MED Magazine, December 2024 by MED- (Midwest Medical Edition)

PRIDE PROMISE

CATHERINE FERNANDEZ ARISTY, M.D.

to the Sleep Center Team.

ROBERT FINLEY M.D.

BRIAN TSCHIDA M.D., FAASM

CONNIE TSCHETTER CNP

KAYLA TOLLEFSRUD PA-C

SLEEP CENTER TEAM

MIKELLE ELIASON DNP

JESSICA HUTCHINSON CNP

PRIDE & PROMISE

Eight Healthcare Leaders Share their Wins for '24

From us to you

We asked the CEOs of eight South Dakota area healthcare organizations what they were proudest of this past year and what plans and projects were most promising for their organizations in 2025. Here's what they had to say.

■ By Alex Strauss

and their Hopes for '25

PAGE 6 | South Dakota Critical Access ‘CEOs to Know’ Nominated by their peers and selected by the Becker's Healthcare board, these SD leaders are the critical access hospital ‘CEOs to Know’ in 2024

PAGE 14 | [Sponsored] How an OB/GYN is Improving Clinician Experience at Sanford Health

A Sanford doctor is spearheading some innovative solutions —including both human mentoring and artificial intelligence— to combat burnout and promote wellbeing among her colleagues.

PAGE 16 | NEWS & NOTES

Avera breaks ground on its women's and children's tower, Sanford announces a merger with Black Hills Surgical Hospital, and Prairie Lakes' new Epic partnership plus a roundup of the latest news from healthcare organizations across the region

PAGE 19 | USD School of Health Sciences

Success Spotlight: Marit Johnson

Physical therapist Marit Johnson says the USD School of Health Sciences embraced her engineering background —and that made all the difference

PAGE 22 | 2024: The Year in Pictures

Here are some of the most notable events in regional healthcare in 2024 along with the images by which we'll remember them

Welcome to our final issue of 2024. If you have followed MED for a while, you’ll know that we like to close out each year with a look back at the previous 12 months as well as a brief look ahead.

This year, we are doing this through the eyes of eight hand-picked local healthcare leaders as well as through a compilation of some of the year’s most notable photos. We hope you’ll enjoy both and our thanks to each of this year’s CEOs for taking the time to share their insights.

We also bring you the story of the Sanford OB/GYN who is helping her colleagues manage the everyday stress of working in medicine today and your comprehensive roundup of regional healthcare industry news.

We are deeply grateful for your continued readership and support of MED’s mission to provide area healthcare professionals with timely, relevant, easy-to-consume industry news and information. Stay up-to-date between issues with our digital newsletters. Subscribe at MidwestMedicalEdition.com

See you in 2025!

Alex & Steff

CONTACT INFORMATION

STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP

VP Sales & Marketing

Publisher / MED MAGAZINE, LLC

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Vice President Sales & Marketing

STEFFANIE LISTON-HOLTROP

Editor in Chief / ALEX STRAUSS

Staff Writer / KIM LEE

Magazine Design / ANGELA CORBO GIER

Client Relationship Manager / BARBIE MUNOZ

Digital Media Director / HYA AMURAO

605-366-1479

Steff@MidwestMedicalEdition.com

ALEX STRAUSS

Editor in Chief

605-759-3295

Alex@ MidwestMedicalEdition.com

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South Dakota Critical Access ‘CEOS TO KNOW ’

Four South Dakota CEOs have been named to Becker’s Hospital Re0view’s 2024 list of ‘90 Critical Access Hospital CEOs to Know’. Critical access hospitals provide 24/7 emergency care and have no more than 25 inpatient beds.

According to Becker’s, their list honors CAH presidents and CEOs who “are devoted to high care quality, patient safety, and financial stability. These leaders bring crucial care services to their organizations, recruit top physicians, and join forces with larger hospitals and health systems that can provide additional resources.” Becker’s develops the list each year based on nominations and editorial research.

MED congratulates the following honorees:

TAMMY MILLER, CEO, Madison Regional Health System

Tammy Miller serves as the CEO of 22-bed Madison Regional Health System, a nonprofit, independent health system with 250 employees. She has worked at the system for 38 years, serving as CEO since 1996. Under her leadership, the critical access hospital moved to a larger facility in 2015. Ms. Miller serves on many boards, including the SD Association of Healthcare Organizations council on acute care. This marks the fourth time she has received this prestigious recognition, having previously been honored in 2016, 2018, and 2023

JOHN AYOUB, CEO, Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics

John Ayoub oversees the 25-bed critical access hospital as well as four rural health clinics, an assisted living and senior living facility, and a specialty clinic. Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics serves as the largest employer in Mobridge and Walworth County, South Dakota, with over 190 staff members. Under Mr. Ayoub’s leadership, the organization has been recognized by The Chartis Group as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals for 2024.

VERONICA SCHMIDT, CEO, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center

Veronica Schmidt oversees a critical access hospital, clinic, assisted living and long-term care facility. Under her leadership, Sanford Vermillion Medical Center earned recognition as one of the Chartis “Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals” three years running. Additionally, Schmidt played a vital role in adding 3-D mammography services to the hospital’s scope of care. She also hosts bi-monthly “coffee and conversation” sessions, providing employees opportunities to hear from her and ask questions, and encouraging teams to adopt honest, open and willing methods for communication

ERICA PETERSON, CEO, Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center & Sanford Pierre Clinic

Erica Peterson serves as administrator and CEO for rural hospital and clinic sites. Prior to this role, she held the chief financial officer position with Sanford Chamberlain for seven years. In addition to her role with Sanford, Peterson is active in her community, involved in local education and bringing well-being programs to schools. She also serves as the Sanford liaison to Indian Health Services in South Dakota. Peterson has been instrumental in helping shape public policy around rural health care in the state.

