below the ribcage and uses an ablation tool to deliver electrocautery heat to the back of the heart where tissue that causes Afib is present. Approximately 30 days later, My partner Ethan Levine, D.O. FHRS or myself will perform the catheter portion of the procedure to touch up the areas that Dr. Mungara can’t reach. We meet halfway for the patient’s overall success and improvement.
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS // COMMUNITY
GARDEN FRESH WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES COMES FRESH FOOD. TRY ONE OF THESE VIBRANT RECIPES AND DISCOVER BOLD, NEW FLAVOR COMBINATIONS AND A WAY TO UTILIZE THOSE HOMEGROWN TOMATOES OR CUCUMBERS. In the heat of summer, patio tomatoes and trellis climbing cucumbers begin yielding their first rounds of homegrown eatables. Beyond creating fresh, delicious food, growing your own veggies can yield physical and mental health benefits as plentiful as a zucchini plant once it starts producing fruit. First of all, gardening can create space for mindfulness — allowing you to be present in whatever task is immediately in front of you. Tending to those turnips can also provide a boost to your self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment and joy as you witness your plants go from seed to harvest. And, when you grow your own food, you are able to control the sorts of pesticides and herbicides that you apply — or don’t apply — to your garden plants. Think you don’t have enough space to grow your own produce? There are several ways to enjoy freshly grown fruits and vegetables with a limited amount of space.
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CUCUMBER AND GREEN TOMATO PICO Prep Time: 10 Minutes Serves: 4
Ingredients: 1 medium cucumber, seeded and diced 1 medium green tomato, diced 2–3 ripe Roma tomatoes, diced 3” stalk of rhubarb, finely diced 1 /4 cup chopped cilantro Juice from half a lemon or lime Salt and pepper to taste
Several widely available varieties of vegetables thrive in small containers that can be kept on a deck or windowsill. And if you’re looking for a flare of chic sustainability, you can find ideas all over Pinterest for herb gardens that can be created with old tomato sauce cans or other upcycled items. Anyone who has ever cultivated
Directions: 1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. 2. Serve immediately, or cover and chill for up to four hours prior to serving to let flavors mingle.
their own food knows that the taste of homegrown fruits and vegetables is unmatched—popping a garden fresh cherry tomato or sugar snap pea straight into your mouth can’t be beat. With a little bit of store bought produce and a few jewels from your own garden, you can whip together one of these creative, healthy recipes in just 10 to 15 minutes.
SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
For more healthy, delicious recipes from Monument Health, visit monument.health/recipes
STRAWBERRY AVOCADO SALSA Prep Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4
Ingredients: 1 cup finely chopped strawberries 1 /4 cup finely chopped, peeled avocado 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1 /2 teaspoon finely grated lime rind 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons finely chopped, seeded jalapeño pepper
PINEAPPLE MINT SLAW Prep Time: 10 Minutes Serves: 10
Directions: 1. In a medium to large serving bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss to coat. 2. C over and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Serve room temperature or chilled.
CITRUS KALE AND ANCIENT GRAIN HOT SALAD Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 35 Minutes Serves: 4
Ingredients: Cracked black pepper Salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 /2 cup cooked pearlized farro 1 cup chopped kale 1 /4 cup dried sweetened cranberries or cherries 2 tablespoons chopped walnut 2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
Directions: 1. Cook farro according to directions on the bag and set aside. 2. Add olive oil and garlic to a skillet, heat on medium heat just until the garlic starts to sizzle. Turn heat up to medium high, add chopped kale and sauté until just tender. 3. Add orange juice, toss in berries and chopped walnuts to the pan. Mix ingredients together in skillet. Salt and pepper to taste. 4. Pour ingredients into serving bowl and top with cooked farro.
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Ingredients: 2 cups mayonnaise 1 /4 cup lemon or lime juice 2 tablespoons sugar 1 cup fresh pineapple, finely diced 1 /2 teaspoon black pepper 1 quart coleslaw chopped cabbage 1 /2 cup coarse chopped mint 1 /2 small red sweet pepper, julienne 2 shakes Tabasco 1 teaspoon salt Directions: 1. In a small bowl, stir your mayonnaise, lemon or lime juice, salt, pepper, Tabasco and sugar together. 2. In a large bowl, place your cabbage, pineapple, mint and red sweet pepper and toss to mix. 3. Pour mayonnaise dressing over the cabbage mixture and mix well. 4. Eat right away or let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour to let the flavors mingle and the cabbage to soften.
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VOLUNTEER PROFILE // COMMUNITY
Monument Health has volunteer opportunities available to fit your schedule. To learn more go to monument.health/volunteer.
Konnie Sorensen Manager of Volunteer Services Monument Health Rapid City Hospital
The impact of volunteering just three to four hours per week can make a lasting impact on patients’ health, and the rewards you feel will keep you coming back week after week. What is your role at Monument Health? As Manager of Volunteer Services at Rapid City Hospital, I engage our volunteers in activities that are rewarding for them and beneficial for our hospital and community. Our volunteers are part of a legacy of volunteerism that spans back several generations. What is it like to volunteer for Monument Health? Our community members come here to serve because they know they are making a difference for others. We all want to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and our lives are enriched by experiencing human connection. I believe our volunteers feel personal reward when receiving gratitude from the people they are helping. Who makes a great volunteer? You make a great volunteer! People with big hearts, who are kind and compassionate and who enjoy helping others. Patients and families coming to the hospital may be experiencing a difficult time in their lives. Having a friendly volunteer sharing kindness and a smile can have a positive impact on their experience. How can I become a volunteer? We always have space on our team for new volunteers! We have an online application form on our website. Each volunteer receives specific training for their role, everyone has orientation and a background screening to ensure the safety of our patients and volunteers.
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SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
Joyce
Beverly
Sharon
Mary
VOLUNTEER WITH US From helping patients find their way to staffing the gift shop, our volunteers do it all. Whether you like to sew, hold babies, or simply offer a kind smile and conversation there’s a volunteer role for you at Monument Health.