PRIDE & PROMISE

In our ongoing effort to keep our metaphorical finger on the pulse of what’s happening in our wide and diverse medical community, we have once again invited eight regional healthcare leaders to share their insights about the year past and the year to come. Our hope is that you’ll learn something new about the health systems around you, get to know some of the people at the helm, and find inspiration for your own organizations as we navigate a new year.

Thomas Worsley

President, Spearfish Hospital and Hills Markets

Monument Health, Spearfish, South Dakota

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

IN 2024, WE KICKED OFF an $80 million building project that will disrupt our medical campus for the next few years. But in the end, the project will have transformed both our physical facilities and the way in which care is delivered in Spearfish and the Northern Black Hills.

With the many building site options available, after listening to the community, we chose to invest in the heart of Spearfish to maintain the convenient access to services the community has depended upon for over 6 decades. Our project will provide all new private medical/surgical rooms, new perioperative space, and a new and expanded emergency room area. Additionally, we will have a new main entrance to the hospital and other improved common spaces for our physicians and nurses to care for the community they love. We are extremely proud to be able to continue to care for our patients and community throughout the construction process. While there will be brief periods of disruption, we are committed to being able to provide the highest level of patient experience for those we serve throughout construction.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

We have so much to look forward to! We are constantly focused on expanding services for the area. In a growing community and region, one of the services we are highly committed to is Pediatric Care. We are excited to welcome two new pediatricians to the community. Dr. Mauricio Rendon and Dr. Paula Marsland, both well trained and highly skilled pediatric providers that have joined Dr. Tara Ulmer as well as advanced practice providers Jami Kortan and Mackenzie Gatzky.

I continue to be amazed by our caregivers and the incredible dedication they have to caring for the evolving needs of the community.

Isaac Gerdes

CEO, Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services, Viborg, South Dakota

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

PIONEER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL has seen significant growth in outpatient visits over the past year, driven by increased demand for specialized services and an emphasis on expanding community healthcare options. The hospital’s outpatient departments have expanded its service offerings and expanded volume within our service area. This diversification has attracted a larger patient base from surrounding areas, reducing the need for patients to seek care in larger urban areas.

Pioneer Memorial has enhanced access to care with the addition of telehealth services, the hospital has made outpatient services more accessible for patients with varying schedules. Community outreach and preventive care have been the hospital’s focus. Community outreach programs have encouraged regular screenings and follow-up care, driving an increase in outpatient appointments. Patient satisfaction initiatives, such as shorter wait times and improved care coordination, have also contributed to the rise in outpatient visits.

These strategic efforts reflect Pioneer Memorial

BY ALEX STRAUSS

Eight Healthcare Leaders Share their Wins for ‘24 and their Hopes for ‘25 2425

Hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality, convenient care for its community, positioning the hospital as a leader in outpatient services in its service area. The continued growth in outpatient visits is not only a testament to the hospital’s services but also an indicator of their increasing role in meeting the healthcare needs of the local population.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

Pioneer Memorial Hospital is set to make significant investments in technology in the coming year, aiming to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and improve outcomes. Pioneer Memorial has outlined a comprehensive plan that includes upgrades to critical medical equipment, expansion of telehealth services, and the integration of analytics to improve decision-making and patient management.

These investments underscore Pioneer Memorial Hospital’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of medical technology. By upgrading its infrastructure and embracing the latest innovations, the hospital is poised to offer its patients more efficient, effective, and personalized care in 2025 and beyond. The strategic focus on technology not only improves the quality of care but also positions Pioneer Memorial well as they move into the future.

PRIDE &

CEO/Administrator, Freeman Regional Health Services, Freeman,

South Dakota

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

IN 2024, I AM INCREDIBLY proud of our strides toward making Freeman Regional Health Services (FRHS) a preferred place to work and receive care.

We have prioritized the importance of a strong culture based on our mission, vision, values, and CARE (Compassion, Attitude, Respect, Excellence) standards. Our leadership development initiatives, including leadership book studies and advanced training like the SDAHO nurse leadership program, are cultivating strong leaders who are committed to excellence and advanced educational certifications and degrees.

collaboratively with local organizations to enhance the overall health of Freeman. Our commitment to advancing rural health is evidenced by our active recruitment of new physicians and the onboarding of two additional Advanced Practice Providers.

By fostering these connections and continuing to improve our services and grow our team, we aim to establish FRHS as a leader of rural healthcare in our area. In Freeman, we believe we are better together, and we are optimistic we will have a healthy and thriving community for generations to come.

Dan Bjerknes

Regional President & CEO, Avera St. Luke’s, Aberdeen, South Dakota

Our exceptional Board of Directors, Physicians, and Advanced Practice Providers have helped steer our efforts to become a preferred care provider in our service area. We have enhanced our outpatient services significantly and we are excited to offer DEXA scans and the Planet Heart program supported by our new 16-slice CT.

Community engagement also remains a high priority, highlighted by successful events like our 14th Annual FRHS Foundation Golf Tournament and our 13th Annual Freeman Regional Foundation Gala which foster a strong connection with residents of Marion, Menno, Bridgewater, and Freeman.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

In the coming year, we are excited to advance our vision of a comprehensive care continuum on a single campus, ensuring that our community has seamless access to a wide range of services.

We are also focused on engaging young community members in strategic planning and working

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

2024 WAS A FANTASTIC YEAR for Avera St. Luke’s Hospital because of some of the strategic decisions we made that ultimately increased access to both primary and inpatient care.

For example, our innovative, novel approaches to care delivery, including the hiring of several advanced practice professionals following the retirement of three long-term, well-loved providers and the opening of a Same Day Sick Clinic, have resulted in an increase of nearly 2,000 patients year to date in same-day settings that include our After Hours and Same Day Sick clinics.

At the same time, we were able to increase our inpatient transfers to our facility by nearly 70% from 2023 to 2024. This was the result of focusing on system throughput to ensure that our patients are able to receive quality care as close to home as possible.

In July, we were named as a 5-star facility by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for the fifth consecutive year.

PROMISE

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

In 2025 we’ll look to increase access to specialty care — again to keep health services close to home. We now have physicians in nephrology and pulmonary medicine, as well as added additional physicians in orthopedics and urology.

In the spring, we will open our newly renovated behavioral health unit, expanding from our current 10 beds to 18. The new space will also include an adolescent flex unit to care for acute needs of this young population. This will meet a long-awaited needs request by our community and the surrounding communities we serve. We continue a strategic focus on access across the continuum of care and quality.

With all of our initiatives, we’re hopeful for a growing workforce and we look forward to partnerships within our community to help with both retention of our valued employees and with recruitment of our future workforce, including skilled physicians and nurses.

We continued to be humbled by the opportunity to carry out the mission of our founding Sisters, who met the needs of the diphtheria epidemic by opening our hospital 123 years ago. Serving this ministry is truly an honor.

Richard Nordahl

CEO, Sanford Sheldon Medical Center, Sheldon, Iowa

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

THIS PAST SUMMER, Sanford Sheldon Medical Center installed a faster, more comfortable MRI machine for patients. This new machine provides better image quality and has many advanced features, allowing

Sanford Sheldon to provide quality care in a more comfortable and efficient environment.

We also solidified our provider schedule to ensure we have general surgery outreach services for the next several years in Sheldon. In addition, we added another orthopedic surgery option for patients. Being able to provide services like these in rural Iowa allows our patients to access quality health care close to home instead of traveling to a larger hospital.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

We continue to recruit for a permanent general surgeon who will provide coverage in Sheldon fulltime and are updating our surgical equipment. We are also recruiting another family medicine provider who is dual trained in obstetrics.

Wade Erickson

CEO, Horizon Health Elk Point, Elk Point, South Dakota

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

FOLLOWING A WORLDWIDE pandemic and the end of the public health emergency where wellness and preventative healthcare was less of a priority, our healthcare teams have done an amazing job of reeducating our patients and communities about the importance of wellness and preventing vs. treating illness.

This hasn’t been an easy task but our teams care so deeply for their communities including their family, friends and neighbors and truly know the value of keeping their communities well.

PRIDE &

(Wade Erickson continued)

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

In addition to continuing to promote wellness and preventative primary healthcare, we are looking forward and excited about two specific new initiatives around improving maternal health outcomes and expanding our behavioral health program. We know these are two very important areas that are having a significant impact on our patients and communities, especially in rural areas where access and affordability are significant barriers to accessing care.

As a rural FQHC, it is our passion and mission to ensure that everyone has the same access to high-quality, affordable healthcare regardless of where they live, work, and raise their families.

John Ayoub

CEO, Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics

Mobridge, South Dakota

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

THIS YEAR HAS BEEN ONE of opportunity and challenge. We moved into new inpatient and obstetrics units, built a new pharmacy, brought on a new general surgeon, and will welcome a new FP/OB later this year. We started the year moving into new construction and then segued to major renovations.

We could not have done this without an extraordinary team. They support and care for each other; they rally around the cause and fulfill the mission, even through complex circumstances and day-to-day challenges. Through the entirety of our building project, they never stopped providing the highest quality, compassionate, and professional care. I could not be prouder to be associated with the wonderful women and men of MRH&C.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

I am really looking forward to 2025; it will be an exciting year full of new opportunities for Mobridge Regional Hospital & Clinics (MRH&C).

We look to wrap up a construction project that has been going strong for years and will increase our Mobridge facility footprint by about 33% (30,000 ft²) with roughly the same square footage being renovated. In 2025, we will open our new infusion center, which will allow us to expand on an already robust offering of outpatient infusions, including chemotherapy.

We also look forward to going live with our new surgical services department. This will incorporate all of our current surgical services together, improving efficiency and patient satisfaction, while maintaining and improving our ability to provide high quality care. As the only facility providing surgical and obstetrical care within a 100-mile radius, this investment is significant and will only make our people more efficient and capable.

Later in the year we will open our new emergency department, functionally located between our inpatient unit and our diagnostic imaging department, which is right next to surgery. These departmental adjacencies will increase efficiency and positively impact our care team.

Finally, we look to wrap up the entirety of this building project with some renovations to our primary care clinic as well as expansion and improvements to our specialty clinic, which will allow us to house and meet the needs of existing and additional specialists to perform outreach and serve our patients right here close to home.