If interested in becoming a volunteer, visit: monument.health/volunteer
NURSE PROFILE // EXCELLENCE
At Monument Health, we recognize that our nurses devote their time and energy to the health and Well-being of our patients and our communities. Our nurses provide care in critical access hospitals, community hospitals, a behavioral health hospital, long term care environments, clinics and hospital outpatient services. Because they’re an indispensable part of how we provide care, we are always investing in our nurses. We have a nurse residency program for newly graduated nurses, scholarship programs and tuition reimbursement. Additionally, we have a number of programs to encourage professional development, like our BSN completion program, continuing education days and our compensated nursing professional development ladder. One of Monument Health’s priorities is to be here for generations to come, and we want all of our nurses to grow with us. Nicole Kerkenbush, MHA, MN, BSN Chief Nursing and Performance Officer
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SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
For more information on nursing at Monument Health, go to monument.health/careers/nursing.
BLACK HILLS ENCHANTMENT WHEN DAYNA SWANSON, RN, TOOK AN ASSIGNMENT AT MONUMENT HEALTH, SHE DIDN’T KNOW HOW LONG SHE WOULD STAY. AFTER LESS THAN A YEAR IN THE BLACK HILLS, SHE STARTED CALLING RAPID CITY HOME. For those who live here, it’s no secret how wonderful the Black Hills area is — the scenic overlooks, network of trails for exploration, fun events and amenities and, most of all, great people. For those lucky enough to find their way to the Black Hills, many never want to leave. “This area is just very enticing,” said Dayna Swanson, RN, a Nurse Clinician in the Rapid City Hospital Emergency Department. “The Black Hills really cater to all my needs outside of work — mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding and rock climbing.” Originally from Indiana, Dayna always knew she wanted to help others, and nursing seemed like a stable option for a career. While in nursing school at Indiana Wesleyan University she worked as a tech in the Emergency Department, which solidified that the ED was the right place for her. “I like the busyness, the critical thinking and the level of autonomy. Most of all, I really like being able to help people having some of their worst moments,” she said. “I’m able to stay calm and help patients and their families.” After nursing school, Dayna worked at a Level II trauma center in Indiana, as well as at a smaller hospital
HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
while also working as a PRN at another facility, which means she only worked when they needed her. It made for a busy schedule, but she wanted to get experience and develop her skills in a number of different environments. “I like to keep busy. I’ve learned that about myself.” Soon Dayna found herself in Arizona working as a travel nurse, which fit her lifestyle in many ways. But she wasn’t ready to quit traveling yet, which brought her to the Black Hills and Monument Health in May 2019. Her experience here would prove very positive, so positive in fact, that she took a permanent position in January 2020. “As a traveler, the hospital was just a great facility to work in, and I liked how easy it was to see the different levels of the organization and how things are run,” said Dayna. “I’ve worked in five hospitals now, and the way Monument Health does things is really great in my experience. The policies and procedures, our workflow, teamwork and everyone I work with — from fellow nurses to physicians — all came into play with my decision to stay.” Finding herself in the Black Hills didn’t hurt either, and like many others who love it here, Dayna appreciates the ability to hit the trail and not see another person for hours. She also appreciates the people that she sees almost every day. “The people here were a big factor in my decision to stay,” she said before adding, “Monument Health really is a great place to work, and I’m pretty happy to be here.”
What is a travel nurse? A travel nurse, also known as a traveling nurse or a traveler, is a registered nurse that takes temporary assignments in hospitals, clinics and other health care facilities. This can be a good way for new nurses to earn money, explore new places and gain experience in different roles and settings. Travel nursing also comes with some downsides: travelers often take on night shifts or higher-risk assignments; many health care organizations require travelers be licensed in their state; the work requires frequent moving and the need to find new housing; it can be a challenge making new friends, avoiding loneliness and dealing with homesickness; travelers typically have subpar benefits; and while gaining experience in a number of settings and specialities is helpful, it can make it hard to advance professionally in the long run. In short, travel nursing can be a good opportunity for some nurses, but for those that want to build permanent careers, raise a family or just put down roots, it’s probably not a great option. Monument Health has permanently hired travel nurses like Dayna who fall in love with the area, connect with the people they work with and discover that they like the organization and its work culture. For more information on nursing at Monument Health, go to monument.health/careers/ nursing.
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PATIENT STORY // COMMUNITY
‘I JUST PICKED JOY’ RECOVERING FROM A BRAIN TUMOR AND RADIATION, GRAYSON CHAPEAU CAN ONCE AGAIN ENJOY PING PONG, DANCING – AND LIFE
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SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
Patrick Tibbles. M.D., the Medical Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at Monument Health, felt that Grayson was a good candidate for hyperbaric cxygen therapy.
Grayson Chapeau has recruited his classmates from Creekside Elementary and others to help him collect pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides a free place to stay for families of kids who are recieving medical treatment away from home.
In October 2014, Grayson Chapeau of Spearfish was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a malignant tumor of the brain. He was just 4 years old. It took several doctor visits to get the right diagnosis. Kids with brain tumors usually experience severe headaches, but Grayson never had that complaint. His mom, Chelsey Chapeau, said she came to realize that Grayson has an amazing pain threshold. Also, he just doesn’t complain – about anything. “Grayson has taught us a lot about resilience,” Chelsey said. One day, when she picked him up at school Grayson was in a particularly good mood. She asked him if something good happened at school. No, he said, “I just picked joy.” In the past eight years, Grayson has faced more challenges than any 12-year-old should ever have to deal with. With the help of hyperbaric oxygen therapy he’s been able to move beyond those challenges. HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY
After his cancer diagnosis, Grayson underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments under the care of pediatric oncologist Jean Mulcahy Levy, M.D., at Children’s Hospital Colorado. The treatments were administered at the Cancer Care Institute in Rapid City by nationally recognized radiation oncologist Daniel Petereit, M.D. Although the radiation significantly reduced Grayson’s tumor, his health continued to decline. He had double
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PATIENT STORY // COMMUNITY
Grayson works regularly with and Occupational Therapist Megan Stephens, left, and Physical Therapist Elizabeth Howorth at Monument Health Rehabilitation in Spearfish. “Grayson’s the best,” said Elizabeth. “He puts a smile on our face every time.”