PROMISE

Lynda Barrie

WHAT ARE YOU PROUDEST/MOST EXCITED ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS INITIATED OR ACCOMPLISHED IN 2024?

I N 2024, I AM INCREDIBLY proud of the collaboration driving our success, both externally and internally. Our partnerships with referring physicians have streamlined the referral process, ensuring patients receive timely, effective orthopedic care. These relationships have significantly improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Internally, our team’s dedication to preparing for the move to our new facility in Tea has been outstanding. Their coordination, attention to detail, and commitment have kept operations smooth at our current clinic while laying the groundwork for an enhanced patient care experience in the new space.

The strength of these external partnerships and our internal teamwork has set us up for continued success, and I am excited for what 2025 will bring in our new home.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO OR HOPEFUL ABOUT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION IN THE COMING YEAR?

I am excited about the upcoming opening of our new state-of-the-art orthopedic clinic in Tea, South Dakota. This 80,000-square-foot facility marks a major advancement for Orthopedic Institute, demonstrating our dedication to providing cutting-edge care. The expanded space will allow us to offer more services, reduce wait times, and enhance patient convenience.

What excites me most is the integration of advanced technology and innovative treatments. With expanded therapy, on-site pain management, and advanced imaging capabilities, we will deliver more comprehensive, personalized care in one location, improving both patient outcomes and satisfaction.

I am also eager to see how the clinic’s modern design and accessibility will further enhance our patients’ experience. This new facility will set the stage for us to raise the standard of orthopedic care in 2025 and beyond. 2425

CEO, Orthopedic Institute, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

How an OB/GYN is Improving Clinician Experience

symptom of burnout in 2023.

For health systems like Sanford Health, addressing burnout head-on is critical to improving the clinician experience and, subsequently, patient care.

Heather Spies, MD, is an OB/GYN and the physician director of clinician experience and well-being at Sanford Health. Through her leadership and collaboration with her peers, Dr. Spies is making strides to improve clinicians’ lives at work and at home.

my entire career,” said Dr. Spies.

it well,” said Dr. Spies. “One emphasis we have within Sanford Health is that we need to model well-being and look out for each other. We support each other, so it truly feels like we’re a family.”

From delivering babies and caring for women of all ages to leading internal well-being initiatives, Dr. Spies does a lot to care for others at Sanford Health, and she’s been doing it for a long time.

“I’ve been with Sanford Health

“I’ve worked here for over 18 years, and there have been a lot of changes during that time, but I’ve always felt like I’ve had access to the resources, support and opportunities I need to grow. It’s an incredible place to work for.”

Dr. Spies initially started her practice at Sanford Health in Watertown,

In 2011, she was invited to join Sanford Health’s Leading the Way program. This gave her the ability to form deeper relationships with her peers and learn from physician and non-physician leaders in the organization.

“I built a community of people around me to check in with and bounce ideas off of,” said Dr. Spies. “We often go through similar experiences when we’re trying to raise a

DR. SPIES’ CAREER AS A PHYSICIAN AND LEADER

family or balance our personal life with our career, so having a support network was really beneficial for my well-being and growth.”

The Leading the Way program resonated with Dr. Spies and sparked a desire in her to do more to help her fellow clinicians, which she has done in many different roles since then.

“One of the reasons I’m proud to work at Sanford is that we have very robust clinician assistance programs,” said Dr. Spies. “We support our clinicians. If a clinician would like to seek counseling or coaching for either personal or professional growth, we provide that to them for free.”

two or three hours a night charting,” said Dr. Spies. “To cut back on this time, we recently introduced an AI tool that uses ambient technology to summarize and input notes into patient charts.”

After moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2015, Dr. Spies went on to obtain an MBA in organizational leadership. During that time, her colleagues, mentors and leaders at Sanford Health were very supportive, and she was able to continue her full-time clinical practice.

Once she finished her degree, Dr. Spies got to pioneer a new role within Sanford Health — physician director of clinician experience and well-being. This would eventually lead to the formation of groups like the Clinician Well-being Council (CWC) and the Sanford RISES clinician leadership program.

The CWC supports clinicians’ professional and personal lives by prioritizing, advocating for and modeling clinician well-being throughout the organization.

“Working in health care can be stressful no matter where you practice or what your specialty is,” said Dr. Spies. “It’s absolutely essential to us to prioritize clinician experience. If we don’t support our people, they may burn out.”

RISES stands for Reach, Impact, Strategy, Empower, Serve and provides Sanford Health’s top clinicians with a chance to grow and embrace their role as a leader. The participants in this program are nominated by their leaders, and the goal of the program, like many others, is to build the best culture possible for every clinician at Sanford Health.

Another program Dr. Spies has seen make an impact on the well-being of clinicians is the AMA Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program. This program evaluates health systems based on six different categories — assessment, commitment, efficiency of practice environment, teamwork, leadership and support.

“As a part of this program, we as a health system acknowledge and commit to the organizational work that needs to be done to improve well-being in the workplace,” said Dr. Spies. “We are looking for ways to optimize teamwork and efficiency so clinicians have more valuable time with patients rather than administrative tasks. This, coupled with our leadership development initiatives, gives clinicians more joy in their work and makes them feel supported by their leaders.”

Sanford Health received the gold level of recognition from the program in 2023 and continually strives to maintain and improve the initiatives it has in place. Currently, it’s the only system based in the Dakotas to be recognized by the program.