vision, difficulty with balance, frequent falls and painful headaches. Dr. Mulcahy and her team thought this might be due to inadvertent brain injury—radionecrosis—a side effect that sometimes occurs with radiation treatment for cancer. He was referred to the Hyperbaric Medicine Treatment Center at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital for hyperbaric oxygen therapy. It’s a treatment that involves patients spending time in a high-pressure chamber filled with pure oxygen to saturate the patient’s circulatory system with tissue-healing oxygen. Patrick Tibbles, M.D., is the Medical Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at Monument Health. He evaluated Grayson and felt the boy was a good candidate for this life-saving intervention. “There are several clinical studies that show that this treatment works in a small number of pediatric patients,” said Dr. Tibbles. “It not only saves lives but produces dramatic improvement in neurologic function and clinical symptoms such as headaches.” Over the course of several months, Grayson was placed five days a week in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber and administered high concentrations of oxygen under pressure for several hours to heal the radiation-injured brain tissue. Toward the end of his treatment regimen,
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Grayson was able to give high-fives to his doctors, play ping pong with his brother and walk without difficulty. He also experienced fewer headaches. CONTINUING THERAPY
In addition to his hyperbaric treatments, Grayson works twice a week with Physical Therapist Elizabeth Howorth and Occupational Therapist Megan Stephens at Monument Health Rehabilitation in Spearfish. Elizabeth helps Grayson improve his mobility through activities such as bicycling, jumping and dancing. Megan helps Grayson improve the fine motor skills in his right arm. When he started these therapy sessions, Grayson couldn’t even get up off the floor by himself. With each session, his motor skills have improved, Elisabeth said. “Grayson’s the best. He puts a smile on our face every time,” she added. POP TOP CHALLENGE
A fifth-grader currently attending Creekside Elementary School in Spearfish, Grayson is well-known at school, where he gives free hugs to teachers. He’s also a favorite among the doctors and caregivers in the Hyperbaric Medicine Treatment Center. Grayson also persuades other kids to help him raise money for the Ronald McDonald House
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12-year-old Grayson Chapeau benefits from Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, an established treatment that stimulates the body’s natural healing process. Thanks to this therapy, Grayson has found relief from headaches and more.
through a Pop Tab Challenge. He enlists his schoolmates to collect the tabs on the tops of aluminum beverage cans. Earlier in his medical journey, he traveled to Minnesota to see specialists. That’s where he learned about Ronald McDonald House. Even though the family has never stayed at one, Grayson was inspired by the idea of having a place where families of extremely sick children could stay. In his first Pop Tab Challenge, Grayson collected 88 pounds of tabs. In the second year, 433 pounds. For his third year, he set a goal of 500 pounds – and collected 867 pounds. This spring, he had 1,700 pounds, well on his way to this year’s one-ton goal. MAKE TODAY GREAT
Grayson once asked his mom why people are always telling each other to “have a great day.” To Grayson, the phrase implies we can’t control the kind of day we’ll have. So he changed it to “Make today great.” The family made the saying into a T-shirt for Grayson to wear. Chelsey is amazed by Grayson’s poise and maturity when he interacts with others. “He takes the time to engage with everyone he meets, and he makes them feel like a million bucks,” she said. “He’s wise beyond his years.”
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HBOT: flooding the body with restorative oxygen Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, sometimes called HBOT, is a type of therapy in which patients breathe 100 percent oxygen at pressures two to three times the normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. Oxygen enters the body through the lungs. It’s picked up by the hemoglobin and delivered throughout the body. The process elevates oxygen levels in blood plasma, stimulates new blood vessel growth, fights bacteria, reduces tissue swelling and dissolves pathologic gas in the brain, heart and muscles. Hyperbaric therapy is a well-established treatment for radiation-injured tissue in various parts of the body including the intestines, bladder, jaw and other soft tissue areas, such as breast and the abdomen. It’s also used to treat patients whose diabetes has damaged blood vessels and ulcers in their extremities that won’t heal. It can also treat carbon monoxide poisoning and decompression sickness. Monument Health Rapid City Hospital has two hyperbaric chambers. Patrick Tibbles, M.D., Medical Director of Hyperbaric Medicine at Monument Health, said the only discomfort patients feel is the pressure on ears, similar to diving or swimming. Once they learn to equalize the pressure and clear the ears, the discomfort goes away.
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WELLNESS // EXCELLENCE
THE FUTURE OF FITNESS AS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES EVER PRESENT IN OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES, IT’S NO SURPRISE WEARABLE FITNESS DEVICES ARE POPULAR. WHILE THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES OR MAGIC SOLUTIONS IN HEALTH, WEARABLES CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL ON YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY.
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SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
Wearable devices have come a long way from their inception. Devices like Fitbit and the Garmin Forerunner have made wearable tech much more attainable and usable.
Approximately 20% of Americans regularly use a wearable fitness device 63% of users have a smartwatch or fitness tracker Women are about 40% more likely to use a wearable device than men
Fitness wearables have come a long way in the last two decades. The original GPS watches were bulky, inaccurate and fairly complex. They weren’t ideal for everyday fitness activities, and their expense often priced out all but serious enthusiasts and highperformance athletes. Today, the devices are slimmer, faster and much easier to use. Users can find anything from a basic step counter to a wearable capable of tracking heart rate, pace, distance and altitude. As the technology improves, the question remains: are wearables a useful fitness tool, or just another fad? KNOW THE LIMITS
While many wearables are marketed as a sure fix to any failing fitness routine, the truth is any health
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WELLNESS // EXCELLENCE
program requires a whole-person approach in order to be successful. You have to look at every aspect of your health, including how much you exercise, what you eat and how much you sleep. Wearable fitness devices won’t solve all your problems overnight, but when used properly, they can be a powerful tool to help you improve your health. One key to successfully using a wearable device to improve your fitness is consistency. If you don’t use your wearable device every day, or at least every time you work out, it won’t collect enough data to show accurate trends about your health. Mike Latour, Monument Health Director of Musculoskeletal Care, said, “Health and fitness is a long game. It’s all about doing something consistently over time — that’s the only way to create real change.” Just like keeping a food diary can help you log calories and get accurate insight into what you consume, fitness wearables collect data that will show the truth about how active you actually are. It’s a great way
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to stay accountable, and be able to make informed decisions about lifestyle changes.“Ultimately that’s what this whole trend of wearables is about; now you can get information, change your behavior and then see how that change actually affects your health status. Whether it’s sleeping, weight loss or whatever your goal is,” Mike said. INTERPRET THE DATA
Once you’ve selected a wearable device, it’s important to understand the data it’s giving you. No wearable will be perfect — in fact heart rate monitors in most wearables are estimated to be accurate 85 to 90 percent of the time. Even less accurate are calorie burn rates, as most trackers rely on preprogrammed algorithms that may or may not actually suit your body type. So the question remains: if the data isn’t completely accurate, is it still useful? Absolutely. “All things being equal, if you use the same device consistently over time, then you’re measuring your data with the same inaccuracies,” Mike said. “So you will still be able to see trends because you’re measuring in the same way over a period of time.” Another key to the puzzle is context. “I think most people need to
How to pick a wearable fitness device that suits your goals Before you even set foot in a store, you need to have a goal in mind. Once you’ve decided what your overarching goal is, you can narrow your search. For example, Mike said, “There are some wearables that track in real time, and some that track after the fact. An Oura ring (left) doesn’t give you real-time data, it’s only after the fact. So if you want to see what you’re doing during a workout, you’ll probably want something different.” When choosing your next wearable, these are features you might consider based on your goals: Weight loss: watch for heart rate monitoring and activity tracking that will show you how active you are throughout the day so you can see trends. As a bonus, some will even alert you when you’ve been inactive for a long period and help you build healthy habits. Improve running: look for GPS capabilities so you can track both distance and elevation, not to mention your pace and splits. If you’re a longdistance runner, make sure you get one with a long battery life. Recovery: heart rate monitoring, but also the ability to track and interpret your sleep and how long you spend in various states of sleep. Something else to consider that isn’t necessarily a feature: how comfortable it is to wear while sleeping. Garmin Forerunner $195 Fitbit Inspire 2: $99 Oura ring: starting at $299
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Wearable devices are not a silver bullet when it comes to cultivating a healthy routine. But they can be a valuable tool that can povide a sense of accountability, progress and community.
Mike Latour, Physical Therapist (PT), is the System Director of Musculoskeletal Care for Monument Health Scott Guidotti, Certified Strength Coach (CSCS), is the General Manager of the Monument Health Sports Performance Institute powered by EXOS.
remember that even things like heart rate are more of a proxy for what is actually happening inside the body,” said Scott Guidotti, General Manager of Monument Health Sport Performance Institute Powered by exos. “For example, you can have a neardeath experience when you’re driving your car, and you’re not necessarily physically active, but your heart rate will certainly spike.” Rather than treating your wearable device as an absolute truth, Scott recommends that you look for trends over time, while also considering real life circumstances that may change your data. If you didn’t sleep well, for instance, or you’re feeling under the weather, that may be the true cause behind a dip in your results. REAP THE BENEFITS
Possibly the most powerful way a wearable device can help improve your fitness is by keeping you accountable. Many come with their own apps that allow you to track your progress, but also compare and compete against others who use the same device. It’s a great way to motivate yourself to make fitness a habit and strive to meet your goals. “Where I see them being super beneficial is for things like accountability and building community,” Scott said. “Community and culture are probably two of the biggest things that are going to drive buy-in and keep people coming back.” Another aspect to wearables most users don’t consider is their ability to help you maximize your rest and recovery time.
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Getting the most out of your smart device No matter which wearable device you choose, there are a few things that will help you get the best results. Be consistent: Even if you only want to track your workouts, wearing your device all day can do two things. It gets you in the habit of wearing it, so you don’t forget it and miss a workout, but it can also provide more in-depth data about your daily routine. Check in often: When you take your device off the charger in the morning, take a minute to reaffirm the goals it’s helping you track so they’re top of mind. Similarly, check your progress from time to time throughout the day, and review your results before you go to bed. Make it social: If you have friends or workout buddies with similar goals, check in with them too. Set up a competition to see who can reach their daily steps first, or see if your device has a built-in community like Peloton or Fitbit. Understand what it’s telling you: While many devices offer heart rate monitoring and number of calories burned, they aren’t entirely accurate. Avoid making huge changes to your routine based numbers from only one workout. To really get the full story, you need to track and interpret your data over time.
Mike said, “Some devices will now give you what’s called a readiness score, which looks at resting heart rate, what your trend is over time, what your heart rate variability is and some other information over time and how well you’re recovering from your exercise.” Using this data, wearables will give you recommendations on when you might want to take it a little easier during a workout, or when you’re ready to push a little harder. At the end of the day, the most important part of the equation is whether you are meeting your fitness goals. Wearable devices are a great tool, but they aren’t the only key to success. “The activity that you’re doing is more important than what’s going on in the wearable. So I don’t want people to beat themselves up if their wearable doesn’t work, or doesn’t track a workout, or whatever,” Scott said. “They need to be proud of themselves for actually moving and doing the work.”
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PATIENT STORY // COMMUNITY
A MIRACLE AND A CHAMPION BROX HUNT OF PIEDMONT IS A THRIVING 5-YEAR-OLD WHO LOVES WATCHING HIS OLDER SIBLINGS PLAY SPORTS, DANCING, PLAYING WITH FRIENDS, GOING TO CHURCH AND EVERYTHING RELATED TO BASEBALL – ESPECIALLY WATCHING POST 22 BASEBALL. HE’S COME A LONG WAY FROM A VERY ROCKY START IN LIFE, AND HE’S JUST GETTING STARTED. Shortly after Brox Hunt was born, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome and a heart condition called Complete Atrioventricular (AV) Canal defect. No signs of either condition were detected during any of his prenatal appointments. Brox’s mom, Stacy, had a normal pregnancy and delivered Brox at 37 weeks after delivery was induced because of her high blood pressure. Due to Brox’s small size and low oxygen and blood sugar levels, he was admitted into Monument Health’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where the providers discovered some abnormalities with his heart. “Finding out he had Down syndrome was a surprise, but that was nothing compared to the shock of him having a heart condition and wondering just what that entails. Fear is the number one thing that comes into your mind,” Stacy said.