Cutting back on time spent on patient charts gives physicians the ability to focus on what they enjoy the most – helping patients.

“I think one of the reasons I’ve worked here for so long is that I’ve received support when I needed it,” said Dr. Spies. “I’ve had peers, partners and colleagues step up to encourage me and help me find joy in my work, and it’s what makes Sanford Health so special.”

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY BY SUPPORTING CLINICIANS

Sanford Health wants to improve the health of the communities it serves, and that includes the health and well-being of its clinicians, too.

“I love seeing the endless ways Sanford Health has contributed to where we live,” said Dr. Spies. “I have always felt that Sanford attracts people that like to collaborate, communicate and support each other. I have complete trust in the organization because the decisions we make are grounded in our values.”

By investing time and resources into its people, Sanford Health is doing everything it can to improve all aspects of health care.

Sometimes the solution for solving physician burnout and other well-being issues comes through technological advances like artificial intelligence. Dr. Spies has seen how it helps employees focus less on daily tasks and more on their patients.

“A lot of primary care physicians are going home and spending

“Ultimately, it comes down to the patients and giving them the best care we can,” said Dr. Spies. “If we aren’t taking care of ourselves, we can’t be on the top of our game.”

Careers at Sanford Health provide excellent pay, comprehensive benefits, and above all, the opportunity to serve your community. If you’re looking for a rewarding career with plenty of room to grow, start exploring our open positions at sanfordcareers.com today. ❖

News & Notes

South Dakota | Southwest Minnesota | Northwest Iowa | Northeast Nebraska

BLACK HILLS

PATRICK TIBBLES

Dr. Patrick Tibbles has been appointed Medical Director of the Monument Health Foundation. A 26-year veteran of Monument Health’s Emergency Medicine and Hyperbaric Medicine departments, Dr. Tibbles will collaborate with leadership to identify strategic funding needs aligned with clinical priorities. He has directed the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy program since 1998 and previously served as a Navy Undersea and Diving Medical Officer.

AVERA

Avera has launched a $50 million fundraising campaign, Tomorrow’s Promise, to support women’s and children’s services. Together with a new medical office building at the Avera on Louise Health Campus, this represents the largest building project in Avera history at a cost of $245 million and 350,000 square feet of new patient care space. The new tower will include gathering and education space, as well as labor, delivery, and postpartum care, pediatric hospital care, pediatric intensive care, and neonatal intensive care units.

Monument Health Foundation has honored the life and work of Dr. Ronald Drummond with a commissioned sculpture by artist John Lopez at the Cancer Care Institute Healing Garden. Dr. Drummond, who moved to Rapid City in 1974, was a Radiation Oncologist who partnered with Radiology Associates to establish Rapid City’s first comprehensive cancer treatment center. The Foundation has created a memorial fund to support ongoing advancements in cancer care.

SANFORD

Sanford Health has been named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Veterans 2024 list for the second consecutive year. The recognition is based on feedback from 24,000 U.S. veterans. Sanford offers benefits including differential pay during deployment and participates in the Department of Defense Skillbridge Program. Veterans applying to Sanford receive automatic screening interviews and are eligible to apply for a $5,000 education scholarship.

ROXANA LUPU Becker’s Health Review has named Sanford Health’s Roxana Lupu, MD, to its 2024 “Health IT & revenue cycle up-and-comers” list. As chief medical information officer, Dr. Lupu leads a team of five physician informaticists and has implemented AI tools to improve Electronic Health Records efficiency. Recent initiatives include an AI pilot program to categorize patient messages, helping reduce clinician inbox workload.

Sanford Research’s PLEDGE Study is celebrating a milestone. The study, launched in 2020 with Helmsley Charitable Trust funding, has enrolled 10,000 pediatric patients to identify type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease risk through blood testing. The study has identified over 70 at-risk children, with five progressing to clinical care without developing diabetic ketoacidosis. The screening program targets Sanford patients under 6 years or between 9-16 years old, addressing the 90% of T1D cases occurring without family history.

emergency department in Sioux Falls, funded by a gift from David and Christine Billion. Construction begins in January at Sanford USD Medical Center. The facility will house South Dakota’s only accredited pediatric trauma center and will be staffed by pediatric emergency medicine experts. It will be located in space adjacent to the Emergency Department on the hospital campus. The announcement was made at the 2024 Children’s Gala, where $1.2 million was raised for the mission of Sanford Children’s.

Three Sanford Health leaders are presenting at Becker’s CEO + CFO Roundtable in Chicago. Dr. Heather Spies will discuss clinician well-being in rural health systems; CFO Nick Olson will address financial strategies; and Dr. Daniel Hoody will present on clinical quality and safety, highlighting Sanford Bemidji’s 80% reduction in serious safety events since 2019. The conference focuses on rural healthcare, digital transformation, and health equity.

Sanford Health, Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center and Black Hills Surgical Hospital have announced a merger. Sanford Health will be the parent organiza tion of the Black Hills Orthopedic and Spine Center, the Black Hills Surgical Hospital and the group’s associated facilities in Rapid City, South Dakota, and Black Hills Surgery Center in Gillette, Wyoming, including urgent care locations, clinics and ambulatory surgery center. Upon closing, these locations will transition to nonprofit status and begin operating as part of Sanford Health.