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CMN Champion Brox was selected as the Monument Health 2022 Children’s Miracle Network Champion. In his role, he’ll be featured in various campaigns throughout the year to share his story and help increase awareness about the amazing work being done at Monument Health every day with the help of CMN.
A Pediatric Cardiologist from Omaha, Neb., arrived at the hospital for his regular rounds on the day Brox was born and began following Brox’s medical treatment immediately. After visiting with the Cardiologist, the care team’s goal was to get Brox to 10 pounds so he could travel to Omaha for open heart surgery. Brox spent two and a half months in the hospital before reaching that milestone. During his time at Monument Health, Brox was cared for by Neonatologist Steven Benn, M.D. “Dr. Benn and the nurses there are phenomenal. I honestly can’t say enough about them. The two and a half months that Brox was in the hospital, Dr. Benn came and saw him every single day. His days off, he stopped in just to check on Brox,” said Stacy.
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Every year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals select CMN Champions. These individuals become ambassadors for the 17 million children treated in CMN hospitals each year. Visit monument.health/cmn for Brox’s full story.
Providing special equipment in the hospital’s NICU where Brox received care is just one of the many ways CMN helps make medical miracles happen.
At four months old, Brox was able to return home. Except for a few short hospital stays due to viruses and a weakened immune system, Brox has been in good health. “Fortunately for us, the doctors from Monument Health have been able to have their eyes on him since day one,” said Stacy. “Now Brox is wild and crazy and healthy. And they recently took him off all his heart meds. That’s pretty impressive after four years of daily meds multiple times a day. He’s doing well. We just continue to monitor and are hoping for no further surgeries!”
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FEATURE STORY // COMMUNITY
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE EXPANSION PROJECTS IN SPEARFISH AND RAPID CITY WILL ENSURE MONUMENT HEALTH MEETS THE NEEDS OF ITS COMMUNITIES TODAY, TOMORROW AND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
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When embarking on a health care journey, the building where you receive the care might not be the first thing you consider. After all, health care is about people helping people. But the environment – bright spaces, ample room and the latest technology – can have a direct impact on a patient’s experience. That’s one reason Monument Health continues to invest and reinvest in its communities. Another reason: like the communities it serves, Monument Health continues to grow and expand. More space is needed. In May, Monument Health unveiled a $120 million plan to update and upgrade its facilities in Spearfish and Rapid City.
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To learn more about how you can help visit, www.monument.health/spearfishexpansion or www.monument.health/rcchildrenexpansion.
In Spearfish, the hospital campus on Main Street will nearly double in size. Also, Monument Health will build a new multispecialty clinic off Interstate 90 Exit 17 near the Elkhorn Ridge neighborhood at the eastern edge of Spearfish. Together, the projects represent an $80 million investment in Spearfish area health care. “With population growth, medical advances and the growing need for specialty care in the Spearfish area, the time has come for a health care transformation in the Northern Hills,” said Paulette Davidson, President and CEO of Monument Health. “This community deserves nothing less.” In Rapid City, plans call for a three-story building to be constructed at the northwest corner of Rapid City Hospital. It will include
a completely new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), offering more space for families. NICU babies will be separated by walls rather than curtains. The new postpartum care area will offer more room as well. With advances in neonatal and pediatric medicine, Monument Health will offer more critical services for its youngest patients in Rapid City, allowing families to receive care close to home. The cost of the project is estimated to be $40 million. “This expansion will address one of Monument Health’s greatest needs,” Davidson said. “We’re excited to bring this project to life and create an environment that will serve our communities for the future.”
Spearfish fundraising To support the Spearfish projects, the Monument Health Foundation has launched a $6 million capital campaign, which includes $3.5 million that has already been raised. The funds raised will primarily support the remodel and expansion of the Spearfish Hospital Emergency Department. The new Emergency Department will have 12 private exam rooms, a dedicated patient entrance and a covered drivethrough ambulance garage.
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Children’s Expansion fundraising To support the Children’s Expansion, the Monument Health Foundation launched a $7.1 million capital campaign, which includes $3.1 million that has already been raised. The funds raised will support the expansion and construction at the northwest portion of the Rapid City Hospital campus. As a member of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, 100 percent of funds raised in the community stay local and will go directly to supporting the growth of services for children.
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FEATURE STORY // COMMUNITY
125 YEARS OF HEALTH CARE IN LEADDEADWOOD CAREGIVER LITERALLY WROTE THE BOOK ON THE BLACK HILLS’ HISTORIC HOSPITAL The Black Hills of South Dakota are steeped in equal parts history and legend. Prospectors and outlaws walk in the shadows of the region’s past, but in Deadwood, physicians do as well. On Jan. 15, 1897, St. Joseph’s Hospital opened in Deadwood, and 125 years later the hospital – now named Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital – continues to treat patients in the same location where the Benedictine Sisters provided care so many years ago. Of course, one and a quarter century comes with a few changes. “Deadwood has changed over the years,” said Mark Schmidt, President of the Lead-Deadwood Hospital and Market. “We’ve gone from gold mining to underground labs, railroads to bike paths and from ‘Wild West’ to a great place to raise a family. Health care has changed here as well.” In the early days, many physicians traveled to the area in search of exciting new places to practice medicine. Medical facilities were rustic at best. The story of the first known hospital in the area has the air of a Wild West mystery about it. Constructed in August 1876 on a hillside in Deadwood, it was mysteriously torn down the same night. The lumber was recovered from the hillside where it had been left, and the first hospital in the area was then rebuilt in Spruce Gulch.
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SUMMER 2022 // HEALTH
Free copies of “The History of Health Care in Lead and Deadwood” are available in the lobby of Lead-Deadwood Hospital and Clinic. Suggested donation of $10
Nicole Shiffrar was excited to share her love of history with others, signing copies of her book at the 125th anniversary celebration.
Other small hospitals and medical facilities opened and closed in the area, but few stood the test of time like St. Joseph’s Hospital — later known as Northern Hills General Hospital, Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital and eventually Monument Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital and Clinic. Over 125 years, the hospital grew beyond its gold-rush origins. The hospital’s doctors and nurses cared for patients with the Spanish Influenza in 1918, survived the Deadwood Fire of 1959 and the Grizzly Gulch Fire of 2002. The hospital continues providing high-quality patient care to this day. To recognize the 125th anniversary of caring for the community, Lead-Deadwood Hospital held a celebration at the Deadwood Mountain Grand in April of 2022, where artifacts were on display for caregivers, physicians and community members. “Doctors and nurses have been providing care in some form here, even before the hospital was built,” said Nicole Shiffrar, Executive Assistant to Mark Schmidt. “Because we have so many records, as well as memoirs from former caregivers and community members, we know a lot about the history, including famous patients and how we handled the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic.”
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Nicole is passionate about the history of the hospital — so much so that she literally wrote the book on the subject. “The History of Health Care in Lead and Deadwood” was a labor of love, compiled and composed by Nicole during her years of service at LeadDeadwood Hospital. “I am very grateful to Monument Health and the people involved for making this book a possibility. With the number of people who inquire about our history on a regular basis, it will be great to now have the ability to share our story with everyone,” she says. St. Joseph’s Hospital opened its doors almost twenty years after the pioneers, prospectors, miners and other western-minded entrepreneurs made their way to the region in the Black Hills Gold Rush of 1876. The spirit of the wild west doesn’t fade away quickly, however, and a few romantic Deadwood characters received treatment in the hospital walls. This included Captain Seth Bullock, who rode with Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders and was appointed the supervisor of the Black Hills National Forest, and later the U.S. Marshall for the District of South Dakota. Richard W. Clarke, better known as Deadwood Dick, also spent his last days in St. Joseph’s Hospital. Clarke knew a number of notable wild west figures, like Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock.
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FEATURE STORY // COMMUNITY
Photo courtesy of Deadwood History, Inc. Dr. Flora Hayward Stanford Medicine at the end of the 19th Century was — like many professions — maledominated. This was no different in Deadwood, until 1888, when Dr. Flora Hayward Stanford arrived. After Dr. Stanford’s daughter, Emma, contracted tuberculosis, she brought her to Deadwood expecting the mountain air to aid in her recovery. Upon their arrival, she purchased a home and opened her practice in Deadwood. The only female doctor in Deadwood, Dr. Hayward earned the respect of community members and was very active outside her medical practice, serving on the Board of Education, the Women’s Relief Group of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and the 19th Century Club. She was also an ardent advocate for the women’s suffrage movement. Unfortunately, Emma’s condition worsened, and Dr. Stanford departed with her for California in January 1893. Her daughter succumbed to her illness less than a month later. Shortly after, Flora returned to Deadwood, re-established her medical practice and continued to fight for social reform. In 1897, the same year the St. Joseph’s Hospital opened its doors, she purchased a ranch near Sundance, Wyo. She continued her medical practice in both states, traveling to patients’ homes by horse and buggy, until she died of a heart condition in 1901.
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“It’s fun to think about these figures that people may recognize being treated at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and how that’s part of our heritage,” said Nicole. “But they’re only one part of the story.” Though perhaps less known, other parts of the story are no less important, like the organization of the hospital’s first medical staff, or the acquisition and use of the first iron lung in South Dakota. At the April celebration, Nicole signed copies of her book for many of the more than 200 people who attended. “The early health care here helped lay the groundwork for the medical care that would develop in the area, and paved the way for the high-quality, compassionate care that Monument Health provides
today,” she said. St. Joseph’s Hospital survived the years and many changes, eventually becoming Monument Health LeadDeadwood Hospital and Clinic, because the caregivers and providers believed in — and were committed to — providing the best possible care to patients and serving the health needs of the community. Monument Health carries this forward with its mission to make a difference. Every day. “There’s a lot of history in the walls of Lead-Deadwood Hospital and Clinic,” added Mark. “I’m proud to be a part of that, and I know that Monument Health is proud of every doctor, caregiver and volunteer that is part of this legacy.”
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Welcome our newest physicians INTERVENTIONAL NEUROLOGY
HOSPITAL MEDICINE
Neurologist at the Monument Health Neurology and Rehabilitation Clinic in Rapid City. Dr. Kim attained his Doctor of Medicine degree from American University of the Caribbean. Following his doctorate, he did an Internal Medicine internship at Long Island College Hospital and went on to complete his Neurology residency at Temple University Hospital at Temple University School of Medicine. He has completed fellowships in Vascular Neurology and Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Kim is board-certified in Vascular Neurology and Neurology. Dr. Kim is part of Monument Health’s new stroke team, a group of specialists who focus on early intervention and advanced treatment of stroke victims. He performs clot retrievals, aneurysm care and a broad variety of interventions for blocked and ruptured blood vessels in the brain, which cause stroke.
Health Rapid City Hospital. Dr. Davies grew up on a small horse ranch in western South Dakota, attended college and medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., and along the way developed an interest in improving health for the underserved. After her undergraduate degree, she spent a year volunteering in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as a community health worker, where she acquired proficiency in Spanish. After returning to the United States, Dr. Davies worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant for OneWorld Clinic in Omaha before starting medical school. She made significant contributions to the University’s Homeless Clinic, serving for a time as the medical director. She completed her Family Medicine Residency in a University of Minnesota-Affiliated program in Duluth, Minn., in 2019. For a residency project, she examined reasons for readmissions to the emergency room and hospital. This project led to recognition for the need for a safe and clean place outside the hospital for homeless patients to recover from acute illness. Her leadership led to the formation of the Bob Tavani House of Medical Respite and the formation of a nonprofit foundation to support it. Dr. Davies also developed an interest in inpatient medicine and supplemented her Family Medicine Residency experience with a 6-month mentorship in hospital medicine.