INDEPENDENTS

LifeScape is marking 25 years of outpatient therapy services in Sioux Falls. Since 1999, patient numbers have grown from 1,200 to over 4,000, representing a 71% increase in service demand. The organization expanded its Rehabilitation Center in 2011 and opened an Autism & Child Development Center in 2019. Services include evaluations, therapies, orthotic services, and assistive technology, with RISE Custom Solutions providing durable medical

AMANDA SEDLACEK

Palliative medicine specialist

Dr. Amanda Sedlacek of Yankton Medical Clinic has been published in the American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and presented on two separate topics at the 2024 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care. Dr. Sedlacek is South Dakota’s second adult Board Certified Palliative Medicine Physician. She provides both in-person care in Yankton and virtual visits to Creighton, O’Neill, and Gregory through the clinic’s interdisciplinary palliative care team.

Avera Home Medical Equipment’s “Top Physician” award for the second consecutive year. Dr. Pietila was selected from 1,800 physicians, including both Avera-affiliated and non-affiliated providers. He leads the clinic’s pulmonology team and provides outreach services in Norfolk, NE; Parkston, SD; and O’Neill, NE.

Yankton Medical Clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery Center has been named Best Ambulatory Surgery Center for Colonoscopy & Endoscopy by U.S. News & World Report, the only South Dakota Ambulatory Surgery Center to receive a High Performing rating. The recognition follows a review of 2,000 centers nationwide and feedback from 3 million patients. The center, staffed by three general surgeons, is among 249 facilities receiving high-performing status.

Yankton Medical Clinic has received a three-year MRI accreditation from the American College of Radiology, meeting specific requirements for image quality, personnel qualifications, and facility equipment. Additionally, the clinic earned a Silver Milestone Recognition for maintaining IAC Vascular Testing accreditation for 25 years. The clinic’s Ambulatory Surgery Center was named Best in Colonoscopy & Endoscopy by U.S. News & World Report.

MRI staff of YMC: Back row, L to R: Emily Johnson, Brittany Ament. Front row, L to R: Tricia Prouty, Amanda Weinandt

Heather Brewster, Director of Quality and Risk Management at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, has been named 2024 Quality Professional of the Year by the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Quality. Brewster, who joined PLHS in 2017, previously worked in the Critical Care Unit for ten years and holds a nursing degree from SDSU.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has been named to Newsweek ’s America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2025 list. The evaluation considered quality metrics data, nationwide surveys, patient experience, and PROMS implementation. PLHS is one of seven South Dakota hospitals recognized, based on criteria including quality of care, patient satisfaction, and hospital performance metrics.

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has signed an Affiliation Agreement with Sanford Health to implement Epic as its new electronic health record system. The transition aims to enhance care coordination across both healthcare systems and standardize records management. The implementation will support Prairie Lakes’ service area across northeast South Dakota and western Minnesota.

Huron Regional Medical Center has expanded cardiology services with Dr. Kevin Vaska increasing availability to two days per week at the HRMC Physicians Clinic. Dr. Vaska, who has served the community for 20 years, recently closed his Sioux Falls practice. Additionally, Dr. Kelly Steffen of North Central Heart has resumed outreach services in Huron, with plans to increase visits to twice monthly in January 2025.

since 2016, works weekly at the hospital’s main lobby desk greeting patients and visitors. The HRMC Auxiliary provides patient assistance, offers healthcare scholarships, and supports hospital projects through fundraising efforts. The organization is currently seeking additional volunteers for four-hour weekly shifts.

Mirkovic, Pharm.D., has received Huron Regional Medical Center’s Innovator of the Quarter Award. Mirkovic developed an organizational system for medications that can’t be stored in computerized dispensing systems. His solution uses lockable storage containers with compartments labeled by patient room number, improving efficiency and accessibility for the nursing team.

CARMEN HENDRIX

Freeman Regional Health Services has welcomed Carmen Hendrix, FNP-C, as a full-time provider. Hendrix, who previously served seven years as a hospital and ER nurse at Freeman Regional, is pursuing a post-master’s certificate in psychiatry and mental health.

KEVIN VASKA

KELLY STEFFEN

Dusan

HRMC Pharmacy team members, Communication and Recognition Committee members, student observer, and members of the HRMC leadership team surround Dusan Mirkovic, as he accepts the Innovator Award at HRMC.

DUSTIN RANDALL

Dustin Randall, CNP, has returned part-time to Freeman Regional where he worked for a year after earning his nurse practitioner degree. A Platte High School graduate, Randall holds a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His experience includes medical-surgical nursing, intensive care, and 11 years at Avera Occupational Medicine. He previously served at Freeman Regional in 2012 following his nurse practitioner certification.

Brookings Hospital has been named to Newsweek ’s America’s Best-In-State Hospitals list for the second consecutive year, earning a Patient Experience Award. The recognition requires top performance in Hospital Consumer Assessment measures, with at least three measures in the top 15% and four in the top 10%. The hospital was also named a Top 20 Rural Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association.

TERESA MALLETT

Teresa Mallett, MHA, has been named CEO of Madison Regional Health System, succeeding retiring CEO Tammy Miller. Mallett, who joined MRHS in 2001, has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2012. She holds a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and has managed key projects including hospital software implementation and physician recruitment.

Urology Specialists has added two physicians to its team. Dr. J. Spencer Edman, a Sioux Falls native and University of South Dakota Medical School graduate, completed his residency at the University of Iowa and sees patients in Sioux Falls and Marshall. Dr. Matthew Larson, from Brandon, South Dakota, completed his residency at the University of Kansas Health Systems and practices in Sioux Falls, Madison, and Slayton.