Jae Kim, m.d., is an Interventional
Becky Davies, m.d., is a hospitalist at Monument
DISCOVER YOURSELF
with Monument Health o A culture of teamwork, inclusion and self-care
o Tuition assistance and loan forgiveness
o Fulfilling work in a setting that fits your needs (clinic, specialty care, inpatient, etc.)
o Opportunities to advance care through shared governance councils
o Formal programs for appreciating and celebrating our nurses
o An outdoor lifestyle and natural beauty unmatched by any other organization in our region
If you are in search of a place where nurses are supported, appreciated and can truly make a difference — we hope you’ll join us.
To learn more or apply, visit www.monument.health/careers.
PHYSICIAN PROFILE // EXCELLENCE
Monaleze Saini, m.d. Family Medicine Physician, Custer
Family medicine physicians such as Monaleze Saini, M.D., navigate patients through important life transitions.
I take a lot of pride in my culture and all the parts of me that make me who I am. My parents immigrated to this country from Punjab, India to make a better life for themselves and their future family. They were both raised in farming communities and learned to work hard and take care of others from a young age. They are my inspiration; they stayed true to themselves and their core values, loved generously, sacrificed for others and handled every difficult experience with strength and integrity. My parents taught me to take a chance on myself and to be courageous especially in the face of adversity. This served me well through medical school and my residency and even as I face challenges now as an attending physician. I hope to continue honoring their legacy and to pass such important values on to my own children so that they can learn to live in chardi kala (the state of eternal optimism and joy).
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My Role As a physician, I think of myself as a patient’s medical navigator or guide — helping them through their symptoms towards a diagnosis, then formulating a treatment or intervention that aligns with their goals. In this age of technology where we have information readily available at our fingertips, I help them navigate the plethora of medical information and misinformation that is out there and give them transparent evidence-based feedback. I also guide them to appropriate specialists or referrals for their concerns and needs, whether it is via a western or eastern based route. My Goal My ultimate goal is to enrich the lives of the people around me by providing high-quality medical care to help improve the health and well-being of my community and surrounding rural health populations. My goal is to show others the power that exceptional and accessible health care can have on the continued growth and prosperity of a community. My Passion My passion is tied into my Sikh faith in helping others by providing selfless service. I believe in caring for others, advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, protecting the most vulnerable parts of the population and speaking the truth without fear. These principles that are held very near to my heart are what I invest into my craft, my passion for medicine.
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Metzler, a South Dakota native, is one of two primary care sports medicine physicians employed by Monument Health. Their focus is on treating the whole athlete.
My Role I am a Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician working at Monument Health Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital. My role is to provide care for athletes and anyone who desires to be active. I treat patients both in the clinic and out and about in the Black Hills community. I spend time in the training room at South Dakota Mines and frequently travel to Custer High School, but I primarily go wherever there is a need. You can often find me on the sidelines of different sporting events in the area alongside one of our amazing Monument Health athletic trainers. My Goal My goal is the patient’s goal — which involves providing quality musculoskeletal care to patients of all ages. I strive to get patients back to doing what they love, whether that’s working on the family ranch, playing a sport or knitting a sweater. In the end, my goal is for them to find enjoyment and happiness in movement again. My Passion My passion is this community. Through Monument Health Sports Medicine’s continued community engagement, I hope to further assess community sports medicine needs and find creative ways that we can help. When I returned home to South Dakota after my medical training, I brought new tools in my toolbox in hopes to better achieve these goals. Sports coverage is a great opportunity to meet people where they are at and gives us the opportunity to educate people on the continuum of care our programs offer.
HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
Abbie Metzler d.o. Primary Care Sports Medicine, Monument Health Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital
Community engagement is important to Dr. Metzler and Monument Health Sports Medicine provides an opportunity to not only assess community needs, but to address them.
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RUN
ORTHOPEAK
Presented by Monument Health and Terry Peak
SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 SHORT COURSE
LONG COURSE
2.5 miles long with
7 miles long with over
750 feet of ascension
2,250 feet of ascension
For full details visit: monument.health/orthopeakrun
Dani enjoys bringing color to environments by adding bright, cheery flowers to entries. This year she’s trying something new; planting flowers in the design of the Monument Health logo.
COMMUNITY // MY SPACE
We approach the grounds with a detailed eye and strive to make a difference every day; this wouldn’t be possible without our amazing grounds team here at Rapid City hospital including Scott Stucker and JJ Flynn.
My Role As grounds lead at Monument Health my role is foremost to create a positive first impression, reflective of the type of care that patients and families receive while at our facilities. My Goal My main goal is to create safe, welcoming, beautiful and wellmaintained spaces. I would also like to continue to strengthen our snow removal efforts to minimize any extra stress on patients, visitors and staff. The first time I saw wheelchair tracks in the snow, I realized the bigger picture of my involvement in the care of patients and visitors to our facilities.
Dani Jeffres Grounds Lead, Rapid City
Along with maintaining the grounds at all Monument Health locations in Rapid City, the grounds team works closely with contractors to coordinate projects and repairs.
HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
My Passion My passions include everything plants! I love learning about them working with them and just being around them. I’m working to transfer my Master Gardener certification to South Dakota and become an International Society of Arboriculture-certified consulting arborist.
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Children’s Miracle Network
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Friday, Sept. 16, 2022 Hart Ranch Golf Course 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start HELPING LOCAL KIDS!
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For more information or to register, call 605-755-9192, scan this QR code or visit www.monument.health/cmn.
SPRING 2022 // HEALTH 160575_0622
COMMUNITY // CALENDAR
Aug 21
Leading Ladies Marathon Spearfish
Sept 10 Ag in the Square Sept 10 Patriot Day Celebration Box Elder
Rapid City
Sept 16
Play Yellow Golf Tournament
Sept 17
Heart Walk
Heart Ranch Golf Course
Rapid City
Sept 20
Hearts for Habitat
Sept 24
OrthoPeak Run
Rapid City
Terry Peak Ski Area
*All events are subject to change due to COVID-19 concerns. Schedules were correct at time of publication. HEALTH // SUMMER 2022
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DIRECTORY // COMMUNITY
Please call your local clinic to schedule an appointment. Monument Health is also offering extended services through video and telephone visits with your provider.
We’re near you HOSPITALS Custer Hospital 1220 Montgomery Street Custer, SD 57730 605-673-9400 Lead-Deadwood Hospital 61 Charles Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-717-6000 Rapid City Hospital 353 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-1000 Spearfish Hospital 1440 N. Main Street Spearfish, SD 57783 605-644-4000 Sturgis Hospital 2140 Junction Avenue Sturgis, SD 57785 605-720-2600 CLINICS Belle Fourche Clinic 2200 13th Avenue Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-723-8970 Buffalo Clinic 209 Ramsland Street Buffalo, SD 57720 605-375-3744 Custer Clinic 1220 Montgomery Street Custer, SD 57730 605-673-9400 Family Medicine Residency Clinic 502 East Monroe Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-4060 Family Health Education Services 930 N. 10th St Spearfish, SD 57783 605-642-6337 Gillette Clinic 20 W Four-J Court Gillette, WY 82716 307-682-1204 Hill City Clinic 238 Elm Street Hill City, SD 57745 605-574-4470 Hot Springs Clinic 1100 Highway 71 South, Suite 101 Hot Springs, SD 57747 605-745-8050
Lead-Deadwood Clinic 71 Charles Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-717-6431 Rapid City Clinic Flormann St. 640 Flormann Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-3300 Rapid City Clinic 5th St. 2805 5th Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-5700 Spearfish Clinic North Ave. 1445 North Avenue Spearfish, SD 57783 605-644-4170 Spearfish Clinic North 10th St. 1420 North 10th Street Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-8595 Sturgis Clinic 2140 Junction Avenue Sturgis, SD 57785 605-720-2400 Wall Clinic 112 7th Avenue Wall, SD 57790 605-279-2149 URGENT CARE Custer Urgent Care Services 1220 Montgomery Street Custer, SD 57730 605-673-9400 Lead-Deadwood Urgent Care Services 71 Charles Street Deadwood, SD 57732 605-717-6431 Rapid City Urgent Care Jackson Blvd. 2116 Jackson Boulevard Rapid City, SD 57702 605-755-2273 Rapid City Urgent Care Lacrosse St. 1303 N. Lacrosse Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-2273 Spearfish Urgent Care Services 1420 North 10th Street Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-8595
Home+ Home Medical Equipment 1635 Caregiver Circle, Rapid City, SD 57702 605-755-6150
Sturgis Urgent Care Services 2140 Junction Avenue Sturgis, SD 57785 605-720-2600
Home+ Home Medical Equipment 911 East Colorado Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-8930
SPECIALTY & SURGICAL CENTERS Assisted Living 432 North 10th Street Custer, SD 57730 605-673-5588
Home+ Home Medical Equipment 2707 Lazelle Street Sturgis, SD 57785 605-720-2676
Behavioral Health Center 915 Mountain View Road Rapid City, SD 57702 605-755-7200 Sturgis Care Center 949 Harmon Street Sturgis SD 57785 605-720-2400 Dermatology 4150 5th Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-5340 Dermatology 550 East Colorado Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-8860 Dialysis Center 955 East North Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-6950 Dialysis Center 132 Yankee Street Spearfish SD 57783 605-722-8110 Heart and Vascular Institute 353 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-4300 Home+ Home Health and Hospice 931 E Colorado Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-644-4444 Home+ Home Health 224 Elk Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-7710 Home+ Home Medical Equipment 1800 N. Haines Avenue Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-9000
Home+ Hospice House 224 Elk Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-7710 Home+ Infusion 224 Elk Street, Suite 100 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-1155 Home+ Pharmacy 353 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-8184 Home+ Pharmacy 1420 North 10th Street, Suite 1 Spearfish, SD 57783 605-717-8741 Home+ Specialty Pharmacy 2006 Mount Rushmore Rd., Suite 2 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-3065 Cancer Care Institute 353 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City SD, 57701 605-755-2300 Neurology and Rehabilitation 677 Cathedral Drive, Suite 200 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-4150 Neuropsychology 677 Cathedral Drive, Suite 201 Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-5276 Orthopedic & Specialty Hospital 1635 Caregiver Circle Rapid City, SD 57702 605-755-6100
Orthopedics and Sports Medicine 2449 East Colorado Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-644-4460 Rehabilitation 2200 13th Avenue Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-723-8961 Rehabilitation 220 Montgomery Street Custer, SD 605-673-9400 Rehabilitation 61 Charles Street Deadwood, SD 605-717-6000 Rehabilitation 2479 East Colorado Boulevard Spearfish, SD 57783 605-644-4370 Rehabilitation 2140 Junction Avenue Sturgis, SD 605-720-2400 Rehabilitation Center 1050 Fairmont Boulevard Rapid City, SD 605-755-1230 Sleep Center 2929 5th Street Rapid City, SD 57701 605-755-4000 Sports Performance Institute powered by EXOS 1635 Caregiver Circle Rapid City, SD 57702 605-755-6683 Surgery Center 1316 North 10th Street Spearfish, SD 57783 605-642-3113
Sports physicals are available
FREE OF CHARGE in all of our clinics and urgent care locations
Monument Health wants to keep all of our area athletes going higher, faster and farther. To prep our athletes and provide the best care to our communities, we’re offering free sports physicals. Call your local clinic to schedule an appointment or stop into one of our Urgent Care locations throughout the hills.
Keep going with Monument Health as your partner.
www.monument.health
SUBSCRIBE At magazine.monument.health
CONTACT General information 605-755-1000 MyChart For assistance with MyChart, please call the MyChart patient portal hotline at 605-755-9890 or email mycharthelp@ monument.health