MARIT JOHNSON , PT, MSPT, PhD

Degree: Master of Science in Physical Therapy

Current Position: Clinical Research Scientist at Mainstay Medical, San Diego

Marit Johnson of Florence, South Dakota, started her professional life as a civil engineer. She loved math and science and figured that civil engineering would allow her to apply both. But after three years in the field, she realized there was something else she loved just as much.

“I found that I really missed anatomy,” says Johnson. Thus began her journey into physical therapy. After having some conversations with instructors at USD, Johnson applied to the USD School of Health Sciences competitive Master of Science program in Physical Therapy.

“I took my chances and put all my eggs in one basket,” says Johnson of her decision to apply only to USD. “It was the first time that I was being embraced for having a really diverse educational background. One person told me, ‘Your skill set in understanding mechanics is going to be really powerful in orthopedics.’ That was kind of the hook that got me there.”

After graduation, Johnson practiced physical therapy at both Avera and Sanford clinics, becoming the head of chronic pain at Sanford’s multidisciplinary pain clinic. Among her chronic pain patients, many were suffering with back pain.

“I found that I really enjoyed working with the spine because it is such a challenging part of the body to understand,” says Johnson. Johnson spent several years studying the spine, even earning an additional degree in biomedical engineering. She eventually landed at a California medical device company that focuses on chronic low back pain.

Today, Johnson says she still leans on the lessons she learned at USD - both in and out of the classroom.

“I have continued to be in touch with several of my USD instructors who have helped me throughout my career,” she says. “One in particular has a way of making you feel like she’s got your back and she’s there to support you. It’s something I did not always find in other places and I try to carry that forward with my own interns.”

This SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT brought to you by

Happenings around the region

DIANE INCH

Diane Inch, MPA-C, of Horizon Health’s Fort Thompson clinic, has received the 2024 South Dakota Cancer Coalition Cancer Champion Award. Inch was recognized for increasing colorectal cancer screening rates from 35.66% to 61% in 2023. She implemented on-demand fecal testing to improve screening accessibility for patients without stable living conditions.

Mike Trachta, MercyOne VP of Rural Hospitals and Regional Operations, has received the 2024 Jerry Karbeling Award from the Iowa Rural Health Association. Trachta, who oversees eight owned and 20 affiliated rural hospitals, was recognized for his contributions to rural healthcare and health policy. The award honors individuals demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to community health in Iowa.

OTHER

The Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded $8.4 million to the American Heart Association for Mission: Lifeline Stroke initiatives in South Dakota ($4.4M) and Minnesota ($4M). The goal of the program is to integrate acute stroke care systems and implement evidence-based guidelines, particularly focusing on rural populations facing longer transit times and limited specialist access.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Children’s Hospitals rankings has recognized Children’s Nebraska in Pulmonology & Lung Surgery and Nephrology specialties. The rankings, based on patient outcomes, clinical resources, and best practices compliance, evaluated 108 children’s hospitals nationwide. Dr. Casey Burg leads the Pulmonary Medicine program, while Dr. Melissa Muff-Luett heads the Nephrology program.

Spencer Hospital, a member of the Iowa Cancer Affiliate Network (I-CAN), hosted National Cancer Institute Director Kimryn Rathmell to discuss rural cancer care challenges in October. The visit highlighted Iowa’s position as having the second-highest cancer incidence rate nationally. Through extensive collaboration and partnership building, I-CAN extends out the resources and expertise of the UI Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Iowa Cancer Registry to a network of rural hospitals, aiming to improve outcomes in areas with higher cancer mortality rates.

❱ Intrigued by something you’ve read here? Want to go deeper? Read the full versions of these and other recent news items on our website.

(From left) Megan Myers, SD Cancer Coalition Coordinator; Diane Inch, MPA-C; Caleb Nordquist, Cancer Screening Outreach Coordinator for the SD Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Front (L-R): Amber Dodds, Abben Cancer Center Oncology Pharmacist; Micaela Maeyaert, Spencer Hospital Director of Pharmacy; Mary Charlton, I-CAN Principle Investigator and Director of the Iowa Cancer Registry; Lisa Hunter, I-CAN Project Manager; Mindy Sylvester, Abben Cancer Center Director.

Back (L-R): Vickie Miene, I-CAN Director of Administrative Services; Brenda Tiefenthaler, Spencer Hospital President, Dr. Rathmell, National Cancer Institute Director; Ed Meyer, Spencer Hospital Vice President of Information, Technology, and Security; Christine Mehan, Abben Cancer Center Nurse Supervisor; Jolie Threlkeld, Abben Cancer Center Oncology Nurse Practitioner; Danielle Vaudt, Abben Cancer Center Oncology Navigator

Comprehensive Cardiac Care Across Nebraska, the Region and Beyond

In the Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Heart Center at Children’s Nebraska, pediatric cardiology and heart surgery teams specialize in treating a range of congenital heart defects and offer comprehensive cardiac care. From the Fetal Heart to Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) programs, Children’s has the expertise to provide exceptional cardiac care in all stages of life. In addition to providing care in Omaha, Children’s cardiologists conduct pediatric and congenital heart disease outreach clinics in 11 locations, providing the same standard of specialty care closer to home.

CUTTING-EDGE CARE

Children’s is dedicated to staying at the forefront of medical innovations, investing in state-of-the-art equipment and expert providers.

One such investment is to offer comprehensive interventional and diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures. Our stateof-the-art cardiac catheterization suites double as full-service operating rooms if and when surgery is needed. The suites house ARTIS pheno, a robotic C-arm X-ray that provides swift, 360-degree images of even the tiniest hearts with limited exposure to radiation for patients. Children’s was the first in the world to adopt ARTIS pheno in a pediatric setting. Children’s also houses a first-in-the-region Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), a floor exclusively dedicated to caring for the full spectrum of pediatric heart patients. Working alongside Children’s pediatric specialists, the CCU team includes highly skilled nurses and advanced practice providers specially trained in providing care to pediatric patients with cardiovascular conditions.

EXTENDING EXCELLENCE ACROSS THE REGION

Understanding the challenges that geographic distance can pose to families, Children’s has established outreach clinics across Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota. The outreach clinics bring the expertise and innovation of Children’s pediatric cardiac care right to the communities we serve. Children’s cardiology outreach clinics are offered in:

Nebraska: Columbus, Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, Lincoln, Norfolk and North Platte

Iowa: Atlantic and Sioux City

South Dakota: Rapid City and Sioux Falls

When visits to Children’s main campus are necessary, patients and families traveling from more than 90 miles outside of Omaha can access the Rainbow House, a 56-room overnight guest house for a patient’s immediate family.

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Children’s offers a range of cardiac programs and services to meet the needs of our patients and families. Our providers use a patient-centered approach to care, meaning each patient receives an individualized care plan tailored to their specific condition. Cardiac programs offered at Children’s include:

• Adult Congenital Heart Disease

• Aortopathy Program

• Cardiac Rehabilitation

• Cardiothoracic Surgery

• Cardiovascular Genetics

• Diagnostic Testing & Advanced Cardiac Imaging

• Electrophysiology

• Fetal Cardiology

• Fontan Program, in partnership with Children’s Adolescent Medicine and Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition

• Interventional Cardiology

• Pediatric Cardiology

• Pulmonary Hypertension Program, in partnership with Children’s Pulmonology

• Single Ventricle Program

• 3D Visualization Lab

2024 The Year in Pictures

2. HELMSLEY The Helmsley Charitable Trust grants nearly $16 million to help the American Heart Association (AHA) create the AHA Center for Telehealth.

10. AVERA Avera announces the largest building plan in its history, including a six-story expansion on the main campus and a three-story building on the Louise Avenue campus.

11.

pharmacy.

1. WATERTOWN Prairie Lakes Healthcare System and Brown Clinic join forces to create a continuum of care in Watertown.

Pictured: Dr. Casey Johnston, Dr. Stacie Lenssen and CEO John Allen

Pictured: Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association & Helmsley Trustee Walter Panzirer

3. JIM DOVER James “Jim” Dover becomes the President & CEO of Avera Health with a promise to support the mission and strengthen rural health.

4. GO RED Another successful Go Red for Women event takes place in February. Pictured: MED ’s Steffanie Liston Holtrop and the physicians of Dakota Vascular in Sioux Falls.

5. BROOKINGS Brookings Health System upgrades its ultrasound system to a GE Fortis.

6. SANFORD PEDS Sanford Health expands pediatric emergency medicine to meet growing demand. Pictured: Mason Ruthford, MD and Donald Ellis, MD

7. SIOUX FALLS WalletHub names South Dakota the third best state for healthcare and Sioux Falls a top-15 ‘Happiest City’

8. MAKE-A-WISH Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana celebrates 40 years of granting wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Pictured: President & CEO Sue Salter

MONUMENT Monument Health expands its gastroenterology team and services. Pictured: Ali Zakaria, MD (l) and Issam Turk, MD with the team on ‘Colon Day’.

NUCLEAR Monument Health opens the state’s second nuclear

Pictured: Patrick Novak, PharmD and Bryan Brittain, PharmD

12. HORIZON Horizon Healthcare rebrands as Horizon Health

13. MERCYONE MercyOne Siouxland Heart and Vascular Center physicians perform their 100th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure.

14. PRAIRIE LAKES Prairie Lakes Healthcare System implements Ion, a robotic-assisted technology for minimally invasive biopsies deep in the lungs.

15. LIFESCAPE LifeScape breaks ground on an expansive new children’s campus in Sioux Falls to include residential, educational, and rehabilitation services.

16. HRMC CT Huron Regional Medical Center installs a uCT ATLANS CT Scanner, featuring AI empowered workflows and ultra-fast imaging.

17. WORKFORCE Dr. Maurice Chessmore, primary care physician at Douglas County Memorial Hospital in Armour, South Dakota, exemplifies the success of state programs to bolster the rural healthcare workforce. Pictured with colleagues (l to r) Brenda Punt, Jennifer Bietz, PA, Samantha Menning, and Jenna Leibel

18. USD NURSING The USD School of Health Sciences Launches an accelerated RN to BSN program, allowing nurses to complete the degree in 16 months

19. HURON DIVERSITY Huron Regional Medical Center is cultivating a diverse workforce to build its team and provide better care

20. GOOD SAM Sanford Health announces Founder’s Crossing, a large new senior living community in Sioux Falls set to open in 2026

21. SDAHO AWARD The South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations announces its Distinguished Service Awards. MED Editor Alex Strauss is among them.

22. PLHS CANCER Prairie Lakes Cancer Center celebrates its 25th anniversary in Watertown.